Time to explore Boston. And of course you need a roof above your head. Let us help you out: here are the best hostels Boston has to offer.
Stay at the coolest Boston hostels – forget hotels. Join tours and be amazed to discover amazing things about Boston that makes it one of the best cities in the USA.
Your shortcut:
- Boston Homestel – top pick for families
- Found Hotel Boston Common – great for groups
- HI Boston Hostel – best for solo travellers
Aside from being Massachusetts’ largest city and home of the oldest public park in the United States, also known to be a city of firsts, welcome to Boston.
The hostel world is pretty impressive here!
This guide is perfect for YOU, when …
- tired of bad and crappy hostels
- want to avoid the “young party kids”
- happy to spend 1-2€ for a better experience
We got a variety of the best hostels in Boston USA for you to stay. From solo-travellers, small groups to party travellers, we got it all for you!
Hot off the press: 45 best hostels in USA
We even found a great place to stay in Boston for families.
What we cover in this article?
- Introduction
- 3 best hostels in detail
- Comparison chart of 3 best hostels
- cheapest hostels in Boston
- best hostels in Boston for solo travellers
- fun party hostels in Boston
- discounts and promo codes
- How to book?
- all hostel and sights on a map
- FAQ
- Flights
You can find all 5 Star Hostels here with Hostelgeeks and all guides to “Best Hostels In” here.
Quick Introduction to Boston
The average price for a bed: Hostels in Boston cost 18€ – 29€ per night for a bed in a dorm. A private room starts from 60€ up to 120€ per night. This is a rough average just to give you an idea.
Prices always depend on season and holidays. Please always check the exact rates on Hostelworld.com or Booking.com.
Check-In and Check Out: The average check-in time is from 15:00 (3 pm), while the Check Out time is before 11:00 (11 am). Hostels usually offer luggage storage in case you arrive earlier or leave later. Make sure you check if luggage storage is free or if there is an extra cost.
Hostels in Boston MA vs Hostel Somerville MA: Whether you’re looking for a youth hostel Boston or a Boston hostel cheap enough for your budget, we recommend staying in a Boston hostel downtown.
FYI, Somerville is around 8km from Boston hostels downtown, which is where all of the hostels in this guide are found.
New to Hostels? Read our full hostel starter guide here. We especially recommend to read:
- how to book hostels (and websites to use)
- 23 items for the hostel packing list
- Are hostels safe? 13 safety tips for hostels
The 3 Best Hostels in Boston USA
Let’s jump right into the boutique hostels in Boston.
Quick overview:
We put all three accommodation on the map, you will find the map at the end of the article.
1. Boston Homestel
The Boston Homestel is nestled in Dorchester, and is only three kilometers from some of the city’s main attractions such as the University of Massachusetts Boston and the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum.
The hostel has a total of 20 rooms.
Private rooms have a double bed and sleep up to three people (including up to two children). Shared rooms take the form of co-ed dormitories with bunk beds.
And if it happens to be that you are travelling with your fur baby, this hostel is just the perfect place to stay since the hostel accepts pets – sweet.
Amenities you can use during your stay at Boston Homestel:
- Free Wi-Fi
- Fully equipped kitchen
- Garden – perfect for summer
- Nearby free parking
Location: Dorchester is one of Boston’s largest and most diverse neighborhoods, as well as being a centre for LGBTQ life.
The hostel is 11 km away from Logan Airport and 6 km away from Freedom Trail, Boston Common, Boston Public Garden and Boston Museum of Fine Arts.
However, there is public transport. Take this as an extra cost into account.
Within the neighborhood, you can visit locations like the Strand Theater and Franklin Park Zoo. Dorchester has a thriving business district, Fields Corner, with numerous local shops and restaurants.
This is one of the best hostels in Boston for
- Families
- Small Groups
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
2. Found Hotel Boston Common
If you’re going to Boston in the hopes of seeing some theater, then Found Hotel Boston Common may be the place for you since it is in the Theater District of Boston.
Do not let the name fool you; you can sleep in a mixed dorm here!
Private room configurations can sleep up to four people and have private washrooms with complimentary toiletries, and a television.
Shared rooms have bunk beds with curtains for privacy, personal outlets, small shelves, and private washrooms but are not available for Boston residents.
Found Hotel gives you free access to the following:
- Free WiFi
- Washer/Dryer (laundry)
- Microwave (no kitchen!)
The biggest attraction of the Found Hotel is that it’s centrally located, which puts guests within walking distance of Boston Common.
The staff is happy to help you arrange tickets to shows and tours at the heart of the city.
Location: Located in the city’s Theater District, this hostel is easy to reach from the airport and train station, and puts you close to many of the city’ landmarks.
The hostel is walking distance from Beacon Hill, Copley Square, Fenway Park, the Boston Tea Party Ships, and Harvard Square.
This is one of the best hostels in Boston for
- Small Groups
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
3. HI Boston Hostel
Located only a few steps from Boston Common and the Freedom Trail, and only a short metro ride from Harvard and M.I.T., HI Hostel Boston puts you right at the heart of the city.
