Namaste! To ensure your venture to a city of 1 million is safe, fun and memorable, we’ve put together this epic guide to the 3 best hostels in Kathmandu, Nepal.
This is the land of incredible hiking opportunities, stunning architecture and the goddess of Kumari.
And of course great hostels. No doubt you saw that one coming!
Your Shortcut:
- Yakety Yak Hostel – top pick for solo travellers
- Yog Hostel – great for couples
- Zostel Kathmandu – one for backpackers
Staying at one of these hostels? ❤️
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We’ve collected fun hostels in Kathmandu to suit design lovers and solo travellers that love a cosy shared dorm.
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
Looking for a party hostel to create memories? You needn’t search anywhere else – we’ve found the coolest party hostel in Kathmandu just for you.
We got you covered in this article!
- Quick Introduction to Kathmandu
- The 3 Best Hostels in Kathmandu
- #1 Yakety Yak Hostel
- #2 Yog Hostel
- #3 Zostel Kathmandu
- Cheapest hostels in Kathmandu
- Best Hostels in Kathmandu for Solo Travellers
- Party Hostels in Kathmandu
- More Kathmandu Hostels Worth a Mention
- How to book
- Discounts and Promos
- All 3 Hostels put on a map + sights
- FAQ
- Flights to Kathmandu
You can find all 5 Star Hostels here with Hostelgeeks and all guides to “Best Hostels In” here.
Quick Introduction to Kathmandu
Average price for a bed: Hostels in Kathmandu cost 2€ – 8€ per night for a bed in a dorm. A private room starts from 9€ up to 30€ 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.
Student Hostels in Kathmandu: It’s helpful to know that there is a wide range of private boys and girls hostels spread across Kathmandu. These are designed for students or young working people looking for shared accommodation.
Luckily for you, most of these ‘hostels’ have the word Boys or Girls included, so it should be quite obvious which ones to avoid.
Best to opt for one of the great hostels in Kathmandu mentioned in this article. That way you can’t go wrong!
New to Hostels? Read our full hostel starter guide here. We especially recommend reading:
- 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 Kathmandu
Let’s jump right into the boutique hostels in Kathmandu.
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: | Yakety Yak Hostel |
| 🙎♀️ best for Female Solo Traveler: | Yakety Yak Hostel |
| 🥳 Party Hostel: | WanderThirst Hostels |
| 👩❤️👨Couple Hostel: | Yog Hostel |
| 👨👩👦 Family Hostel: | Yog Hostel |
| 👩💻 For Digital Nomads: | Zostel Kathmandu |
| 🧘 Cozy Hostel: | Elbrus Home |
| 🎒 For Backpackers: | Zostel Kathmandu |
1. Yakety Yak Hostel
Yakety Yak Hostel is certainly our favourite purpose-built hostel in the city. So much planning and dedication has gone in to the spaces here, it’s obvious.
No matter if you choose a mixed, female dorm or a private room, you’ll have tons of space and sturdy beds.
Each room has sound insulation to restrict outside noise. Rest easy, no problem.
These guys tested 8 different mattresses before deciding on one. That tells us that they really care about your comfort!
But let’s focus a bit more on the social spaces, because this is where the heart of Yakety really lies.
Although it’s only big enough to hold 72 beds, there is plenty of shared space for all traveller types.
We’re pretty sure the staff know you’re going to love the:
- Huge lounge area
- Sunny terrace
- Coolest bar in town
- On-site restuarant
If the hostel restuarant menu doesn’t quite cut it, never fear; there are 3 other restaurants in the complex to choose from.
What about the staff? They have that genuine Nepalese hospitality that will have you feeling at home in no time.
On Sundays they offer a walking tour which is a must do if you’re feeling sociable. They’re also at hand 24/7 – find them at reception if you need anything.
Location: is top notch! From here everything you need is within minutes of the property. It’s also located in an area of Thamel Kathmandu that allows traffic so your taxi can pull up right outside.
This is one of the best hostels in Kathmandu for
- Solo travellers
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
2. Yog Hostel
Yoga in the morning, a rooftop to chill and super friendly staff. Come on in and discover Yog Hostel!
This is no doubt a home-from-home in Nepal, created by mature staff that know what it is travellers are looking for when they choose a hostel.
Firstly, you have to decide between the spacious private rooms and cosy shared dorms.
