3 Best Hostels in Brighton, UK – A Classic British Seaside Resort is Calling You

3 Best Hostels in Brighton, UK
Photo by Ben Guerin

Are you keen for a break by the sea, in a popular UK seaside resort? We’re eager to introduce you to the best hostels in Brighton.

Less than 50 miles south of London, this is the perfect getaway for backpackers exploring England and beyond. It’s a destination for travellers with liberal values and forward thinking attitudes. Oh and those that love a quintessential English pub.

Planning to travel to other parts of UK? We have a detailed guide here to the best hostels in UK.

Your shortcut:

  1. Hostel YHA Brighton – great for female and solo travellers
  2. Seadragon Backpackers – top pick for couples
  3. HAPPY Brighton – perfect for backpackers

Any questions about hostels in Brighton?

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Our handpicked hostels offer social vibes and wonderful locations that will have you on the beach in minutes.

This guide is perfect for YOU, when you…

  • are tired of crappy hostels!
  • want a social Hostel to actually meet people
  • are happy to spend $1 to $2 more for a much better experience
What we cover in this article?

You can find all 5 Star Hostels here with Hostelgeeks and all guides to “Best Hostels In” here. Whilst you’re at it, have a look at our collection of the 3 best hostels in London.

Quick Introduction to Brighton

Average price for a bed: Hostels in Brighton cost 18€ – 23€ per night for a bed in a dorm. A private room starts from 34€ up to 95€ 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.

Fun fact: Unofficially titled the ‘gay capital’ of the UK, there has been an active LGBT community dating back to the early 19th century.

🎁 New to Hostels? Read our guide to staying in a Hostel for the First Time here. We especially recommend reading:

The 3 Best Hostels in Brighton

Let’s jump right into the boutique hostels in Brighton.

  1. Hostel YHA Brighton
  2. Seadragon Backpackers
  3. HAPPY Brighton

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: Hostel YHA Brighton
🙎‍♀️ best for Female Solo Traveler: Hostel YHA Brighton
👫 For Socializing:Hostel YHA Brighton
👩‍❤️‍👨Couple Hostel: Seadragon Backpackers
👨‍👩‍👦 Family Hostel: Selina Brighton
👩‍💻 For Digital Nomads: HAPPY Brighton
🎒 For Backpackers: HAPPY Brighton

1. Hostel YHA Brighton

Britain is well known for YHA hostels, and Hostel YHA Brighton is a superb example of what they stand for.

Spread over 3 floors, the #1 hostel in town has 180 beds spread over 51 rooms.

There’s no chance of NOT meeting new people, we dare say! What’s nice is that the shared dorms and private rooms are on different floors. So if you’re keen for a double or twin private; you can enjoy added peace.

En-suite female only dorms are available for the female solo travellers out there.

This grand hostel building has a whole lot more on offer, such as:

  • Cafe and bar
  • Self-catering kitchen
  • Bike storage
  • Breakfast available (small charge)

WiFi is free and can be enjoyed throughout the property. Always appreciated!

Reception is open 24 hours a day, and room access is by a key card for added security.

Be aware: groups larger than 16 are not accepted.

Location: On the doorstep of all Brighton attractions, a mere stroll to Brighton Pier and Lanes shopping area.

This is one of the best hostels in Brighton for

  • Solo travellers
  • Female solo travellers
  • Groups
Book Hostel YHA Brighton here

Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld

Hostel YHA Brighton is one of the best hostels in Brighton, UK Hostel YHA Brighton is one of the best hostels in Brighton, UK Hostel YHA Brighton is one of the best hostels in Brighton, UK

2. Seadragon Backpackers

To balance things out, we found a much smaller hostel with just six rooms. Say hello to quirky Seadragon Backpackers.

Full of character and cute corners, this well run hostel is clean and inviting.

And guess what; it’s just 30 seconds from the beach!

The room choices look like this:

  • 1x double room
  • 4x 4-bed mixed dorms
  • 1x twin room

Each bed is ready-made upon arrival, and free towels are available, just ask!

