Travelling to the UK always sounds like a good idea, and we’ve got the perfect place for you to visit! We want to give you a warm welcome to the city of Bristol – the United Kingdom’s eighth-largest city located in the southeast of England. Bristol – or “Brizzle” as the locals would call it, is a city with unique and vibrant culture, brimming with creativity and colour. It’s mostly known for its harbour, varying architecture and major contributions to both the arts and sciences. Today, we want to provide an inside look into one of the biggest historical cities in the UK, along with its sights and our recommendations for the best hostels in Bristol!
Our favorite hostels in Bristol are:
- YHA Bristol - best for Solo Travellers
- The Full Moon Backpackers - best for Party Lovers
- Towed Town Camping - best for Couples
Money-saving tip: Compare hostel prices with Hostelz.com. They compare prices from Hostelworld, Booking.com and others with 1 click.
1. YHA Bristol
2. The Full Moon Backpackers
3. Towed Town Camping
Starting with a bit of history! Bristol was formerly known as “Brigstow”, meaning “the place at the bridge”, so it’s not uncommon for you to still see this name scattered around the modern city. Due to its location, Bristol was a starting point for many nautical voyages that explored the New World. Additionally, the rise of trade made the city grow economically. Another interesting fact is that John Cabot, an Italian explorer, set off his expedition from Bristol in 1497 in hopes of finding a trading route to Asia on the Matthew. However, he never made it there – instead, he landed in Newfoundland, now known as North America. In his honour, Cabot Tower was built upon Bristol’s Brandon Hill, offering splendid city views. Additionally, you can see a life-size replica of his ship, the Matthew, on the city’s Harbourside.
We have full guide to London best hostels too!
Apart from history, Bristol is famously known for its rich culture and vibrant art scene. Interestingly enough, it is believed that the pioneer of street art and graffiti, Banksy, originated from the city. His identity, along with his birthplace, is still a mystery to this day. However, Bristolians proudly claim him as their own. Nevertheless, you can still see some of his famous artwork scattered across the city – for instance, head to Hannover Place to see “The Girl With The Pearl Earring” or Jamaica Street to witness “The Mild Mild West”.
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
In addition to the historical allure and creative scene, Bristol is filled with green spaces all around! The town is adorned with pristine countryside, surrounded by an abundance of hills and woods that you can freely explore. For instance, you can enjoy the beauty of Observatory Hill, Maes Knoll or St. George’s Hill. But, if you have the time for only one trek, we strongly recommend visiting Cheddar Gorge for its dramatic cliffs and awe-inspiring caverns. Lastly, if you’re active and planning your trip around May, we suggest participating in Bristol’s famous month-long walking festival!
Read our best hostels in Brighton!
All of these things and more create an ideal setting for an adventure like no other! Whether you’re a history buff, a patron of the arts or just want to meet a bunch of friendly folks, Bristol’s got something for you! We want to take a load off your travelling plans; therefore, we’ve listed some of the best hostels in Bristol!
What we cover in this article?
You can find all 5 Star Hostels here with Hostelgeeks and all guides to “Best Hostels In” here.
Quick Introduction to Bristol
Average price for a bed: Hostels in Bristol cost 26€ – 40€ per night for a bed in a dorm. A private room starts from 40€ up to 97€ 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 Hostelz.com or Hostelworld.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.
Backpacking Tips For Bristol:
The city has so much to offer that we can’t place all the information in one blog post. However, we’ve created a cheat sheet just for you to get the most out of Bristol! Here are some of our helpful tips:
- Visiting the Clifton Suspension Bridge is a must! Its engineer, Isambard Kingdom Brunel, dubbed it as his “first love”, and you’ll know why once you see it! It offers spectacular city views and has been attracting daredevils ever since. Did you know that the bridge was home to the first modern bungee jump in 1979?
- If you’re planning your trip at the beginning of August, we stringy recommend visiting the Bristol International Baloon Fiesta celebrating hot-air balloons! Thousands of people gather to see a myriad of balloons against the stunning backdrop of the city. We suggest experiencing it around 9 PM as the night sets, and you can enjoy a spectacular firework show!
