Easily one of the most underrated cities (and overall countries!) in all of Asia is Taipei.
Located on the island of Taiwan, Taipei is a futuristic mega-city meets traditional Chinese feel. Being on an island has helped isolate Taiwan, making it slightly off the normal backpacker route.
But backpackers who do venture to Taipei are treated to a city that has amazing food, sights and culture all for a discounted price.
With the help of this guide, you’ll be able to easily find a great hostel in Taipei that suits your travel style. No matter if you want to party, chill, or just save some money, my list of the 20 best hostels in Taipei has got you covered.
Let’s do it!
Quick Answer – The 5 Best Hostels in Taipei
- Overall Best Hostel in Taipei – Meander Taipei
- Best Hostel for Solo Travellers in Taipei – Formosa 101
- Best Cheap Hostel in Taipei – Happy Taipei
- Best Party Hostel in Taipei – Star Hostel
What to Expect from Hostels in Taipei
When it comes to affordable places to stay, the best Taipei hostels are generally your cheapest option. That doesn’t just go for Taiwan, but pretty much everywhere.
However, that’s not the only good reason for staying at a hostel. Hostels tend to have a more lively and sociable atmosphere, which makes meeting other travellers and making new friends inevitable, which is perfect for anyone backpacking Taiwan on their own.
Most hostels come with a common room or communal area where you can meet other travellers and share travel stories and tips – you won’t get that opportunity in a hotel.
Taipei isn’t necessarily a cheap city in Asia, but the affordability of Taipei hostels is surprisingly good. Not to mention some hostels can have such modern amenities you’ll feel like you’re staying in a hotel. You’ll find plenty of places with the highest possible reviews and once you arrive, you’ll definitely know why.
If you’re looking for a party atmosphere, then you’ll find some party hostels in Taiwan, but these are not as common as other countries in Asia.
But let’s talk more about money for a second. Taipei’s hostels normally have three options: dorms, capsules, and private rooms (although capsules are less common). The general rule for affordable accommodation is the more beds in a room, the cheaper the price.
Obviously, you won’t have to pay as much for an 8-bed dorm as you would for a single bed private bedroom. To give you a rough overview of Taipei’s prices, I’ve listed the average numbers below:
- Dorm room (mixed or female-only): $20-40 USD/night
- Private room: $75-120 USD/night
When looking for hostels, you’ll find the best options on HOSTELWORLD. This platform offers you a super safe and efficient booking process. All hostels are displayed with a rating and previous guest reviews. You can also filter your personal travel needs easily and find the perfect place for you.
Since Taipei is a big city and there’s a ton of attractions to add to your Taipei itinerary, you’ll want to consider the area you stay in carefully to make sure you’re close to all the places you want to see when visiting Taipei. However, Taipei does have a very easy and reliable metro system that connects you to most parts of the city, and Taipei Bus Station and Taipei Main Station connect you to other parts of Taiwan.
The 5 Best Hostels in Taipei
Now that you know what to expect from hostels in Taipei, let’s now take a closer look at my favourite five!
Meander Taipei – Overall Best Hostel in Taipei
Out and out the overall best hostel in Taipei is Meander Taipei. The Meander team has ensured that they are the best hostel in Taipei in 2024 by continuing to build upon their phenomenal reputation within the backpacking community. Incredibly clean, bright, and spacious, Meander Taipei is a weary backpacker’s dream come true.
What you’ll love about this hostel:
- Large common area
- Organised events
- Luggage storage
The beds are super comfortable and the dorms give you plenty of room to spread out. There is a really welcoming vibe here, in true Taiwanese style! The staff are uber helpful and super efficient; you need it, they can get it! Complimentary shampoo and shower gel is a nice touch and the A/C throughout the hostel is a saving grace!
Formosa 101 – Best Hostel for Solo Travellers in Taipei
No doubt about it, the best hostel for solo travellers in Taipei is Formosa 101. Budget-friendly and accommodating, Formosa 101 has put itself on the map as being the best affordable youth hostel in Taipei. Attracting a young and adventurous crowd, solo travellers will have no trouble making new friends in Taipei.
What you’ll love about this hostel:
- Near Lingjiang Night Market
- No curfew
- Self-catering facilities
The staff are awesome and will point you in the direction of Taipei’s hottest bars and clubs so as to broaden your horizons a little more. Formosa 101 is a highly recommended hostel in Taipei that is ideal for solo travellers looking to find their travelling fam while backpacking Taiwan.