Forget squeaky metal bunks – these are wooden, sturdy and have a proper ladder.

In the kitchen you’ll find great space to cook, chill, socialise and enjoy a yummy free breakfast of eggs, cereals and bread.

Open all day and night for enjoyment is a cosy lounge.

There you’ll find a TV, books, games and comfy sofas. It’s an ideal spot to enjoy copious amount of (free) tea and coffee!

Location: Just a 10-minute walk to the city centre. In the surrounding area is a 24/7 supermarket, food places and awesome pubs.

This is one of the best hostels in Brighton for

  • Couples
  • Friends
Book Seadragon Backpackers here

Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld

Seadragon Backpackers is one of the best hostels in Brighton, UK Seadragon Backpackers is one of the best hostels in Brighton, UK Seadragon Backpackers is one of the best hostels in Brighton, UK Seadragon Backpackers is one of the best hostels in Brighton, UK

3. HAPPY Brighton

If you’re keen to stay in the heart of the city and like the sound of a cinema room, you’re likely to enjoy HAPPY Brighton!

The beach is just a stones throw from this hostel, tucked away in a private street. It’s super easy to experience all of the top sights in just a short walk.

We have to say, the rooms really stand out here.

Each bedroom, whether it’s private or shared, comes with an ensuite and private lockers for your bits and bobs.

To top it off, there is a choice between traditional bunk beds and private sleeping pods. The pods come with a black out privacy curtain, LED light, charging sockets and a laptop shelf. Cool, huh?

If you’re feeling social you can make the most of:

  • Communal events (movie nights etc)
  • Family dinners
  • Trips around Brighton

Digital nomads will really appreciate the free & unlimited super fast Wifi which extends across all the rooms and social areas.

If you’re travelling on a budget you can always use the shared kitchen instead of eating out.

Good to know: Groups of larger than 6 people are not accepted. Reception is not open 24hrs, but there is no curfew once you’re checked in.

This is one of the best hostels in Brighton for

  • Backpackers
  • Older travellers
  • Digital nomads
Book HAPPY Brighton here

Compare prices and read reviews at: Hostelworld

HAPPY Brighton is one of the best hostels in Brighton, UK HAPPY Brighton is one of the best hostels in Brighton, UK

What about cheapest hostels in Brighton?

Of course, there are always cheap hostels.

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 Brighton.

  1. Open Hostelworld with full list of budget places to stay in Brighton
  2. 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 Brighton for Solo Travellers?

What is seriously the best hostel in Brighton for solo-travellers?

Here‘s an overview:

The quick and easy answer would be to opt for Hostel YHA Brighton. It’s sheer size means meeting people is easy. Yet there is also an option for private rooms if you seek some downtime.

Party Hostels in Brighton

If you’re looking for a crazy party hostel in Brighton, you won’t find it here.

Instead, we have a fantastic option that provides a great social atmosphere which is not OTT.

It happens to be our #1 hostel, Hostel YHA Brighton.

The on-site bar is a great space for quiet drinks and new conversation. Just down the road the ‘party’ can be continued at fun bars and Brighton nightlife.

There’s no curfew to worry about, either.

Book Hostel YHA Brighton here

Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld

Hostel YHA Brighton is one of the best hostels in Brighton, UK

More Hostels worth a mention

Before you go, we want to throw one more hostel in the mix – you won’t be disappointed!

Selina Brighton – a gem!

We had a look at Selina Brighton and we think this is a top UK hostel worth a mention.

Thanks to its central location right on the promenade, each of the rooms come complete with sea views! You can also enjoy panoramic ocean vistas from the onsite beachfront restaurant and bar. Nice.

“Playful, colourful and just a little bit cheeky, expect the unconventional with a stay at Selina Brighton; we can’t wait to welcome you!”

Rooms include: Family, small, standard & deluxe private rooms. There are no shared dorms here.

Perfect for sociable couples.

