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!

Tramlines at sunset in Manchester
We’ve also got photogenic tram lines in Manchester!
Image: Nic Hilditch-Short

Best Hostels in Manchester

Best Overall Hostel in Manchester – YHA Manchester

YHA Manchester best hostels in Manchester
YHA Manchester is our pick for best overall hostel in Manchester
  • $$
  • Free Parking
  • 24 Hour Reception
  • Bar

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.

Best Cheap Hostel in Manchester – Hatters on Newton

Hatters on Newton best hostels in Manchester
Hatters on Newton is our pick for best cheap hostel in Manchester
  • $
  • Free Breakfast
  • Free Tours
  • Cafe

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.

Hatters on Newton is one of our favourites in Manchester but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.

Is This the Best Backpack EVER???
Aether Backpack

We’ve tested countless backpacks over the years, but there’s one that has always been the best and remains the best buy for adventurers: the broke backpacker-approved Osprey Aether and Ariel series.

Want more deetz on why these packs are so damn perfect? Then read our comprehensive review for the inside scoop!

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Best Hostel for Couples in Manchester – Hatters at Hilton Chambers

Hatters at Hilton Chambers best hostels in Manchester
Hatters at Hilton Chambers is our pick for best hostel for couples in Manchester
  • $$
  • Free Food
  • Pool Table
  • PlayStation

In Manchester with your partner? Girlfriend? Boyfriend? Husband? Wife? Who knows – it doesn’t matter to us. But you should definitely stay at the best hostel for couples in Manchester.

It’s modern, it’s in the Northern Quarter (near to all the great nightlife – especially great if you and your partner love going out), and there’s an onsite restaurant. Free walking tours? Free food on a Tuesday? Decent private rooms? Ok, we’re in.

Hatters at Hilton Chambers is one of our favourites in Manchester but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.

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

Milton Manchester Hotel best hostels in Manchester
Milton Manchester Hotel
  • $$
  • Bar & Restaurant
  • 24 Hour Reception
  • Daily Housekeeping

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.

Travel with peace of mind. Travel WITH a security belt.
Active Roots Security Belt

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!

More of the Top Hostels in Manchester

Hallmark Inn Manchester

Hallmark Inn Manchester best hostels in Manchester
Hallmark Inn Manchester
  • $$$
  • Room Service
  • Bar
  • Parking

A more traditional hotel than others on this list, it’s set in an old building and has things like trippy carpet patterns, a lounge/lobby that looks out over the carpark/garden… You know the sorta place. But it IS one of the top budget hotels in Manchester.

Yep, it’s clean, they’ve got BIG beds here, there’s tea and coffee in the rooms, there’s a conference room (maybe you can rent it out to do some grand travel planning, we don’t know). Plus there’s a bar. That’s helpful – and fun! Bit pricey tho.

The Garden Hotel

The Garden Hotel best hostels in Manchester
The Garden Hotel
  • $$
  • Bar
  • Laundry Service
  • 24 Hour Front Desk

This budget hotel in Manchester has bright rooms, stylish furniture, a big, open lobby for you to lounge around in… I mean, it’s a little bit rough around the edges, but it’s kept pretty clean AND it’s pretty much in the centre of the city.

So, yeah, if location is your jam then this is your thing. Don’t be expecting anything too fancy though. From ‘executive double’ rooms to a basic single, there’s a selection here that depends on how rich you’re feeling. You’d think there’d be a garden here, but no: it just looks out over Piccadilly Gardens.

Holiday Guest House

Holiday Guest House best hostels in Manchester
Holiday Guest House
  • $
  • En-suite Bathroom
  • Laundry Facilities
  • Free Tea & Coffee

So this place is a pretty decent option when it comes to a budget hotel in Manchester. Sure, it’s not exactly the coolest or most modern place around, but it IS like staying in a big shared house… which is sorta like a Manchester backpackers hostel.

It’s also super cheap, which is great for anybody on a shoestring. Plus it’s very well maintained and clean – always a plus. There’s ALMOST an Airbnb sorta vibe going on here. Located in a newly built house, the owners are accommodating and helpful. Oh, like curry? 5 mins to the ‘Curry Mile’ from here.

Holiday Guest House is one of our favourites in Manchester but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.

Umbrella Tree

Umbrella Tree best hostels in Manchester
Umbrella Tree
  • $
  • Free Breakfast (Stocked Kitchen)
  • It’s An Apartment
  • Location Location Location

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.

Umbrella Tree is one of our favourites in Manchester but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.

Victoria Warehouse Hotel

Victoria Warehouse Hotel best hostels in Manchester
Victoria Warehouse Hotel
  • $$$
  • Breakfast (On Offer, Not Free)
  • Disabled Access
  • Bar

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.

Victoria Warehouse Hotel is one of our favourites in Manchester but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.

Hotel Ivy

Hotel Ivy best hostels in Manchester
Hotel Ivy
  • $$
  • Free Breakfast
  • Pet-Friendly
  • Bar

If boutique is what you’re looking for in a Manchester budget hotel, then Hotel Ivy is… a place you should be looking at. It’s small and cute. They’ve definitely tried hard on the boutique side of this place.

A small bar downstairs helps when you fancy a drink and can’t be bothered to move (it’s a 10 min drive to town). The gin and tonic here is apparently on point. Plus there’s a free breakfast. All in all, it’s a family-run place that’s reasonably priced and has super nice staff.

Hotel Ivy is one of our favourites in Manchester but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.

What to Pack for your Manchester Hostel

Pants, socks, underwear, soap?! Take it from us, packing for a hostel stay is not always quite as straight forward as it seems. Working out what to bring and what to leave at home is an art we have perfected over many years.

Product
Description
Don’t Let Snorers Keep You Awake!
Don’t Let Snorers Keep You Awake!

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.

Keep your laundry organized and stink free
Keep your laundry organized and stink free

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.

Stay Dry With a Micro Towel
Stay Dry With a Micro Towel

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.

Make Some New Buddies…
Make Some New Buddies…

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.

Reduce Plastic – Bring a Water Bottle!
Reduce Plastic – Bring a Water Bottle!

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!

YHA Manchester best hostels in Manchester

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!

What is the best hostel in Manchester near the airport?

While not a full-blown hostel, the budget stay that’s closest and cheapest to Manchester Airport is NormanHurst Hotel. You’ll get a private room for cheaper than some downtown dorm beds.

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!


And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links. That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!