Private rooms have a double bed and en-suite bathroom. Shared rooms six 6, 7, and 8 people with mixed as well as male/female separate options.
Amenities:
- Free Wi-Fi
- Free Breakfast
- Washer/ Dryer (laundry)
- great for bikers – they have bike storage and bike rental
There is a common area with a pool table where guests can relax and get to know each other.
There is a café on site to grab a bite to eat or something to drink, or you can venture out to one of the many eateries in the Boston Common.
Location: HI Boston Hostel is only a short walk from the Boston Public Library, Fenway Park, and Faneuil Hall.
The hostel help guests to take advantage of its central location by providing free walking tours that will teach about the old and new of what Boston has to offer.
HI is the best Boston Hostel for:
- Solo Traveller
- Backpacker
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
Comparing all 3 Top Hostels in Boston
Here is an overview of our handpicked top hostels in Boston. In this chart we compare the main facilities and things to expect.
It will help you to take a decision.
Boston Homestel | Found Hotel Boston Common | HI Boston Hostel | |
Recommended for… |
|
|
|
Kitchen | Yes | No | Yes |
WiFi | Free (Super Fast) | Free (Good) | Free (Good) |
Breakfast | Simple Breakfast (extra) | Big Buffet Breakfast (included) | Simple Breakfast (included) |
Location | Ok (3km to downtown in South Boston) | Very accessible (downtown) | few walks to downtown |
Special | Pets AllowedPrivate Parking
Kitchen Facilities |
Top Location and best dorms (with curtains) |
Fun, Backpacker Hostel (social hostel!) |
Activities | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Lockers – and safe? | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Facilities for disabled guests | No | No | Yes |
How to book? | Hostelworld | Hostelworld | Hostelworld |
This information can vary by season and availability. Please take this into account.
What about cheapest hostels in Boston?
Looking for a cool cheap hostel Boston has to offer? Of course, there are always cheap hostels and hotels in Boston.
We think, it’s not worth it to go with the cheapest hostel out there.
Why?
The difference is usually 1-2€ ($1-2) per night, and a lot of amenities are not included. This can be breakfast or linen.
However, if you are traveling on a shoe-string budget and you wanna save every penny, there are ways to find the cheapest places in Boston.
- Open Hostelworld with full list of budget places to stay in Boston
- Order the listing by price
Simple as that.
Make sure you use then the other filters and rank per price. Also keep a close eye on the ratings, especially the “extreme ratings”. Meaning, the best and worst. These ratings can give great insight on what to expect.
Read here our guide on how to book hostels with Hostelworld.
We did have a look on your behalf and found two cheap hostels in Boston worth a mention:
- Boston Fenway Inn – small female-only and mixed dorms (also a good Boston youth hostel)
- The Farrington Inn – old fashioned building with choice of private rooms
Best Hostels in Boston for Solo Travellers?
What is the serious, best hostel in Boston for solo-travellers?
Aside from having easy access to the public transit, HI Boston Hostel is just a 10-15 minute walk to just about anything you would like to visit in Downtown Boston.
The hostel offers private rooms that have ensuite bath and television.
During your extra time, you can also take a read of your favorite book at their library, rent a computer or play with other guests and play pool at the hostel’s playroom.
Compare prices and read HI Boston Hostel reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
Party Hostels in Boston
Hello party lovers out there!
We give you two highly different hostels you could choose from and drink the night away.
1. Backpackers Hostel and Pub
If you love to party and within a specific budget, this Party hostel in Boston is for you.
Backpackers Hostel and Pub gives you the perfect opportunity to take a seat, drink your beer and just enjoy the rest of the night with other hostel guests.
As the name suggests, it is a fun backpackers hostel Boston and at the same time a pub. Yes, pretty obvious!
The hostel also has a pool table where you can have a beer on one hand the a pool stick on the other. Picture yourself now, winning against your new hostel mate.
We’ll cheers to that!
The hostel offers free breakfast and coffee. You can also use their free shuttle service to Wellington Station, just 4 stops to downtown.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Hostelworld
2. The Envoy Hotel, Autograph Collection
First things first: This is a hotel, and much more expensive than the backpackers bar above.
If your up to a classy style hotel and a great party experience of your life, The Envoy Hotel , Autograph Collection fits that description perfectly.
There is only one place in Boston that offers a roof deck bar – open all year round – even in winter where you can have an igloo experience.
Imagine that? An igloo in the city of Boston? Only in The Envoy Hotel.
The night is young, grab your drink and have the greatest party experience of your life.
The hotel is located in the Waterfront District where party travellers does not only enjoy the party at night but also the harbours and the seafood. The hostel also has its own restaurant and fitness center.
What’s more interesting is that Logan Airport is only 3 km away from the hotel and 600 meters away from Washington Monument.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com
UNIQUE Hostel in Boston
How about staying on a Boston boat hostel? It’s totally possible and people say it’s a unique experience not to be missed!
