Manchester Britains self proclaimed “second city” is world famous for football, music and swagger. Home to footballing giants Man Utd and Man City as well as British music icons such as Joy Division, The Smiths and Oasis.
The city has grown out of its industrial past, repurposing its warehouses and factories to become a place where communal mindset, liberalism and self-improvement is the city’s new pride.
But where on earth in a big city do you stay? You wanna sample the city’s nightlife, catch a few gigs? Or are you there to watch some football? What’s the best area for you?
Don’t worry! We’ve selected some of the best hostels in Manchester to make life easy for you when it comes to choosing somewhere that’s best for you.
There are even a few budget hotels in Manchester to choose from, too. Peep our list below!
Image: Nic Hilditch-Short
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Best Hostels in Manchester
YHA Manchester
Bright, fun and friendly, if you’re looking for the best overall hostel in Manchester, look no further. Seriously, this place is a gem for travellers who want to meet other travellers, be close to the city sights, and sleep in a clean bed in stylish surroundings.
Staying in this cool Manchester hostel is a good choice for people who don’t mind staying a little out the centre, and walking to different destinations. Its located on the side busy canal, and there’s a bar so you can enjoy a drink or two before heading out to dinner.
PH Hostel Manchester NQ1
Tucked away in the heart of Manchester’s buzzing Northern Quarter, PH Hostel Manchester calls the vibrant Stephenson’s Square home. This area’s a haven of indie bars, quirky eateries, vinyl shops, and live music spots, pulsing with energy and packed with character.
The hostel itself oozes charm, set in a Victorian building with upcycled touches that mirror the neighbourhood’s edgy aesthetic. It’s a perfect base for mingling with fellow travellers or even the locals. The restaurant and bar next door is an absolute gem—easily one of my favourites in the city. Rooms are cosy, the beds are seriously comfy, but if you’re not planning to dive into the nightlife, pack some earplugs. The buzz of this area doesn’t sleep—but that’s half the magic of staying here!
Stash your cash safely with this money belt. It will keep your valuables safely concealed, no matter where you go.
It looks exactly like a normal belt except for a SECRET interior pocket perfectly designed to hide a wad of cash, a passport photocopy or anything else you may wish to hide. Never get caught with your pants down again! (Unless you want to…)
Hide Yo’ Money!Best Budget Hotels In Manchester
The modern hostel scene hasn’t really hit Manchester yet, and while that’s good news for backpackers who wanna unearth a more authentic side to a city before other travellers follow suit, this also means budget travel is a little trickier. No worries! There’s a solid range of cheap hotels in Manchester that are great for budget travellers. So here’s our selection of the best budget hotels in Manchester…
Milton Manchester Hotel
Close to the Trafford Centre and all the shopping you could ever dream of, this is a modern hotel that seems to cater more to business types than budget types, but it’s still pretty affordable.
The rooms are spacious, the beds are comfy, the staff are lovely, and it’s 10 mins by train to the centre of Manchester. It’s a good choice for people who are in the city for a spot of football, too – Old Trafford, Manchester United’s ground if you weren’t aware, is very very close.
ibis Manchester Centre 96 Portland Street
Clean, cosy, and easy on the wallet, this budget-friendly gem is a solid pick for a Manchester stay. Each room comes with a private bathroom, towels included, and reliable Wi-Fi. An iron room is available for sprucing up, and the ground-floor bar offers guest discounts—a win-win. Morning essentials include a kettle, cups, and a basic tea and coffee set to kickstart the day.
The location is spot-on, right in the city centre, with everything just a stroll away. Breakfast and check-out times are suprisingly late, allowing for a proper lie-in after that heavy night. Watch out, there is another ibis hotel on the same street, which can be confusing. Luckily for you, this one is far superior.
Luxury Rooms – Pick a Room – Free Parking & Kitchen Access, Near Etihad Stadium, The Coop Live & Piccadilly Station, Manchester
This privately rented holiday stay is a top pick for doing Manchester on the cheap. The house is exceptionally clean, with a comfortable room, a modern en suite, and a comfy bed to crash on after a day out.
Guests have access to a shared kitchen, which is a game-changer for saving cash on meals. The location is convenient, just a 5–10 minute walk to the Etihad Stadium and several bus stops, making public transport a breeze. Manchester Piccadilly is a 20-minute walk away, connecting you to the city’s tram network for easy exploring. The cherry on top is the host, who’s ridiculously kind, making this spot feel like a home away from home.
easyHotel Manchester
Right in the heart of the Northern Quarter, this place couldn’t be better located. Cafes, restaurants, and all the action are right on your doorstep, with the train station and tram just a short stroll away. The rooms are small but do the job if you’re out exploring most of the time. For the truly budget-conscious, there’s even a windowless option—more pounds for pints, right?
