Hold up! Before you book your flights to Turkey, make sure you check out our especially hand-picked 3 best hostels in Istanbul.
You won’t be disappointed.
We’ve worked hard to find great budget hostels, including the best party hostels in Istanbul. This is your insider guide to the TOP hostels in Istanbul.
Your Shortcut:
- Cheers Hostel – top pick for solo-traveller
- Nobel Hostel – best for backpacker
- Bunk Hostel Taksim – best hostel in Istanbul for Families and Couples
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
We condensed it all to the 3 coolest hostels in Istanbul.
As you may or may not know, Hostelgeeks finds the finest hostels in the world, the 5 Star Hostels.
And guess what? We’ve included our awesome 5 Star Hostel in Istanbul right here. You’ll have to keep scrolling to read more about Bunk Hostel Taksim.
We cover in this guide:
- Introduction to Istanbul Hostels
- 3 Best Istanbul Hostels
- #1 Cheers Hostel
- #2 Nobel Hostel
- #3 Bunk Taksim
- best party hostels
- more good hostels
- cheapest hostels in Istanbul
- Map with all hostels and sights
- 5 local Tips from us for you
- FAQ
- Flights to Istanbul
We’ve also created a wonderful collection of 5 Star Hostels in Europe for avid travelers like you. Find all our guides to best hostels in the world here.
Quick Introduction to Istanbul Hostels
Average price for a bed: A bed in a dorm costs 10€ to 15€ per night. This highly depends if you are travelling on a weekend and the quality of a hostel.
A private room in great hostels in Istanbul start from 55€ up to 100€ per night.
This is a rough average to give you an idea. Prices always depend on season and holidays. Hostels in Turkey are in general very cheap.
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.
Party vs. Boutique Hostel: Make sure you know what type of hostel you want. There is many basic hostels. Many Istanbul hostels are perfect for Backpackers, such as the Cheers Hostel. Set your expectations right and make sure you pick the right type.
In this guide we highlight each traveler type for each hostel e.g. best for families, couples, party and solo-traveller.
Taxi Scams: Please do not trust any random Taxi driver on the street. They might scam you in terms of prices, overcharge and drive off without giving you change. Taxis scams are common here. Here’s a good guide about taxis in Istanbul and what to avoid.
New to Hostels? Read our full hostel starter guide here. We especially recommend to read:
- 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 COOLEST Hostels in Istanbul are …
Are you ready to discover the meeting place of East and West? Remember, we added all our favorite hostels, sights and the 5 local tips on the useful map further down.
The 3 best hostels in Istanbul are:
1. Cheers Hostel (terrace bar views)
If I were you, we would stay here. Cheers Hostel is the best hostel in Istanbul for Solo-Travellers.
The comfortable atmosphere dominates Cheers Hostel, followed closely by the breathtaking views.
The rooms are made up of 6, 8 and 10 bed mixed dorms.
Private rooms, including double, triple and twin-bed, are available in additional buildings. This means you can stay in private accommodation, yet come over using the common areas to mingle and meet.
Lovely inclusions such as air-con, linen and heating are found in every room.
Note: full payment in cash is required on arrival. Credit card payments are not accepted.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
Other things that make this hostel great:
- 24-hour reception – yippee!
- Free breakfast included
- Luggage storage + locker
- Bicycle rental
- free WiFi and free internet
- Air Conditioning
After a long day exploring Istanbul, relax in the lounge.
If you have a bit of energy left; try your hand at a game of darts or backgammon.
Remember those breathtaking views we mentioned?
Head on up to the in-house terrace bar and sit with a Mojito whilst staring out over the Blue Mosque. In the wintertime, sit by the cosy fireplace with a Turkish coffee.
All the must-see places of the Old Town are at your doorstep. This includes:
- Hagia Sophia,
- Topkapi Palace and
- Basilica Cistern.
Cheers Hostel Istanbul is a top pick for:
- Solo-Traveller
- Friends
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
2. Nobel Hostel (Blue Mosque neighbour #1)
Nobel Hostel Istanbul is a cosy, comfortable accommodation in the heart of Old Town Sultanahmet.
