10 best hostels in Istanbul for budget travellers
Last Updated on February 21, 2026 by Lauren Allen
If you are visiting Istanbul on a budget, it’s likely you’ll be staying in a hostel. With prices starting from as little as £10 a night, this is one of the best ways to save some cash whilst exploring the city. Here is a list of the 10 very best hostels in Istanbul to consider for your next trip.
10 best hostels in Istanbul, Turkey:
1 | Archeo
After opting to stay at Archeo for my first three nights in Istanbul, I would happily recommend this spot to family and friends as one of the best hostels in Istanbul.
My favourite thing about this hostel was its arty vibe and decoration in the main reception area. As an art lover, it was a really cool area to hang out with a drink before heading out for a day of exploring.
Situated in Beyoğlu, the hostel is approximately 15 minutes away (via tram) from some of the main attractions in Istanbul such as the Blue Mosque. Istanbul is huge so staying close to at least some main attractions is one of my top tips for visiting the city.
Furthermore, the staff who work at the hostel are incredibly friendly and happy to help with any questions you may have. From the moment I walked through the door, I felt very welcomed into the hostel and was treated with kindness and respect.
In terms of comfort, there was plenty of space to spread out in bed and I slept well every night. The curtains on each bunk ensure privacy whilst lamps and plug sockets ensure you can read and charge your devices at night.
If I’m being brutally honest, the hostel looked like it needed a little TLC in parts. It was (mostly) quite clean and tidy, but it looked like it could do with a bit of a spruce-up in some areas. However, it wasn’t that bad and for £10 a night, you’re getting extremely good value for money in my opinion.
Despite a little bit of mess, I would without a doubt stay here again as everything else was so pleasant.
Note: Stay tuned for a full honest review on Archeo Hostel in Istanbul.
2 | Sanat Hostel Istanbul
Guests rate Sanat House highly for comfort, location and the arty vibes. Additionally, breakfast at this hostel is also rated rather highly. One of the coolest things about this hostel in my opinion is its exposed brickwork in the rooms adding to the cosy ambience.
It’s worth noting that due to its location nearby clubs and the fact the hostel has a bar, it can sometimes be a disruption at night. If you are a light sleeper, you may want to consider staying elsewhere.
3 | Hostel Le Banc
With an almost perfect review score on booking.com, Hostel Le Banc is without a doubt one of the best hostels in Istanbul. What travellers love most about this hostel are the incredibly friendly staff. This spot is also well-loved due to its cleanliness, comfort and fantastic wifi.
Aside from that, the location is conveniently within walking distance to many of the top attractions in Istanbul. Plus, with rooms starting from just £15 a night, guests are treated to excellent value for money.
4 | Rodamon
Having stayed at a Rodamon Hostel in Marrakech, I was slightly bummed out that I didn’t book this spot for my trip. Had I realised sooner, I 100% would have booked a few nights there instead.
Typically, Rodamon Hostels are pretty stylish and the Istanbul branch is no different. Beautifully decorated in a classy blue and green colour scheme, you’ll feel like you’re living it up in one of the city’s best hotels rather than a hostel.
Like many hostels, there is also an option to opt for private rooms as opposed to shared dorm rooms. You could choose to book a superior double, family room, suite or penthouse apartment if you’d prefer the luxury of complete privacy throughout your stay in Istanbul.
It’s worth noting that these options are considerably more expensive than a dorm room so if you are visiting Istanbul on a budget, you may want to give that a miss. Although Rodamon is one of the most expensive hostels on this list, it (surprisingly) isn’t by much and you get so much more for your money.
5 | Yolo Hostel
If you are hoping to explore the Asian side of Istanbul, you are a little more limited in terms of places to stay. This is even truer if you are travelling on a budget and wish to stay in a hostel. Yolo Hostel is situated in Kadikoy, located on the Asian side of the city. This makes it an ideal place to stay if you wish to see how the locals live.
Kadikoy is mostly residential, which means you will need to hop on a ferry (or another mode of transportation) to explore the top Istanbul attractions on the European side. However, it’s a lovely place to stay if you are looking for a more relaxed visit to the city.
Yolo Hostel is highly rated for comfort, cleanliness and facilities. It’s also in a good location if you need to catch a flight from Sabiha Gokcen Airport. Lastly, many restaurants and cafes are situated nearby so you won’t struggle to find somewhere for a bite to eat.
Most people tend to stay in this hostel for one or two nights which is more than enough time to appreciate the chilled vibes compared to the European side of Istanbul.
6 | Cheers Lighthouse Hostel
Highly rated due to its convenient location, Cheers Lighthouse is a fab option when it comes to hitting up the sights. Situated a 5-minute walk away from Hagia Sofia and Sultan Ahmed Mosque, it’s an ideal way to cut down on time spent on transportation.
Additionally, if you’re looking for the best party hostel Istanbul has to offer, you may want to consider this spot. Social events (such as karaoke and bar crawls) are held daily so if you typically travel solo like me, this is a fantastic way to meet fellow travellers and sample Istanbul’s amazing nightlife.
