Mumbai is modern and mad, the centre for fashion, film and finance in India. This is the birthplace of Bollywood, home to a load of historical monument and sights (e.g. the Victorian train station, the Gateway to India), and is famed even in India for its delicious stand-up street food.
And, of course, Mumbai is infamous for its divide between rich and poor – here is India’s most expensive property owned by its wealthiest citizens… and here are its biggest slums, too.
So being such a huge city, and being quite a daunting prospect (especially if you’ve never been to India before), where on earth in Mumbai do you choose to stay? And… is it safe?!
Don’t worry! There are plenty of secure places to stay in the city. And to make things easier for you we’ve sorted through the best hostels in Mumbai (by category, as well!) so that you can find the hostel that suits you most.
Brace yourself for one of the world’s maddest cities – and let’s see what hostels it has in store for you!
Best Hostels in Mumbai
Some of India’s best hostels are located in Mumbai. Mumbai is a big city, but no matter where in Mumbai you stay you should find something comfortable and affordable nearby.
The Social Space Hostel Mumbai – Best Overall Hostel in Mumbai
Without a doubt the definitive best overall hostel in Mumbai, this place really is a cut above the rest. The kinda place that’ll help you make some pretty sick memories of your trip, it’s got a top-notch atmosphere, kind staff – it’s also close to the metro and is professionally managed.
They arrange nights out at this Mumbai backpackers hostel, which helps to get you into Mumbai’s nightlife without you getting lost by yourselves in this megacity. And another major plus of this newly made hostel is that it’s super clean. Located in the suburbs of Mumbai, it’s a safe area where you can find some very tasty local food.
The Dorm Factory – Best Hostel for Solo Travellers in Mumbai
Despite the industrial and impersonal sounding name, this Mumbai backpackers hostel really is a great package. It features clean sheets, clean bathrooms and a warm atmosphere, plus it feels safe and the staff work hard to make sure everyone has a good time.
Yep, you can see why this is the best hostel for solo travellers in India. There are great places to eat surrounding this place, so you can head out with new friends to check ’em out. The staff also arrange activities – and they might even take you out to some bars and clubs if you’re up for it!
Horn Ok Please – Best Party Hostel in Mumbai
As you might be able to tell from the name, this top hostel in Mumbai is ok with noise. So you kinda have to be too if you wanna stay here! It’s definitely not about luxury, either – they say they’re for travellers, not tourists.
There’s literally a great atmosphere at this place, everyone’s in it to explore Mumbai which is pretty cool; the metro’s so close, making that even more possible. The best party hostel in Mumbai, the staff want everyone to make friends, hang out together, get on and explore Mumbai together. Sound like you? Then go for it!
Arma Hostel – Best Cheap Hostel in Mumbai
This place has a nice atmosphere and the people who stay here are friendly. It’s basic, but chill, and a great option if you’re looking for a budget hostel in Mumbai to stay in for a few days. There are 60 beds too, so you’re more likely to find a free space here.
It’s not the easiest to reach location, but it is close to museums and loads of great street food so you can continue to keep your prices low. Though it ain’t the cheapest place in town, it is the best cheap hostel in Mumbai. All ’bout that atmosphere. A nice oasis in a hectic city.
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View on Osprey View on REIBackpackers Panda Colabra – Best Hostel for Couples in Mumbai
Nice and new, it’s not just the hotel quality private rooms on offer here that make it the best hostel for couples in Mumbai. There’s 2 common rooms (plenty o’ space just to, y’know, hang out). It’s located in a popular tourist area close to the Gateway of India, too.
The staff at this recommended hostel in Mumbai can tell you all about where to go to eat and stuff so you can find somewhere cool for you and your partner to get some good grub. They also run tours of the city, for example, the infamous slum tours – if that’s your thing.
Zostel Mumbai – Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Mumbai
Part of the Zostel chain of hostels, this place is a vibrant, happy place to spend some time relaxing away from this whirlwind of a city. You can chill in their nice lil’ cafe or the bright common room, complete with bean bags and scatter pillows – OR their roof terrace.
Our best hostel for digital nomads is modern, stylish and has ample room for you to pull up a stool, get your laptop out and get working. It’s generally quite a cool Mumbai hostel, which is a welcome break if you’ve been staying in more… ‘typical’ backpackers accommodation till now.
Backpacker Panda – Best Hostel with a Private Room in Mumbai
If you have had one too many nights in a dorm room and need some space… or if you just love private rooms anyway, or if you call yourself flashpacker, this is definitely the coolest Mumbai hostel for you.
The rooms are like boutique quality. Very cool. Minimalist. Clean. Yep, we like ’em. So the rooms definitely help make this the best hostel with a private room in Mumbai, but also there’s a rooftop terrace, yoga classes, big lockers for your backpack, and some really powerful showers – ideal for washing that city dirt off ya.
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Hide Yo’ Money!More Best Hostels In Mumbai
Mumbai Staytion
We love a hostel with a pun name. Here’s one. And yep, you guessed it, this hostel is near the station AND you can STAY there. Ha. Ha. Other than being hilarious, they pride themselves on positive vibes and creating a happy environment for guests.
It’s secure and safe for female backpackers, too. The staff are also really polite and helpful at this recommended hostel in Mumbai, they help to create an atmosphere that’s friendly. The kinda place you actually WANT to come back to after the madness of Mumbai.
