Easily the most culturally unique city in the USA, New Orleans is a gold mine for those who like to drink, party and eat. But like every major city in the USA, New Orleans is expensive, and saving money can be a challenge. Which is exactly why we put together this kickass guide to the best hostels in New Orleans.
While New Orleans can be expensive, we know that budget travelers still want to experience this amazing city! And the best way to travel to New Orleans on a budget is by staying at one of their top hostels.
Written by travelers for travelers, our list of the best hostels in New Orleans is designed to help you pick a hostel quickly, and stress-free.
Read about how we pick the hostels for this list, and which New Orleans hostels made the list below!
Quick Answer: The Best Hostels in New Orleans
- Overall Best Hostel in New Orleans – The Quisby
- Best Cheap Hostel in New Orleans – City House Hostels New Orleans
- Best Hostel with a Private Room in New Orleans –Site 61 Hostel
How we came up with this list of top hostels in New Orleans
Picking a list of the ‘best’ anything is never easy, so we figured we’d do it in a way that benefited travelers.
First, we took only the highest rated hostels from Hostel World and put them together on one list. No poorly reviewed hostels allowed, only top-notch hostels with great reviews.
But then, we took our list a step further.
You see, at The Broke Backpacker, we know that different people have different styles of travel. Some people travel to party. Others travel to socialize. Some people travel solo, and others travel as a couple. And as the Digital Nomad scene grows, it’s even becoming more and more popular for people to look for hostels to work in.
Basically, if you are deciding where to stay in New Orleans, then we got you!
So, we’ve taken these different travel-needs into consideration and organized the hostels accordingly.
Whether you are visiting New Orleans to party up, wind down or explore the city, our list of the best hostels in New Orleans will help you find exactly where it is you want to stay!
The 11 Best Hostels in New Orleans
Experience the vibrant home of jazz with a stay in one of these carefully selected top hostels in New Orleans. With great bases for digital nomads, awesome places for partying, accommodations for couples, and great New Orleans backpacker hostels for solo travellers, there’s the perfect pad here for everyone.
The Quisby – Overall Best Hostel in New Orleans
The Quisby is our choice for the overall best hostel in New Orleans in 2024. Not only can you have fab nights to remember in the hip and happening bar, grab tasty pub grub, and join in with the energetic Tuesday night pub crawls, but you’ll also find practical stuff too, like a well-equipped kitchen, super-fast Wi-Fi, laundry facilities, and luggage storage. The comfy beds at this top hostel in New Orleans have individual lights and power sockets, and all guests have a locker. There are private rooms and dorms to choose between and everyone can put a spring in their morning step with the free breakfast.
City House Hostels New Orleans – Best Cheap Hostel in New Orleans #1
City House Hostels New Orleans is the best budget hostel in New Orleans, providing a clean and comfortable base for travellers who want to keep an eye on their dollars. Being cheap doesn’t make it sad though; you’ll find a bar, a games room, a kitchen, and various common areas, all within easy reach of tons of cool cafes, bars, and nightlife. Regular events and activities at this recommended hostel in New Orleans make it easy to have fun and meet other cool cats, and you can sleep well in comfy dorms or private rooms for two.
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Want more deetz on why these packs are so damn perfect? Then read our comprehensive review for the inside scoop!
View on Osprey View on REIMadame Isabelle’s House in New Orleans – Best Cheap Hostel in New Orleans #2
A homey and welcoming New Orleans backpackers hostel, Madame Isabelle’s House in New Orleans is a charming hostel with unique and local features. Breakfast is free and you can conveniently book tours to explore the best of New Orleans. If you fancy some chill time, head to the large garden courtyard. The hot tub and deck may entice you to linger for longer than you planned! There’s also a smoking room and a lounge.
India House Backpackers Hostel – Best Cheap Hostel in New Orleans #3
India House Backpackers Hostel is a top hostel in New Orleans for budget travellers. Don’t let the cheap prices put you off—it also has awesome facilities to make you feel right at home. Prepare shared meals in the kitchen or grab something tasty from the café if you’re feeling lazy to cook. Chill outdoors on the terrace and dip your toes (or more!) in the pool, and chat with new buddies in the common room. Rent a bike, book a tour, and explore the New Orleans’ sights and events.
Site 61 Hostel – Best Hostel with a Private Room in New Orleans
Looking for a cozy private room? Site 61 has got you covered! A chic boutique youth hostel in New Orleans, Site 61 Hostel has a funky fantasy/sci-fi theme and all modern conveniences. It could be the coolest hostel in New Orleans! There are twin rooms as well as mixed dorms. The common areas are awesome, providing plenty of spaces to relax and bond with other travellers. With two laid-back lounges, complete with games, TV, books, and Wi-Fi, two porches, two balconies, a kitchen and dining room, and laundry facilities, what more could you need?!
If you have some extra cash to splash, consider a VRBO in New Orleans for extra privacy.