Dorms come with 6 beds, linen, a light and a cute little fan to help regulate your preferred temperature. Don’t you just love details such as this!
There’s a seating area in the rooms, and some of them come with a balcony space. The free Wi-Fi also reaches here if you’re looking for some private time.
Fancy a local Asian dish, or perhaps are in the mood to cook?
Well at Yog Hostel it’s possible to do both thanks to the restaurant and shared kitchen.
Alongside yoga in the morning, there are also evening activities that you can join.
The friendly staff, at hand on reception 24 hours a day, will happily fill you in on the happenings during your stay.
There’s a real backpacker atmosphere to the place here, full of positive vibes. The pool table, music and comfy cushions really add the the relaxed spirit.
From here, Kathmandu Durbar Square is just over 2km away from the hostel. Local transport is aplenty and the lovely staff will happily help with that.
This is one of the best hostels in Kathmandu for
- Couples
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
3. Zostel Kathmandu
Get ready for a lively and hip backpacker hostel in the centre of Kathmandu. We love it, and no doubt you will too.
The one and only Zostel Kathmandu is located in the Thamel region and captures the true essence of the city.
That is of course made easier when you can venture up to the rooftop bar and peer down on the city below!
Don’t be fooled though as this is no party hostel. Instead the staff encourage a quiet drink to appreciate great views and an exchange of epic travel stories.
Yet the rooftop is not the only place to do so. There’s also:
- A garden cafe
- A hammock in the sun
- FREE changing daily tours
It always helps to get a better sense of a place when you have local, friendly staff at hand to help. That’s exactly what Zostel offer.
Alongside tips, these guys hand out doses of laughter and epic experiences by the bunch.
As for the rooms, dear readers, you’re going to be blown away by the comfort and design.
There’s quite a lot to choose from, from 4-bed female and mixed en-suite to private twin and deluxe double rooms.
Little perks you can expect include:
- Air-conditioning
- Mountains views
- Lockers
- Bedside lamp
- Free Wi-Fi
And as for the overall design of this hostel, it’s pretty cool. Marvel at impressive paintings as you walk up the stairs or sit on the rooftop.
This is one of the best hostels in Kathmandu for
- Backpackers
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
What about cheapest hostels in Kathmandu?
Looking for budget accommodation in Nepal Kathmandu? If you are traveling on a shoe-string budget and you wanna save every penny, there are ways to find budget accommodation Kathmandu has to offer.
- Open Hostelworld with full list of budget places to stay in Kathmandu
- 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 Kathmandu for Solo Travellers?
What is seriously the best hostel in Kathmandu for solo-travellers?
We’re easily going to stick by our favourite and #1 hostel in the city, Yakety Yak Hostel.
Sure, it’s well designed and welcoming, but it’s also perfectly suited to solo travellers.
Solo ladies can enjoy a beautiful female dorm, and sociable travellers have the on-site bar and rooftop as means of making new like-minded friends.
If you’re unsure of exploring Kathmandu, speak to the awesome staff that are on hand 24/7.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
Party Hostels in Kathmandu
Although not strictly a party hostel, WanderThirst Hostels is a great place if you want to meet people, have fun and feel at home.
There is an on-site restaurant and bar, but like we said there are no party activities arranged here. Instead, head out in to Thamel and enjoy the backpacker vibe.
If you’re feeling crazy, why not get a tattoo whilst you’re there? Yep, there is a tattoo studio at WanderThirst Hostel Kathmandu!
There’s also a games room, coffee shop and open garden movie theatre.
The rooms are gorgeously designed, spacious and come in all shapes and sizes for all traveller types.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
More Hostels worth a mention
Kathmandu Kathmandu Kathmandu! Still thinking the best accommodation Nepal Kathmandu has to offer?
We suggest that if you found the place for you, it is time to check availability right away and book it now!
We provided great places to stay in Kathmandu Nepal but if you are looking for more we have more hostels for you. Well, what can we say we just wanna give and show you the best accommodation in Kathmandu Nepal.
- Sparkling Turtle Backpackers Hostel
- Shangrila Boutique Hotel Kathmandu
- Kathmandu Madhuban Guesthouse
- Avalon House KTM
- Elbrus Home Kathmandu
Sparkling Turtle Backpackers Hostel
Sparkling Turtle Backpackers has a nice balcony to relax or enjoy the view on monkey temple. The staff at this hostel make the whole experience! They are very friendly and accommodating.
