Philadelphia isn’t just famous for being the hometown of the Fresh Prince and for the tasty spreadable cheese. It’s got a whole lot of stuff going for it, from American history to cool architecture, amazing street art to a vibrant nightlife. There’s always something cool to see and do in Philly.
With all of this stuff happening in the city streets, it can be pretty hard to work out where you want to stay. Do you want to hang on in the historical area or find somewhere to stay where you can meet other travellers?
I’ve got you covered with our list of the best hostels in Philadelphia, which will take the stress out of deciding on the best place to stay for you.
So, there’s nothing to worry about, we’ve done all of the legwork for you. Get reading and get booking…
Image: Nic Hilditch-Short
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The Best Hostels in Philadelphia
Need help choosing where to stay in Philadelphia? Well, turns out there is only one hostel in Philadelphia worth including. However, I’ve done you a solid and complied the best budget-friendly options including homestays, B&B and guesthouses.
Apple Hostels of Philadelphia
- Dorm (mixed): From $45
- Private Room: From $93
- Address: 33 S Bank Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106, Philadelphia, USA
Well, if you’re backpacking the USA and looking for the best hostel in Philadelphia, look no further my friend. Not only has it got an epic pool table but the atmosphere here will make you feel part of the family. They have regular events and social activities perfect for meeting some fellow travellers and exchanging some adventure stories.
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Games room with pool table
- Social atmosphere with group events and activities
- Ideal central location
This hostel is a broke backpackers dream, with heaps of freebies and prices that will keep your wallet happy. You can stay caffeinated 24 hours a day with FREE tea and coffee and on certain days of the week tuck into a complimentary dinner and drinks. Sounds pretty good right? The kitchen here is ideal for whipping up the finest eggs on toast and saving yourself a few bucks.
Oh and it gets better. You’re smack bang in the centre of town, a short stroll from cafes, restaurants, bars and enough tourist attraction to fill your camera roll. This hostel is the perfect base to explore all that Philadelphia has to offer without braking the bank.
More Epic Philadelphia Budget Friendly Stays
But sometimes it’s not all about hostels, right? Sometimes you need somewhere with a little more privacy, you know, maybe if you’ve been on the road for a gazillion days and staying in too many dorms. Maybe if you’re travelling in a couple. Maybe you’re reading this but you just don’t LIKE hostels. That’s FINE. Here’s a selection of the best budget friendly accommodation in Philadelphia to make life easier for ya.
La Reserve Bed and Breakfast
- Private Room: From $98
- Address: 1804 Pine Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, United States
This cool budget hotel in Philadelphia might not be Instagram cool, but its classic, plush interiors make it feel like you’re staying somewhere really expensive. The location is great for day trips in Philly, you’re close to the big historic sights that you can walk there, which is also handy for when you want to find a restaurant for dinner. The bedrooms are big and come with modern en suites. And for when you want to just hang out there’s loads of communal lounges to meet fellow travellers.
The Conwell Inn
- Private Room: From $179
- Address: 1331 Polett Walk (formerly West Berks Street), Philadelphia, PA 19122, United States
A big and beautiful place to stay, this is one of the best budget hotels in Philadelphia. Located in the historic part of this city, choosing to pay a little extra to stay here will mean you can walk to all of the tourist attractions and not have to fork out any money extra on transport.
The rooms are massive – you’ll have so much space to spread out, which makes it one of the top hotels in Philadelphia. The staff are really helpful too, which is always a bonus!
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!
View on OspreyFour Points Philadelphia
- Private Room: From $122
- Address: 1201 Race Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, United States
It’s a big, shiny hotel, but its one of the best budget hotels in Philadelphia. Not only do you get to stay somewhere with a gym, so you can keep up with your workouts, but they serve up a mean American breakfast too.
With rooms that have views across the city skyline, a big ol’ TV in your room and a comfy bed, you might not wanna leave your room! But with so many of the tourist attractions in the city close by, you’d be silly not to even attempt to go outside.
Fairmount House
- Private Room: From $86
- Address: 2211 North 52nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19131, United States
If you’re looking for a quiet place to perch up, Fairmount House is perfect for you. Located in a peaceful neighbourhood and with ridiculously comfy beds you’ll be sure to get a full night’s rest ready to explore Philly. This budget-friendly stay has a shared kitchen and is ideal for whipping up some home-cooked meals. This might not be a hostel but this budget stay offers some serious bang for your buck.
Luxury rooms
- Private Room: From $57
- Address: 1924 Nicholas Street, Philadelphia, PA 19121, United States
Luxury rooms without the hefty price tag is what us broke backpackers love to see. Luxury rooms near the temple offer the perfect place to set up camp without breaking the bank. Enjoy a cosy room and comfy bed in a peaceful neighbourhood, a recipe for a good night’s rest.