It’s very much a hotel design, which has been tweaked to suit the backpacker lifestyle.
Don’t expect anything too fancy. It’s designed perfectly for a city as interesting as this one.
Alongside the private rooms, there are mixed dorms of 6 or 8 beds.
Unique dorm: Opt for the 8-bed dorm for views of Blue Mosque!
If you don’t stay at the 8-bed dorm, worry not. You can enjoy the views from the hostel terrace.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
All rooms come with free WiFi, Air-con and linen.
There are spacious lockers in the dorm rooms, too.
What else:
- Free breakfast buffet style
- No curfew or lockout
- Library
- Airport pickup service (extra fee)
There is a lively terrace overlooking the Blue Mosque. Enjoy discounted drinks and food to get you in the party mood.
Downstairs there is also Sofa Restaurant. Guests enjoy a 10% discount here and complimentary breakfast for free in the winter.
The staff here really care that you have an enjoyable stay. They’re full of useful info, tips and suggestions, so don’t be shy!
Nobel Hostel is literally minutes from all the main sights of the Old Town.
Nobel hostel is the best hostel Istanbul has to offer for:
- Backpacker
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
3. Bunk Hostel Taksim (European part of Istanbul)
At Bunk Hostel Taksim they believe that just because you are on a budget doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice on style.
Yep; we’ve found you the best boutique hostel in Istanbul – our 5 Star Hostel.
Style, comfort, art, culture and fun are perfectly balanced here.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
It’s certainly a super cool hub, with 170 beds up for grabs! Of course that then that means there are plenty of room types to choose from.
Read: Hostel room types – what are the differences?
Choose between 4-6 bed mixed/female dorms and private double/twin rooms.
The bespoke bunk beds come with personal reading lights and plugs.
You’ll be happy to hear linen, fluffy towels and pin code operated lockers are all yours for free during your stay.
Let’s touch upon what else to expect at #bunk:
- 24-hour reception = no curfew
- Free continental buffet breakfast
- Free secure luggage storage
- Air conditioning throughout the hostel
- Marble bathrooms
Take the lift and discover the rooftop terrace for awesome views. There is also a bar and cafe up there.
Go on, indulge yourself!
#bunk also has a cinema screen especially dedicated to sports matches and film nights.
Taksim Square is only 750 yards away – the nightlife, shopping and dining district. The Old Town is just over 1 mile away.
If you are more looking for super social vibes, we recommend the hostels #1 and #2. It is a really great hostel with friends, to hang out on the roof top terrace and enjoy one of their famous pizza and cocktails.
Bunk Hostel Istanbul is a top pick for:
- Families
- Couples
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
What about the Best Party Hostel in Istanbul?
Something tells me there are some of you looking for that party vibe. Get on down to
The rooftop atmosphere will kick things off. Smoke a hookah, play some games and make new friends here. It is not so much the best party hotel in Istanbul, but more of a hostel really, although it states guesthouse in the name.
Organised activities at Bahaus Hostel Istanbul include:
- karaoke,
- belly dancing
- shows and
- pub-crawls.
Bahaus Party Hostel says: “We are a sociable and party-loving hostel- we hope you are social too!”
Another fun party hostel is Chillout Lya
They have their own hostel bar where travelers celebrate their travels with 1, 2, 3 drinks and more.
There is also many clubs and bars nearby, in case you want to head out. The Chillout Lya Bar is open until 4am – Fiesta is on here!
When staying at this Istanbul hostel taksim square is literally a 3 minutes walk away. So again, you are surrounded by great nightlife, yet you can also stay in and take on the hostel bar.
More Good Hostels in Istanbul
Of course there is many more hostels in the city. In fact, there is more than 120 hostels in Istanbul Turkey.
That is a bunch! This is exactly why we always handpick our favorite 3 hostels; so you do not have to this research and have a reliable website to find top hostels.
That being said, here is a simple short list of other good hostels Istanbul lets you choose from.
