When you’re planning a trip to Northern Ireland, it would be rude not to visit the capital. So come on; let’s discover the best hostels in Belfast!
Fun fact: This is the birthplace of the famous RMS Titanic.
Calling all backpackers exploring the UK, Belfast is a top destination for you.
The hostels in this list all offer a social atmosphere and great locations to make exploring easier.
Planning to travel to other parts of UK? We have a detailed guide here to the best hostels in UK.
Your shortcut:
- Vagabonds – great for backpackers
- Global Village – perfect for solo travelers
- Belfast International Youth Hostel – ideal for budget travelers
We’ve also included a great budget hostel, and that all important party hostel for the younger travellers.
Any questions about hostels in Belfast?
🤔Join our Facebook Group!
Ask all your questions and connect with like-minded wanderers 🔥
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
Exploring more of Ireland? There’s more than just Belfast hostels on offer.
Have a look at the full guide to the best hostels in Ireland, plus an intimate look at the best hostels in Dublin.
What we cover in this article?
- Introduction
- 3 best hostels in detail
- cheapest hostels in Belfast
- best hostels in Belfast for solo travellers
- fun party hostels in Belfast
- discounts and promo codes
- How to book?
- all hostel and sights on a map
- Flights
- FAQ
You can find all 5 Star Hostels here with Hostelgeeks and all guides to “Best Hostels In” here.
Quick Introduction to Belfast
Average price for a bed: Hostels in Belfast cost 12€ – 18€ per night for a bed in a dorm. A private room starts from 40€ up to 65€ per night. This is a rough average just to give you an idea.
Prices always depend on season and holidays. Please always check exact rates on Hostelworld.com or Booking.com.
Check-In and Check Out: The average check-in time is from 15:00 (3pm), while the Check Out time is before 11:00 (11am). 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.
🎁 New to Hostels? Read our guide to staying in a Hostel for the First Time here. We especially recommend reading:
- How to book hostels? (and websites to save $)
- 23 clever items: the hostel packing list to download
- How does the Hostelworld App work exactly? Our Advanced Guide
The 3 Best Hostels in Belfast
Let’s jump right into the boutique hostels in Belfast.
We put all three accommodation on the map, you will find the map at the end of the article.
Overview: Best Hostels by Traveler Type
| 🦸 Solo Traveler: | Global Village |
| 🙎♀️ best for Female Solo Traveler: | Vagabonds Hostel |
| 🎒 For Backpackers: | Vagabonds Hostel |
| 👩❤️👨Couple Hostel: | Global Village |
| 👨👩👦 Family Hostel: | Belfast International Youth Hostel |
| 👩💻 For Digital Nomads: | Belfast International Youth Hostel |
| 🧘 Cozy Hostel: | Vagabonds Hostel |
1. Vagabonds
Vagabonds Hostel Belfast is an urban travellers hostel created by two avid travellers for like-minded people.
Tara and Curt have toured the globe and witnessed firsthand what it truly means to sleep in a clean, affordable and relaxed environment.
The hostel itself is within a beautiful listed building with serious character.
Let’s have a look at the perks:
- Free breakfast every morning
- Well-equipped kitchen
- Outdoor picnic area & BBQ
- Beer garden w/ pool & table tennis
- Free tea & coffee all day
There is also always a crowd in the huge living room.
This is where you’ll find a great book exchange and a TV for when you’re craving a lazy day with a DVD.
Prefer to be outside? Have a chat with the staff, in that case. The team will happily help you get booked on a fun trip somewhere nearby.
No doubt you’re curious about the room types. Fair enough!
There are 6, 8, 12 and 14-bed mixed dorms, plus a 6-bed for ladies only.
If you’re looking for something more private, opt for the standard/deluxe twin or double room.
Note: there are sadly no privacy curtains here.
However! Each bunk comes with big storage space, a lamp and ready-made bed.
Location: Situated in the middle of the bustling Queen’s Quarter, the city centre is just a few minutes walk away. Europa Bus Station is less than 15-minutes. Belfast City Airport is a 30-minute drive, whilst Belfast International is 1-hour drive.
This is one of the best hostels in Belfast for
- Backpackers
Compare prices and check availability at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
2. Global Village Belfast
If you’re keen to experience world class hostel facilities and accommodation in a beautifully converted 19th century building, stay at Global Village.
Thousands of people (literally) have stayed here and the reviews say it all.
“There’s art all over the walls, inspired by the striking graffiti you’ll see in Belfast’s streets.”
It’s no exaggeration when we tell you that the staff here are second to none. They make such an effort!
They love to have a laugh, organise social activities and help out with booking your ideal tour. They even spruce up the hostel twice a day.
There are female-only dorms as well as mixed, plus a couple of privates for cute couples.
You’ll notice that the dorm rooms vary in bunkbed style. There is a pod-like dorm with more privacy – just make sure you clarify when booking.
What else is there to get excited about?
- Free breakfast & Wi-fi
- Beer garden & BBQ
- Communal kitchen
- Nintendo Wii, guitar, billiards & foosball
Arriving way before check-in? No problem: leave your luggage free of charge.
Location: In the Queens Quarter just 10-minutes from top sights such as the Botanic Gardens and Ulster Museum. It’s also a 5-minute stroll from Botanic Avenue, a lively hub full of shops, cafes and clubs.
