3 Best Hostels in Toronto – Backpacker Places in Style

Looking for the best hostels in Toronto for your next trip? Then you just hit the jackpot, cause we collected the coolest Toronto hostels in this complete and brand new guide.

BRAND NEW: 17 Best Hostels in Canada

When you only need one hostel, we give you three! We want to make sure a range of traveler types can find a hostel that suits them best. You’re welcome.

Our favorite hostels in Toronto are:

1. Planet Traveler Hostel - best for solo travelers
2. All Days Hostel - best for older travelers
3. 49 Hostel - best for backpackers

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

Toronto was actually my very first solo travel trip outside of Europe. With this guide, I hope you will enjoy the city as much as I did.

Quick Introduction to Toronto

Average price for a bed: Hostels in Toronto cost 20€ – 27€ per night for a bed in a dorm. A private room starts from 80€ up to 90€. 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 Hostelworld.com or Booking.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.

More Special Topics about Toronto: Toronto has a tourism tax of 4%. This tax is known as MAT. The guests will be charged when they pay. The invoice will include a separate line to identify this tax. Bear in mind, that this tax is usually not included in the room/ bed price.

My personal highlights in Toronto: There are three things I absolutely loved. Number one was the CN Tower for sunset. There is no need to buy a ticket online, usually, it is not packed. #2 was Chinatown with all its amazing food. And last but not least, the day trip to Niagara Falls from Toronto. A day trip is enough, no real need to stay overnight I would say.

🎁 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

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The 3 Best Hostels in Toronto are …

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

1. Planet Traveler Hostel – best for solo travelers
2. All Days Hostel – best for older travelers
3. 49 Hostel – best for backpackers

These are our favorite hostels in Toronto. 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:	Planet Traveler Hostel
🙎‍♀️ best for Female Solo Traveler:	Planet Traveler Hostel
🥳 Party Hostel:	The Only Backpacker’s Inn
🎒 for Backpacker:	49 Hostel
👨‍👩‍👦 Family Hostel:	Planet Traveler Hostel
👩‍💻 For Digital Nomads:	49 Hostel
🧘 Cozy Hostel:	All Days Hostel

1. Planet Traveler Hostel (Solo-Traveller)

The Planet Traveler Hostel is located in Toronto’s west end. The best hostel in Toronto Canada has to offer!

It is perfectly situated between some of the city’s most vibrant neighborhoods.

This is actually the Toronto hostel Matt stayed at during his very first solo trip to Canada. Good times!

Highly recommended and our #1 on the list of top Toronto hostels.

For travelers who are concerned with their environmental footprint, this hotel was purpose-built to run with geo-technology including solar panels, geothermal heating, hot water recycling, and LED lights.

Private room configurations can sleep up to four people and have private bathrooms. It really is one of the best hostels in Toronto with Private Rooms, according to Hostelz.com.

Shared rooms sleep up to six people with options to stay in mixed or male and female-specific rooms. Shared rooms have private washrooms, as well as personal outlets and reading lights.

Amenities:

• Free WiFi
• Free breakfast
• Book exchange
• Cable TV

Planet Traveller Hostel has places to socialize inside and on the rooftop terrace where you can relax and get to know fellow travelers.

The rooftop terrace is the place to be! Here you can even see the famous CN Tower. At night it’s especially awesome, the CN Tower is lightened up, and there are drinks served on the terrace.

Interested? Check availability right away.

What about the location?

PERFECT!! From the hostel, you can easily wander Kensington Market, grab a bite in Chinatown or Little Italy, or check out the restaurants and bars on Bloor Street West.

Matt was renting a bike from the hostel. A great way to get around the city!

Planet Traveler is the best hostel in Toronto for

• Solo travellers
• couples

Book Planet Traveler Hostel here

Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Hostelz.com

2. All Days Hostel (Older travellers)

All Days Hostel is one of the cleanest affordable hostels in Toronto, offering quiet and comfortable accommodations for budget travelers in the heart of Toronto City.

It is conveniently located, with a very homey atmosphere. The staff are on hand to help and very friendly and understanding.

