Phuket, Thailand! It’s one of “those places” the kind that’s been sucking up backpackers and tourists like a magnet for decades. And once you’re there, it can be a little tricky to leave.
Sure, it’s touristy now, but who cares? The beaches are still postcard-perfect, the parties are wild enough to make Vegas look tame, and the Buddhist temples offer a serene escape when you need a breather from all the chaos.
If you’re hitting Phuket for its legendary nightlife or planning to spend your days touring the island, you’ll need a decent crash pad for recovery.
Phuket’s got more hostels than you’ve had questionable street food meals, and those hostel come in a vast variety to suit every type of traveller, from flashpackers to shoestring warriors.
This guide can help you sort out all of your Phuket accommodation in no time, so you can focus on the fun stuff – like deciding if you’re more of a Karon Beach party animal or a laid-back lounger.
So grab your backpack, stuff it with essentials (sunscreen, mankini), and let’s dive into the Phuket hostel hunt.
Photo: @amandaadraper
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Quick Reference: The Best Hostels in Phuket
Here’s how these Phuket hostels compare
Being one of the OG backpacker destinations in Thailand, Phuket has developed an awesome backpacker scene over the years. And here it is – the crème de la crème of Phuket’s hostels, neatly split into travel niches just for you.
1. Lub d Phuket Patong – Best Overall Hostel
- Price: $$
- Best for: Social solo travellers looking for a flashpacker experience.
- Highlights: Pool parties, co-working space, modern design.
- Dorms from: $20
- Private rooms from: $60
- Location: Patong, a short walk to Patpong beach.
Lub d Phuket was the first hostel I stayed in when I got to Asia and boy, oh boy, did it set the bar high. This place is ultra-modern and super Instagrammable. I have to say not only is it the best hostel in Phuket, but it’s definitely one of my favourites in all of Thailand.
Far more than just modern decor – each bunk comes with well-thought-out shelves and plug sockets, ideal for all your gizmos and notepads and earplugs and all that shiz we carry around!
Why you’ll love this place:
- Full-on social scene: With a pool, games, and shared spaces, there’s a steady stream of activities to jump into.
- Boutique hostel vibe: With great facilities the hostel feels more upmarket than a typical hostel.
- Setup for work: A proper co-working area makes it a good choice if you’re mixing travel with remote work.
- Good pick for location balance: It’s close to Patong’s beach and Bangala road but still far enough to still get a good sleep
The hostel is just a 3-minute walk to Patong Beach, because it’s all about the beach right? Not only is Bangla Road within walking distance but it’s also in one of the best areas in Phuket. The dorm rooms are awesome and they also offer hotel standard privates with a private bathroom too.
There are some amazing social spaces including a huge bar and swimming pool. Plus a Muay Thai training area in the lobby, useful if you’re into punching and kicking for fun. This hostel is clean, comfortable and has some super cool staff, all in all just a 10/10!
2. The Neighbors Hostel – Best Hostel for Solo Travellers
- Price: $
- Best for: Budget travellers looking for a good value hostel.
- Highlights: Close to bus stations, central location, private dorm setup.
- Dorms from: $11
- Private rooms from: $20
- Location: Old Town, within walking distance to shops.
If there’s one thing I love about Southeast Asia it’s the Chinese shophouses and this hostel is IN one of them. The decor, the tiles, the traditional style, the general romantic air of the place. Swoon!
This hostel is great for socialising the day away in the super comfy common area, that also has a cafe. Once you’ve had enough of that, seek some privacy in their large dorm beds, which can be closed off with curtains. The bedrooms are all equipped with air conditioning, plus lockers to keep your valuable items safe.
Why you’ll love this place:
- Close to transport : 10 minutes to the bus stations.
- Comfort without the usual Phuket price tag: spacious dorms with privacy curtains, it’s great value for what you pay.
- Visually interesting: Housed inside a historic building, makes for a memorable stay.
This hostel is a great choice for solo travellers as it’s close to all of the hot spots of Phuket Old Town and everything is within walking distance, including the main Bus Terminal.
The area in general offers a refreshing balance between local vibes and great facilities. Staying in Phuket Town rather than down on Patong beach is a completely different experience and an ideal way to mix up your Phuket itinerary.
3. The Dorm Hostel – Best Cheap Hostel
- Price: $
- Best for: Travellers prioritising sleep over the general party atmosphere of Phuket.
- Highlights: Facilities, free breakfast, private bed set up.
- Dorms from: $20
- Location: Phuket Town, local area.
We all know that Thailand is preeeeetty cheap; but it’s all too easy to fall off the budget wagon, particularly in the south. Fear not, The Dorm Hostel is here to save the day and budget!
This place has all the facilities. I’m talking laundry, kitchen, restaurant, tea and coffee.
Why you’ll love this place:
- A slew of great facilities: Self-Catering, laundry and tea and coffee making facilities. They’ll give you towels as well.
