If you are backpacking through Holland, then a stopover in Rotterdam is certain. Good choice! Amsterdam gets a lot of attention, though for different reasons. Rotterdam has its own very unique character and spirit and very much merits a visit.
This bustling Dutch port town boats some truly magnificent modern architecture, a fun pub scene, museums, and of course many, many accommodation options. Some of which are WAY pricier than others.
How does a backpacker go about finding cheap digs? Which hostels are the best hostels in Rotterdam for budget travelers?
To solve this question, I wrote this ultimate guide to the best hostels in Rotterdam for 2021.
You’re about to get the inside scoop on a variety of awesome hostels in Rotterdam!
In writing this hostel guide, the goal was to make it easy for you to book your hostel, so you can spend more time focusing on planning your backpacking adventure and less time researching where to sleep.
The info is all here and ready for ya!
Let’s go have a look…
Quick Answer: The Best Hostels in Rotterdam
- Overall Best Hostel in Rotterdam – Hostel Ani & Haakien
- Best Hostel for Solo Travellers in Rotterdam – King Kong Hostel Rotterdam
- Best Cheap Hostel in Rotterdam – Hostel ROOM Rotterdam
- Best Hostel for Couples in Rotterdam – Stayokay Rotterdam Cube Hostel
- Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Rotterdam – CityHub Rotterdam
- Best Hostel with a Private Room in Rotterdam – Sparks Hostel
The 10 Best Hostels in Rotterdam
Many backpackers in the Netherlands skip Rotterdam but not you! Let’s look at some of the cities very best hostels.
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Overall Best Hostel in Rotterdam – Hostel Ani & Haakien
- $
- Self Catering Facilities
- Free Coffee (& Toast)
- Bicycle Rental
Overall, we think you’ll find that Hostel Ani & Haakien is the best hostel in Rotterdam 2021, definitely. Why’s that then? Well, with that typically Dutch cocktail of traditional and modern making it equal parts homely and design-y, this top hostel in Rotterdam is also well located, being just 600 metres from the Central Station. And that’s great news: no-one likes traipsing around with hefty bags, do they? With its basic (but cool) and clean dorms, well-functioning kitchen, stylish common areas, Hostel Ani & Haakien is the perfect base for exploring Rotterdam – by bicycle, if you want! (Plus it’s a bargain).
Best Hostel for Solo Travellers in Rotterdam – King Kong Hostel Rotterdam
- $$
- Cafe & Bar
- Free City Tour
- Common Room
The best thing, or one of the best things, about King Kong Hostel, is its sheer amount of communal space: there’s a ‘movie basement’ where you can watch films with new friends, chill on its many benches, plus when the weather’s nice it spills onto the street outside with a sociable terrace. It’s definitely in the running for best hostel in Rotterdam in 2021, too; with its design-led, boutique feel, it’s more like a chic hotel than a youth hostel in Rotterdam, so you can meet new people AND be stylish at King Kong – though we don’t know what the name’s about.
Best Cheap Hostel in Rotterdam #1 – Hostel ROOM Rotterdam
- $
- Free Breakfast
- 24-Hour Reception
- Bicycle Rental
Not only is Hostel ROOM the cheapest, it’s also a highly recommended hostel in Rotterdam – so whilst it’s budget, it’s also really really good. It’s warm and friendly. There’s a bar. And, in true Rotterdam backpackers hostel tradition, there’s a definite boutique-type thing going on here – each room is differently themed, and all of them done with the utmost care. Plus the common areas here are V comfy. Though not muchcheaper than other hostels, if you’re out to save pennies where you can, Hostel ROOM (capitals for emphasis?) is a solid bargain.
Best Cheap Hostel in Rotterdam #2 – Kingkool The Hague
- $
- Terrace & BBQ
- Common Room
- Location
The aesthetic at Kingkool The Hague is basic yet design-y, a bit edgy, you know: think dorms bunks with frames made of old pipes, walls plastered with pinups, graffiti, mismatched wood panelling, things like that. We’d say it falls short of the coolest hostel in Rotterdam (though it is still pretty cool to be fair), but as for location the weirdly named Kingkool is pretty much smack bang in the heart of The Hague, and loads of other central sights of Rotterdam. This is somewhat reflected in the price, but still – it won’t break your wallet.
Best Cheap Hostel in Rotterdam #3 – The Student Hotel Rotterdam
- $
- 24-Hour Reception
- Bar & Restaurant
- Tour Desk
Hmm, ok, so this is not a hostel – but if the idea of dorms is just too much for you to take, then you might as well book yourself into The Student Hotel. It’s a decent price for a hotel, but relative to a Rotterdam backpackers hostel it’s pretty pricey. To be fair though, it does bill itself as a ‘community style hotel’, meaning there’s a lot of space for communal sitting, working, chatting, meeting, all that sociable sorta stuff. There’s also a cafe/restaurant here that serves up tasty (and healthy) food, and the rooms are clean and stylish.
