Looking For A Budget Stay While Travelling? These 20 Quirky Hostels Won’t Burn A Hole In Your Pocket!
A far cry from the dull and dingy dormitories of yesteryear, these super cool budget hostels offer cosy beds, essential facilities (like free Wi-Fi, lockers etc), funky decor and the warm vibe of a boutique hotel for a fraction of the price.
What does ₹300 or ₹400 a night get you in India? More than you’d think at these quirky, strategically located hostels. A far cry from the dull and dingy dormitories of yesteryear, these hostels offer cosy beds, essential facilities (like free Wi-Fi, lockers etc), funky decor and the warm vibe of a boutique hotel for a fraction of the price. As an added bonus, you also get to interact with like-minded travelers!
So, all in all, choosing a hostel over a hotel is a wise decision if you want to stay on budget while travelling and still have fun. To save you the trouble, we did the research and made a list of the coolest pocket-friendly hostels in India. From Varkala to Varanasi, we’ve got you covered!
1. Zostel, All Over India
India’s first chain of backpackers’ hostels, Zostel was started by four travel-loving students in late 2013. Today, Zostel has a presence in key tourist locations like Spiti, Manali, Agra, Pushkar, Jaipur, Jaisalmer, Gokarna, Khajuraho, Ooty, Varanasi, Delhi and Goa. And the list is only getting longer. At the given price, you can avail a bunk bed in an AC dormitory, use Wi-Fi, store luggage in a private locker and avail services of the well-equipped lounge, library and community kitchen. Private rooms are also available.
Prices starting from ₹499
2. Roadhouse Hostel, Jaipur, Varanasi and Across Goa
Founded in 2014 by a group of school friends, Roadhouse is a chain of backpackers’ hostels that provides bunk beds in air-conditioned dormitories, a cozy common room with free Wi-Fi, a library and a recreational room equipped with a PlayStation, a fooseball table and a pool table. The centrally located hostels also have women-only dormitories and tie-ups with local walking tours.
Prices starting from ₹400
3. Old Quarter, Panaji
One of Hostel Crowd’s pocket-friendly stays, Old Quarter lies right at the heart of historic Fontainhas (Panaji’s picturesque Latin Quarter). Housed in an old Portuguese-style building, the hostel offers cosy four-bed dorms, private lockers, free Wi-Fi, bikes for hire and a cafe with delicious cake, pretty murals and a great collection of books. The hostel also has private double rooms and girls-only dorms.
Note: A feature-rich hostel chain, Hostel Crowd has several hostels in Goa and Kochi, including India’s first and only party hostel, Prison (in Anjuna). Two other great options are Maritime in Kochi and Jungle in Vagator.
Prices starting from ₹300
4. Jugaad, Delhi
This pretty hostel doesn’t just live up to its name, it does a good job of it. Located near two of Delhi’s busiest tourist draws, Sarojini Nagar and Hauz Khas Village, Jugaad has an airy common room with minimalist decor, rooms named after historic monuments (Mehrauli, Lodhi, Siri etc) and an open terrace with cane furniture and colourful upholstery. Facilities include access to a PlayStation, a steam room, washing machines and free parking.
Prices starting from ₹699
5. Vedanta Wake Up! Across South India
Inspired by their hostel experience during a backpacking trip in Australia, Vedanta Wake Up! was started by two IT analysts in 2011 with the first hostel being set up at Fort Kochi. The hostel chain gives highest priority to ensuring a clean, comfortable and secure stay for travellers. In addition to this, the USP of these hostels are their wonderful locations. The one at Varkala has a spectacular seaside location, bamboo huts and a palm-fringed garden dotted with hammocks!
Prices starting from ₹699
6. Social Rehab, Bangalore
Located in Indiranagar in Bangalore, Social Rehab offers an affordable and comfortable space for backpackers. Other than a kitschy common room with books, board games and DVD collections, the hostel also provides facilities like free Wi-Fi, free parking, a shared kitchen and a 24-hour front desk that arranges vehicles for hire and trips to Hampi, Mysore, and Goa.
Prices starting from ₹900 (breakfast included)
7. International Travellers’ Hostel, Varanasi
A family-run stay, International Travellers’ Hostel in Varanasi was once the summer house of the Queen of Nepal (after the colonial rule, it was eventually auctioned off and sold to one of the owner’s great grandfathers). The gorgeous hostel offers travellers a comfortable stay along with a whole array of facilities, like free wi-fi, washing machines, private lockers, a shared kitchen, a well-equipped recreational room and a charming bistro that offers everything from pasta to puri sabzi.
Prices starting from ₹300
8. Bunkyard, Udaipur
A charming hostel with scalloped arches, painted-glass lamps, and verdant creepers adorning the stairwell, Bunkyard captures the whimsical essence of Udaipur. The comfortable hostel has cosy dormitories (each with its own musical theme), an on-site restaurant and an open terrace where it hosts barbecues. The 24-hour front desk also arranges vehicles for hire and activities such as cycle tours and horse riding.
Prices starting from ₹300
9. Bedweiser Backpackers Hostel, Agra
Located close to the Taj Mahal, Bedweiser Backpackers Hostel is just the place for bargain-hunting backpackers.The hostel offers travellers clean comfortable rooms, free Wi-Fi, a gaming zone, a pretty rooftop restaurant and some quirky decor. Also, the friendly staff at the hostel is always ready to lend a hand, whether it’s hauling your luggage or handing out some information about local haunts.