This place is also ideal if you’re travelling as a couple you can also spit the cost which makes it even cheaper. You can chill out in the shared lounge and mingle with some of the other guests and enjoy a delicious buffet breakfast in the morning.
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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!Artsy Hidden Gem
- Private Room: From $167 (2-night stay)
- Address: East Boston Street, Philadelphia, PA 19125, United States
If you’re after an artsy homestay this is the place to be. A modern budget-friendly option with jazzy decor throughout, creating a cosy vibe. You’re located in the perfect spot being walking distance from Temple University and with heaps of restaurants and cafes nearby.
You get all the benefits of being in a more modern accommodation with super comfy beds, a shared kitchen and a private bathroom. It’s not as cheap as a hostel, obviously, but it’s a solid option for solo travellers or couples. Plus there’s an outdoor terrace to enjoy your morning espresso. Definitely one of the best budget homestays in Philadelphia.
Artist in the Barn
This is the kind of place that really makes it feel like you live in the city you’re visiting. Stay in one of the best budget hotels in Philadelphia and enjoy loads of space and the convenience of staying somewhere with your own kitchen too. The apartments are clean and close to restaurants and shops, so you can buy ingredients to cook in your kitchen and keep to your daily travel budget.
The only thing is, there isn’t much of a chance to meet other guests, but if you’re happy with your own company, or cool to hangout with the people you are travelling with, then that shouldn’t be a problem.
Burbridge Street B&B
The sort of place where the owners are so nice they’ll order a pizza for you (if you want), Burbridge Street B&B is, one of the best B&Bs in Philadelphia. But that also makes it slightly more hostel-like, but only cause you’ve got shared bathrooms at this budget hotel in Philadelphia.
The design of the place is pretty cool too, it’s all houseplants and antique furniture – I don’t think it’s SUPPOSED to be cool, but it ends up looking pretty cool… to us, anyway. It’s really homely and comfy, the owners are great, what more do you want?
City House Hostel Philadelphia
You know when you want a social hostel but the ‘social’ side of things is actually a lot of planned/forced fun? Nah, we’re not about that either. What’s pretty great about City House Hostel is it’s fun AND sociable, but you don’t feel like you HAVE to join in, you know?
And that’s good. Which is why we’ve decided to go ahead and call it the best hostel for solo travellers in Philadelphia. It’s also really near Independence Park, home to the Liberty Bell, if you didn’t know.
City House Hostel Old City Philly
This place has a tongue twister of a name but don’t let that put you off (even if you can’t say it out loud). It’s the best cheap hostel in Philadelphia, mainly down to its location just on the edge of the Old City. Plus it’s pretty buzzy, making it another good one for solo travellers.
The surrounding area is full of mixed use buildings, making it a pretty dang hip area to hang out in and explore. In some respects, you get what you pay for, since the place could do with a lil’ bit of an update, but it’s fine for the price.
Getting Insured BEFORE Visiting Philadelphia
Unfortunately, things can go wrong when you least expect it. This is why good travel insurance is essential before you head on your trip to Philadelphia.
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.
FAQ about Hostels in Philadelphia
Here are some questions backpackers ask about hostels in Philadelphia.
What to Pack for your Philadelphia 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!
How much does a hostel cost in Philadelphia?
It all depends on whether you prefer a private room with an ensuite bathroom, or a bed in a shared dorm. On average, the price starts at USD$59+.
What are the best hostels in Philadelphia for couples?
I would suggest going for Luxury rooms a top-rated budget homestay perfectly suited to couples.
What are the best hostels in Philadelphia near the airport?
If you need to stay as close as possible to the airport, I recommend staying over at Four Points by Sheraton Philadelphia Airport. It’s a pretty good budget hotel, and it’s only 6min away!
Final Thoughts on Philadelphia’s Hostels
By now I hope our epic guide to the best hostels in Philadelphia has helped you choose the perfect hostel for your adventure!
In case you’re still undecided, in my humble opinion, the best hostel in Philadelphia is Apple Hostel, great atmosphere and banging location.
Now it’s over to you, get out there, create memories and have an absolute blast.
Image: Nic Hilditch-Short
- Check out our extensive guide to backpacking in Philadelphia for a wealth of info!
- Not sure what to do once you arrive? We’ve got all the best places to visit in Philadelphia covered.
- Skip the dorm and find a super cool Airbnb in Philadelphia if you’re feeling fancy!
- Check out the best places to stay in Philadelphia 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.
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