3 Best Hostels in Washington DC – Fill Up on Free Dinners and Social Events in the USA’s Iconic Capital

3 BEST Hostels in Washington DC, USA
Photo by Roberto Nickson

It’s time to relax in the capable hands of the Hostelgeeks. Your upcoming trip to the USA is about to be complete thanks to this guide to the 3 best hostels in Washington DC.

This is a pretty iconic destination. We’ve strived to find that iconic hostel to strengthen your experience and memories. We found three – these are all the accommodations you need to know!

Your shortcut:

  1. HighRoad Hostel DC – top pick for solo travellers
  2. Duo Housing DC – great for backpackers
  3. Duo Nomad – for social butterflies

Come with us and discover beautiful modern design and a place to enjoy complimentary group meals.

This is not only a budget travellers dream destination, but a culture lover’s paradise that will truly knock your socks off.

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

Psst! We’ve collected amazing hostels across the states and put together an epic guide to 45 best hostels in USA – check it out.

You can find all 5 Star Hostels here with Hostelgeeks and all guides to “Best Hostels In” here.

In this guide we share with you:

Quick Introduction to Washington DC

Average price for a bed: Hostels in Washington DC cost 18€ – 28€ per night for a bed in a dorm. A private room starts from 62€ up to 160€ per night. This is a rough average just to give you an idea.

As you can see there is quite a difference between shared and private rooms in Washington DC!

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.

🎁 New to Hostels? Read our guide to staying in a Hostel for the First Time here. We especially recommend reading:

The 3 Best Hostels in Washington DC

Let’s jump right into the boutique hostels in Washington DC.

  1. HighRoad Hostel DC
  2. Duo Housing DC
  3. Duo Nomad

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: Hostel Comfort Zone
🙎‍♀️ best for Female Solo Traveler: HighRoad Hostel DC
🥳 Party Hostel:Washington International Student Center
👩‍❤️‍👨Couple Hostel: Duo Nomad
👨‍👩‍👦 Family Hostel: HighRoad Hostel DC
👩‍💻 For Digital Nomads: Duo Housing DC
🧘 Cozy Hostel: Duo Nomad

1. HighRoad Hostel DC

Right then, we want to kick off with a new, modern and bustling accommodation in a well-connected location. HighRoad Hostel DC is pure awesomeness.

It’s without doubt the greatest hostel in Washington DC!

Without hesitation here are 3 reasons to stay here:

  1. Daily events including Pasta Night, Bar Night and Breakfast for Dinner
  2. Great cultural location of restaurants and bars
  3. Free amenities like earplugs, eyemasks, towels & Wi-Fi

This is a great choice if you’re looking to mingle. Join the free dinner nights and patio nights with free beer and you’ll meet people with ease.

Friendly staff are at hand 24/7 to help navigate your stay. Don’t be shy, go and say hi!

Actually, it’s also a top choice if you’re a bit of a loner and want some downtime – we all need that sometimes!

Each dorm bed comes with its very own light, socket and a small lockable box. Oh and even a towel is thrown in with the linen. Perfect space to wind down and chill.

So what about the room choices? There are quite a few:

  • 4, 8 & 14-bed mixed dorm
  • 6-8 bed female only dorm
  • Private rooms with & without en-suite

Even better is the common space which happens to be a classy room with cosy fireplace. From here you can watch the world of DC wander past the window.

On top of that they have some computers to use in case you don’t travel with your laptop.

Location: surrounded by nice restaurants and bars, there’s plenty to do in the Adams Morgan neighbourhood. HighRoad is well connected to the monuments via metro and buses.

The coolest choice for:

  • Solo travellers
Book HighRoad Hostel DC here

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

HighRoad Hostel DC Luxury Hostel in Washington DC: HighRoad Hostel DC

Dorms with Privacy Curtains: One of the reasons why HighRoad Hostel is the best-rated hostels in Washington DC

HighRoad Hostel DC is one of the best hostels in Washington DC, USA HighRoad Hostel DC is one of the best hostels in Washington DC, USA HighRoad Hostel DC is one of the best hostels in Washington DC, USA

2. Duo Housing DC

If there is one hostel that wishes to compete in terms of amenities, it’s without doubt Duo Housing DC.