This is one of the best hostels in Belfast for
- Solo travellers
- Couples
Compare prices and read reviews at: Hostelworld
3. Belfast International Youth Hostel
Belfast International Youth Hostel happens to be:
“Belfast’s biggest, longest established hostel: no gimmicks, just clean, safe accommodation.”
This hostel has also been tried and tested by thousands of travellers from across the globe. The verdict? Pretty darn good!
It is, in fact, part of the YHA chain that is popular in the UK.
But don’t worry; you don’t need a membership card to stay, though if you have one, it’s often cheaper.
It’s good to be aware that as a chain, it’s not as personal as the other hostels in this guide.
Yet the perks of such a big place is the abundance of room types and an atmosphere that attracts many different traveller types.
Small 4-bed options, large 23-bed dorms, female and male-only options, double room with ensuite – it’s all here and more!
As the rooms are basic, it’s an ideal choice for budget travellers.
One of the best parts about this hostel is the Causeway Cafe.
Open everyday for guests from 8am to 2pm, it’s ideal for grabbing breakfast. Fruit, snacks, coffee and packed lunches are also available.
Other important things to mention:
- Self catering kitchen
- 24/7 reception & no curfew
- TV & common room
- Limited access free Wi-fi
- Free parking (first come)
Location: Not far from Shaftesbury Square (bus route 8 and 9) in the city centre. This is the closest hostel to Europa Bus Station, and just around the corner from Botanic Train Station.
This is one of the best hostels in Belfast for
- Budget travellers
- Older travellers
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
What about cheapest hostels in Belfast?
Of course, there are always cheap hostels. Forget hotels!
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 Belfast.
- Open Hostelworld with full list of budget places to stay in Belfast
- Order the listing by price
Simple as that.
Read: 15 hacks for booking hostels
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.
Best Hostels in Belfast for Solo Travellers?
What is seriously the best hostel in Belfast for solo-travellers?
Well, hopefully you spotted that so far all of the hostels mentioned in this guide are great for solo travellers!
It obviously just depends on what kind of solo traveller you are and what you like.
A quick review:
- For backpackers: Vagabonds
- For sociable solo travellers: Global Village
- For budget solo travellers: Belfast International Youth Hostel
Here’s another for the mix: Lagan Backpackers.
It’s certainly another budget traveller choice because of all the great inclusions to help you save money.
Things like an English breakfast, nightly dinner, tea & coffee and a central location are all included.
Even the dorm beds come with a privacy curtain!
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
Party Hostels in Belfast
No doubt there are some of you who came to this guide especially for the party hostels in Belfast. Welcome!
Though not technically a party hostel, we want to introduce you to Belfast City Backpackers.
Update: This hostel has permanently closed its doors. Right now we do not have another party hostel recommendation. Let us know if we’ve missed a great one!
Consider it a home-away-from-home with something for everyone to enjoy.
For example, you can expect:
- Daily hostel activities (beer pong)
- Free city walking tours
- Live music
- FREE continental breakfast
There is a great selection of shared and private rooms, all of which are just 2-minutes from the city centre.
It’s quiet time at the hostel after midnight. So take advantage of the no curfew and hit the local pubs!
How to book?
We recommend using Booking.com or Hostelworld for your reservations.
Hostelworld is the most popular website when it comes to hostel bookings.
Read: step-by-step guide on how to book with Hostelworld
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:
- Vagabonds: Booking.com | Hostelworld
- Global Village: Hostelworld
- Belfast Internation Youth Hostel: Booking.com | Hostelworld
We recommend booking your hostel as early as possible!
All of Belfast best hostels are popular; especially in high-season. To make sure you end up in those stylish hostels, secure your room or bed as soon as you have your travel dates fix.
Any Discounts?
Currently, we have no special hostel discounts in Belfast. 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.
Our Favorite Hostels in Belfast put on a map + sights
Let us have a look on the map. Below we list all three best Belfast hostels on a map.
Personally, we love to plan our trips with a map having all sights and potential hostels on it. We thought this map will help you with planning your trip too.
We also included the main tourist attractions you’ve to know in this list:
- Titanic Belfast
- Belfast Castle
- Ulster Museum
- Botanic Gardens
- St George’s Market
- Carrickfergus Castle
Any questions about hostels in Belfast? 🤔
Join our Facebook Group!
Ask all your questions and connect with like-minded wanderers 🔥
Flights to Belfast?
We use Skyscanner and Omio.com to find cheap flights and good connections all over the globe.
Skyscanner has a bunch of cool features like Multi-City Trip. Instead of doing this research step-by-step, Skyscanner offers this flight planning tool.
FAQ
Alright, you should have found your accommodation already. Below we list all the frequently asked questions. Have a look.
More guides
Alright, this is your answer to where to stay in Belfast.
We did the leg work for you and bring you more hostel guides to destinations:
- 19 best hostels in Scotland
- best hostels in Manchester
- best hostels in Liverpool
- best hostels in London and backpacker hostels in London
- best hostels in Brighton
- best hostels in Bristol
- best hostels in Cardiff
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?
Then please please leave us a comment. This list of awesome Belfast hostels should be as informative and useful as possible.
Your question will help me 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.
At Hostelgeeks we will never recommend you any place we haven’t evaluated or are not convinced by. Our promise is to 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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