In the last few years, more and more hostels have started opening up in Los Angeles and a city that was filled with only a couple now has dozens. While most used to be located in Santa Monica or West Hollywood, you’ll find hostels spread out all over the city now.
That’s great because LA itself is super spread out and it’s a pain in the butt to get anywhere. Now, if you want to stay in a hostel, you’re no longer confined to just a few parts of town.
The city is your oyster!
I’ve been visiting LA for a decade and have stayed in dozens upon dozens of places. There are a lot of things to consider when selecting a hostel. The top four when picking the best hostel in Los Angeles are:
Location – LA is huge and it can take some time to get around. Pick a place that is central to the sites and nightlife you want to see. All the hostels listed here are in central locations.
Price – In LA, you really get what you pay for, so if you go with a really cheap one, you’re probably going to get a hostel that is small, cramped, and doesn’t offer great service.
Amenities – Every hostel in the city offers free Wi-Fi, and most have a free breakfast, but if you want more than that, be sure to do your research to find the hostel that best meets your needs!
Staff – All the hostels listed here have amazing staff! They are super friendly and knowledgeable. Even if you don’t end up staying at one of the places listed below, be sure to look up reviews to ensure you end up somewhere where the staff is helpful and friendly! They can make or break a hostel!
To help you plan your trip, here is my list of the hostels in Los Angeles that I like the most. If you don’t want to read the longer list below, the following hostels are the best in each category:
Best Hostel for Budget Travelers: Samesun Hollywood Hostel Best Hostel for Families: Freehand Los Angeles Best Hostel for Solo Female Travelers: HI Los Angeles Santa Monica Best Hostel for Digital Nomads: HI Los Angeles Santa Monica Best Hostel for Partying: Banana Bungalow Hollywood Best Overall Hostel: Samesun Venice Beach
Want the specifics of each hostel? Here’s my comprehensive list of the best hostels in Los Angeles:
Price Legend (per night)
$ = Under $30 USD
$$ = $30-40 USD
$$$ = Over $40 USD
1. Freehand
One thing to note: while this place is super cool, it’s also big and trendy and popular with locals so you don’t get a traditional hostel vibe here. That said, it’s the cheapest place to stay downtown!
Freehand at a glance:
$$
Rooftop bar and pool for hanging out and meeting people
Restaurant and fitness center
Near the metro so you can get anywhere easily
Beds from $35 USD.Book Freehand Los Angeles here!
2. HI Los Angeles Santa Monica
If you’re looking for access to the California beaches and nearby Venice, this is where to stay. There’s also a light rail station just a few blocks from the hostel if you’d like to head to DTLA.
HI Los Angeles Santa Monica at a glance:
$$$
Lots of common areas so it’s easy to meet people
Great location near the beach
Female-only dorms for extra privacy and security
Beds from $42 USD.Book HI Los Angeles Santa Monica here!
3. Samesun Venice Beach
Your stay includes free breakfast too. They also do a lot of activities to help ya get to know the city and others in the hostel!
Samesun Venice Beach at a glance:
$$$
Organizes tons of events
Free breakfast
Great place to meet other travelers
Beds from $50 USD, private rooms from $260 USD.Book Samesun Venice Beach here!
4. Banana Bungalow Hollywood
The hostel also has a tiki garden with lounge chairs to soak up the sun, a sidewalk café, and tons of activities in the common room, like live music, comedy, and karaoke, plus a movie theater for when you’re not exploring everything that’s within walking distance, like the Walk of Fame and Chinese Theater.
They also coordinate group activities, such as party buses, tours, hikes, free BBQs and other food nights, movie nights, and more. There’s also complimentary breakfast and coffee/tea available daily. Because of all of the ways to spend time with others at the hostel, it can get loud at night, and partying can go on until late, so bring earplugs.
Banana Bungalow Hollywood at a glance:
$$
Laid-back garden for hanging out and mingling
Organizes lots of activities (tours, hikes, pub crawls)
Party vibe so it’s easy to meet people
Beds from $38 USD, private rooms from $95 USD.Book Banana Bungalow Hollywood here!
5. Samesun Hollywood
Rooms here are clean, the beds are some of the most comfortable in town, and private rooms come a mini-fridge. There is only one bathroom per floor (even private rooms have shared bathrooms), so it can get a bit crowded. Not all of the dorms have AC, so in the warmer months it can get hot. But the hostel has an updated kitchen and serves complimentary continental breakfast daily.
The hostel also hosts nighttime activities and has a common room with foosball and pool tables.
samesun Hollywood at a glance:
$$$
Great location on the Walk of Fame
Organizes lots of activities and events
Free breakfast
Beds from $41 USD, privaate rooms from $179 USD.Book Samesun Hollywood here!***
There are not a lot of hostels in Los Angeles, but even from among those slim pickings, these are the best. They are spread out around town so you can find one in whatever part of town you’re staying in, and the prices are pretty affordable too! Check them out the next time you’re in town.
Book Your Trip to Los Angeles: Logistical Tips and Tricks
Book Your Flight Use Skyscanner or Momondo to find a cheap flight. They are my two favorite search engines because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned. Start with Skyscanner first though because they have the biggest reach!
Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the biggest inventory and best deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:
Safety Wing (for everyone below 70)
Insure My Trip (for those over 70)
Medjet (for additional repatriation coverage)
Looking for the Best Companies to Save Money With? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use to save money when I’m on the road. They will save you money when you travel too.
Want More Information on Los Angeles? Be sure to visit our robust destination guide onLos Angeles for even more planning tips!
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