IHSP French Quarter House – Best New Orleans Hostel in the French Quarter
IHSP French Quarter House is a laid-back and sociable backpackers hostel, and the best hostel in the New Orleans French Quarter. The outdoor patio and indoor lounge are top places to make new friends, and there are heaps of cool things to do in the surrounding area. Located in the historic French Quarter, there are many jazz bars and sightseeing hotspots just a short stroll away. Breakfast and Wi-Fi are free, and the hostel has self-catering facilities and a mixture of private rooms and dormitories.
Atlas House – Best Hostel for Solo Travelers in New Orleans
A fabulous USA backpackers hostel, we predict this will become one of the overall best hostels in New Orleans in 2024. There are mixed dorms for six and a choice of private en-suite rooms. The regular social events, such as pub crawls, free dinners, and games nights, make this the best hostel for solo travellers in New Orleans too. Cook up a storm in the kitchen, mingle in the TV lounge, unwind in the hot tub, and chill on the terrace. Breakfast and Wi-Fi are free and other perks include laundry facilities, lockers, luggage storage, and free parking.
New Orleans Hostel – Marquette House – Best Hostel for Couples in New Orleans
With a variety of awesome private rooms New Orleans Hostel – Marquette House is the best hostel for couples in New Orleans but also great for solo travellers, groups of travelling friends, and families. There are heaps of cool cafes, bars, restaurants, and clubs right outside the hostel, and you can book a range of tours to make exploring New Orleans even easier. Prepare a BBQ feast on the terrace, relax in the lounge, and enjoy the local vibe. There’s plenty to do here for travelling couples.
Looking for something with a bit more privacy? Check out our list of the best bed and breakfasts, cottages and lodges in New Orleans, many of which are budget-friendly!
Nola Jazz House – Best Party Hostel in New Orleans
Nola Jazz House is the best party hostel in New Orleans. The friendly and outgoing members of staff arrange frequent bar crawls, dinner nights, and other events, and meeting new people is a huge priority. Tuck into a free breakfast to fight off any hangovers and cook up some home comforts in the kitchen. The patio is an ideal place to relax and there are indoor common areas, with a TV, free-to-use computer, and free Wi-Fi, too. The ten-bed dorms at this youth hostel in New Orleans are spacious and there are also private rooms for various group sizes.
Garden District House – Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in New Orleans
Garden District House offers tons of freebies for a comfortable stay in New Orleans. Start each day with a free breakfast, join in with a variety of fun free events, use PCs for free, and surf the free Wi-Fi. The connectivity and good places to work make this our favourite for the best hostel for digital nomads in New Orleans. Lockers add to your peace of mind and common areas include a large patio with a BBQ, a lounge with a TV, guitar, foosball, and board games, and a well-equipped kitchen.
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Hide Yo’ Money!More of the Best Hostels in New Orleans
Still haven’t found what you’re looking for? Don’t worry—here are a few more of the best hostels in New Orleans
Auberge Nola Hostel
A top-class recommended hostel in New Orleans, Auberge Nola Hostel has won several awards, partly for its terrific staff members, partly for its diverse program of events, and partly for its great facilities. A fantastic home from home for any traveller, the hostel has a comfy lounge with a TV and loads of books, a well-equipped kitchen with a dining area, a lovely courtyard, and various other communal nooks where you can chat or relax in peace.
What to Pack for your New Orleans 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 New Orleans
New Orleans is filled with great times – your only challenge will be saving money!
But now that we’ve shown you the 11 best hostels in New Orleans, saving money will be much easier. By booking at one of these top New Orleans hostels, you’ll be able to position yourself to save money, and enjoy New Orleans while meeting fellow minded travelers.
And if you still can’t decide which hostel to book…. Go with The Quisby. With great reviews, individual power sources on the beds, and free breakfast, it’s easy to see why it’s our pick for top hostel in New Orleans for 2024.
FAQ about Hostels in New Orleans
Here are some questions backpackers ask about hostels in New Orleans.
How much does a hostel cost in New Orleans?
The average price of hostels in New Orleans can range from $27 – $131+ 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 New Orleans for couples?
Madame Isabelle’s House in New Orleans is a highly-rated hostel for couples in New Orleans. It is a charming hostel with unique and local features.
What is the best hostel in New Orleans near the airport?
Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport is quite far from the central area, so it is usually better to find the best place within the city. Once you’re in the city, we highly recommend India House Backpackers Hostel, a top hostel in New Orleans for budget travellers.
Travel Safety Tips for New Orleans
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 USA and North America
Hopefully by now you’ve found the perfect hostel for your upcoming trip to New Orleans.
Planning an epic trip all across USA 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 New Orleans 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 New Orleans for a wealth of info!
- Not sure what to do once you arrive? We’ve got all the best places to visit in New Orleans covered.
- Skip the dorm and find a super cool Airbnb in New Orleans if you’re feeling fancy!
- Check out the best places to stay in New Orleans before you arrive.
- Remember to grab yourself an international sim card for USA to avoid any issues.
- Prepare for your trip with our backpacking packing list.
- Get ready for your next destination with our ultimate USA 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!