Happy Taipei – Best Cheap Hostel in Taipei
We all love a bargain and the perfect bargain has been found, in the form of the best budget hostel in Taipei, Happy Taipei. There’s no reason not to be grinning from ear to ear while staying at Happy Taipei as they offer a basic (but brilliant) complimentary breakfast, free WiFi, awesome hospitality, and a great night’s sleep.
What you’ll love about this hostel:
- 24 Hour Reception
- Heating & Air Conditioning
- Near Shilin Night Market
There is a wonderful laid back vibe at Happy Taipei and everyone is greeted like an old friend. Unlike so many dirt-cheap hostels around the world, Taipei is dirt cheap but not dirty! Super clean, bright, and roomy. #Winning
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View on Osprey View on REIStar Hostel – Best Party Hostel in Taipei
Star Hostel is the best hostel for a party in Taipei and the best place to meet outgoing and fun-loving travellers for sure. Star Hostel, in fact, is HosteWorld’s Best Large Hostel in 2021! How incredible is that?!
What you’ll love about this hostel:
- Complimentary breakfast
- Near Taipei Main Station
- Warm and friendly hostel
The Star Hostel bar is the place to head of an even to get your pre-drink on before heading out on the town to explore Taipei’s thriving nightlife scene. Everything about this hostel is phenomenal, from the staff to the super-fast WiFi, from the bar to the cosy dorm rooms, Star Hostel is the coolest hostel in Taipei for sure. The complimentary breakfast is a belter and the perfect cure for a Taipei-induced hangover!
It’s also very close to Taipei main station, which is perfect for anyone looking to explore more of Taiwan.
Sleepy Dragon Hostel – Best Hostel for Couples in Taipei
Cosy and charming Sleepy Dragon Hostel is the best hostel for couples looking for a budget accommodation option. You can choose between a double bed in a dorm room, or a quaint private guest room with a balcony. Giving you and your lover the opportunity to retreat to the privacy of your room, or mingle in the buzzing common areas, Sleepy Dragon offers the best of both worlds. You’ll no longer need to fork out for an Airbnb in Taipei to get a little privacy.
What you’ll love about this hostel:
- Friendly staff
- Organised tours
- A gym and park nearby for fitness
Located just a stone’s throw from Raohe night market; well before its time, EEDD is the coolest hostel in Taipei in that respect. The staff here are genuinely happy to help and you and bae will feel like you are leaving friends behind when you come to check out.
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Hide Yo’ Money!More EPIC Hostels in Taipei
Still not sure about where to stay in Taipei? Here are some more epic hostels in the city.
On My Way Taipei Hostel
On My Way Hostel is one of the best Taipei backpacker hostels for travellers who are seeking a relaxed and quiet place to stay. That’s’ not to say there is no atmosphere at On My Way, far from it. This place is super friendly and sociable but there’s no rowdiness or chaos; perfect. Created by a team of travel-loving locals On My Way has been created with real backpackers in mind.
Being run by locals means that guests have access to all the best hints, tips, and travel hacks they could wish for. Just get chatting to the guys and girls on reception! They’ll be all too happy to share their fav hangouts with you!
NK Hostel
NK Hostel is the hipster traveller’s dream. Stick a Gingham filter over this baby and watch those likes roll on in! Cosy and homely NK Hostel is the kinda place where you can check-in, drop your bags, and fall in a heap! Traveling is tiring AF and NK Hostel has been designed with relaxation and comfort in mind.
There are plenty of spaces to hang out with your hostel buddies at NK, whether that be in the cute cafe or on the sofas in the common room. As you would have come to expect from a Taipei backpackers hostel, NK is super clean and the staff are on the ball 24/7.
Discover Hostel
Discovery is a highly recommended hostel in Taipei and is deservingly so. So modern it’s almost space-age, Discover Hostel’s neon lights and colourful walls will brighten up your day no doubt! Unlike a traditional hostel, the dorms at Discover Hostel are divided up into individual cubes or pods so that you have that extra little bit of privacy.
Able to house up to 76 people per night, this Taipei hostel is always busy, but never feels overcrowded or overwhelming. Be sure to make the most of their free airport shuttle to Taipei Songshan Airport if you wanna save a few NTD!
