Montreal is considered one of the most beautiful and cultured cities in all of Canada. It’s French-Canadian history and culture make it a unique experience, as more and more travelers are heading there to experience it’s charm (and food!).
But like most of Canada, Montreal is not cheap.
The best way to save money while traveling to Montreal is by staying at hostels, which is exactly why we have put together this ultimate guide to the best hostels in Montreal for 2021.
With the help of this guide, you’ll know exactly which the best hostels in Montreal are, and which one is best for you.
To accomplish this, we’ve taken the highest rated hostels (and some hotels) in Montreal and put them in different travel-categories.
So whether you are going to Montreal to party, get some work done, or are just looking for the cheapest hostel possible, our ultimate guide to the best hostels in Montreal will get you situated.
Montreal is a super cool place to visit. I want you to have the best possible experience backpacking here by staying in one of the best hostels in Montreal.
The goal is to give you the keys to the city (without actually giving you any keys).
Let’s take a look at some of the best hostels (and budget hotels) in Montreal!
Quick Answer: The Best Hostels in Montreal
- Overall Best Hostel in Montreal – M Montreal
- Best Hostel for Solo Travellers in Montreal – SameSun Montreal Central
- Best Hostel for Couples in Montreal – Le Gite du Plateau Mont-Royal
- Best Party Hostel in Montreal –HI Montreal
The 11 Best Hostels in Montreal
There are a lot of different neighborhoods in Montreal and each has its own flavor. But there is one thing that most share in common: they’re pricey.
While Montreal can be expensive, there are ways to cut down the costs. Price of Travel puts Montreal at a daily budget of $60 per day, and we think it can be even lower if you book on of the best hostels in Montreal (or budget hotels).
M Montreal – Overall Best Hostel in Montreal
If you’re looking for the overall best hostel in Montreal in 2021 you have to get yourself to the multi-award winning and much loved M Montreal. Offering a modern and spacious environment for travellers to hang out in M Montreal is easily the best hostel in Montreal. Winning silver in the 2019 Hoscars for best extra large hostel WORLDWIDE, M Montreal is the real deal. Their rooftop terrace is simply incredible and even has a hot tub spa pool! The whole place is buzzing with happy and contented travellers who all whisper to each other ‘can’t we just live here?!’.
Not only a fantastic Montreal backpackers hostel MM is a true home from home for travellers in Canada with super comfortable beds, immaculately clean facilities and wonderfully welcoming staff.
SameSun Montreal Central – Best Hostel for Solo Travellers in Montreal
SameSun Montreal Central is the latest addition to the Candian SameSun family and is certainly the best hostel for solo travellers in Montreal. With a big common room, community kitchen, hostel bar and outdoor terrace solo travellers make friends everywhere they go! There’s always a cool crowd hanging out at SameSun and solo travellers never have any trouble finding a new crew to explore Montreal with.
The staff are so, so friendly and they too become your new hostel buddies. Within a short walk of Notre-Dame Basilica and Vieux Montreal SameSun is a top hostel in Montreal for solo travellers who want to hit up all the cultural hotspots.
The Alternative Hostel of Old Montreal – Best Cheap Hostel in Montreal #3
The Alternative Hostel of Old Montreal definitely sounds like some kind of Canadian folk story but no! It is, in fact, a highly recommended hostel in Montreal, much loved by all who stay. Set in a renovated warehouse The Alternative is a modern and unique budget hostel in Montreal.
The dorms are super comfortable and cosy; each bed comes with linen and a towel and there are deep storage drawers under each bunk. Both budget and boutique, The Alternative is an eco-friendly and artsy youth hostel in Montreal loved by all.
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View on Osprey View on REILe Gite du Plateau Mont-Royal – Best Hostel for Couples in Montreal
Le Gite du Plateau Mont-Royal is easily the best hostel for couples in Montreal as they have a great selection of private rooms that are budget friendly. The rooms are homely and charming and some even have ensuites. The free breakfast at Le Gite du Plateau Mont-Royal is great! Pancakes and of course lashings of maple syrup.
If you don’t treat yourself to a morning overdose of maple syrup in Montreal you’re missing out! For couples wanting an element of privacy with the option to meet and mingle Le Gite du Plateau Mont-Royal is a perfect choice. As a leading youth hostel in Montreal, they have a really sociable and relaxed vibe making everyone feel welcome.
HI Montreal – Best Party Hostel in Montreal
If you’re looking for party central you better get yourself to HI Montreal, the best party hostel in Montreal. Their hostel bar is a great place to find the party people before you head out into the city to explore Montreal’s vivid nightlife scene. Offering travellers laid-back party vibes HI is a highly recommended hostel in Montreal for travellers of all kinds.
Party animals will be pleased to hear there is no curfew at HI Montreal so you can stay out as late as you like! Before you hit the bevvies though be sure to make the most of HI Montreal’s free daily trip into the city!
Alexandrie-Montréal – Best Cheap Hostel in Montreal #1
Alexandrie-Montréal is the best cheap hostel in Montreal offering great value for money and a memorable stay for all. Alexandrie-Montréal is a brilliant youth hostel in Montreal for travellers on a tight budget, not only do they offer a free breakfast and free WiFi the AM team also run the hostel cafe serving up some tasty treats for backpacker friendly prices. Having been hosting travellers for over 17 years the Alexandrie-Montréal team are well versed in the needs of backpackers.
They have created a fantastic budget hostel in Montreal with super comfortable beds, roomy dorms and a welcoming and relaxed vibe.
