3 Best Hostels in Oahu – The Gathering Place of Spouting Water and Extinct Volcanoes

Looking for the best hostels in Oahu?

From laid-back surf shacks that practically serenade you with the ocean’s whispers to vibrant urban havens where the aloha spirit is as palpable as the island breeze, we’re here to guide you through the best hostels on this Hawaiian gem.

This guide is part of a bigger one: the best hostels in Hawaii.

Your Shortcut:

1. Honu Waikiki by ALOH - best for Social butterflies
2. The Beach Waikiki by ALOH - best for solo travelers
3. Seaside Hawaiian Hostel Waikiki - best for backpackers

Money-saving tip: Compare hostel prices with Hostelz.com. They compare prices from Hostelworld, Booking.com and others with 1 click.

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 guides to “Best Hostels In” here.

Quick Introduction to Oahu

Average price for a bed: Hostels in Oahu costs around $36 per night for a bed in a dorm. A private room has an average of around $123 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.

Budget-Friendly Eats: Seek out local food trucks, especially on the North Shore, for delicious and wallet-friendly meals. Don’t miss the famous garlic shrimp trucks!

Free Cultural Experiences: Attend free hula shows at places like the Royal Hawaiian Center in Waikiki to learn about Hawaiian culture and dance traditions.

Pack Reef-Safe Sunscreen: Opt for reef-safe sunscreen when snorkeling or swimming to protect the island’s delicate marine ecosystem.

Fun Fact: Oahu is home to the world-famous Waikiki Beach, where legendary surfer Duke Kahanamoku popularized modern surfing. It’s not just a spot for riding waves; it’s a historical and cultural icon.

Camping Permits: If you’re into camping, obtain permits for beach camping. It’s a unique way to experience the island’s beauty up close.

Embrace Hawaiian Etiquette: Learn a few basic Hawaiian phrases and practice cultural etiquette, such as respecting sacred sites and removing your shoes before entering homes.

🎁 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 Oahu are …

Let’s jump right into the coolest hostels in Oahu.

1. Honu Waikiki by ALOH – best for Social butterflies
2. The Beach Waikiki by ALOH – best for solo travelers
3. Seaside Hawaiian Hostel Waikiki – best for backpackers

These are our favorite hostels in Oahu. 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.

Overview: Best Hostels by Traveler Type

🦸 Solo Traveler:	The Beach Waikiki by ALOH
👩‍❤️‍👨 Couple Hostel:	The Beach Waikiki by ALOH
🎒 for Backpacker:	Seaside Hawaiian Hostel Waikiki
👯 For Groups:	The Beach Waikiki by ALOH
👫 For Socializing:	Honu Waikiki by ALOH

1. Honu Waikiki by ALOH

Welcome to Honu Waikiki by ALOH, the ultimate haven for social backpackers in Oahu, Hawaii!

You’ll feel instantly at home with a dynamic team of international staff, eager to assist and organize exciting activities to connect with fellow adventurers.

At this Oahu hostel, you can immerse yourself in a charming atmosphere where a laid-back vibe meets a touch of privacy. You’ll also be just a short walk away from the Hilton Hawaiian village and beach, where the sky comes alive with fireworks every Friday!

Book Honu Waikiki by ALOH here

Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Hostelz.com

Facilities and Amenities:

• Daily organized activities
• Complimentary amenities: Wi-Fi, bed linens, beach equipment, locally roasted coffee.
• Self-catering kitchen
• Coin-operated laundry machines 

Location: Short walk to Hilton Hawaiian village and beach. Convenient access to local attractions and nightlife.

The best choice in Oahu for

• Social butterflies

Book Honu Waikiki by ALOH here

Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Hostelz.com

2. The Beach Waikiki by ALOH

The Beach Waikiki by ALOH has one the most friendly and laid-back atmospheres in Oahu.

This hostel offers daily activities to help you meet fellow travelers, so you don’t have to worry about ending up alone if that’s not your thing.

Their helpful staff is available 24/7 to assist you with planning your day or showing you the local nightlife (another reason why we think this is one the best hostels in Oahu for solo travelers). Plus, they’re just half a block from the famous Waikiki Beach!