Prices starting from ₹645
10. The Lost Tribe Hostel, Manali and Anjuna
The Lost Tribe hostels at Manali (in Himachal Pradesh) and Anjuna (in Goa) are places where the traditional charms of a rural lifestyle blends wonderfully with contemporary amenities. Tastefully furnished in earthy tones, the hostels have capsule beds, standard dorm rooms as well as private rooms. They also have an experimental kitchen, a quirky cafe a cozy common room with free Wi-Fi!
Prices starting from ₹300
You May Like: This Summer, Head Out To These 14 Stunning Offbeat Destinations In Himachal Pradesh
11. Moustache, Jaipur, Udaipur, Jaisalmer, and Agra
Among India’s hippiest hostels, Moustache has a bright, beautiful decor inspired from local traditions and handicrafts. This centrally located hostel has AC dormitories (including girls-only dorms), free wi-fi and a multi-cuisine rooftop restaurant. Moustache also offers a host of activities like heritage walks, food tours, yoga sessions and movie nights.
Prices starting from ₹450
12. Jugaadus Eco Hostel, Amritsar
Located just 1 km from Amritsar’s famous Golden Temple and 28 km from the Wagah Border, Jugaadus’ Eco Hostel is a great base for backpackers looking explore Amritsar’s cultural and culinary heritage. Along with rooms with lockers and shared bathrooms, the eco-friendly hostel (which is switching to solar energy) has a pretty terrace garden, a common kitchen and a unique lounge with upcycled furniture. The hostel also offers guided food and heritage tours around the city.
Prices starting from ₹350
13. Le Pension, Jaipur
With a name that means ‘bed and breakfast’ in French, Le Pension is a place for those looking for a quiet stay away from the hustle and bustle of the main city. Featuring Rajasthani and Gujarati influences in its simple yet chic decor, the hostel offers AC dorms, free Wi-Fi, a shared recreational area and a terrace cafe that is perfect for a lazy afternoon with a book and cup of tea.
Prices starting from ₹400
14. Stops Hostel, Varanasi
A short distance away from Kedar Ghat, Stops Hostel is one of the best budget stays in Varanasi. It has a boho-chic decor, airy rooms, a movie library and a beautiful terrace with wooden benches from where once can soak up the sights of the ancient city. Other than a shared kitchen and lounge, the hostels has dormitories that come with free wi-fi and air conditioning. The hostel also organises heritage tours and movie nights for guests.
Prices starting from ₹ 499
15. Backpacker Panda Appetite, Mumbai
A popular budget hostel near the Mumbai International Airport and Chakala Metro Station, Backpacker Panda Appetite offers bunk beds in clean, comfortable dorms with AC, coffee machines and private bathrooms. Other facilities include free Wi-Fi, washing machines, private lockers, a cosy library, a shared kitchenette and a lounge with funky decor.
Note: Backpacker Panda also has other hostels in Goa, Delhi and Rajasthan.
Prices starting from ₹799
16. Natura Ashram, Pondicherry
A simple hostel with basic facilities, Natura Ashram is a community space with many of its long-term residence working in projects in and around Pondicherry. The hostel offers dormitories equipped with just the basic furniture and free wi-fi, a canteen that provides home-cooked South Indian meals and bicycles on hire. If you are looking for a no-frills place in Pondicherry that fits your budget, this is where you should go.
Prices starting from ₹200
17. Red Door Hostel, Anjuna
If you are looking for a cheap but comfortable backpacker’s hostel close to the beach in Goa, Red Door hostel is the answer. Located a stone’s throw away from the Anjuna beach, this pet-friendly hostel is surrounded by eateries and shops. It offers air-conditioned four-and six-bed with private lockers, free Wi-Fi, a garden, a well-equipped kitchen and a wonderfully laidback cafe-bar. Laundry and dry cleaning services are also available.
Prices starting from ₹550
18. By The Way, Cherrapunjee
A conveniently-located hostel with extremely clean dormitories and a friendly host (who gives free lessons in Khasi), By The Way at Cherrapunjee is a great base to explore the living root bridges of Nongriat. While the hostel does not have a canteen of its own, there several small shops and cafes nearby that serve delicious local food. Simple, utilitarian and clean, this place is a budget backpacker’s dream!
Prices starting from ₹250
19. AAO Hostel, Bangalore
Located in Koramangala in Bangalore, less than a kilometre away from Forum Mall, AAO Hostel Bangalore boasts of neat dormitories with free-Wi-Fi and views of the garden. In addition to providing services like washing machines and bicycle rentals, the hostel also has a terrace garden, a well-stocked library and a shared kitchen.
Prices starting from ₹500
20. Happy Camper, Cochin
If you are looking for a comfortable pad in Fort Kochi at a bargain price, Happy Camper is the answer. With an atmosphere that is as cheerful at its name, this pet-friendly hostel has comfortable AC dorms (including one woman-only), a tiny shared kitchen, a rooftop lounge and a cafe that serves excellent food. It also offers a plethora of experience-driven activities in the city.
Prices starting at ₹649
Also Read: 10 Sustainable Homestays in India Show How Travelling Responsibly Can Be Charming Too
Like this story? Or have something to share? Write to us: [email protected], or connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.
NEW: Click here to get positive news on WhatsApp!
If you found our stories insightful, informative, or even just enjoyable, we invite you to consider making a voluntary payment to support the work we do at The Better India. Your contribution helps us continue producing quality content that educates, inspires, and drives positive change.
Choose one of the payment options below for your contribution-
By paying for the stories you value, you directly contribute to sustaining our efforts focused on making a difference in the world. Together, let's ensure that impactful stories continue to be told and shared, enriching lives and communities alike.
Thank you for your support. Here are some frequently asked questions you might find helpful to know why you are contributing?
This story made me
-
97 -
121 -
89 -
167
Home
Read
Watch
Contribute