- Stellar value for money: Great for travellers looking to offset the cost of living in the south of Thailand.
- Next level dorm comfort: Large bed spaces, with full privacy curtains make it feel more like a capsule hotel than a hostel. There is also a fan in each bed space.
No private rooms here, dorms only but they do have double dorm beds available. The dorm rooms are spacious and the beds are well thought out and private, guests also receive towels. You can leave your travel towel that smells like aged regret in your bag, and level up to true holidaymaker.
It’s got a good location right near Phuket Old Town so you can stumble home after one too many bottles of Chang, with accommodation at this price, the beer budget is looking healthy again.
4. Mad Monkey Phuket – Best Party Hostel
- Price: $$
- Best for: Party focused travellers who want a high energy social scene who don’t mind late nights and noise.
- Highlights: Onsite restaurant, involved staff, lively pool and bar area, gym.
- Dorms from: $17
- Private rooms from: $80
- Location: Phuket Town, local area.
Aaaaaah Mad Monkey. This hostel chain has earned itself quite the reputation by gravitating towards the “Lads On Tour” clientele, you’ll certainly come across a few of these hostels while backpacking Thailand.
Despite this, I have to say that Mad Monkey Phuket is actually a riot. If you’re here to experience the pilgrimage which is a Bangla Road night out, then you can’t go wrong with staying at Mad Monkey. They hold a wicked pre-game party every night and the crowd is generally up for a good night.
Why you’ll love this place:
- Non stop social energy: If you’re looking to meet people fast and party every night, this is one of the easiest places to do it.
- A pre arranged social calendar: Pool parties, drinking games, and bar crawls keep the vibe going all day, and all night.
- For fun, not sleep: This hostel is located in Patong, it’s often loud and straight up party focused. You have been warned.
Party aside, the facilities are really good here too. They have a pool, table football, pool table, spacious and comfortable common areas and a bar that, of course, comes alive at night. They also have a gym so you can sweat out those beers (and bad life decisions) the day after the night before.
They offer private rooms and six bed dorms. All rooms have air conditioning and the dorms have reading lights and plugs next to the beds, along with en-suite bathrooms and lockers for each person. All in all, if you’ve just rocked up to Phuket and you’re looking to party, you’ll be doing it in style at this Mad Monkey.
5. The Z Nite Hostel – Best Hostel for Digital Nomads
- Price: $
- Best for: Digital Nomads who want a modern, low key social atmosphere in Phuket Town
- Highlights: Great facilities, free breakfast, convenient location near markets and malls
- Dorms from: $10
- Location: Phuket Town, near shops and night markets
Located in the heart of Old Town in Phuket city, this hostel has a super chill vibe which is perfect for digital nomads looking for a base to get some sh*t done for a while. The downstairs of the hostel is a cafe which is perfect for getting a couple of hours of work under your belt as they offer free wi-fi too.
The facilities are great, there’s a washing machine for all you filthy animals that have been putting off doing your laundry for far too long (yeah I’m looking at you). Plus, they offer a pretty cheap bike hire.
Why you’ll love this place:
- Excellent value for money: An almost hotel adjacent experience at a budget price.
- Amenities onsite: The amenities mean you can get a lot done onsite, including breakfast, making it easier to focus on getting work done.
- Solid city base: Close to markets, cafés, and transport links, the location is great for exploring Phuket beyond the beaches.
The staff are super helpful and accommodating for any queries you might have, whether it be helping you sort your transport to the island or about day trips you want to make to beaches or to Phuket Aquarium. Pro tip: ask them about their favourite food spots and they can suggest some AMAZING hidden gems too.
Each dorm bed has its own fan and the shared bathrooms are modern and spotless – there were no complaints from me.
You can never say no to free breakfast too – especially at a price this affordable per night. If you went too hard the night before and missed breakfast, the food they offer in the downstairs cafe is pretty damn decent too.
Get seriously covered for serious activities BEFORE visiting Phuket
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.
Ready to jump into Phuket
Known for its stunning blue waters, adventure activities and epic parties, Phuket really does pack a punch.
No matter which type of hostel you go for, you’re sure to have an unreal time. Thailand and its islands make memories for a lifetime.
Hostels in Phuket are truly next-level, why settle for the meh when you can have the magnificent! Trust me, you don’t want to miss out. Lub d Phuket Patong is my fave, you can’t go wrong here.
And hey, if you stumble upon any hidden gems or must-see spots, drop me a comment – I’m always looking for the best new spot on the island.
- Check out our extensive guide to backpacking in Thailand for a wealth of info!
- Not sure what to do once you arrive? We’ve got all the best places to visit in Phuket covered.
- Skip the dorm and find a super cool Airbnb in Phuket if you’re feeling fancy!
- Check out the best places to stay in Phuket before you arrive.
- Remember to grab yourself an international sim card for Thailand to avoid any issues.
- Prepare for your trip with our backpacking packing list.
- Get ready for your next destination with our ultimate Southeast Asia backpacking guide.