- Hush Hostel Lounge
- Hush Hostel Moda
- Stay Inn Taksim hostel
- Second Home hostel
- Cheers Lighthouse hostel
- Cheers Vintage Hostel
- Big Apple Hostel
Hush Hostel Lounge
Hush Hostel Lounge offers free WiFi and modern dorms and rooms on the Anatolian side of Istanbul. There is a spacious garden and a rooftop terrace with views of the Bosporus.
Please note, there is two Hush Hostels in Istanbul. This one is the Lounge, the 2nd is the Moda (see below!)
Have a look at the video below. It shows the fresh and free breakfast, the vibes and dorms. They offer yoga classes and a small garden.
Each bunk bed in the dorm comes with a power out let and light; yet they do not have privacy curtains and the bunk bed is that shaky, metal bunk beds.
This is the only part we do not like about this place!
Hush Hostel Moda
Alright, moving over to the MODA Hush. Again, a clean and affordable accommodation in a newly renovated building in Kadikoy!
It is a cheap place to stay, yet again Hush has these shaky, metal bunk beds with no curtains. This is a bummer. We would prefer the Lounge, unless you need to stay near Kadikoy district.
Stay Inn Taksim Hostel
A luxury hostel offering cheaper prices than a hotel would do.
Stay Inn Taksim Hostel is just a few steps from the the lively streets of Istiklal Avenue. The district is called Beyoglu district.
Good to know: Stay Inn is the former brother-hostel of BUNK Hostel.
Second Home hostel
Catchy name for a backpacker place, right?! After all, a hostel is supposed to be your second home, your home on the road.
Second Home Hostel would be the most typical Istanbul youth hostel you can find: a mix of all ages, nationalities and travel styles! The hostel offers cool services and organizes several events such as:
- Delicious Turkish Breakfast
- Homemade Turkish Food everyday
- Free Walking Tour
- Pub Crawl
- City Sightseeing Tours
Also fun to know, it welcomes Social Media & Youtube Phenomenons & Travel Bloggers. A fun hostel for travel bloggers to stay at.
About the location, it is in the heart of Istanbul, just a 5-minute walk from the Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace. The terrace cafe serves a local and international breakfast.
Cheers Lighthouse hostel
In the beginning we mentioned Cheers Hostel! Please do not be confused.
There is several Istanbul Cheers Hostel across the town! Our favorite is the general Cheers Hostel. Please refer to the map to see their different locations.
Then there is also the super fun Lighthouse and Vintage Hostel (see below)
Only a 5 minutes walk from Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque away, Cheer Lighthouse is a hostel in Istanbul sultanahmet.
It is a tourist-only hostel, so no local residents can actually stay here. It has also an age limit from 18 to 40 years.
Cheers Vintage Hostel
Located in Istanbul, within a short 5-minute walk of Hagia Sophia and 10 to Blue Mosque, Cheers Vintage has cheap accommodations with a bar and free WiFi. If you are looking for a cheap hostel in Istanbul, it is an ok option for low-season; not great.
In high-season, though Cheers Vintage is a super cool hostel! It really depends on how many people are staying here. If you are the only one, it will be obviously too quiet for a hostel.
Their small roof top terrace is the absolute highlight. Come here to have a drink with the fellow mates.
The dorms come with wooden, bright bunk beds. Unfortunately, they do not have privacy curtains.
Big Apple Hostel
A top rated accommodation is the Big Apple Hostel. It was recently renovated, and added a few “perks” to the hostel dorm experience. Now all bunk beds come with curtains.
Yes, we all love curtains in the dorm rooms!
Yet, the dorms feel packed, and could have more space. Nevertheless, a cool place to hang thanks to the atmosphere and location.
Same as Cheers Vintage, in fact it is around the corner, the hostel is located in the old city. It is only a few minutes from the world famous Blue Mosque, St. Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Underground Cistern and Historical Turkish Baths.
Good to know: it takes you 10 minutes to Grand Bazaar; totally worth your time!
Any Discounts or Promo Codes?
Currently, we have no special hostel discounts or Promo Codes for hostels in Istanbul. We are always trying to get promo codes to BUNK hostel and all the other top hostels in Istanbul.
Subscribe to our newsletter. Here we share our newest promo codes for hostels and hotels in Istanbul first.