Rooftop deck and free pizza, anyone? Definitely one of the coolest hostels in Washington DC.

This place gets serious points for the staff – they care – and the sheer cleanliness about the place.

When there is a ‘no shoes policy’ in the hostel, you can’t help but feel at home right away. And of course this is what helps to keep the place so clean!

Honestly though, take one look at the cosy living area and kitchen and you’ll find yourself calling this your home-from-home pretty quickly.

A few other inclusions before you hit the book button:

  • Unlimited free tea & coffee
  • Computers to use & quiet work area
  • Rooms include linen, towel & locker
  • Free breakfast – hurray!!
  • 24/hr reception

One important thing: there are a selection of 4-12 bed mixed dorms here, yet not private options.

Choose the room depending on how sociable you’re feeling. Either way the living room is the best place to get mingling with other travellers.

Location: China town is an easy 5-minutes away. You’ll be surrounded by cafes, restaurants and shops, and downtown DC is 15-minutes from Duo.

Great budget accommodation for:

  • Backpackers
Book Duo Housing DC here

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

Duo Housing - Washington DC in USA

Duo Housing DC is one of the best hostels in Washington DC, USA Duo Housing DC is one of the best hostels in Washington DC, USA Duo Housing DC is one of the best hostels in Washington DC, USA

3. Duo Nomad

Great choice if you are planning to stay in a bit longer in Washington DC. Perhaps looking to do an internship or studying at the Capital?!

Well, we have found the right place for you. Duo Nomad welcomes any traveller who wants to stay longer in the capital by providing very cosy accommodation, social events to make some friends and a 24h assistance.

If you are just exploring the city, Duo Nomad Hostel is great too,  located 5 minutes from the US Capitol, the Washington Navy and the Library of Congress, this place is perfect for digital nomads too.

Join in dinner evenings and patio gatherings – score!

Sleep soundly and wake up to a free breakfast to cure that fuzzy head. Sorted.

We mention a fuzzy head because there is often a party atmosphere here, so keep that in mind.

Check out the relaxing area as well, with video games and TV with unlimited netflix.

Good to know: no shoes allowed inside the house and please bring your own padlock for the locker!

This is one of the best hostels in Washington DC for:

  • Social butterflies
  • Backpackers
Book Duo Nomad here

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

Duo Nomad, best hostel in Washington DC. Duo Nomad, best hostel in Washington DC.

What about cheapest hostels in Washington DC?

If you are traveling on a shoe-string budget and you wanna save every penny, there are ways to find the cheapest places in Washington DC.

  1. Open Hostelworld with full list of budget places to stay in Washington DC
  2. 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 Washington DC for Solo Travellers?

What is seriously the best hostel in Washington DC for solo-travellers?

Luckily for you, we’ve found some more great budget places to stay in Washington DC for solo travellers.

1. Hostel Comfort Zone

If you are looking for a cheap option in Washington DC. Hostel Comfort Zone should be your first option, a small and simple hostel offering female-only rooms, male-only dorms and mixed dorms too.

Visitors can make use of its kitchen, living and dining room.

And Free and fast WiFi, perfect for digital nomads too.

Located in the North East part of Washington, DC. Great location near a bus stop, bars, restaurants, banks and supermarkets.

Book Hostel Comfort Zone here

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

Comfort Zone hostel in Washington DC.

2. U Street Capsule Hostel

Alright, let us introduce you to U Street Capsule Hostel where you sleep literally on pod unit. It is almost like taken from a Sci-Fi movie, this sleeping pod units provide better audio and visual privacy.

Now, let’s check out the freebies!!!

  • Free gym access
  • Free breakfast
  • Free tea & coffee (All day!)
  • Laundry facilities and
  • Every day social events.

This hostel also offers a office area w/ chairs and tables, perfect for digital nomads travelling around the USA.

Located at one of the best historic and vibrant neighborhood in Washington DC, this hostel is a great choice for solo travellers and backpackers alike.

Book U Street Capsule Hostel here

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

Best hostels for solo travellers in Washington DC. Best hostels for solo travellers in Washington DC.

Party Hostels in Washington DC

Sorry to disappoint you, but there is no real crazy up-all-night party hostel in Washington DC.

We thought this is a shame considering there is a good party scene in the city.

Yet we’ve found you a great choice!