Alexandrie-Montréal is one of our favourites in Montreal 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.
Auberge Bishop – Best Cheap Hostel in Montreal #2
Auberge Bishop is a great youth hostel in Montreal, perfect for travellers on a budget. With dorm rooms starting from $16 a night, including a free breakfast and free WiFi too, shoestring budget travellers will be chuffed with their choice of Auberge Bishop. All guests are greeted with true Candian hospitality and are instantly welcomed into the AB family! The quirky decor adds a real charm to the place; a real homely feel. Travellers have access to the community kitchen that is fully equipped and super clean!
Auberge Bishop is one of our favourites in Montreal 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.
Auberge Saint-Paul – Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Montreal
The best hostel for digital nomads in Montreal is Auberge Saint-Paul. With a heap of common areas that double as digital nomad workspaces and a hostel cafe too, Auberge Saint Paul is the coolest hostel in Montreal for digital nomads. Offering a free, unlimited and reliable internet connection Auberge Saint Paul is the digital nomad dream!
Located in Montréal’s Old Port Auberge Saint-Paul places digital nomads at the heart of the action so when the laptop is closed there’s no time wasted faffing around with public transport.
Auberge Saint-Paul is one of our favourites in Montreal 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.
Visitel Hotel – Best Hostel with a Private Room in Montreal
Visitel Hotel is the perfect budget hostel in Montreal for groups of travelling buddies. Although a hotel at heart Visitel is ideal for travelling groups who want their own space while in Montreal, and are keen to cut costs. Offering a 4-bed private dorm for super reasonable rates, for travellers who fancy a more relaxed and cosy affair in Montreal Visitel is the place to come.
Tucked away in the Latin Quarter, Visitel is in an ideal spot for crews of nomads who wanna get out and explore Montreal. As a highly recommended hostel in Montreal, Visitel is a great shout for travelling couples too; plenty of cosy private ensuite rooms to go around!
Visitel Hotel is one of our favourites in Montreal 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.
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Hide Yo’ Money!More Best Hostels in Montreal
Auberge L’Apero
Auberge L’Apero is a top hostel in Montreal for travellers of every kind. Whether you’re a budget backpacker on the hunt for a good deal, a digital nomad in search of decent WiFi or a culture vulture keen to knock everything off your Montreal itinerary, you’ll find that Auberge L’Apero ticks all the boxes.
A European style youth hostel in Montreal Auberge L’Apero is set in a gorgeous 1880s greystone building in the heart of the city. The team are super helpful and will hook you up with local tips and tricks to help you make the most of your stay.
Auberge L’Apero is one of our favourites in Montreal 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.
Le Gîte du Parc Lafontaine
Le Gîte du Parc Lafontaine is a top hostel in Montreal for travellers who wanna make the most of the summer! Opening seasonally Le Gîte du Parc Lafontaine has a summer programme not to be missed! With free shows every evening throughout the summer and situated neighbouring some of Montreal’s best clubs, bars and cafes Le Gîte du Parc Lafontaine is a highly sought after youth hostel in Montreal.
The dorm rooms are bright and spacious and suitable for a flashpackers budget. The team will make sure you don’t miss any of Montreal’s summer fun when you’re in town!
Le Gîte du Parc Lafontaine is one of our favourites in Montreal 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 Montreal 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 our top packing tips!
Why you should travel to Montreal
Montreal is an absolute blast, and while it’s expensive, backpackers can save a ton of money by staying at any one of these best hostels in Montreal.
Remember that Montreal is becoming an ever popular destination for travelers. The cheapest and best hostels in Montreal book out fast. The last thing you want is to be left with the (pricey) dregs because you waited until the last minute.
When backpacking in the more expensive parts of the world, a little planning is the difference between staying in your travel budget or not.
With the help of this guide, you’ll be able to easily identify which hostel is best for you so you can book quickly and stress free.
And remember, if you can’t pick, just go with M Montreal – our pick for one of the best hostels in Montreal for 2021!
FAQ about Hostels in Montreal
Here are some questions backpackers ask about hostels in Montreal.
How much does a hostel cost in Montreal?
The average price of hostels in Montreal can range from $22 – $23+ per night. Of course, the private rooms are on the higher end of the scale than the dorm beds.
What are the best hostels in Montreal for couples?
Le Gite du Plateau Mont-Royal is our best hostel for couples in Montreal. It has a great selection of private rooms that are budget-friendly.
What is the best hostel in Montreal near the airport?
The Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport is quite far from the city center, so it is usually better to find the best place to stay within the area. Once you’re in the city, we highly recommend HI Montreal, the best party hostel in Montreal.
Travel Safety Tips for Montreal
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 Canada and North America
Hopefully by now you’ve found the perfect hostel for your upcoming trip to Montreal.
Planning an epic trip all across Canada or even North America itself?
Don’t worry – we’ve got you covered!
For more cool hostel guides around North America, check out:
Over to you
By now I hope our epic guide to the best hostels in Montreal 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 Montreal for a wealth of info!
- Not sure what to do once you arrive? We’ve got all the best places to visit in Montreal covered.
- Skip the dorm and find a super cool Airbnb in Montreal if you’re feeling fancy!
- Check out the best places to stay in Montreal before you arrive.
- Remember to grab yourself an international sim card for Canada to avoid any issues.
- Prepare for your trip with our backpacking packing list.
- Get ready for your next destination with our ultimate Canada backpacking guide.
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!