- Once you set foot in the city, you will first notice the distinct Bristol accent. However, did you know that it’s synonymous with pirates? Bristol has a rich history of pirates, and you can tour all the famous piracy hotspots for a small fee!
🎁 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 Bristol are …
Let’s jump right into the coolest hostels in Bristol.
- YHA Bristol – best for Solo Travellers
- The Full Moon Backpackers – best for Party Lovers
- Towed Town Camping – best for Couples
These are our favorite hostels in Bristol. We want to make your life even easier, so we put all accommodations on a map for you. We even added our own tips for favorite restaurants, things to see, and more.
1. YHA Bristol
2. The Full Moon Backpackers
3. Towed Town Camping
Overview: Best Hostels by Traveler Type
| 🦸 Solo Traveler: | YHA Bristol |
| 🙎♀️ best for Female Solo Traveler: | YHA Bristol |
| 🥳 Party Hostel: | The Full Moon Backpackers |
| 👩❤️👨Couple Hostel: | Towed Town Camping |
| 👨👩👦 Family Hostel: | Towed Town Camping |
| 👩💻 For Digital Nomads: | The Full Moon Backpackers |
| 🧘 Cozy Hostel: | YHA Bristol |
1. YHA Bristol
YHA Bristol chain may be a familiar sight for frequent travellers across the globe, so you already know what to expect! For those of you who are seeing it for the first time – you’re in for a treat! The YHA is situated in the heart of Bristol, making it an ideal spot to start your sightseeing adventures. For instance, you can easily head to Harbourside to explore the old city or enjoy some cultural experiences that are in the vicinity. Additionally, the Bristol Temple Meads train station and the Marlborough Street bus station are just 10 minutes away, so you can venture out and visit multiple neighbourhoods!
Regarding accommodation, the YHA offers a variety of room options – either dorms or private, all of which are equipped with comfy mattresses, nightlights, power outlets and storage space for your luggage. Since the hostel building is pretty tall, the top floors offer fantastic views of the surrounding area, so snagging a room there might be a great idea! However, it’s important to note that since the building is quite old, the walls are pretty thin, so noise is common. For that reason, it would be a good idea to pack a set of earplugs!
The main highlight of the YHA Bristol is the communal spaces where you can meet people from all around the world! The reception space is perfect for enjoying a pint of draft beer or having some traditional food. Additionally, there is a conference room, so if you have any team-related project, you can always utilise the space how you see fit! Previous travellers have had minor issues with the Wi-Fi connection, specifically with its reception, so if you need it constantly, keep this in mind. Nonetheless, all of its superb features make the YHA one of the best hostels in Bristol!
Location: YHA Hostel is situated next to the famous Arnolfini Gallery. It is less than a kilometer from Temple Meads Railway Station, and Cabot Circus is a 15-minute walk away. Elegant Clifton, home to the Clifton Suspension Bridge, is a 25-minute walk away.
The best choice in Bristol for
- Solo Travellers
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
2. The Full Moon Backpackers
Calling all the party lovers – you might be interested in one of the most interesting hostels in Bristol! Now, you may ask, what makes this place so unique? Well, The Full Moon Backpackers is a hostel and pub/music venue all in one! It has an excellent location – 400m away from Cabot Circus and a kilometre from Temple Church, so you can enjoy many activities around the area!
The Full Moon Backpackers offers plenty of room choices, such as dorms, standard and twin rooms with both private or ensuite bathrooms. All the rooms feature comfortable beds, storage boxes and cubbies for all your things. One of the things we liked the most about this hostel is that the decor isn’t plain and boring. On the contrary, different murals are painted on the room’s walls, and some even feature zebra-patterned bed frames! Several rooms even have fireplaces, so if you’re travelling during the winter season, you can get cosy by it!
All things considered, the highlight of the Full Moon Backpackers is the friendly atmosphere and the communal spaces that offer plenty of opportunities for meeting new people. As we previously mentioned, the hostel has a bar right below it, and it’s quite full most of the time. You can even catch some live gigs by local performers! It should be no surprise that the surrounding area is noisy, and if that doesn’t bother you – this might be the perfect place for you!
Location: This hostel is located 400 m from Cabot Circus in Bristol. Bristol Cathedral is 1.2 km from the hostel, while Clifton is 2 km away. Bristol Airport is 12 km from the property.