Liberty Fleet of Tall Ships offers a Tall Ship Overnights opportunity in downtown Boston.
You’ll get to stay on a working tall ship in one of their cabins.
Note: this is available June through mid September.
They book quickly, so what are you waiting for?
Compare prices and read reviews at: Hostelworld
How to book?
We recommend using Booking.com or Hostelworld for your reservations.
Booking.com is the biggest and safest platform for hotel and hostels reservations. Their cancellation policy is one of the best, normally 100% refundable until 24h before the stay.
Hostelworld is also super safe and the biggest booking platform for hostels.
On both platforms your credit card is 100% protected and the booking 100% confirmed.
We included the handy links to each of the recommended hostel. Just click on the hostel name. The link will lead you to check prices and availability.
Here is the overview:
- Boston Homestel: Booking.com | Hostelworld
- Found Hotel Boston Common: Booking.com | Hostelworld
- HI Boston Hostel: Booking.com | Hostelworld
- Backpackers Hostel and Pub: Hostelworld
- The Envoy Hotel, Autograph Collection: Booking.com
Any Discounts?
Currently, we have no special hostel discounts in Boston. I know, it’s a pity. You can subscribe to our newsletter to receive our newest hostel discounts always to your inbox.
You can find all our hostel discounts worldwide here.
All 3 Hostels put on a map + sights
Let us have a look on the map. Below we list all three best Boston hostels on a map.
We also included the main tourist attractions you’ve to know in this list:
- John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum
- STRAND THEATRE
- Freedom Trail
- Faneuil Hall (NRHP)
- Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
FAQ
Where is the best place to stay in Boston?
D’uh, that’s easy; Boston Homestel. Skip back up to the beginning to get a better idea of why we deem this the BEST hostel in Boston.
What are the best sites for finding hostels?
We want to throw our hat into the ring: Hostelgeeks.com
Our website is focused on bringing you a handpicked selection of cool hostels all around the world. Here you can find all our handmade best hostels in the world guides; from Paris to Tokyo.
Other than our website, Hostelworld is always a great resource and booking platform too.
What is the cheapest way to stay in Boston?
Most definitely hostels offer a cheap (and fun) way to stay in Boston.
Though it’s important to remember that the cheapest doesn’t necessarily mean the best. Have a look at our cheap hostels section for more.
Flights to Boston?
We enjoy Omio.com and Kiwi.com to find cheap flights to Boston.
This new website has super cool features like a so-called radius search. Just draw a circle over North America and find the cheapest rates for the area.
Here is our review of Kiwi.
More guides
Alright, this is your answer to where to stay in Boston. Hopefully you already know which hostel Boston USA to book!
We did the leg work for you and bring you more hostel guides to destinations in the USA:
- Best Hostels in New York City – with Freehand New York
- Best hostels in Chicago
- Best hostels in Seattle
- Best hostels in Washington DC
- Best hostels in San Francisco
- Best hostels in Los Angeles
- Best hostels in New Orleans
- best hostels in San Diego
- best hostels in Portland
- best hostels in Denver
- 6 BEST hostels in Hawaii
- best hostels in Miami
In nearby Canda you can discover:
You can find all our new and updates articles for Best Hostels in here.
We also created a huge guide to hostels. Here we cover how to build lifetime friendships in hostels, the perfect packing list and more.
Over to you
Was this useful? Do you have any questions, doubts? Which hostel Boston MA in this collection will you choose?
Then please please leave us a comment. This list of awesome Boston hostels should be as informative and useful as possible. We want to make your hostel travel easier!
Your question will help us to understand what I have missed to mention.
Therefore, drop us a comment, we are keen to help you!
Last note: Our commitment
This is a genuine article to help you travel a bit smarter and find the best place on a budget! We ONLY recommend places we know you will enjoy, no matter what.
We will never recommend you any place we haven’t evaluated or are not convinced by. We only share with you places we also recommend to our best friends and family!
Enjoy this fine hostel selection and all 5 Star Hostels.
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Discounts for Hostels in Boston
Would you like a promo code for any of the Boston hostels mentioned? Of course you do. Since you are a Hostelgeeks reader and part of the community, you can get access to discounts and special promo codes.
You can find all our fresh and valid hostel promo codes here.
How about we let you know once we get fresh promo codes? Simply leave your email and subscribe here to our newsletter. It it easy, free and you save real money.
Your Smart Packing List
It is time to see what you should pack in your backpack or suitcase. Make sure you always pick a quality hostel, it totally reduces the things you need to pack. Here is our ultimate hostel packing list. It features 23 items you should really throw in your backpack.
The most important things to pack are:- earplugs
- eye mask
- key chain flashlight
- the right backpack, we travel with Lowe Alpine Lightflite 45 Pack
- packing cubes
- generic padlock (fitting all locker types)
- quick-dry travel towel
- universal power adapter
- travel-sized toiletries