Looking for the best hostels in Pondicherry?
Welcome to Pondicherry – the beachside union territory in Tamil Nadu that beautifully blends French and Indian cultures. This calm and laid-back city is the perfect destination for backpackers and budget travelers looking for stunning ocean views and a vibrant nightlife scene without breaking the bank.
Read? This guide is a detailed extension of our bigger one: the 47 best hostels in India.
Explore historic sites like Auroville and French colonial architecture, all while staying in some of the best hostels Pondicherry has to offer. With a community experience unlike any other, these hostels will make your stay unforgettable.
Our favorite hostels in Pondicherry are:
- Ostel.in - best for solo female travelers
- Nomad House - best for backpackers
- Micasa Hostels - best for social butterflies
Money-saving tip: Compare hostel prices with Hostelz.com. They compare prices from Hostelworld, Booking.com and others with 1 click.
1. Ostel.in
2. Nomad House
3. Micasa Hostels
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 Pondicherry
Average price for a bed: Hostels in Pondicherry cost an average of $11 per night for a bed in a dorm. A private room has an average of around $29 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 pm), while the Check-Out time is before 11:00 (11 am). 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.
Take a cycling tour: Experience the rural charm of Pondicherry on a cycling tour that takes you off the beaten path. Cycle through the scenic countryside, lush paddy fields, and charming villages to get a unique perspective of local life. Connect with the local way of life and take in the serene beauty of the outskirts of Pondicherry.
Use reliable transportation: When exploring Pondicherry, it’s best to stick to reliable modes of transportation such as registered taxis, auto-rickshaws, or app-based cab services. Be sure to avoid traveling solo late at night and always share your plans with a trusted friend.
Be mindful of the weather: Pondicherry has a tropical climate with hot summers and monsoon seasons. Before packing for a trip, check the weather forecast to ensure you’re prepared.
Visit Auroville: Auroville, located near Pondicherry, is a unique and experimental community. Plan a visit to experience its serene ambiance, attend meditation sessions, explore the Matrimandir, and learn about sustainable living practices.
🎁 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 Pondicherry are …
Let’s jump right into the coolest hostels in Pondicherry.
- Ostel.in – best for solo female travelers
- Nomad House – best for backpackers
- Micasa Hostels – best for social butterflies
These are our favorite hostels in Pondicherry. 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. Ostel.in
2. Nomad House
3. Micasa Hostels
Overview: Best Hostels by Traveler Type
| 🦸 Solo Traveler: | Nomad House |
| 🙎♀️ Female Solo Traveler: | Ostel.in |
| 👫 For Socializing: | Micasa Hostels |
| 🧘 Cozy Hostel: | Ostel.in |
| 🎒 for Backpacker: | Nomad House |
1. Ostel.in
Ostel.in is a hidden gem in Pondicherry. Originally a beach house, it is now a community living experience where you share the space with co-travelers and bunkmates.
This hostel in Pondicherry is equipped with all the modern amenities with state-of-the-art living facilities, making it an ideal stay for those looking for a workcation by the beach or for those who are looking for an immersive experience close to nature.
The hostel has a terrace, garden, shared lounge, and restaurants and the atmosphere here is super laid-back and friendly.
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
All rooms at the hostel are fitted with air conditioning, and some have a seating area. The staff is very helpful and the food is also amazing. It is considered one of the nicest hostels in all of India, and highly recommended for backpackers!
Here, you’ll find:
- Common lounge area
- A pool
- A Garden
- A terrace
- An on-site restaurant
- Free WiFi and shared kitchen
Location: just a few metres from Auroville Beach and close to other stunning attractions. The accommodation offers guests the opportunity to relax and unwind in a peaceful environment with a stunning view from the sea-view room. Explore Pondicherry and Auroville in 20 minutes, but beware of the unsafe beach area. The Manakula Vinayagar Temple and Pondicherry Museum are also in close proximity.
The best choice in Pondicherry for
- Female solo travelers
- Backpackers
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
2. Nomad House
Nomad House in Pondicherry is a backpacker’s dream come true! This hostel has it all – shared spaces for lounging, clean and comfy dorm rooms, and best of all, a rooftop terrace perfect for socializing with fellow travelers.
The friendly and knowledgeable staff, including hosts Kevin, Haarish, and Clement, are always ready to help their travelers have an amazing experience in Pondicherry. Plus, Poppy the adorable dog is guaranteed to put a smile on your face.
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
With easy access to the bus terminal and railway station, Nomad House is definitely one of the best hostels in Pondicherry.
Hostel facilities:
- Shared lounge and terrace
- Shared kitchen
Location: Nomad House is perfectly located in Pondicherry, with attractions like Sri Aurobindo Ashram and Botanical Garden just a short distance away.
A great choice for
- Solo travelers
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
3. Micasa Hostels
Located in an ideal spot, Micasa Hostels is one of the best hostels in Pondicherry, and for good reason! You’ll feel welcomed by the super-friendly staff, who are eager to share insider tips about all the must-see sights in the Tamil Nadu area.
With a shared lounge, terrace, and city views, this trendy accommodation also features a shared kitchen and free WiFi throughout.
The rooms are equipped with a coffee machine, air conditioning, and a shared bathroom. You can even rent bikes and bicycles downstairs, making exploring the area even easier.
Check prices at:
Booking.com | Hostelz.com
Don’t forget to check out the vegetarian restaurant downstairs for affordable and tasty food! End your day off in the rooftop seating area, with its amazing views of the town, socializing and sharing memories with fellow travelers.
On-site, you’ll find:
- Shared lounge and terrace with city views
- Shared kitchen for guest use
- Free WiFi throughout the property
- Rooms with air conditioning and coffee machine
- Vegetarian restaurant
Location: Close proximity to popular attractions such as Promenade Beach, Bharathi Park, Pondicherry Museum, and Manakula Vinayagar Temple
This is one of the best hostels in Pondicherry for
- Social butterflies
Check prices at:
Booking.com | Hostelz.com
Best Hostels in Pondicherry for Solo Travelers?
We think that the best hostel in Pondicherry is Nomad House. It has awesome staff that will make you feel right at home and that will be ready to assist you with anything you might need during your stay.
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 Pondicherry?
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 Pondicherry.
- Open Hostelz.com with a full list of all hostels in Pondicherry
- 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.
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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 Pondicherry 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 Pondicherry?
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 Pondicherry put on a map + sights
We’re listing all the three best Pondicherry hostels on a map to give you an idea of the location and distances between them.
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FAQs
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Flights to Pondicherry?
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
This was your answer to where to stay in Pondicherry.
Also, we have more guides for hostels in India. Check out our guides in:
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- best hostels in Delhi
- best hostels in Jaipur
- best hostels in Goa
- best backpacker hostels in Goa
- best hostels in Dharamshala
- best hostels in Chennai
- best hostels in Rishikesh
- best hostels in Kathmandu, Nepal
- best hostels in Pokhara, Nepal
- best hostels in Yangon, Myanmar
- yoga retreats in Rishikesh
- best hostels in Darjeeling
- party hostels in Goa
Check our guide here to the best hostels in Sri Lanka. Find all the best hostels in Asia here.
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 Pondicherry 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