The property is spotless and well-kept, with staff who are as warm and welcoming as your morning brew. A solid base for soaking up Manchester’s buzz without breaking the bank.
The Crown & Anchor
Oh to be in Manchester staying above a pub. You can make your dreams (dream bigger kid) a reality with The Crown & Anchor! In the heart of Manchester, The Crown & Anchor is a great little pub with rooms above with shared bathrooms. The rooms are small, cheap and functional, essentially nothing more than beds – but its superb location and a lot of bang for your buck. The staff are genuinely warm people who seem to enjoy hospitality and do it well.
Hatters on Newton
Travelling on a budget in an English city isn’t always an easy feat, but by choosing to stay at this top hostel in Manchester centre you’ll be able to stay inside a reasonable travel budget. There’s a free breakfast (which is always a plus point), AND free walking tours!
Rooms are simple but there is a nice friendly traveller atmosphere in the cafe downstairs, so if you just want somewhere to crash after a night out, or want to meet new mates, this is the best cheap hostel in Manchester for you.
Umbrella Tree
Do you like cheap? Then you’ll like this budget hotel in Manchester. That’s because it is quite cheap indeed. And the best thing is it’s not even a hotel. It’s an APARTMENT. So that just makes the value for money factor of this place literally soar sky high. AND it’s super central, too!
It’s the sorta place you can rent with your travelling buddies and really feel like you are IN Manchester, properly. It’s decked out so stylishly that we reckon it could be the coolest budget hotel in Manchester. Wooden floors, minimal decor, comfy bed… I mean, dang.
Victoria Warehouse Hotel
Set in an old warehouse, if you couldn’t tell from the name, this one is slightly confusing in that it’s half, like, really cool, and half pretty basic. Some of the rooms are design-led and have exposed bricks and stylish furniture – others just have a bed and an armchair.
But it’s still a top budget hotel in Manchester. In fact, downstairs the bar is a pretty hip sorta place, places to sit and stuff in a cool setting with quirky retro furniture (making it a good option for digital nomads, we’d say). Plus there’s a yoga studio for all your yoga needs.
What to Pack for your Manchester Hostel
Pants, socks, underwear, soap?! Take it from me, packing for a hostel stay is not always quite as straightforward as it seems. Working out what to bring and what to leave at home is an art I have perfected over many years.
Ear Plugs
Snoring dorm-mates can ruin your nights rest and seriously damage the hostel experience. This is why I always travel with a pack of decent ear plugs.
Hanging Laundry Bag
Trust us, this is an absolute game changer. Super compact, a hanging mesh laundry bag stops your dirty clothes from stinking, you don’t know how much you need one of these… so just get it, thank us later.
Sea To Summit Micro Towel
Hostel towels are scummy and take forever to dry. Microfibre towels dry quickly, are compact, lightweight, and can be used as a blanket or yoga mat if need be.
Monopoly Deal
Forget about Poker! Monopoly Deal is the single best travel card game that we have ever played. Works with 2-5 players and guarantees happy days.
Grayl Geopress Water Bottle
Always travel with a water bottle! They save you money and reduce your plastic footprint on our planet. The Grayl Geopress acts as a purifier AND temperature regulator. Boom!
Check out our definitive Hostel Packing list for even more top hostel packing tips!
All you have left to do is to get ready to be wowed by this cool city!
FAQ about Hostels in Manchester
Here are some questions backpackers ask about hostels in Manchester.
How much do hostels in Manchester cost?
Manchester hostels cost around $70-$80 whereas private rooms cost around $200.
What are the best hostels in Manchester for couples?
Hatters at Hilton Chambers is the coolest Manchester Hostel for couples. It’s cozy, well decorated and centrally located but also social too!
Travel Safety Tips for Manchester
ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing.
They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.
SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!
Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.
More Epic Hostels in UK and Europe
Hopefully by now you’ve found the perfect hostel for your upcoming trip to Manchester.
Planning an epic trip all across UK or even Europe itself?
Don’t worry – we’ve got you covered!
For more cool hostel guides around Europe, check out:
Over to you
By now I hope our epic guide to the best hostels in Manchester has helped you choose the perfect hostel for your adventure!
If you think we’ve missed anything or have any further thoughts, hit us up in the comments!
- Check out our extensive guide to backpacking in UK for a wealth of info!
- Not sure what to do once you arrive? We’ve got all the best places to visit in Manchester covered.
- Skip the dorm and find a super cool Airbnb in Manchester if you’re feeling fancy!
- Check out the best places to stay in Manchester before you arrive.
- Remember to grab yourself an international sim card for Europe to avoid any issues.
- Prepare for your trip with our backpacking packing list.
- Get ready for your next destination with our ultimate Europe backpacking guide.
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