After all, it’s the social vibes that really create a good time and there is no lack of them here.

International Student Center

If you are travelling on a budget, we think Washington International Student Center would be a great option for you.

This hostel in DC offers dorms and private rooms, shared kitchen, common areas, free breakfast and lockers are provided.

Free and fast WiFi and this hostel has an easy access to Metro and a bus stop.

Book International Student Center Hostel here

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

International Student Center, cheap hostel in Washington DC.

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:

  1. HighRoad Hostel DC: Booking.com | Hostelworld
  2. Duo Housing DC: Booking.com | Hostelworld
  3. Duo Nomad: Booking.com | Hostelworld

We recommend booking your hostel as early as possible!

All of Washington DC 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 Washington DC. 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.

Our Favorite Hostels in Washington DC put on a map + sights

Let us have a look on the map. Below we list all three 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:

  • Washington Monument
  • The White House
  • Lincoln Memorial
  • United States Capitol
  • National Mall
  • Thomas Jefferson Memorial
  • Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum
  • National Gallery of Art
  • World War II Memorial

There is a number of ways to get around the city. Check these out:

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FAQs

Alright then, if you are still looking for your best choice, here we list your most asked questions.

What are the best hostels in DC?

We have found 3 best hostels in Washington DC for you, just as we recommend them to our family and friends.

Your shortcut:

  1. HighRoad Hostel DC - top pick for solo travellers
  2. Duo Housing DC - great for backpackers
  3. Duo Nomad – for social butterflies

What is the best hidden attraction in Washington DC?

Personally, we love to plan our trips, here are all the main attractions we believe are worth visiting in Washington DC.

  • Washington Monument
  • The White House
  • Lincoln Memorial
  • United States Capitol
  • National Mall
  • Thomas Jefferson Memorial
  • Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum
  • National Gallery of Art
  • World War II Memorial

What is the best area to stay in Washington DC?

Alright, the best areas to stay in Washington DC are Georgetown, Adam Morgan, and the Capitol Hill.

If you are looking for nightlife scene stay around Adam morgan in Washington DC, and visit the best Hostel for Sociable Solo Travellers: U Street Capsule Hostel

Last and not least, Capitol Hill, a very central neighborhood perfect for travellers interested in the main attraction of Washington DC.

Of course we found a great hostel to stay around Capitol Hill: Duo Nomad

See you all there!!

Flights to Washington DC?

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.

Our Step-by-Step Guide to Skyscanner

review of Skyscanner flight searches

More guides

Alright, this is your answer to where to stay in Washington DC.

Here are all our US Hostel Guides:

Party hostels in the US:

In nearby Canada you can discover:

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.

If you are looking for some adventure, you can also check the best yoga retreats in California.

Over to you

Was this useful? Do you have any questions, doubts?

Then please please leave us a comment. This list of awesome Washington DC 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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The complete guide and overview to the Best Hostels in Washington DC, USA

CLOSED: HI Washington DC

Update: Unfortunately, HI Washington DC permanently closed its doors in December 2020.

If you’re after an inexpensive option that doesn’t skimp on great amenities and staff, HI Washington DC could well be the hostel for you.

Although their no-frill rooms are pretty basic, you can’t beat the space and brightness of each one.

Anyway, there is far too much to enjoy at this place so dump your bags and make use of the…

  • FREE tours & movie nights
  • Pool table, games & books
  • Common area w/ couches + TV
  • Fully-equipped kitchen
  • Outside patio
  • FREE breakfast

The list literally goes on and on (and on). These are just a few of the perks you can expect, wow!

Good to know: there’s free Wi-Fi in the lobby and $3 per hour Wi-Fi throughout the rest of the property.

Don’t worry about arriving at a certain time – the reception is open 24/7 which means no curfew, no lockout, no worries.

Groups are welcome here thanks to the many different room types and tons of space.

There is a big selection of shared dorms from 6-10 beds and this includes a female only option. Either that or upgrade to a private room.

As a bonus this place really cares about the environment. They recycle, show monthly documentaries and stay clear of one-use plastics.

Location: this is a central hostel in the heart of downtown DC. The White House and National Mall are both within walking distance, just 8 blocks away.

HI Washington DC is one of the best hostels in Washington DC, USA
HI Washington DC

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