The name of the beachside sin city of Pattaya is well known throughout the world and is usually received with a wink and a nudge. But this tropical paradise in Thailand is so much more than just a place to hit the bars and tear up the dance floor.
Pattaya also boasts plenty to explore with tons of hidden lagoons, ornate temples, and hikes leading up into the dense jungles. With parties every night and adventure during the day, you could easily spend your whole holiday traveling through Pattaya alone.
The only thing that may throw a wrench in your plans on traveling to Pattaya is the many dodgy hostels that are found in the downtown. With lawless parties and questionable quality, many of your average backpackers would steer clear of Pattaya – but we definitely wouldn’t kip it!
We brought all of the best hostels in Pattaya to one place so you can book with confidence that you will be staying in the best of what this seaside town has to offer. Slip-on your swim trunks, your holiday in sunny Pattaya awaits!
Quick Answer: The Best Hostels in Pattaya
- Overall Best Hostel in Pattaya – Happy Hostel
- Best Cheap Hostel in Pattaya – Kaen Hostel
- Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Pattaya – Nonze Hostel
The Best Hostels in Pattaya
Pattaya is not short on backpacker’s hostels but finding that one stay that fits how you like to travel is easier said than done. Not only do you want to find the right place to stay, but you also want to choose an awesome area in Pattaya to base yourself. Keep your eyes peeled why looking over our list, each of these fine Thai hostels is a little different from the last!
Best Overall Hostel in Pattaya – Happy Hostel
- $$
- Swimming Pool
- Cafe
- Breakfast Not Included
Keeping downtown Pattaya at an arm’s length distance, Happy Hostel will give you that good night’s sleep while still having all the best bars and clubs of Pattaya a short walk away.
For just a few Bhat more than some of the other hostels in town, Happy Hostel will give you some added comfort and quietness in the heart of Thailand’s sin city. Complete with lounges and a swimming pool, this is one hostel that you will be looking forward to simply kicking back and relaxing in. Top it off with its very own cafe, Happy Hostel has everything you need to feel right at home in Pattaya!
Best Cheap Hostel in Pattaya – Kaen Hostel
- $
- Cafe
- Bar
- Rooftop Terrace
Thailand is a paradise for backpackers traveling on a shoestring. If you are looking to save a couple of extra Bhat while staying in Pattaya, Kaen Hostel will have you staying in not only some of the cheapest beds in town but in a backpacker’s hub with an ambiance and style unlike any other.
Complete with its very own rooftop bar and cafe, you can pull up a bean bag chair, grab a beer, and mix with the other guests. With stunning views of the surrounding city, you can’t help but fall in love with this unique youth hostel!
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View on Osprey View on REIBest Hostel for Digital Nomads in Pattaya – Nonze Hostel
- $$
- Breakfast Included
- Cafe
- Bar
If you are a digital nomad living on the road, you will eventually need to find a hostel to call home for a few days to catch up on some much-needed writing and editing. Nonze Hostel will have you spending a little bit more when compared with the other guys, but the added comfort and space to spread out in will make for the perfect place to get down to work and get back to exploring all of what Pattaya has to offer.
While you are busy typing away, Nonze Hostel is here to hook you up with a great meal and a beer so you don’t have to tear yourself away from your laptop. After you put your finishing touches of that video, you will find that the beach and all the best sights are just a few steps away from your dorm bed.
Oh, and it has an indoor slide to help you get between floors, too!
Best Hostel for Solo Travelers in Pattaya – Yes! Vegan Bed & Foods
- $
- Cafe
- Patio
- Lounge
Yes! backpacker’s hostel will not only hook up weary travelers with a cheap bed in one of the hippest hostels in Pattaya but this social travel hub also serves some of the most delicious vegan meals in the whole city!
With its very own cafe, you won’t ever have to think about where to eat each given night. If you manage to tear yourself away from the restaurant, you will find that this hostel also will have you staying just minutes away from Pattaya’s famous beaches! Even if you decided to just kick back at the hostel, Yes! has plenty of room to spread out in to mix with other the other guests.
Yes! Vegan Bed & Foods is one of our favourites in Pattaya 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 Hostel for Couples in Pattaya – Breeze Hostel
- $
- Games Room
- Breakfast Not Included
- Restaurant
If you are traveling as a couple, you will eventually want to cozy up and splurge on a private room. Lucky for you backpackers, Breeze Hostel can hook you up with a private room for the exact same price as a dorm bed with the other guys.
Not only will you be calling one of these budget rooms home for a couple of days, but you will also be able to enjoy all the perks and atmosphere of staying in a hostel. With a games room, lounge, and even an onsite restaurant, you can hang out with the other guests whenever the mood should strike you.
Breeze Hostel is one of our favourites in Pattaya 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 Party Hostel in Pattaya – Pattaya Holiday Lodge
- $
- Free Breakfast
- Bar
- Cafe
We know most of you backpackers out there came to Pattaya for one reason and one reason alone: to let loose and party! If you are looking to go crazy and grab a few beers, Pattaya Holiday Lodge is here to hook you up with a 24-hour rooftop bar that will have the booze constantly flowing!
The perfect way for every night on the town to start and end in with Pattaya Holiday Lodge! After a night of painting the town red, this hostel will nurse you back to health and have you back on your feet in no time with their free breakfast at their very own cafe. Top it off with lounges and a chill atmosphere, Pattaya Holiday Lodge secures its spot as one of the best hostels in Pattaya!
Pattaya Holiday Lodge is one of our favourites in Pattaya 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 of the Best Hostels in Pattaya
Travel Light Hostel
- $
- Cafe
- Lounge
- Bike Hire
Although Travel Light Hostel may be the last on our list, it is one hostel that packs quite a punch! This self-proclaimed luxury hostel will have you spending budget backpacker prices on a dorm bed while still enjoying all the added comfort and style of a hotel.
With its spacious rooms and inviting lounges, you will find that there is tons of room to spread out in and relax. Complete with its very own cafe, you will have your choice of grabbing a bite at the hostel or heading out to one of the great restaurants nearby!
Travel Light Hostel is one of our favourites in Pattaya 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 Pattaya 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.
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 Pattaya
In Pattaya, you will find that apart from your typical party hostels you will also find those perfect homes away from home that will have you falling in love with the city. From hostels that will have you chilling with other backpackers to guesthouses adding a little bit of extra privacy, you will have your pick of the best of what Pattaya has to offer.
Are you still torn between two or three great youth hostels in Pattaya? Let us point you in the right direction. For a classic backpacker’s experience and also a little added comfort, there is no better place than Happy Hostel, our pick for the best hostel in Pattaya!
FAQ about Hostels in Pattaya
Here are some questions backpackers ask about hostels in Pattaya.
Travel Safety Tips for Pattaya
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.
Over to you
Temples, beaches, and bars oh my! Pattaya is a town teeming with life. With its neon lights and gentle sea breezes, you will always have the option of either spending a lazy day on the beach or catching a show at the local cabaret. From bars to clubs, the nightlife never stops in Pattaya! If you are looking to keep your holiday more low-key, Pattaya has you covered with lazy beaches and crystal clear waters.
If you are not a party animal, finding a place to call home in Pattaya may prove to be a bit difficult. You will find tons of backpacker’s hostels, but finding that one peaceful stay where you can just kick back and relax is easier said than done. With our list, you will be able to find that perfect hostel that fits just how you like to travel.
Have you ever traveled to Pattaya and stayed in a great backpacker’s hostel? We would love to hear about your trip! Let us know about any great hostels we may have missed in the comments below!
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!
