Shanghai is truly one of the coolest backpacking cities in all of Asia, and it comes at a surprisingly low price tag!
But Shanghai is massive, and figuring out where to stay can be difficult for budget travelers – which is exactly why we wrote this guide to the best hostels in Shanghai.
We’ve taken the best hostels in Shanghai and organized them by YOUR travel needs.
Whether you are traveling solo to Shanghai and looking to make some friends, or traveling as a couple and need a place to sleep, or just want the cheapest bed you can find, out list of the best hostels in Shanghai is here to help you during your travels to this awesome city!
Quick Answer: The Best Hostels in Shanghai
- Best Cheap Hostel in Shanghai – Dayin Hostel – Shanghai Lujiazui
- Best Hostel for Solo Travellers in Shanghai – WeFlow Hostel(Shanghai Xintiandi)
- Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Shanghai – Meego Youth Hostel
- Overall Best Hostel in Shanghai – Dayin Hostel – Shanghai East Nanjing Road
The Broke Backpacker is supported by you. Clicking through our links may earn us a small affiliate commission, and that's what allows us to keep producing free content 🙂 Learn more.
What to Consider with the Best Hostels in Shanghai
When picking the best hostel in Shanghai (or anywhere in the world!), you should consider a few things…
- What is your travel style? A Digital Nomad traveling to Shanghai will have different needs from a couple traveling to Shanghai. Take into account what you need, and how you are traveling, then you can find a hostel that fits that.
- What is your budget? As more and more young people backpack and travel the world, the hostel scene gets better and better. Watching the developments in hostels worldwide over the past five years has been amazing. There are different types of hostels for different types of travelers and budgets. If you have a bit extra to spare, splurging on the right hostel can be totally worth it.
- What freebies does the hostel have? Our favorite travel hack is finding hostels that offer free breakfast. Yes, this cost is typically included in the price, but sometimes that small hike in cost for a dorm with a free brekkie is cheaper than paying for breakfast by yourself (especially in Western Europe or North America!). Other freebies to keep an eye out for is free towels, city tours, maps, lockers, locks coffee or maybe even shots!
The 10 Best Hostels in Shanghai
Dayin Hostel – Shanghai Lujiazui – Best Cheap Hostel in Shanghai
Backpacking through China? Here’s another great youth hostel in Shanghai for solo travellers is Hidden Garden. For travellers who like to travel solo because they like to keep things low key, you’ll love Shanghai Hidden Garden. Their outdoor terrace is a glorious space, the ideal place to hang out in with your new found travel buddies or perhaps sit with a coffee and catch up on the travel diary. Hidden Garden is the only Shanghai backpackers hostel in the Lujiazui area and is less than a 10-minute walk away from the metro that will connect you to the rest of the city.
WeFlow Hostel(Shanghai Xintiandi) – Best Hostel for Solo Travellers in Shanghai
WeFlow Hostel(Shanghai Xintiandi) is a solid pick for setting up shop while you explore Shanghai. The facilities tick all the boxes, the location is unbeatable, and the staff are super helpful—whether you need a taxi or the lowdown on the best spot for soup dumplings. While hostels in China aren’t exactly party central, this place has just enough of a social vibe to link up with fellow travellers if you’re flying solo.
Tucked away in a neighbourhood buzzing with local life, it’s a great blend of Chinese culture and an international crowd. The common area has a chilled vibe most of the time but can get lively on weekends—ideal whether you’re meeting people or hammering out some work as a digital nomad. Best of all, you’re smack bang in the middle of the action, with shops, bars, clubs, cafés, and the subway all within easy reach.
Meego Youth Hostel – Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Shanghai
The best hostel for digital nomads in Shanghai is Meego Youth Hostel. This modern, light and minimalist style hostel is perfect for digital nomads who need space to work and a decent internet connection too. Meego is a highly recommend hostel in Shanghai as they have both dorm rooms and private ensuites too. As a digital nomad, chances are you like to escape the dorms every now and again and Meego is the perfect place to do just that. Their bar area is quiet during the daytime, make it into your office!
Dayin Hostel – Shanghai East Nanjing Road – Best Overall Hostel in Shanghai
Dayin Hostel is a standout spot in Shanghai, easily one of the cleanest and friendliest hostels around. The location is prime—just a stone’s throw from Nanjing Road’s shopping haven and plenty of local neighbourhood eats. The rooms are compact but modern, with comfy beds, fresh linen, and air con that actually works. There’s an on-site bar downstairs, plus a gym so the amenities are pretty swanky.
You’ll be right by the metro and within easy reach of major attractions, so it’s a convenient base for exploring the city. The vibe skews more towards locals and an older crowd, so it’s not the most social scene for younger travellers. The staff are friendly but have limited English, and there’s a definite lack of maps or guest info. If you’re ready to dive into the Chinese hostel experience then this is a great start!
Meow Youth Hostel
Meow Youth Hostel brings some serious style to the Shanghai hostel scene, thanks to its architect-founder’s sleek design touches. The modern vibe carries through everything, from the swanky facilities to the electronic access control system. Each bed comes with private shutters, a secure password box, a mini table, a reading light, and even a fresh air system.