Dongmen 3 Hostel
‘Calling all flashpackers, repeat calling all flashpackers!’ If you like the finer things in life, like the idea of a hostel but not the idea of ‘slumming it’ then stop your search now and book Gondmen 3 Hostel. This fancy youth hostel in Taipei is classy AF and is a total luxury!
The beds are so comfy that you could easily sleep for a week if you didn’t set an alarm. And what a shame that would be as Dongmen 3 Hostel is right at the heart of Taipei and there is just so much to explore. The staff are eager to help and share their local knowledge with guests so don’t be afraid to ask!
Bouti City Capsule Inn
If you wanna splurge on accommodation the Bouti City Capsule is the best hostel in Taipei for you. This luxury, boutique hostel can be found in Zhongzheng District, just an 8-minute walk from the Main Train Station. The free breakfast at Bouti City helps on the value for money front, as does the free WiFi.
The beds are Bouti City Capsule are to die for! Imported from the UK, the mattresses and probably the best you’ll find in Asia. The team has put guest comfort high on the list of priorities and it’s paying off. Bouti City Capsule Inn is a highly recommended hostel in Taipei that you should seriously consider booking.
Travel Talk Taipei Backpackers Hostel
If you are looking for the best budget hostel in Taipei then look no further than Travel Talk. As one of the cheapest hostels and super popular, you’ll find all your broke backpacking buddies here! Safe, secure, and most importantly clean and tidy, Travel Talk is ideal for non-fussy travellers who are just looking for a place to crash, meet a few wandering folks and get out exploring.
Travel Talk is in a great central location so you can hit up all of Taipei’s must-visit sights and landmarks with relative ease. As a highly recommended hostel in Taipei Travel Talk should be high on your shortlist of options if you’re travelling on the cheap.
DAAN PARK x taipei
With all the facilities of a hotel but with the family feel of a hostel, DAAN PARK is the perfect Taiwan youth hostel in Taipei for travelling couples. DAAN PARK is super modern, light and the rooms are amazing. Getting rave reviews time after time DAAN PARK is a firm favourite Taipei backpackers hostel.
You’ll find DAAN PARK just a 3-minute walk from Dongmen station and Dongmen you can connect directly to Elephant Mountain, Taipei 101, and Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall. FYI, if you and your lover are proper foodies you’ll be chuffed with DAAN PARK, the world-famous DinTaiFung restaurant is just around the corner!
TaipeiTaipei
It’s a thumbs up all round for TaipeiTaipei! This is one of the hottest lively hostels in Taipei, with its own hostel bar, laid-back feels, and great location TaipeiTaipei ticks all the boxes. With a Taiwanese passion for hospitality and a party-focused ethos, TaipeiTaipei is the kinda hostel that you never want to leave.
Located within an easy walk of Taipei Main Station TaipeiTaipei puts you right at the heart of the action. Whether you’re a hardcore party animal or just fancy an easy night out on the town, it matters not. If you are down for a good time, not necessarily a long time, TaipeiTaipei is the place to stay!
Sleepy Dragon
Taipei is making a name for itself as being the next best city for digital nomads. With that in mind, the best hostel for digital nomads in Taipei is Sleepy Dragon. Digital nomads are a rare breed who have slightly different expectations of what a hostel should deliver.
Rest assured Sleepy Dragon is digital nomad proof! Free super-fast WiFi throughout the building, guest kitchen (cus’ sometimes eating out gets boring!), laundry facilities (no one likes dirty undies) and each bed has its own plug socket. This place is epic! Modern yet homely, Sleepy Dragon is the best hostel in 2024 for digital nomads for sure.
Taipei City Home
Taipei City Home is another top hostel in Taipei for digital nomads. Ticking all the boxes on the amenities front, City Home is a little gem. What’s more, the City Home team offers a hefty discount for travellers staying on a month-by-month basis! Perfect!
Your breakfast is included, as is the odd snack throughout the day; tea and coffee too! The WiFi is fantastic, super-fast, and super reliable. What makes City Home that bit extra is its location. Less than 10- minutes from Ningxia night market, Museum of Contemporary Art, and Hua Yin St, City Home is slap bang in the middle of everything you could possibly need access to in Taipei and more!
Come Inn
Come Inn is a great budget hostel in Taipei. Offering everything the modern backpacker needs while being super affordable, Come Inn is a little treat. Located in Zhongzheng District Come Inn makes it is super easy for guests to get out and about.