Apparently, what sets this hostel apart from the rest is the incredible team. The staff who run the hostel go above and beyond for guests by providing a welcoming and fun place to hang out whilst they are not exploring the city.
Note: This is one of the most social hostels in Istanbul. If you’d prefer somewhere on the quieter side, it’s probably best to stay elsewhere.
7 | Stanpoli Hostel
Boasting a great breakfast (included in the cost of your stay), Stanpoli Hostel is a fab option if you wish to cut costs on food. The breakfast spread here is dubbed “big and delicious” by past travellers, so you’re bound to feel satisfied throughout a morning of exploring.
Furthermore, guests also love that the hostel is clean, safe and comfortable. The location is also excellent as it is situated within walking distance of Hagia Sofia and the Sultan Ahmed Mosque. Lastly, one of the very best things about this Istanbul hostel is the fabulous views from the rooftop terrace.
These things (plus many more) make Stanpoli Hostel a great option when figuring out where to stay in Istanbul.
8 | Bahaus Guesthouse Hostel
Although the decor looks a little outdated (in my opinion), Bahaus Guesthouse is a good option if you are looking for a cheap place to stay in Istanbul. With dorm beds starting from £14 a night (depending on your time of visit), it doesn’t break the bank. Additionally, breakfast is also included which will save you some money.
The best thing about this hostel is the people. Apparently, the staff who work at Bahaus Guesthouse are very friendly and welcoming. The hostel is also known for being pretty social which means it could be an ideal option for solo travellers hoping to meet like-minded people.
9 | Second Home Hostel
One of the best cheap hostels in Istanbul is Second Home Hostel. Appropriately named, the hostel is known for friendly guests and staff that make you feel at home throughout your stay. The hostel also has a terrace (with some fab views of the city) which is ideal for hanging out with your new pals after you’re done sightseeing for the day.
Aside from that, guests also rate the hostel highly for location, breakfast, hospitality and much more. Plus, there is a resident cat… How cute!
With many travellers rating it top marks, it’s a fantastic choice whilst visiting the city.
10 | Stay Inn Taksim Hostel
Last on the list, Stay Inn Taksim Hostel is another one of the best hostels in Istanbul. If you are planning to catch the Havaist bus from the airport into the city, this hostel is a great option as it’s situated around a 15-minute walk from the Havaist bus stop.
As well as the convenient location, Stay Inn Taksim is similarly priced to many of the hostels on this list and is also well-loved for the cool atmosphere, cleanliness, friendliness and comfort.
In terms of negative points, some guests do complain about loud noises until the early hours of the morning. However, this shouldn’t bother you if you are a heavy sleeper and you may get lucky in terms of disturbance. The choice is yours!
Top tips for booking the best hostels in Istanbul
Book in advance
Although it’s often fine to book hostels on a whim whilst travelling, getting the best deals is best done in advance. By researching your options weeks (or even months) before your trip, you have a better chance of getting lucky with prices and more luxury options. The best spots often get booked up fast, so a bit of preparation can often go a long way.
Read the reviews
Reviews are key when it comes to booking accommodation. For example, if a hostel is cheap but invested with bed bugs or in a super dodgy location, it really isn’t worth saving a few pounds. By checking out the reviews before booking, you will know what to expect in terms of value for money, cleanliness, comfort and much more. You’ll also be able to avoid any bad hostels and opt for the highly rated ones instead.
Choose based on location
Choosing a hostel based on location can be a little tricky if you are hitting up a large city such as London or New York. Often, the attractions you want to visit will be fairly spread out. This means you won’t be within walking distance of every spot on your itinerary.
On this occasion, it’s best to do a bit of research and go with the option that is closest to most attractions. This will be the most convenient and cheapest choice as you will save time and money on travelling around the city.
Check if breakfast is included
Not all hostels come with breakfast included, but picking one that does is a great way to save money whilst travelling. Often, free breakfasts will be buffet-style with a variety of options including cooked breakfasts, cereals, yoghurt and fruit. In terms of drinks, you can choose from tea, coffee and fruit juices.
If you are staying somewhere with a free buffet breakfast, you can fill up on your first meal of the day and opt for a lighter lunch. This will ensure you feel fueled up for a day of adventures as well as save you some cash along the way. It’s a win-win!
Book a hostel with free wifi
If you are travelling without data on your phone, booking a hostel with free internet access is important. By doing so, you will be able to plan your days, download maps for directions and research important information. Most importantly, you’ll be able to share your Instagram snaps from Istanbul (wink wink).
Most hostels these days have wifi, but there are some that don’t. Make sure you check upon booking (and read what the reviews say about the connection).
Be a pleasant traveller
Staying in hostel dorm rooms means sharing a room with strangers. This means you will need to be conscious of their comfort and needs. Don’t stumble in late at night and make a lot of noise, don’t turn the lights on after a certain time and try your best to be as nice as possible. A bit of noise is expected in hostel dorms, but people still need to sleep so it’s important to be considerate.
As this list of the very best hostels in Istanbul helped you to plan where to stay in the city? Let me know your choice in the comments section below!
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