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View on Osprey View on REIBest Hostel for Couples in Rotterdam – Stayokay Rotterdam Cube Hostel
- $
- Free Breakfast
- Bar & Restaurant
- Iconic
Rotterdam is actually famous for its Cube Houses, so the chance to stay in them (and for not a bad price at all) is definitely something you should consider. As a couple you’d wanna stay somewhere you’ll remember, and as far as the Cube Hostel goes you couldn’t go wrong. In fact, it’s probably the coolest hostel in Rotterdam. Each cube is stylishly decorated, angled at 45-degrees for a space-age feel, and do include dorms as well as private rooms. There’s also a hip bar/restaurant on site. So if you’re after a seriously unique budget hostel in Rotterdam, these iconic cubes will definitely do the job.
Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Rotterdam – CityHub Rotterdam
- $$
- No Curfew
- Luggage Storage
- Free Pocket WiFi
This is like, THE hostel of the future. Seriously. It’s less like a Rotterdam backpackers hostel though, and more like a Japanese capsule hotel – except with more of a lavish futuristic vibe, less of the drunken-businessman-who’s-missed-the-last-train-home feel. Each ‘pod’ at CityHub Rotterdam is a little slice of luxury, with a double bed, space to put all your stuff, plugs sockets and lights, whilst the bathrooms are sleek, modern gender-separated affairs, plus there’s space to socialise and work downstairs. It’s all top-notch. And the cherry on top? You get free pocket WiFi to take around Rotterdam. Now if that doesn’t suit a digital nomad we don’t know what does.
Best Hostel with a Private Room in Rotterdam – Sparks Hostel
- $$
- 24-Hour Reception
- Self Catering Facilities
- No Curfew
Bunks with sliding doors for privacy and stairs instead of uncomfortable ladders (and no privacy) are definitely the way forward, and yep: Sparks Hostel’s got ’em. That’s the first of many points for this top hostel in Rotterdam, a firm choice right next to the Central Station. Add bedside plug sockets and lights to that. And don’t forget the huge kitchen, oh and the lobby where you can chill with fellow travellers. Add a knock-out location, with shops, bars, restaurants, cafes and cultural hotspots, and you can see it’s no wonder Sparks is a hugely recommended hostel in Rotterdam.
More Best Hostels in Rotterdam
Want to stay in the party district or maybe somewhere more laidback? Decide on where to stay in Rotterdam before booking your hostel.
Youth Hostel The Hague
- $$$
- Self Catering Facilities
- Bar
- Air Conditioning
Youth Hostel The Hague – it’s unimaginative, but it definitely says what it does. It’s a youth hostel in Rotterdam close to The Hague. And if what you’re looking for is culture and tourist sights – traditional Rotterdam – then you’ll be staying at the right place here. It’s pretty cosy and the rooms are basic but well designed. However, you will be paying that P for the location (literally in the heart of The Hague), whilst also staying in a traditional Dutch townhouse. But if that’s what you want we say go for it. Plus it is close to the fun and many of the main Rotterdam attractions.
Hotel Light
- $$$
- Bicycle Rental
- Heritage Building
- Luggage Storage
Man, whatever this building used to be it’s flipping impressive. So if the words historical and heritage get you going when it comes to places to stay then you’ll be very pleased to know that Hotel Light is a (relatively) cheap option when it comes to hotels in the city – though it is not exactly a budget hostel in Rotterdam. However, it does have a communal kitchen, and ample space in the lobby for sitting around, meeting-and-greeting, or working. And in classic Dutch fashion things are stylish and classy here – including the rooms. Couple that with the amazing building and you got yourself a very solid option for staying in Rotterdam.
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What to Pack for your Rotterdam 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.
Check out our definitive Hostel Packing list for our top packing tips!
Why you should travel to Rotterdam
Well my friends, that’s all I got; we have come to the end of my guide to the best hostels in Rotterdam for 2021.
Now you are armed with all of the important details you need to book a hostel of your choosing. I hope you found this hostel guide to be helpful!
There really is so much to get into in Rotterdam, that finding the right hostel and getting some solid rest is very important!
Still unsure of which hostel to book? If you have a case of hostel-information-overload (HIO) than I recommend that you book my top pick for the overall best hostel in Rotterdam: Hostel Ani & Haakien. Happy backpacking!
FAQ about Hostels in Rotterdam
Here are some questions backpackers ask about hostels in Rotterdam.
Travel Safety Tips for Rotterdam
It’s good to get lost sometimes, but it’s also good not to get too lost. There are people that want you home in one piece.
There’s one travel insurance provider The Broke Backpacker trusts for all his wildest shenanigans… World Nomads!
Click the button below to get a quote on your insurance or read our in-depth review of World Nomads’ coverage. And then… let the shenanigans begin. 😉
Over to you
By now I hope our epic guide to the best hostels in Rotterdam 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!
Thanks for reading – that was fun! 😀
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