The Mongolian capital of Ulaanbaatar feels surprisingly built-up for such a far-flung destination. Founded in 1639 as a monastic Buddhist centre, this city of skyscrapers and Soviet-era buildings is an interesting mix of traditional life and 21st-century living.
A stop along the Trans-Siberian Railway (and the Chinese rail network), Ulaanbaatar is a vibrant place with nightlife, museums and heaps of culture to explore. Staying in a hostel here means keeping things budget-friendly, but also connecting with local families who run them.
To inspire your trip, here’s our selection of the very best hostels in Ulaanbaatar.
Quick Answer: Best Hostels in Ulaanbaatar
- Overall Best Hostel in Ulaanbaatar – Golden Gobi
- Best Cheap Hostel in Ulaanbaatar – Mongolian Vision Tours
- Best Hostel with a Private Room in Ulaanbaatar – Top Tour Guesthouse Mongolia
- Best Hostel for Couples in Ulaanbaatar – Town Yard Hostel Garden
- Top Hostel for Digital Nomads in Ulaanbaatar – UB Guesthouse & Hostel
The Best Hostels in Ulaanbaatar
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Overall Best Hostel in Ulaanbaatar – Golden Gobi
- $$
- Free breakfast
- Free shuttle service (to train station)
- Communal kitchen
This welcoming guesthouse is the perfect way to kick off your backpacking adventure to Mongolia. It’s run by a family who is originally from the Gobi Desert (hence the name), and it boasts a great atmosphere – the sort of place you arrive at and instantly feel part of the family.
This is easily best hostel in Ulaanbaatar, with an epic free breakfast and plenty of comfy common areas to kick back in. The central location is also pretty unbeatable. It’s close to museums, the central square, and Peace Avenue – the main street in the Mongolian capital.
Best Cheap Hostel in Ulaanbaatar – Mongolian Vision Tours
- $
- Free breakfast
- Laundry service
- Railway shuttle service
If you’re traveling on a shoestring budget, then look no further than this super cheap hostel. This place really is great value for the money – you get a lot for the nightly rate. Beds in the dorms are spacious and capsule-style, complete with privacy curtains. The showers and bathrooms are clean too, which is always a plus.
Staff at this hostel are friendly and helpful, offering plenty of restaurant recommendations and information for your onward adventures. Coupled with nice social spaces and an outdoor terrace, it’s no wonder this is so highly rated.
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View on Osprey View on REIBest Hostel with a Private Room in Ulaanbaatar – Top Tour Guesthouse Mongolia
- $$
- Bicycle hire
- Free breakfast
- Luggage storage
For those of you who are looking for a bit of privacy during your stay in Ulaanbaatar, Top Tour Guesthouse Mongolia provides just that. The private rooms here are comfortable, clean and tastefully decorated with touches of traditional style.
Elsewhere, things are modern, cozy, and pretty cool-looking. The amenities are contemporary – from the fully equipped kitchen to the friendly lounge area. And in terms of location, you’ll be within easy walking distance of the city’s major tourist attractions.
Best Hostel for Couples in Ulaanbaatar – Town Yard Hostel
- $
- Tours/travel desk
- Free breakfast
- 24-hour reception
Town Yard Hostel provides the perfect backpacking getaway in the city for you and your partner. This is another one of Ulaanbaatar’s awesome hostels that are run by a family who’ll make sure your stay runs smoothly. The free breakfast is another major perk.
The hostel comes complete with an outdoor terrace and common room. Everything is spotlessly clean, with private rooms that would suit couples wanting their own space. With a central location close to pubs, restaurants, and museums, you’ll have plenty to do during your stay.
Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Ulaanbaatar – UB Guesthouse & Hostel
- $$
- Free breakfast
- Free Wi-Fi
- Airport transfers
Coming highly recommended (from Lonely Planet, National Geographic, New York Times, etc.), this top Ulaanbaatar hostel has been in operation since 2000. It’s owned by a friendly couple who’ll make sure your stay is hassle-free from the moment you arrive.
Owing to its long-established status, all sorts of international travellers find themselves here – from backpackers to American Peace Corps – meaning you’ll get to meet some interesting people during your stay. There’s plenty of space where you can get your head down and do some work when you need to, making this a great place for digital nomads.
Best Hostel for Solo Travellers in Ulaanbaatar – Sunpath Mongolia
- $
- Tours/travel desk
- Free breakfast
- Outdoor terrace
Run by a local Ulaanbaatar family, the staff here really take care of their guests. They’re always on hand for offering tips and advice for the capital and beyond, and provide an insight into Mongolia’s culture.
Staying here puts you in good hands, which is partly why it’s our top pick for the best hostel for solo travellers in Ulaanbaatar. Throughout this hostel, everything is clean and tidy, with dorm rooms that offer good security and great value for money.
Sunpath Mongolia is one of our favourites in Ulaanbaatar but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.
Best Party Hostel in Ulaanbaatar – Khuvsgul Lake Hostel
- $
- Bicycle hire
- 24-hour reception
- Free breakfast
Although Ulaanbaatar isn’t the most party-centric destination, Khuvsgul Lake Hostel is a great option for those looking to stay somewhere fun during their visit. The stylish shared kitchen and common room come complete with a bar area, where you can pick up a beer or two.
It’s not just the beer fridge and the atmosphere that make this a fun party hostel. It’s located close to a few good local bars, so you’ll be able to enjoy some drinks and experience what makes the Ulaanbaatar nightlife tick.
Khuvsgul Lake Hostel is one of our favourites in Ulaanbaatar but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.
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What to Pack for your Ulaanbaatar 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!
Travel Safety Tips for Ulaanbaatar
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.
Final Thoughts on the Best Hostels in Ulaanbaatar
You can’t omit Ulaanbaatar from your travel plans if you’re visiting Mongolia. Home to over half of the country’s population, the capital city works as a great jumping-off point for adventures further afield.
If you can’t quite decide where to stay, Golden Gobi is an excellent choice.
No matter where you end up going, you’ll be guaranteed some classic Mongolian hospitality, and usually a free breakfast!
Which hostel caught your eye? Let us know in the comments!
Do you own or run a kick ass hostel? Want to be featured in this list? Get in touch at [email protected]
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!