A pity 😔, the discount code to Selina Hostels expired. Check all valid discounts here.

How to book Selina Hostels the best way?

Book Selina Hostels here

Rumor has it, new discounts are coming soon. We will share them first in our newsletter. Join us, it is free!

Book Selina Brighton here

Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld

Selina Brighton is one of the best hostels in Brighton, UK Selina Brighton is one of the best hostels in Brighton, UK

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:

  1. Hostel YHA Brighton: Booking.com | Hostelworld
  2. Seadragon Backpackers: Booking.com | Hostelworld
  3. HAPPY Brighton: Hostelworld

We recommend booking your hostel as early as possible!

All of Brighton 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?

You can find all our hostel discounts worldwide here. Subscribe to our newsletter to receive the freshest hostel discounts directly in your inbox. We even have special discount codes we only share in the newsletter.

It is completely free to join!

How to book?

The most popular booking platforms are Booking.com and Hostelworld.com. On both platforms, your credit card is 100% protected and the booking 100% confirmed.

We included some handy links to each of the recommended hostel. Just click on the hostel name. The link will lead you to check prices and availability.

Read: Step-by-Step guide on how to book with Hostelworld

We recommend booking your hostel as early as possible! All of Brighton best hostels are popular; especially in high-season. To make sure you end up in those stylish and good hostels, secure your room/bed as soon as you have your travel dates fix.

The coolest Hostel App you need comes as well from Hostelworld. It gives you super cool features like you can contact your hostel mates beforehand, ask questions, and make plans together. Find more details in our review of the app.

Download the Hostelworld App here

QR Code to Download your Hostelworld app with one scan
Scan the QR Code with your Smartphone to download the Hostelworld App from the App Store - like a real Hostel Geek!

The best way to find hostels: Hostelgeeks website and Hostelworld App

Our Favorite Hostels in Brighton put on a map + sights

Let us have a look on the map. Below we list all three best Brighton 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:

A few other fun things to do in Brighton include:

Any questions about hostels in Brighton? 🤔

Join our Facebook Group!

Ask all your questions and connect with like-minded wanderers 🔥

Flights to Brighton?

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.

Our Step-by-Step Guide to Skyscanner

review of Skyscanner flight searches

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 Brighton.

We did the leg work for you and bring you more hostel guides to destinations:

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

Over to you

Do you have any questions left, maybe doubts? Then please leave it in the comment below. We are very keen to help you - and actually you would even do us a favor!

Your question will help us to improve this Brighton guide.

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 will never recommend you any place we haven’t evaluated or are not convinced by. We are constantly updating all our guides to keep them as fresh and accurate as possible.

Safe travels,
The Hostelgeeks

 

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A complete guide and overview to the Best Hostels in Brighton, UK for solo travellers and backpackers

CLOSED: Baggies Backpackers

Update: Sorry folks, Baggies closed its doors in 2020.

Baggies Backpackers opened its doors in 1993, so by now they understand travellers and their hostel wants and needs.

This is a sociable, homely setting brought to life by a friendly community of people from around the world.

But don’t take our word for it.

Have a look at all the inclusions:

  • Lounge w/ movies & books
  • Playden for adults
  • Well-equipped kitchen
  • Free tea and coffee
  • Fast, free Wi-fi
  • Soon enough you’ll be part of the Baggies family and won’t want to leave!

Want to hear something cool?

Baggies offers not only offer female dorms, but a male dorm, too.
The male dorm happens to be the biggest room, with a small balcony and sea view of Brighton beach. Lovely jubbly.

Mixed dorms range from 6-18 beds – the best option for budget travellers and social butterflies.

Couples can enjoy a double private which is found on the top floor. But sorry, no lift!

Location: On a peaceful street close by to train and bus stations. Moments from the beach and minutes to the best bars, cafes and popular shopping at The Lanes.

This is one of the best hostels in Brighton for

  • Backpackers
  • Older travellers
Baggies Backpackers is one of the best hostels in Brighton, UK
Baggies Backpackers

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