Simply decorated and with a real homely feel, Come Inn is perfect for solo travelers who like a low-key affair, digital nomads who are on a budget, and couples too. Come Inn’s private rooms are super cute but do have shared bathrooms. If you wanna keep your costs down be sure to make use of the guest kitchen!
Flip Flop Hostel – Main Station
Flip Flop is a fantastic Taipei backpackers hostel for solo travellers. FYI, there are 3 Flip Flop Hostels in Taipei, the others are FF Garden and FF Jiufen both of which are great for solo wanders too. Flip Flop Main Station is the most popular of the Flip Flop Hostels fam and there always seems to be a cool crowd hanging out here.
Not a party hostel by any stretch but you are welcome to share a beer or two in the common room before hitting up Taipei’s party district if that takes your fancy! The coffee at Flip Flop Hostel is the shizzz…freshly ground cuppa Joe anyone?!
Star Hostel Taipei East
Any hostel offering a complimentary breakfast must be considered one of the best Taipei Hostels in my books! Star Hostel Taipei East, the sister of Star Hostel near Taipei Main Railway Station, is a stylishly furnished hostel in the hippest east area of Taipei.
As a top hostel in Taipei, Star Hostel Taipei East makes it really easy for you to get out and explore as it’s right next to the metro, which takes you to all the leading places to visit in Taipei. When you come back, you can relax in your plushy dorm room or private room with a balcony.
Signs and maps can be a touch confusing so be sure to ask the staff before you head out if you are unsure; they’re always happy to help!
First Hostel
First Hostel may be a little on the pricey side but on closer analysis, it’s actually epic value for money. Included in your room rate are complimentary breakfast (and a cracking one at that), free WiFi, and a free city tour! Worth every penny! First Hostel is a top hostel in Taipei that seemingly can’t stop the stream of rave reviews from rolling in!
The guest kitchen at First Hostel is one of the best in Taipei, perfect for those days when you just wanna whip up some home comforts and sprawls out on the sofa for a Netflix binge. FYI you totally can have a Netflix binge as the WiFI is SO good!
Uinn Travel Hostel
Uinn Travel Hostel is one of the best hostels in Taipei in 2021. Uber modern, colourful and bright Uinn is a welcoming and friendly home from home for travellers. The free breakfast is a great way to start the day and before you hit the city streets be sure to grab a free city map to help you on your way.
As is the trend in Taipei Uinn has dorm rooms that feature individual pods for added privacy. Each pod has its own reading light and plug socket. WiFi is available for free throughout the hostel and there is air conditioning in every room too.
What to Pack for your Taipei 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 even more top hostel packing tips!
FAQ about Hostels in Taipei
Here are some questions backpackers ask about hostels in Taipei.
How much does a hostel cost in Taipei?
Well, the price depends on the room type. The average price range for hostels inTaipei is $20-$40 for dorms (mixed or female-only) and $75-$120 for private rooms.
What are the best hostels in Taipei for couples?
DAAN PARK x taipei is an ideal hostel for couples in Taipei. It is just a 3-minute walk from Dongmen station and Dongmen you can connect directly to Elephant Mountain, Taipei 101, and Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall.
What is the best hostel in Taipei near the airport?
Discover Hostel, a highly recommended hostel in Taipei, is 2.5 km from Taipei Songshan Airport. It’s a modern and comfy hostel.
Travel Safety Tips for Taipei
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 Taiwan and Asia
Hopefully, by now, you’ve found the perfect hostel for your upcoming trip to Taipei.
Planning an epic trip all across Taiwan or even Asia itself?
Don’t worry – I’ve got you covered!
For more cool hostel guides around Asia, check out:
Final Thoughts on Hostels in Taipei
By now I hope my epic guide to the best hostels in Taipei has helped you choose the perfect hostel for your adventure! And if you’re planning on visiting other parts of Taiwan, consider reading up on where to stay in Taiwan to help you plan your trip!
If you’re still unsure about which is the best hostel for you, consider checking out again my overall favourite hostel – Meander Taipei, which has an awesome location, a good price, and comfortable and clean rooms. What more could you want?
If you think I’ve missed anything or have any further thoughts, hit me up in the comments!
- Check out our extensive guide to backpacking in Taiwan for a wealth of info!
- Not sure what to do once you arrive? We’ve got all the best places to visit in Taipei covered.
- Skip the dorm and find a super cool Airbnb in Taipei if you’re feeling fancy!
- Check out the best places to stay in Taipei before you arrive.
- Prepare for your trip with our backpacking packing list.
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!
