Ah, Cork, the city that manages to blend the warmth of Irish hospitality with the unpredictability of its weather. But fear not, brave traveler, for we’ve navigated through the maze of hostels to unearth the gems that will shelter you from both the rain and the dread of bunk bed squeaks.
Whether you’re craving conversations over pints or seeking refuge from a leprechaun conspiracy: here are the best hostels in Cork.
Our favorite hostels in Cork are:
- Bru Bar & Hostel - best for social butterflies
- Sheilas Cork Hostel - best for solo travelers
- Ashley Hotel - best for Groups
Money-saving tip: Compare hostel prices with Hostelz.com. They compare prices from Hostelworld, Booking.com and others with 1 click.
1. Bru Bar & Hostel
2. Sheilas Cork Hostel
3. Ashley Hotel
Traveling throughout the country? Here are the best hostels in Ireland.
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
You can find all 5 Star Hostels here with Hostelgeeks and all the guides to “Best Hostels In” here.
Quick Introduction to Cork
Average price for a bed: Hostels in Cork cost around $43 per night for a bed in a dorm. A private room has an average of around $126 per night. This is a rough average, just to give you an idea.
Prices always depend on the season and holidays. Please always check the exact rates on Hostelz.com or Hostelworld.com.
Check-In and Check-Out: The average check-in time is from 15:00 (3 p.m.), while the Check-Out time is before 11:00 (11 a.m.). 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.
Experience Cork’s Festivals: Check if your visit coincides with Cork’s festivals, such as the Cork Jazz Festival or the Cork Midsummer Festival, for an added cultural experience.
Coastal Walks: Take a coastal walk along the stunning cliffs of the Old Head of Kinsale, offering breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean.
Walk and Explore: Cork is a walkable city, so save on transportation by exploring on foot. Wander through colorful streets, visit markets, and take in the local atmosphere.
🎁 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 Cork are …
Let’s jump right into the coolest hostels in Cork.
- Bru Bar & Hostel – best for social butterflies
- Sheilas Cork Hostel – best for solo travelers
- Ashley Hotel – best for Groups
These are our favorite hostels in Cork. 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. Bru Bar & Hostel
2. Sheilas Cork Hostel
3. Ashley Hotel
Overview: Best Hostels by Traveler Type
| 🦸 Solo Traveler: | Sheilas Cork Hostel |
| 👩❤️👨 Couple Hostel: | Ashley Hotel |
| 🎒 for Backpacker: | Sheilas Cork Hostel |
| 👨👩👦 Family Hostel: | Ashley Hotel |
| 👫 For Socializing: | Bru Bar & Hostel |
| 🧘 Cozy Hostel: | Sheilas Cork Hostel |
1. Bru Bar & Hostel
Located in Cork, Bru Bar & Hostel is a fantastic place with a vibrant party atmosphere and friendly staff.
The convenient central location allows guests to explore the city easily, as it is just a short walk from the city center and close to popular attractions like Saint Fin Barre’s Cathedral, Pairc Ui Chaoimh, and University College Cork.
The hostel offers comfortable rooms with daily cleaning and a well-equipped communal area and kitchen.
Live music performances every night and happy hour drinks add to the fun and lively atmosphere. It’s the perfect place for a memorable stay in Cork.
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
Facilities and Amenities:
- Shared lounge and terrace
- On-site bar
- Free WiFi
- Evening entertainment
- Shared kitchen
- Continental breakfast available daily
- Guest rooms include bed linen
- Live music in the evenings
Location: About an 18-minute walk from Saint Fin Barre’s Cathedral. Close to Cork Custom House, Cork City Hall, and Kent Train Station. Short distance from bars, coffee shops, parking garages, and other attractions
The best choice in Cork for
- Social butterflies
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
2. Sheilas Cork Hostel
Sheilas Cork Hostel is the ultimate spot for those seeking a good time. Situated just a short walk away from Cork Center, this place is all about creating unforgettable memories.
Travelers can unwind in the sauna, stay connected with free WiFi, and explore Cork’s hotspots with complimentary maps. This hostel also has a movie room that boasts a massive 42-inch plasma screen and comfy bean bags – perfect for cozy nights.