You can always get the 35€ discount for Airbnb here. You will find plenty of cute Airbnb in Istanbul.
What about cheap hostels in Istanbul?
Of course, there are always cheap hostels in Istanbul.
We think, it’s not worth it to go with the cheapest hostel out there.
Why?
The difference is usually 1-2€ ($1-2), and a lot of amenities are not included. This can be breakfast or linen. Although, keep in mind a bad location far away from the city center costs you more in transport. It is worth it to pick a hostel in the centre of Istanbul to avoid extra transport costs.
However, if you are travelling on a shoe-string budget and you wanna save every penny, there are ways to find the cheapest places in Istanbul.
- Open Hostelworld with full list of budget accommodation
- Order the listing by price
Simple as that.
We already mentioned a few Istanbul cheap hostels above. These are
Here is our guide on how to book hostels with Hostel world.
Map of 3 Best Hostels in Istanbul Locations + TOP Sights
Right then. Let’s get planning!
Pinpoint your chosen hostel on the map below, and check out our top recommendations whilst you’re in vibrant Istanbul.
These include:
- Experience the spiritual Whirling Dervishes show
- Enjoy the traditional Turkish Dance
- Gather your energy for a 7-hour Pub Crawl
It’s a must to cross the Bosporus Bridge into Asia.
By far one of the most liberating experiences in Istanbul is to take a traditional Turkish bath. There are many tourist friendly options, but we suggest going to a local public bath.
We personally went to Sifa Hamami and loved it. It’s the real Turkish experience!
5 Local Things to do in Istanbul, Turkey
Besides this guide on where you can sleep, we put together a simple travel guide, featuring 5 unique local recommendations. Sounds awesome? Indeed! You won’t find these recommendations in any top ten Istanbul guides.
Besides all the classics, here is your answer to what are good places to visit in Istanbul:
1. Sunset: Ortaköy
This is one of the best spots get a beautiful view of the sunset and the Bosporus Bridge, connecting the two continents of Europe and Asia. You can enjoy traditional stuffed potatoes, local beers, coffee shops and waffles there.
Address: Mecidiye Köprü Sk. No. 11 Ortaköy, Istanbul
2. Food: Karaköy Lokantası
This family-run restaurant lays just a stone’s throw away from the shipping docks at the Bosporus and is one of the popular lunch spots.
The menu is classic Turkish food with a lot of attention to detail and very reasonable prices. The best spot for cheap food Istanbul has in place for you.
Especially famous is their Hünkar beğendi, a leftover from the Ottoman imperial kitchen: slow-cooked beef served on a bed of smoky eggplant puree. For dinner, they offer various mezes, grilled fish and meat dishes. We love the delicious, very tender grilled octopus. And make sure to not miss their homemade yoghurt on the side.
Address: Kemankes Cad. No: 37, Karaköy, 34425 Istanbul
3. Shopping: Bağdat Caddesi
Bağdat Caddesi is located on the Asian side of Istanbul.
This part of the city is where the locals live. The street is approximately 14 km long.
It is full of local and international brands, restaurants, bars and coffee shops. After shopping at a very well-known street, you can enjoy a bottle of cold beer near seaside on the grass.
Address: Kiziltoprak – Bostanci arasi, Istanbul
4. Coffee Shop: Kronotrop
Kronotrop Coffee Bar & Roastery aims to take the “specialty coffee” trend to its highest level.
It is located in Cihangir.
According to the owner: “Kronotrop isn’t merely a place where you can find coffee beans and roasting techniques, but also somewhere where we can organize free workshops which allow coffee enthusiasts to become intimately acquainted with coffee, and where we can become a kind of spokesman for decent coffee.”
If you are into coffee, check out that place.
Address: Kuloğlu Mah. Firüzağa Cami Sok. No. 2/B, Istanbul
5. Nightlife: Fosil Lounge
Fosil is in Karaköy, located directly on the Bosporus and offers a breath-taking view to the historical peninsula Sultanahmet as well as to the Asian side.