Hostel Mantra
Situated in Andheri, a suburb of Mumbai, close to bars, pubs and restaurants, this hostel features a load of nice space to chill out in; this includes a lounge complete with a projector where you can watch sports and stuff, plus a rooftop terrace – always good.
This Mumbai backpackers hostel is a great place for more seasoned travellers: there’s quite a few local people who stay here, so you get to chat to ’em and learn all about Indian culture. The people who run this hostel want to make Mumbai more of a cool, backpacking destination and are keen to learn more about you!
Basti
Sure, Basti might be a little far out from the centre of Mumbai – meaning you gotta travel far to see the tourist sights of the city; but at least you can escape from central out to this calmer area of town and this nice lil’ Mumbai backpackers hostel.
The staff have created a homely environment here, which is always a plus. And, yeah, the rooms might be basic, but it’s really good value for money AND you get a free breakfast too. The guests at this budget Mumbai hostel tend to be from all over the world, making it an interesting place to get talking to people and learning about other cultures.
Abza Dormitory
Located between two metro stations, it’s pretty easy to hit up Mumbai’s top sights from here. This place is a good place to stay short term if you wanna see some tourist sights and the big city of Mumbai – or to break up the epic train journey from Delhi to Goa (or vice-versa).
The dorms are a… little bit tight, but they do come with privacy curtains and are new and solid, so it’s not all overly cosy. Basically, this Mumbai backpackers is more like a place to sleep rather than hang out on rooftops and stuff like that. That’s why that close-to-metro location is good: you can get out and actually SEE the city.
Anjali Home Mumbai
Clean, comfortable, and reasonably priced, this budget hostel in Mumbai is close to the airport which is just great if you need to catch an early flight – or need to get to or from the airport quickly for whatever reason.
There are Western style chains close by if you’re hankering after some of that after a lot of Indian food (think Domino’s, McDonald’s, Pizza Hut -if that’s your thing). Staff are friendly and will help you out with pretty much anything, including taxis to the airport. They have dorms and private rooms, too.
Airport Hostel By Bombay Backpackers
It’s another Mumbai backpackers hostel located near the airport, which again is great for convenience fans. This one, however, goes a step further, serving a nice hot breakfast in the mornings, which is definitely something we appreciate! Oh, and it’s also near the western train station.
Each bed comes with a locker AND a wardrobe (unusual but great), plus there’s a kitchen and common area you can use even after you’ve checked out if you’re waiting around for a flight. There’s also a female-only dorm making this a great hostel for female travellers in Mumbai.
Wowstel in Mumbai
Wow…stel. This place is calm and relaxing, making it a nice lil’ oasis (like many Mumbai backpackers hostels) in the middle of the very busy city. Rooms and bathrooms are kept super clean, just adding to that sense of seclusion away from the city.
There’s a rooftop terrace, should you want to chill out looking down on stuff, as well as a lounge. The kind staff arrange events, hostel parties and games, making it a good hostel for solo travellers in Mumbai. They like to promote the exchange of culture, too, which we think is a great idea.
Travellers Inn
It’s basic and small, but this top hostel in Mumbai is good because you can get to loads of top attractions from here, which is great if you wanna see all the sights and eat all the street food you can.
In what CAN be an expensive city, this is a great choice for a budget hostel in Mumbai. Plus you can meet some nice people here, backpackers like yourselves for instance. Of course, this is not exactly the sorta place you’ll stay for ages, but a couple of nights here is just fine.
What to Pack for your Mumbai 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 Mumbai
There you have it. The best hostels in Mumbai, arranged by category, so hopefully, you can easily find a hostel for you.
So many of them have a focus on making sure that people have fun together. Think activities, tours, games, and generally a selection of staff who really want you to see the best that Mumbai has to offer.
It isn’t all slums and traffic, y’know!
But if, after going through our handy list, you still can’t find a top Mumbai hostel for you – don’t worry.
We’d say definitely go for The Social Space Hostel Mumbai, our top pick for the best overall hostel Mumbai. This place easily wins as the best hostel that this city has to offer. Have fun!
FAQ about Hostels in Mumbai
Here are some questions backpackers ask about hostels in Mumbai.
How much does a hostel cost in Mumbai?
On average, you can get a Dorm bed for $7 and a Private room starts at $15.
What are the best hostels in Mumbai for couples?
Backpackers Panda Colabra is the best hostel for couples in Mumbai. Its private rooms are comfortable and is located in a popular tourist area close to the Gateway of India.
What are the best hostels in Mumbai near the airport?
Zostel Mumbai, the best hostel for digital nomads in Mumbai, is just 10 minutes from the airport.
Travel Safety Tips for Mumbai
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SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!
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More Epic Hostels in India and Asia
Hopefully by now you’ve found the perfect hostel for your upcoming trip to Mumbai.
Planning an epic trip all across India or even Asia itself?
Don’t worry – we’ve got you covered!
For more cool hostel guides around Asia, check out:
Over to you
By now I hope our epic guide to the best hostels in Mumbai 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 India for a wealth of info!
- Not sure what to do once you arrive? We’ve got all the best places to visit in Mumbai covered.
- Skip the dorm and find a super cool Airbnb in Mumbai if you’re feeling fancy!
- Check out the best places to stay in Mumbai before you arrive.
- Remember to grab yourself an international sim card for India to avoid any issues.
- Prepare for your trip with our backpacking packing list.
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!