Perks at All Days Hostel:

• 24 Hour Security
• Currency Exchange
• Housekeeping
• Internet Access
• Laundry Facilities
• Luggage Storage

We recommend this hostel for older travelers mainly because there isn’t a big social scene here and it’s pretty quiet.

There is a shared community space, plus two self-catered fully equipped kitchens to use during your stay.

Good to know: The earliest check-in here is 14:00 and the latest is 00:00.

Granted, the rooms and decor are a little ‘outdated’, but we are impressed with the choices which include single, double, twin, and triple private rooms plus one 4-bed shared room.

So yeah, stay here if you’re an older traveler or couple that enjoys the option to socialize when you feel like it.

Location: Situated on Selby Street. The hostel Canada is near Sherbourne subway station, and 1.7 km from the Royal Ontario Museum.

All Days Hostel is a top choice for:

• Older travellers
• Budget travellers

Book All Days Hostel here

Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Hostelz.com

3. 49 Hostel (for Backpackers)

We love 49 Hostel because of its awesome location which puts you around 10 to 15 minutes walk away from a lot of grocery and coffee shops.

If it gets too cold and you don’t want to walk, it’s also right next to a couple of subway lines.

This is a social hostel so it’s a great pick for those who want to meet other people while traveling, especially if you’re traveling alone. 

Staff is super nice and helpful, and the facilities are great, although their kitchen isn’t really well equipped, and if you’re cooking anything, you’ll probably have to buy basic ingredients like salt and pepper and any extra add-ons.

Facilities & Amenities:

• A garden
• Free WiFi
• A terrace.
• Shared kitchen and grill 
• Private parking 
• Private Rooms equipped with a TV, shared bathroom, and bed linen.

Location: Perfectly located in a quiet corner of Toronto downtown. Steps away from Sherbourne subway station and Bloor/Yonge lively corridor. Within a 10 to 15-minute walk to popular attractions like the Royal Ontario Museum, Queens Park, and the University of Toronto.

Book 49 Hostel here

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

Best Hostels in Toronto for Solo Travellers?

The Planet Traveler Hostel Toronto is the greatest hostel when traveling solo.

With plenty of activities to socialize, it is also situated between some of the city’s most vibrant neighborhoods.

Grab a drink, go to the rooftop terrace (if the weather is good), and start making new friends!

Read: how to make friends at hostels

Book Planet Traveler here

Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld

Party Hostels in Toronto?

We did not find a really hard party hostel in Toronto but a backpackers hostel in Toronto with a bar on-site. Here you will be able to find friends easily to party all night long if that’s what you want.

So, again, I would recommend staying at Planet Traveler Hostel Toronto to mingle and meet people. Then head out with your new mates to have a drink.

Another way to find party colleagues is to join a pub crawl.

We have done it many times in different countries and have to say we always had fun.

Join a pub crawl in Toronto here

Fun Hostel: The Only Backpacker’s Inn

Located above the Only café and beer bar in Greektown The Only Backpackers Inn is close to a myriad of dining options and barely one block from Donland’s Subway station.

Private rooms sleep up to two people with a private washroom.

Dormitory rooms have 4, 6, and 8 beds with a shared washroom.

There are female-only shared rooms.

Little things:

• Free WiFi
• Kitchen for guests
• Boardgames and puzzles – great for rainy days

In the evenings, guests can enjoy live music and the always-busy Only Café with its eclectic interior and friendly staff.

There is also a terrace where you can enjoy some downtime.

Using the subway you are only six stops (20 minutes) from the exact middle of the city.

If you’re a music lover, check out who is coming to the Danforth Music Hall, a 45-minute walk (or three subway stops) from The Only Backpacker’s Inn.

The Only Backpacker’s Inn is for adults only.

This hostel is  the best place to stay in Toronto for

• Social butterflies
• Backpackers

Book Only Backpackers Inn here

Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld

What about the cheapest hostels in Toronto?

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 Toronto.

1. Open Hostelz.com with a full list of all hostels in Toronto
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. 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 Toronto 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.