Often you can even catch a glimpse of the enormous world cruisers there. If one needs a breeze of fresh air, step out onto one of the little balconies and enjoy the view. Although Fosil also offers finger food and some dishes, most people come here to have some drinks, especially the different flavored shots Fosil is known for.
Later in the night it gets really crowded and DJs ensure the vibe to stay vibrant and fun.
Address: Kemankeş Mah. Kemankeş cad. No. 34/C K:3 Karaköy, Istanbul
FAQ
Which are some cheap safe hostels in Istanbul?
All hostels mentioned in this guide are safe!
Some of them are cheaper though, others come with a higher price. The best way to compare prices is by visiting Hostelworld and Booking.com. Check the above links, they take you directly to each hostel profile.
What are some good hostels in Istanbul?
As a regular backpacker looking for a good place, I would pick Cheers Hostel. It really depends on your personal travel style.
- Cheers Hostel – top pick for solo-traveller (both male and female!)
- Nobel Hostel – best for backpacker
- Bunk Hostel Taksim – best for Families and Couples
What is a good source to find hostels in Istanbul?
Well, you have just found the absolute best source! In case you have any questions left, then please leave us a comment below!
What should I pack for staying in a hostel?
There is a few things you always have to pack.
This is for instance the ear plugs, sleeping mask, flip-flops, light towel.
We have written up the perfect hostel packing list. We also included a downloadable PDF for print.
Should I stay on the European or Asian side of Istanbul for a visit and why?
That is a fantastic question and there is a fairly simple answer: The European side!
All the major tourist spots are located on the European side. The Asian side does not have too many things to see. We really preferred the European side. Plus, the majority of hostels in Instanbul are located on the European side..
Flights to Istanbul?
We enjoy Omio.com and Kiwi.com to find cheap flights all over Europe including Istanbul, Athens and more.
This new website has super cool features like a so-called radius search. Just draw a circle over Istanbul and find the cheapest rates for the area.
Maybe there is a cheaper flight to Ankara and Izmir? If your plan is backpacking Turkey, it won’t make a big difference starting in one of these places.
Especially the area around Izmir is beautiful!
Here is our review of Kiwi.
More handwritten guides
Alright, this is your answer to where to stay in Istanbul.
We did the leg work for you and bring you more hostel guides to destinations:
- 3 Best Hostels in Bucharest, Romania
- 3 Best Hostels in Skopje, Macedonia
- 3 Best Hostels in Kiev, Ukraine
- best hostels in Jerusalem, Isreal
- 3 Best Hostels in Tel Aviv, Israel
- 3 Best Hostels in Yerevan, Armenia
- best hostels in Tbilisi, Georgia
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.
Over to you
So by now, you’ve chosen your favourite budget hostel in Istanbul, right?
You now have our permission to go ahead and book your flights. After all, now you know where to stay in Istanbul.
Seriously, we really hope you love our hand-picked hostels as much as we do.
Left with any questions? Anything not clear? Did we miss something crucial?
Please, please get in touch and drop us a comment below.
We want to make this guide to hostels in Istanbul, Turkey as useful and detailed as possible. Your question(s) actually help us to improve and helps you to get your travels sorted out.
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.
At Hostelgeeks 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.
Safe travels!
– – –
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Discounts for Hostels in Istanbul
Would you like a promo code for any of the Istanbul hostels mentioned? Of course you do. Since you are a Hostelgeeks reader and part of the community, you can get access to discounts and special promo codes.
You can find all our fresh and valid hostel promo codes here.
How about we let you know once we get fresh promo codes? Simply leave your email and subscribe here to our newsletter. It it easy, free and you save real money.
Your Smart Packing List
It is time to see what you should pack in your backpack or suitcase. Make sure you always pick a quality hostel, it totally reduces the things you need to pack. Here is our ultimate hostel packing list. It features 23 items you should really throw in your backpack.
The most important things to pack are:- earplugs
- eye mask
- key chain flashlight
- the right backpack, we travel with Lowe Alpine Lightflite 45 Pack
- packing cubes
- generic padlock (fitting all locker types)
- quick-dry travel towel
- universal power adapter
- travel-sized toiletries
