Publication date : 9/9/22 | September 9, 2022
Warsaw is perhaps one of the cheapest capitals in Europe. This bustling Polish city of about 1.8 million people was almost destroyed during World War II. But then the magic happened: it was rebuilt so meticulously. It's a beautiful place that always seems to work for the future. The city seems to be moving and I love it.
Plus, it has what you'd find in popular Western Europe - history, museums, great food, and wild nightlife - but at a fraction of the cost. It is a very affordable destination for travelers and it is a pity that they do not spend more time here.
There are many hostels in Warsaw and I wanted to list some of my favorite ones.
However, before booking accommodation, there are four things to consider when choosing a hostel in Warsaw:
- Location - Warsaw is quite a big city, so you should try to find the part of the city that you like the most and find a hostel there. Otherwise, you spend a lot of time traveling.
- Price - As with any city, you get what you pay for. If you choose a hostel that is very cheap, you may end up in a hostel that is small, cramped and does not provide good service.
- Amenities - Every hostel in town offers free Wi-Fi and most have self-catering facilities so you can cook your own meals. Some - but not all - include free breakfast, so find the one that best suits your needs.
- Staff - All the hostels listed here have excellent staff who are very friendly and knowledgeable. Even if you don't stay in any of the places listed below, be sure to check reviews to make sure you have friendly and helpful staff. You can make or break a hostel!
Here is a list of the best hostels in Warsaw If you don't want to read the list below, here are the best hostels in each category:
Best hostel for budget travelers : Kapsula Hostel
Best party hostel : Oki Doki hostel
Best hostel for solo women: Safestay Warsaw
Best hostel for the family : Chillout Hostel
The best accommodation for the best accommodation in general : the accommodation center
Do you want to know the specifications of each residence? Here is a breakdown of the best hostels in Warsaw and why I love them:
Legend Price (per night)
- Less than a dollar = 100 PLN
- $$ = PLN 101-140
- $$$ = more than 141 PLN
1. Dormitory capsule
The capsule or capsule residences are based on the famous hotels and capsule lodgings in Japan, the first of which opened in 1979 in Osaka. Each gets their own mini pod (two shared pods are also available). Each is large enough to sleep comfortably. You can close the capsule with the remote control; It has air conditioning, plinths and lighting (plus curtains). Free WiFi is available throughout the residence, as well as an on-site café and lounge. There are also many bars and cafés in the area.
Although not the best option for meeting other travelers, it is very affordable and the capsule beds are surprisingly comfortable. The bathroom is spacious and everything is clean and modern. This is definitely not a very social hostel, which makes it a good choice for anyone who wants to keep quiet. The residence is also centrally located, just a 15-minute walk from the old town's main square, Rynek Starego Miasta.
Overview of the capsules:
- $
- Cheapest hostel in Warsaw
- Comfortable capsule room for one or two people
- On-site lounge/cafe
Beds from 69 PLN per night, private rooms from 152 PLN.
2. Oki Doki Inn Old Town
Oki Doki is located in a very central location. If you spend as much (or more) time in bars and pubs as you do when visiting museums and exploring historical sites and monuments, this well-located hotel is for you: the streets around Oki Doki are filled with great places to eat. There is a happy hour event every night so you can meet other travelers.
Dorms are comfortable with thick mattresses and privacy curtains to ensure a good night's sleep (the beds don't squeak either, which is a big plus). There are also ladies' rooms and lockers so you can keep your luggage safely (the lockers are not very large, so travelers with bulky backpacks may not be so lucky). Some rooms also have air conditioning, but you have to pay extra. Overall, it is a lively and social hostel that makes it easy to connect with other travelers.
Okey Dokey at a glance:
- $$
- Female only hostel
- Happy hour at night makes it easy to make friends
- Complimentary coffee and tea
Beds from PLN 115 per night, private rooms from PLN 244.
3. Warsaw is safe
Safestay is the leading small hostel chain across Europe. It's always a good choice (especially if you're traveling solo, since there are women-only rooms). The location is great as it is outside the old town. There is a lively bar on site, and the hostel offers plenty of activities for you to meet other travelers, such as pizza parties and game nights, as well as a fun walking tour of Warsaw covering all the main attractions.