A great choice for
- Party Lovers
Check prices at:
Booking.com | Hostelz.com
3. Towed Town Camping
The last entry on our list of the best hostels in Bristol is an accommodation that offers quite a unique experience – the Towed Town Camping. The hostel has a good location – minutes from the Bristol Temple Meads train station, 3km from Cabot Circus and 5 km from Temple Church. While the surrounding area may not look the safest since it’s dimly lit, we guarantee your security in Towed Town Camping.
The accommodation is unique and quirky because it offers a caravan experience! Instead of the standard dorms, you get to stay in a mobile home or camper with all the necessary facilities. Some “rooms” even feature TVs, so you may feel like you’re on an actual road trip. We strongly recommend this accommodation to creative types and digital nomads since it offers quite a shareable experience and will attract plenty of interest!
The communal spaces are uniquely thought out – mainly, the setting resembles a camping site; the only difference here is that it’s indoors. There is a pub and a bar where you could have a pint or try out some famous traditional cider. Additionally, you can play some table tennis or have a quiet night in by playing board games with some of the people you met along the way. All in all, you’ll get an adventure like never before!
Location: This property is located in Bristol and with Bristol Temple Meads Station reachable within less than 1 km. Ashton Court is 6.2 km from the accommodation, while Bristol Parkway Station is 12 km away. The nearest airport is Bristol Airport, 13 km from Towed Town Camping.
This is one of the best hostels in Bristol for
- Couples
Check prices at:
Booking.com | Hostelz.com
Best Hostels in Bristol for Solo Travelers?
What is seriously the best hostel in Bristol for solo-travelers?
The best hostel in Bristol for solo-travelers is YHA Bristol. The comfortable beds, the sitting warm main area, restaurant and room area’s. Additionally, the YHA has Male, Female and Non-binary toilets, which provide much for comfort for everyone.
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
Party Hostels in Bristol
For Party Hostel in Bristol we can recommend The Full Moon Backpackers. This is a highly social hostel, and it has amazing common areas, as well as equipped kitchen and a comfortable bed.
Check prices at:
Booking.com | Hostelz.com
What about the cheapest hostels in Bristol?
Of course, there are always cheap hostels. But how do you actually find them? When you are traveling on a shoe-string budget and you want to save every dollar, there are ways to find the cheapest places in Bristol.
- Open Hostelz.com with a full list of all hostels in Bristol
- add your dates
- Order the listings by price
Simple as that.
Hostelz.com is a price comparison site for hostels. They list every single one in the world and tells you exactly which website is cheaper to use.
Another smart Tip: Check what is actually included, and what is excluded. Take a closer look at the location, too. A further location might mean more costs in transport.
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 Bristol 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.
Scan the QR Code with your Smartphone to download the Hostelworld App from the App Store - like a real Hostel Geek!
Need an eSIM Card for Bristol?
Get your eSIM Card with Airalo.com instantly online. It is easy to set up and cheap! Read our review of Airalo here.
No more searching for mobile stores. Get your eSIM Card for now and enjoy it instantly after landing in your new destination.
Our Favorite Hostels in Bristol put on a map + sights
Let us have a look at the map. Below, we list all three best Bristol 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.
In Bristol we absolutely enjoyed:
- Clifton Suspension Bridge
- Brunel’s SS Great Britain
- Bristol Museum & Art Gallery
- Bristol Cathedral
- Cabot Tower
- M Shed
- St Nicholas Market
- Blaise Castle Estate
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FAQs
Here we share with you the most asked question:
Any questions about hostels in Bristol?
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Flights to Bristol?
Bristol Airport, at Lulsgate Bottom, on the northern slopes of the Mendip Hills, in North Somerset, is the commercial airport serving the city of Bristol, England, and the surrounding area. It is 7 nautical miles southwest of Bristol city centre.
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.
More handmade Guides for you
Alright, this is your answer to where to stay in Bristol, UK.
We did the leg work for you and bring you more hostel guides to destinations:
- best hostels in London and backpacker hostels in London
- best hostels in Brighton
- best hostels in Manchester
- best hostels in Liverpool
- best hostels in Belfast
- best hostels in Cornwall
- best hostels in Cardiff
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 Bristol 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