There are a lot of activities you can do in the hostel like joining the morning joggers, laughing yogis, and sleeping monkeys at Swayambhu/Buddha Park.
The beds are comfy and the rooms are spacious. The common areas are really great for meeting new fellows.
Perks at Sparkling Turtle Backpackers:
- Airport shuttle
- Non-smoking rooms
- Room service
- Free parking
- Restaurant
- Bar
- Fabulous breakfast
Location: Located 7 km from Tribhuvan International Airport and just 1 km from Swayambhunath Temple. The property is 4 km from Gangapur Bus Stand and just 200 m from Buddha Park. Pashupatinath Temple is 6 km away. 3.6 km away from Everest Base Camp.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
Shangrila Boutique Hotel Kathmandu
Shangrila Boutique Hotel offers a sociable yet chilled atmosphere. The hostel is close to tourist hot spots and several multicultural restaurants which is pretty great.
After a long day of doing some tours, you can relax at the rooftop while drinking your cold beer. If you are not into beers, they have serves wide range of drinks and cocktails.
It is a bit pricey compared to other hostels but we think that if you want to experience a bit of luxury, this is the place to be.
Perks at Shangrila Boutique Backpacker Hotel:
- Airport shuttle
- Non-smoking roomshos
- Family rooms
- Room service
- Free parking
- Bar
- Very good breakfast
Location: Located in the city centre of Kathmandu. The property is located 6 km from Tribhuvan International Airport. Kantipath Bus Stand is 200 m away. The Narayanhiti Palace Museum is 1 km away and The Pashupatinath Temple is situated 5 km away.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
Kathmandu Madhuban Guesthouse
Kathmandu Madhuban Guesthouse is an excellent option offering great value for the price. Rooms are clean and spacious.
This is not a dingy hipster hostel with beds on pallets and 20 people sharing one bathroom, but a proper guesthouse with ensuite bathrooms.
They have restaurant and they serve a variety of local and international dishes. In-room dining is possible with room service.
Perks at Kathmandu Madhuban Guesthouse:
- Airport shuttle
- Non-smoking rooms
- Family rooms
- Room service
- Free parking
- Restaurant
- Free breakfast
- Free wifi
Location: Kathmandu Madhuban Guest House is located in Chhetrapati, just 2.5 km from Kathmandu Royal Palace Museum. Madhuban Guest House is 6.5 km from Tribhuvan International Airport. It is 5.4 km away from Book At Home Nepal Guest House Kathmandu.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
Avalon House KTM
Avalon House in Kathmandu is close to Thamel and other sightseeing places. Walking distance from a lot of great restaurants as well as a lot of the tourist destinations.
The rooftop is an awesome place to relax and chill. Staff try to make your stay as comfortable as possible.
Their private rooms are a great value for money. It is also comfy and clean with balcony.
Perks at Avalon House:
- Airport shuttle
- Non-smoking rooms
- Room service
- Free parking
- Restaurant
- WiFi available in all areas
- Bar
- Fabulous breakfast
Location: Avalon House is located in Kathmandu. The significant Hindu Temple of Pashupatinath is 4 km away while the Kathmandu Durbar Square and the century old National Museum of Nepal are 5 km away. The Gongabu Bus Station is 2 km and the Tribhuvan International Airport is 5 km.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
Elbrus Home Kathmandu
Elbrus Home offers private and dorm rooms. The rooms are spacious and most have balcony which is really nice. The windows are big for natural light and for fresh air.
The open area is good for chilling and actually the idea of serving the free breakfast in the garden is good.
The hostel provides a children’s playground and a 24-hour front desk.
Perks at Elbrus Home:
- Airport shuttle
- Free parking
- Free WiFi
- 24-hour front desk
- Fabulous breakfast
Location: Set in Kathmandu, within 2.9 km of Hanuman Dhoka and 2.9 km of Swayambhu. Kathmandu Durbar Square is 3.2 km from Elbrus Home, while Swayambhunath Temple is 3.5 km from the property.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
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:
- Yakety Yak Hostel: Booking.com | Hostelworld
- Yog Hostel: Booking.com | Hostelworld
- Zostel Kathmandu: Booking.com | Hostelworld
We recommend booking your hostel as early as possible!