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 Toronto put on a map + sights

Let us have a look at the map. Below we list all three best Toronto hostels on a map.

We also included the main tourist attractions you need to know in this list. That makes this easier for your planning:

• CN Tower
• Art Gallery of Ontario
• Royal Ontario Museum
• Distillery District
• Kensington Market
• Bata Shoe Museum
• St. Lawrence Market
• Fort York National Historic Site
• Nathan Phillip Square (home of the Toronto sign)

Of course, if you have time you should visit Niagara Falls. It is an easy day tour from Toronto and an incredible place. Matt joined a tour, and it even included a wine tasting near Niagara Falls.

Book your Niagara Falls Trip here

Neighborhoods to visit in Toronto

As Toronto is a big city, we asked a friend who lived there for many years to write a neighborhood guide.

She added her favorite places in each neighborhood.

We hope you enjoy the city as much as possible during your trip.

Cabbagetown

Cabbagetown is a quirky historic neighborhood that spreads from Parliament Street east to Riverdale Park and west to Allen Gardens and is a combination of the many cultures that have influenced the neighborhood over its history.

You can take a tour of homes or just wander the streets near Riverdale Park to see some of the city’s old and beautiful homes.

In the fall, you can enjoy a bi-weekly farmer’s market in Riverdale Park, and the neighborhood holds festivals throughout the year.

While you’re in the park, take some time to walk through Riverdale Farm, the site of the old Toronto Zoo.

Make sure to stop by Jet Fuel Coffee shop on Parliament Street, a favorite among Cabbagetown residents, it is the kind of place where the staff and customers all know each other, and features local art exhibitions.

Distillery District

Closed off to cars, the cobbled streets of the former distillery are now lined by art galleries, boutiques, and restaurants. Visiting the Distillery District is like taking a step back in time.

Stop by the Brickstreet Bakery on Trinity Street for freshly baked goods, sweet or savory to enjoy while you walk or grab a hot drink at Balzac’s coffee on the other end of the street.

You can also join a Distillery District segway tour and experience the neighborhood from another perspective.

Church and Wellesley

Church and Wellesley is Toronto’s LGBTQ neighborhood.

If you are interested in checking out some of the bars or shops geared towards the LGBTQ community then you should head to this part of the city.

This is a good neighborhood to pass through on your way to Yorkville and the west side of Toronto.

Yorkville

Located at Bloor Street and Yonge Street, the lines that form the center of Toronto’s grid is Yorkville.

In this upscale neighborhood, you can window shop–or actually shop–the big designer brands.

This neighborhood is good for getting something to eat or enjoying the sunshine on top of the large rock in the center of the square.

The Annex/Bloor Street West

Foodies should head to the Annex for its endless restaurants and bars.

The street is lined with quirky stores, restaurants, and coffee shops. Stop in at BMV or one of several other used bookstores to browse for new reading material.

Bloor Street West comes alive at night, with bars and music venues that cater to every crowd.

University students should stop in at the Maddison Pub, a hot spot with University of Toronto students year-round since its opening.

Queen Street West

If you’re looking to do some shopping like a local then you should come to Queen Street West.

Head west on Queen Street from Nathan Phillips Square and you will find yourself in the perfect mix of big brand stores and boutiques in no time at all.

For clothing, you should check out Black Market, a popular clothing store tucked away down a flight of stairs.

This is a great neighborhood to walk around and browse stores that offer something for everyone.

West Queen West

West Queen West is known to be one of the coolest streets in the world.

It is a vibrant, dynamic neighborhood with a lot of unique restaurants, boutiques, and the largest concentration of art galleries you can imagine.

You will also appreciate the beautiful Trinity-Bellwoods Park. We are sure that you will meet and encounter interesting people and have fun with the organized drum circles that keep the park constantly buzzing with activity.

Chinatown/ Kensington Market

If you head north on Spadina from Queen Street West you will find yourself in Chinatown. Toronto offers the best Chinese food in Canada.

On weekend mornings act like a local and line up for dim sum at one of the many overcrowded restaurants. You can also wander through packed stores full of cheap merchandise.