Overall, the hostel has a relaxed vibe with all kinds of art and quotes in the halls and public areas. The dormitories have thick mattresses and curtains for privacy, as well as individual power points and lights. There are lockers under the bed, but they are a bit small. The upstairs bar has all kinds of board games if you just want to kick back and relax.
Be safe at a glance:
- $$$
- Ladies' hostel
- Several activities in the property's bar make it easy to meet people
- Organizing walking tours in Warsaw
Bed from 161 PLN per night, private room from 362 PLN.
4. Comfortable stay
Chillout is in the heart of Warsaw like some of the other hostels, but very close to the Palace of Culture and Science, the Royal Bath Gardens and Nowy Swat Street, a shopping centre. It has a kitchen that you can use to prepare your meals, and while the dorm beds are not particularly comfortable, the rooms are clean and spacious. Chillout Outlets in Warsaw offer single women's dormitories as well as larger rooms for families traveling who wish to stay together.
The staff here are very nice and do their best to make sure you have a good stay. Although the dorms are basic (the beds are a bit creaky and lack curtains), the mattresses are decent and there are cupboards big enough for most packages. The rooms are also spacious.
About Chillout Hostel:
- $
- Almost all types of dormitories, dormitories and private rooms are available
- Free coffee and tea and free breakfast
- Kitchen so you can cook your own meals
Beds from 76 PLN per night, private rooms from 241 PLN.
5. Lwowska 11 Youth Hostel
This cozy hostel is located just a 15-minute walk from the main train station. The dorms are basic but clean with basic beds but decent mattresses. There are lockers to keep your belongings safe, kitchen on site, free tea and even free laundry if you stay 4 nights. There are many restaurants nearby if you want to eat, as well as a grocery store a few minutes away if you want to cook.
Overall, the hostel has a quiet and cool vibe so it's not a great place to meet people. However, if you just want to relax and do whatever you want, this hostel is a good choice.
Residence Lwowska 11 profile:
- $
- Free washing for longer periods
- Many restaurants nearby
- calm environment
Beds from 87 PLN per night, private rooms from 310 PLN.
6. Youth hostel center
Centrum Hostel is as central as possible. Location certainly plays a role, but the center offers more. They really want you to learn about Polish history during your visit, so the walls and lanes here are covered with pictures of famous poles throughout history. Scan the QR code on your phone and you will get the minimum information, who this or that person is and why it is important for Warsaw and Poland. This is a very cool feature and I wish more hostels would do this.
Most of the rooms overlook a quiet and green courtyard. The dormitories are comfortable with thick mattresses (but no curtains for privacy) and lockers are provided. There is also a kitchen if you want to cook your own meals.
Hostel Center Warsaw overview:
- $
- Pleasant lounge and communal kitchen
- Complimentary coffee and tea
- Friendly and welcoming staff
Beds from PLN 70 per night, private rooms from PLN 140.
Warsaw's hostel scene varies from large, affordable hostels to laid-back party venues and hostels with an emphasis on privacy. All you have to do is decide what you want and where you want to live, and you will find in the Polish capital what suits your style and budget.
Book Your Flight: Logistics Tips and Tricks
Book your flight
Find cheap flights with Skyscanner. It's my favorite search engine because it searches websites and airlines from all over the world, so you always know there's no business need to be overlooked.
Book your stay
You can book your hostel on Hostelworld. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently offer the lowest rates for guest houses and hotels.
Don't forget travel insurance
Travel insurance protects you from illness, injury, theft and cancellation. This is complete protection in case something goes wrong. I have never traveled without one, having had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value for money are:
- Safe (best of all)
- Get my own travel insurance (for people over 70 years old)
- Elf (for additional evacuation coverage)
Are you ready to book your flight?
Check out my Resources page for the best companies to use when traveling. I list what I use when I travel. They are the best in class and you can't go wrong with them on your travels.
The 6 best hostels in Warsaw made their debut on Nomad Matt's travel site.