All of Kathmandu 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 Kathmandu. 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 Kathmandu 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:
- Swayambhunath Stupa
- Shree Pashupatinath Temple
- Kathmandu Durbar Square
- Thamel
- Garden of Dreams
- Narayanhiti Palace Museum
- Ratna Park
Check out these unique activities and tours you can do in Kathmandu:
- 1 hour Panoramic Everest Flight
- 6 hour private tour of Kathmandu
- Momo Cooking Class
- Full-day Mountain Biking Tour
FAQ
Found the perfect backpacker hostel Kathmandu has to offer? We hope, you did.
Below we list all the frequently asked questions. Have a look.
What are the Kathmandu hostel for solo travellers?
We’re easily going to stick by our favourite and #1 hostel in the city, Yakety Yak Hostel. It is one of the best hostels in Nepal.
Are hostels in Kathmandu safe?
Not all Kathmandu Nepal hostels are safe, especially the one that offers the cheapest price in sketchy areas.
It might be an illegal hostel, without proper license to run and safety measures.
So in all fairness, it is best to check out Hostelgeeks.com because we feature safe hostels in Kathmandu. Trust us because we are expert in the hostel world. You can find backpacker hostel with top ratings! Keep a close eye on the overall ratings on booking platforms!
If you are not secure, you can also send us an email and ask us!
What are the best hostels in Kathmandu?
You can find the best Kathmandu hostels in this article!
1. Yakety Yak Hostel – top pick for solo travellers
2. Yog Hostel Nepal – great for couples
3. Zostel Kathmandu – one for backpackers
What to do in Kathmandu?
The best way to spend your time there is to check out the tourist attractions. Check out our list:
- Swayambhunath Stupa
- Shree Pashupatinath Temple
- Kathmandu Durbar Square
- Thamel
- Garden of Dreams
- Narayanhiti Palace Museum
- Ratna Park
Check out these unique activities and tours you can do in Kathmandu:
1 hour Panoramic Everest Flight
6 hour private tour of Kathmandu
Momo Cooking Class
Full-day Mountain Biking Tour
We are also working on top ten things to do in Kathmandu so get ready.
How much are hostels in Kathmandu?
Looking for budget Kathmandu accommodation? According to Hostelworld.com, places to stay in Kathmandu costs $3 per night.
Prices may vary depending on season.
What are the best sites for finding hostels?
Of course, the best hostel website to find hostels is Hostelgeeks.com.
We are doing our best to deliver the best hostels to you. Check out the best hostels in the world guides; for best hostels in Paris to Tokyo.
You can also have a look at Hostelworld.
Flights to Kathmandu?
We enjoy Skyscanner, Omio.com and Kiwi.com to find cheap flights all over Kathmandu.
This new website has super cool features like a so-called radius search. Just draw a circle over Asia 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 Kathmandu.
We did the leg work for you and bring you more hostel guides to destinations:
- 3 best hostels in Pokhara, Nepal
- 3 best hostels in Delhi, India
- 3 coolest hostels in Jaipur, India
- 3 fun hostels in Mumbai, India
- best hostels in Goa, India
- best hostels in Chennai, India
- best hostels in Rishikesh, India
- best hostels in Yangon, Myanmar
- best hostels in Ulaanbaatar Mongolia
- Yoga Hostels in the World
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.
Also watch out for our guides for hostel in Putalisadak, hostel in Bagbazar, hostel in New Baneshwor Kathmandu.
Over to you
Was this useful? Do you have any questions, doubts?
Then please please leave us a comment. This list of awesome Kathmandu 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.
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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Booking Hostels and Discounts 👏👏👏
As a user of Hostelgeeks, you also have access to exclusive hostel discounts. For booking hostels, we use:
- Hostelz.com - hostel price comparison
- Hostelworld
We recommend installing the Hostelworld App. It is very useful!
How to find cheaper Flights ✈️
The first websites we always check are Skyscanner and Google Flights.
Find our step-by-step process in our review about Skyscanner.
Travel Insurance made easy 🤒
We are currently using Safetywing and Hey Mondo. We wrote detailed guides about these insurances:
- Our review of Safetywing, compared to others
- a detailed review of HeyMondo Travel Insurance
Smartest Travel Tools you need to know 🤓
- Onward Ticket - get a proof for onward travel
- iVisa - get your visa online fast
- Get Your Guide - for activities and sightseeing tickets
- Omio.com - for all types of transport
Find all our recommended travel tools and websites here.
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