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Writer's pictureNeil Bradley

The 5 Best Hostels in Montreal


Montreal street view from eye-level

Montreal is one of the world’s best cities (at least in my opinion). From its lovely parks and historic downtown to its incredible music, art, and foodie scenes, Montreal is amazing.

I’ve been visiting Montreal for a decade and have stayed in dozens upon dozens of places, but always come back to my favorites listed below. To me, these are the best!

There are a lot of things to consider when selecting a hostel. The top four when picking the best hostel in Montreal are:

  1. Location – Montreal 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.

  2. Price – In Montreal, 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.

  3. 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!

  4. 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 Montreal 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: The Alternative Hostel of Old Montreal Best Hostel for Families: Auberge Saintlo Montréal Best Hostel for Solo Female Travelers: M Montreal Best Hostel for Partying: Samesun Montreal Central Best Hostel for Digital Nomads: M Montreal Best Overall Hostel: Auberge Saintlo Montréal

Want the specifics of each hostel? Here’s my comprehensive list of the best hostels in Montreal:

Price Legend (per night)

  1. $ = Under 30 CAD

  2. $$ = 30-40 CAD

  3. $$$ = Over 40 CAD

1. M Montreal


M Montreal's rooftop patio with one of its jacuzzis

M Montreal’s super clean rooms run the gamut from female dorms to private apartments, and all have en suite bathrooms. I liked the pod feeling to the beds: they include a curtain so you can get some privacy, as well as outlets and a light. The mattresses are pretty uncomfortable (basically a gym mat), but the social vibe, plethora of activities, and friendly staff more than make up for that.

M Montreal at a glance:

  1. $$

  2. Great place to meet other travelers

  3. Female-only dorms for extra privacy and security

  4. Rooftop terrace, jacuzzi, and bar on-site

Beds from 36 CAD, private rooms from 145 CAD.Book M Montreal here!

2. Auberge Saintlo Montreal


Auberge Saintlo Montreal hostel dorm rooms

The common room comes with a pool table, plus the hostel has a large kitchen stocked with basics so you don’t have to lug them around with you, a café, a bar, and free breakfast daily. It also offers daily activities, including bike tours, walks, a pub crawl, and even poutine tastings.

Auberge Saintlo Montreal at a glance:

  1. $$

  2. Organizes lots of activities (poutine tours, walking tours, pub crawls)

  3. Great place to meet other travelers

  4. Free breakfast

Beds from 35 CAD, private rooms from 134 CAD.Book Auberge Saintlo Montreal here!

3. Samesun Montreal Central


bar area at Samesun Montreal hostel

There’s complimentary breakfast that includes freshly made muffins, waffles, and eggs. Located in the same area as M Montreal, this hostel is smaller and has a more community, homey feel to it. If you’re looking for something more old school and traditional, stay here.

Samesun Montreal Central at a glance:

  1. $$

  2. Party atmosphere makes it easy to meet people

  3. Bar on-site with cheap drinks

  4. Free breakfast

Beds from 31 CAD, private rooms from 126 CAD.Book Samesun Montreal Central here!

4. Auberge du Plateau


Auberge du Plateau Mont-Royal hostel dorm rooms

There’s a common area to chill out in, plus a rooftop terrace to enjoy when the weather warms up. Breakfast with pancakes and maple syrup is free.

Auberge du Plateau at a glance:

  1. $$

  2. Rooftop terrace for hanging out and mingling

  3. Social vibe so it’s easy to meet people

  4. Free pancake breakfast (with real maple syrup!)

Beds from 33 CAD, private rooms from 80 CAD.Book Auberge du Plateau here!

5. The Alternative Hostel of Old Montreal


Alternative Hostel of Old Montreal hostel dorm rooms

Besides its eclectic and artsy vibe, the hostel includes a common room, a kitchen, complimentary continental breakfast, and Wi-Fi that reaches up to its top floor. What it doesn’t have is an elevator — and rooms start on the third floor, so it’s a walk up with your gear.

The Alternative Hostel of Old Montreal at a glance:

  1. $

  2. Laid-back and chill atmosphere

  3. Eco-friendly

  4. Cafe on-site so it’s easy to hang out and meet people

Beds from 28 CAD, private rooms from 90 CAD.Book The Alternative Hostel of Old Montreal here! ***

While there aren’t a ton of hostels in Montreal, there are enough that it can be hard to choose the best one for your needs. I stayed in all the hostels here so that you don’t have to! If you’re looking for the best hostels in Montreal, stay at one of those listed above.


Book Your Trip to Montreal 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:

  1. Safety Wing (best for everyone)

  2. Insure My Trip (for those over 70)

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 Montreal? Be sure to visit our robust destination guide on Montreal for even more planning tips!

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