If you’re looking for a snack, stop in at one of the Chinese bakeries where you can get a selection of buns and other treats for less than a loonie.

In Kensington Market, you will find yourself surrounded by vintage clothing stores and specialty cheese and fish shops. This neighborhood, which has been kept alive through the dedication of its residents, is a great place to browse the funkiest stores in Toronto.

Feeling hungry?

Stop in at Rasta Pasta or one of many other truly unique dining options in this area in Toronto. Vegetarian and vegan travelers will find a growing number of dining options in the market.

FAQ

Alright, you should have found your accommodation already. Below we list all the frequently asked questions. Have a look.

Flights to Toronto?

Flights to Toronto are not normally cheap but if you are flexible in the dates you can always find a good flight offer.

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

More guides

Alright, this is your answer to where to stay in Toronto.

Discover all of the best hostels in Canada for your backpacking trip.

We did the leg work for you and bring you more hostel guides to destinations:

• best hostels in Calgary
• top hostels in Vancouver
• cool hostels in Montreal
• best hostels in Quebec City
• best hostels in Whistler
• best hostels in Ottawa
• 3 best hostels in Boston – compared
• The 3 best hostels in Chicago USA – all compared
• 3 cool and best hostels in Washington DC, USA
  
• best hostels in New York City, USA

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.

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 Toronto 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

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CLOSED: Two Peads Pod Hostel

Located in Chinatown only footsteps from Toronto’s favourite Mother’s Dumplings, is the sleek Two Peas Pod Hostel.

Actually, Two Pead Pod is near Planet Traveler. Yet, we prefer the Two Peas Pod location – it is a bit closer to the action!

From the hostel, you can easily explore many of the city’s most vibrant neighborhoods either by walking or catching the streetcar.

From Two Peas Pod Hostel, you can easily get to:

• Art Gallery of Ontario
• Royal Ontario Museum
• Entertainment District, and
• CN Tower

Private rooms sleep up to two people, while dormitory rooms (mixed and female-only) sleep up to four people.

All rooms feature pod-style beds with privacy curtains, individual smart flat-screen TVs, USB plugs, reading lights, and charging stations.

Bathrooms are shared and located on the bottom floor.

While the rooms are not spacious, there are lots of places to hang out in the hostel such as a quiet lounge, café, patio seating, home cinema, and a breakfast lounge.

Good to know: there are no doors in the dorms.

You get your privacy with the curtain in the individual pod. But bear in mind no door might mean some noise from the neighbor room and that the room might feel a bit chilly in winter.

Tip: Don’t forget to bring your headphones. Here’s our packing list.

The cool stuff:

• Luxury showers
• Variety store
• Gift shop
• Cinema room
• Continental breakfast
• Coffee
• Balcony on the top floor (open in summer)

In a nutshell, Two Peas and Pods has a great location.

And the pod-styled bunk beds are super luxurious. For me it was no problem to sleep here, it was not cold or loud.

Closed: HI Toronto Hostel (for Backpackers)

Just outside of downtown is the HI Toronto Hostel where you can enjoy daily activities as well the most of Toronto’s downtown attractions.

Private rooms sleep up to two people and have a private washroom, mini fridge, and coffee maker.

Shared rooms sleep 4, 6, 8, 10, and 14 people with mixed, only male, and only female options.

Shared rooms have shared washrooms.

The stuff:

• Free Wi-Fi
• Free breakfast
• Fully equipped kitchen
• BBQ
• 24-hour reception desk
• The onsite Cavern Bar, where breakfast is served in the morning, is a great place to get a drink and enjoy live music with
• fellow travelers.

HI Hostel Toronto offers tours of:

• Graffiti Alley,
• Kensington Market,
• University of Toronto,
• the Distillery District, and a
• ghost tour
• As well as beer tastings, a visit to the Art Gallery of Ontario, and an open mic night.

Hostel staff can help you with discounts to attractions like Ripley’s Aquarium, Niagara Falls, and the Royal Ontario Museum. You can also ask him about HI Toronto Hostel activities.

HI Toronto is the best place to stay in Toronto for:

• Backpacker
• Groups of friends