Book The Beach Waikiki by ALOH here

Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com

Their dorms are clean and comfortable, and they also offer private rooms. Their amenities include Kona coffee (cultivated from the nutrient-rich volcanic soils of Hualalai and Mauna Loa), Wi-Fi, lockers, and beach equipment.

Facilities and Amenities:

• Health Bar and Cafe named ALOH Health bar & Cafe offering special discount to travelers
• Daily organized activities for meeting fellow travelers.
• 24-hour reception
• Mixed and female-only dorms with en-suite bathrooms and air-conditioning.
• Complimentary amenities: Kona Coffee, Wi-Fi, AC, lockers, bed linens, beach equipment.
• Self-catering kitchen 

Location: Half a block away from Waikiki Beach. Convenient access to local attractions, restaurants, bars, and food trucks.

A great choice for

• Solo travelers

Book The Beach Waikiki by ALOH here

Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com

3. Seaside Hawaiian Hostel Waikiki

Seaside Hawaiian Hostel Waikiki is a family-owned and operated hostel that has been welcoming backpackers and travelers for over two decades (it’s also located in the heart of Waikiki). This is the perfect Oahu to pick if you’re looking for a family-like atmopshere.

Just steps outside the gates, you’ll find yourself minutes away from all that Waikiki has to offer, including city exploring, world-class restaurants, shopping, nightlife, and, of course, the world-famous Waikiki Beach.

Even though the hostel is in the middle of the hustle and bustle of Waikiki, the inside of this hostel oozes nothing but peace, calm, and chill vibes. Perfect for those who like a more relaxed feeling than a crazy party social hostel.

Book Seaside Hawaiian Hostel Waikiki here

Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Hostelz.com

Facilities and Amenities:

• Linens, bath towels, and beach towels are provided.
• Fully equipped kitchen
• WiFi available.
• Outdoor TV area with fairy lights and occasional beer pong table.
• Morning coffee or tea is provided.

Location: Centrally located in the Waikiki neighborhood of Honolulu. Short walk to Waikiki Beach, dining, shopping, parks, and coffee shops. Easily accessible from Daniel K. Inouye International Airport by bus (bus 19 or 20 to Kuhio Avenue).

This is one of the best hostels in Oahu for

• Backpackers

Book Seaside Hawaiian Hostel Waikiki here

Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Hostelz.com

Best Hostels in Oahu for Solo Travelers? 

The best hostel for solo travelers in Oahu is The Beach Waikiki by ALOH. This hostel organizes a lot of social events which will make it easier for you to meet new people, but it also has enough calmer spaces within it for you not to get overwhelmed.

The 24/7 reception is also great: if you have any issues, you’ll always have people you can call.

Book The Beach Waikiki by ALOH here

Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com

Party Hostels in Oahu 

While not exactly party hostels, Honu Waikiki by ALOH and The Beach Waikiki by ALOH both have really social atmosphere, so we recommend both of them if you’re looking for that.

Book Honu Waikiki by ALOH here

Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Hostelz.com

Book The Beach Waikiki by ALOH here

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 a mention here in the future if we feel that it could enrich your travel and hostel experience.

What about the cheapest hostels in Oahu?

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 Oahu.

1. Open Hostelz.com with a full list of all hostels in Oahu
2. add your dates
3. 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. There are even special discount codes that we only share in our 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 Oahu 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 and make plans together. Find more details in our review of the app

Download the Hostelworld App here

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

Our Favorite Hostels in Oahu put on a map + sights

We’re listing all the three best Oahu hostels on a map to give you an idea of the location and distances between them.

FAQs

Here we share with you the most asked question:

Flights to Oahu?

We use Skyscanner and Omio.com to find cheap flights and good connections all over the globe.

More handmade Guides for you

So this was your answer to where to stay in Oahu.

We’ve gone one step further and created these awesome guides to nearby destinations in the USA and Hawaii:

• best hostels in Honolulu
• best hostels in Maui
• best hostels in the USA  + best party hostels in the USA
• best hostels in Seattle
• best hostels in San Francisco
• best hostels in Los Angeles
• best hostels in New Orleans
• best hostels in Chicaco
• best hostels in Washington DC
• best hostels in New York + Manhattan+ Brooklyn
• best hostels in Boston
• best hostels in Anchorage, Alaska

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 Oahu 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