Regular social activities make it a dream for solo travellers looking to connect. With internet that works, a kitchen that stays stocked up, and enough toilets and showers, this place is a no brainer.
WeFlow Hostel(Shanghai People’s Square)
WeFlow Hostel (Shanghai People’s Square) is a solid shout for budget travellers who still want a bit of personal space. Just one subway stop from the city’s biggest draws—like the Bund, Huangpu River, and People’s Square—it’s perfectly located for diving into Shanghai’s energy. Even the People’s Park is only a 25–30-minute walk away if you’re up for a stroll.
The dorms here are far from the norm. It’s essentially a bunch of single small box rooms so you have way more privacy than your bog standard dorm rooms. Seriously, it’s such good value for the price. The bathrooms here are niiiiiice. They provide shampoo, shower gel and any disposable items free of charge if you need them.
Dayin Hostel – Shanghai Jing’an
This hostel brings a whole new meaning to “social space.” The lobby is a mash-up of a brunch spot, café, craft beer bar, and book nook, giving you plenty of reasons to stick around. Upstairs, the 300-square-metre rooftop camping area is certainly something unique. Sip coffee in the morning, swap it for wine under the stars, or pitch a tent and share a green escape with other backpackers—it’s the perfect spot to relax away from the city’s buzz.
The beds are the highlight—proper solid, no creaks, and stupidly comfortable. Plus, the location is bang-on with loads of great eats just around the corner. It really is a unique hostel experience.
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 Osprey View on REIRock&Wood
The best hostel for couples in Shanghai is Rock&Wood, your host Lao Mu will look after you both with care and attention. The private rooms at Rock&Wood are affordable, charming and cosy. Rock&Wood is the perfect hostel for couples as you have the option to retreat to your room or mingle in the common areas, such as the bar or around the pool table. If you and your lover are looking to stay in a private room but don’t want to miss out on the hostel vibes in Shanghai you better book a room at Rock&Wood.
Blue Mountain Hongqiao
If you and your lover are looking for a private hostel room for a reasonable price in Shanghai take a look at Blue Mountain Hongqiao. As a highly recommended hostel in Shanghai Blue Mountain Hongqiao is perfect for travelling pairs on a budget. Although simple, Blue Mountain Hongqiao has everything you can need and their private rooms even have ensuite bathrooms. Blue Mountain Hongqiao is spotlessly clean and the staff are keen to help in any way that they can.
Le Tour
Admittedly Shanghai isn’t much of a party destination. However, if you are looking for the best party hostel in Shanghai you should check out Le Tour. If you’re keen to share a beer or two after you’ve been out exploring Shanghai’s sights and sounds you’d be happy in your choice of Le Tour. There is always a really varied group of people staying here, from all corners of the globe. Le Tour is the coolest hostel in Shanghai in terms of location, they’re placed close to Nanjing West Road where you’ll find tonnes of bars, clubs, restaurants and shops. This hostel is also a great place to experience the Chinese Spring Festival, or any of China’s festivals for that matter!
Stash your cash safely with this money belt. It will keep your valuables safely concealed, no matter where you go.
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!What to Pack for your Shanghai 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 my definitive Hostel Packing list for our top packing tips!
Why you should travel to Shanghai
Backpacking Shanghai is thrilling, and will be a highlight of your trip to China. Hopefully with the help of this guide, you’ll have a better understanding of the best hostels in Shanghai so you can book confidently, and explore this kick ass city.
And remember, if you are having a hard time picking which of the best hostels in Shanghai to book, go with Blue Mountain LuWan – our pick for top hostel in Shanghai for 2021!
FAQ about Hostels in Shanghai
Here are some questions backpackers ask about hostels in Shanghai.
How much does a hostel cost in Shanghai?
The average price of hostels in Shanghai can range from $19 – $34+ 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 Shanghai for couples?
Dayin Hostel – Shanghai East Nanjing Road is an ideal hostel for couples because of its excellent location.
What is the best hostel in Shanghai near the airport?
The Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport is quite far from the central area, so it is usually better to find the best place that offers airport transfers. Once you’re in the city, we highly recommend Dayin Hostel – Shanghai Lujiazui, less than a 10-minute walk away from the metro that will connect you to the airport.
Travel Safety Tips for Shanghai
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 China and Asia
Hopefully by now you’ve found the perfect hostel for your upcoming trip to Shanghai.
Planning an epic trip all across China or even Asia itself?
Don’t worry – we’ve got you covered!
For more cool hostel guides around Asia, check out:
Over to you
By now I hope our epic guide to the best hostels in Shanghai has helped you choose the perfect hostel for your adventure! Book your hostel, and then read our guide to spending a few days in Shanghai!
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 China for a wealth of info!
- Not sure what to do once you arrive? We’ve got all the best places to visit in Shanghai covered.
- Check out the best places to stay in Shanghai before you arrive.
- Remember to grab yourself an international sim card for China to avoid any issues.
- Prepare for your trip with our backpacking packing list
Buy Us a Coffee!
A couple of you lovely readers suggested we set up a tip jar for direct support as an alternative to booking through our links. So we created one!
You can now buy The Broke Backpacker a coffee. If you like and use our content to plan your trips, it’s a much appreciated way to show appreciation 🙂