One of our favorite things about this hostel is the amazing Cork City views from their self-catering kitchen and terrace.
With a 24/7 reception, travelers are covered around the clock. There’s also complimentary tea, coffee, snacks, and a handy Cork City map available at the shop. Note: Sheila’s Cork Hostel even offers exclusive discounts at local restaurants.
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
Facilities & Amenities at Sheila’s Cork Hostel:
- Sauna
- Free movies in the movie room
- Self-catering kitchen
- Terrace
- Reception is open 24 hours
- On-site shop with tea, coffee, and snacks
- Outdoor patio
- Discounts in local restaurants
Location: Less than a 5-minute walk from the center of Cork. Close to Cork’s best bars, cafes, and restaurants. Walking distance to top attractions including The English Market, Cork City Gaol, and Shandon Steeple. Short walk from St. Patrick’s Quay and Cork Opera House. Proximity to bus and train stations for easy transportation access.
A great choice for
- Solo travelers
- Backpackers
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
3. Ashley Hotel
This centrally located hotel in the heart of Cork City is truly one of the best in town. The Victorian Quarter location is perfect for exploring shops, theaters, galleries, and vibrant bars and restaurants. At Ashley Hotel, you’ll find yourself just a stone’s throw away from popular St. Patrick’s Street.
The Ashley Hotel, housed in a charming mid-19th-century building, boasts excellent service and a 24-hour front desk.
Their friendly staff will make you feel right at home. Enjoy a refreshing pint in their ground floor bar, or indulge in a continental breakfast each morning (for an additional charge).
With complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the hotel, a cool lounge/bar, and a restaurant area, this Cork hotel offers everything you need for a comfortable stay.
Their bedrooms are cozy and welcoming, with luxurious features like deep piled carpets, “Natural Sleep” mattresses, and duvets dressed in crisp white linen.
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
Facilities & Amenities at Ashley Hotel:
- 24-hour front desk service
- Ground floor bar serving local stouts and beers
- Continental breakfast available (additional charge)
- Terrace
- Complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the hotel
- Dry Room facility for golfers, bikers, and cyclists
- Outdoor seating area
- Ironing station available for guest use
Location: Centrally located in the Victorian Quarter. Around the corner from bustling St. Patrick’s Street. 10-minute walk from the train and bus stations. Within walking distance of attractions including the English Food Market, Cork City Jail, City Hall, Cork City Harbor, Heineken Ireland, and Cork Butter Market.
This is one of the best hostels in Cork for
- Families
- Groups
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
Best Hostels in Cork for Solo Travelers?
We think that the best hostel in Cork is Sheilas Cork Hostel. It has awesome facilities and amenities, as well as a good location.
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
More Hostels worth a mention
At the moment, we think you are all set with the hostels we just shared with you. We always try to keep our guides super fresh and up to date. We might add more hostels worth mentioning here in the future if we feel that it could enrich your travel and hostel experience.
What about the cheapest hostels in Cork?
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 Cork.
- Open Hostelz.com with a full list of all hostels in Cork
- 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 Cork 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 Cork?
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 Cork put on a map + sights
We’re listing all the three best Cork hostels on a map to give you an idea of the location and distances between them.
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FAQs
Here we share with you the most asked question:
Any questions about hostels in Cork?
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Flights to Cork?
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
If you’re road-tripping around Ireland, be sure to check out our guide to the absolute best hostels in Ireland.
We did the leg work for you and bring you more hostel guides to destinations:
- best hostels in Dublin
- coolest party hostels in Dublin
- best hostels in London and backpacker hostels in London
- best hostels in Galway
- best hostels in Brighton
- best hostels in Manchester
- best hostels in Edinburgh & best hostels in Glasgow
- 19 BEST hostels in Scotland
- best hostels in Cardiff
You can find all our new and updated articles for Best Hostels 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.
We also have guides on the best hostels in Europe, the best party hostels in Europe, and the best coworking hostels in Europe.
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 Cork 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
