The Backpacker’s Guide To The Best Hostels in Amsterdam | Our Favorite Amsterdam Hostels

Amsterdam has a lot of hotels that cater to just about any traveler. In fact, according to Hostelworld, there are over 100 so you won’t have any trouble finding one. On the other hand, Amsterdam hostels aren’t always great so you’ll want to do a bit of research to ensure you snag one of the good hostels.

In this guide, I’ve assembled what I think are the best hostels in Amsterdam based on price, location, amenities, and overall quality.

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Average Price For A Hostel in Amsterdam

Hostels in Amsterdam are generally expensive — especially since the city is a huge draw for backpackers, young people, and people looking to party.

Most hostels, regardless of quality, will start around €35-€65/night in the summer. You might be able to find some around €30/night but those are tough to snag.

In general, prices are more expensive on Friday and Saturday nights since Amsterdam is a weekend party city.

Check Hostelworld to get exact prices for your dates.

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Helpful Information About Amsterdam Hostels

Here are some quick facts about hostels in Amsterdam to help you in your search.

• Cheap Beds & Good Hostels Go Early: Hostel prices are fairly standardized (there are a few outliers) but the quality does vary quite a bit.
  • The best options get booked quickly so Amsterdam is one of the cities where it’s suggested to book early if you want first dibs (especially in the summer).
• Weekends Are Expensive: Hostels often raise their rates considerably because Amsterdam is such a weekend party destination so don’t be surprised when booking Friday and Saturday nights.
• Age Restrictions: There are a number of hostels that cater to families and school groups — so book an 18+ hostel if you don’t want to be surrounded by a bunch of middle school kids. Also, family-friendly hostels tend to attract an older crowd so you probably won’t find the typical “backpacker” experience.
• Areas/Neighborhoods: Amsterdam has a ton of hostels so you can find a few options anywhere you want to stay. Cheaper hostels tend to be located a bit outside the city center, but public transport is good so it isn’t much of an issue.
• Party Hostels: Amsterdam is a party destination so there are quite a few “party” hostels — which you should keep in mind before booking.
  • We highly suggest checking the review section of Hostelworld to get a better idea of the hostel’s vibe or read The Savvy Backpacker’s Guide To The Best Party Hostels in Amsterdam.
• Check-In Times and Cleaning Times: Many hostels have late check-in times (around 2 pm-4 pm) but nearly all will let you store your bags if you arrive before check-in.
• New To Hostels? Check out our Hostels 101 Guide to learn everything you need to know about finding the perfect hostel.

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The Best Hostels In Amsterdam

Amsterdam has over 100 hostels so you’ll never have a problem finding one that fits your travel style. That said, while Amsterdam has many excellent hostels, it also has a number of average/bad ones.

That’s why I’ve assembled this list of the best hostels in Amsterdam based on overall quality, location, price, and guest reviews.

I encourage you to check out Hostelworld to search through all of Amsterdam’s hostels.

Note: The hostel prices listed below are based on the cheapest option available during the summer (i.e. the most expensive season). Prices fluctuate based on available inventory so head over to Hostelworld to see the exact prices for your travel dates.

CLINKNOORD Amsterdam Hostel

ClinkNOORD is one of the most popular hostels in Amsterdam and it gets high praise for being a good place for solo travelers thanks to its welcoming and social atmosphere.

It’s located across a river from the main part of Amsterdam but there is a free 24/7 ferry that goes from the train station to the hostel — so it’s actually super close to everything. Clinknoord doesn’t have a free breakfast but it does have a kitchen where you can cook your own meals. They also have a bar and a small restaurant.

Overall, ClinkNOORD gets really high scores for location, atmosphere, staff, cleanliness, and value.

• Beds Start Around €32/night
• Read More Reviews at Hostelworld
• SEE ON GOOGLE MAPS

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Generator Amsterdam Hostel

Generator Amsterdam is part of the high-end Generator chain of European hostels. I’ve stayed in a few Generator hostels and they’re always solid (clean, nice beds, and good-sized rooms). I’d consider this more of a boutique hostel so it’s a nice option if you still want certain creature comforts and a chill hostel vibe.

Generator Amsterdam has a restaurant, bar, and nightclub. This is a large hostel so it might not always have much of a cozy, social vibe.

• Beds Start Around €55/night
• Read More Reviews at Hostelworld
• SEE ON GOOGLE MAPS

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Bulldog Hostel Amsterdam

Bulldog is a bit of a legendary hostel in Amsterdam that is always a popular choice and it’s been around for more than 20 years. It’s located in the absolute heart so you won’t find a better location if you want to be in the action of it all.

Bulldog is a party hostel but they don’t allow bachelor party groups or other large groups—which is really nice. People can smoke pot in their lounge or rooftop (but not in the rooms). It has great security, a bar, free breakfast, free towels, and they have 11 am checkouts.

• Beds Start Around €37/night
• Read More Reviews at Hostelworld
• SEE ON GOOGLE MAPS

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FLYING PIG DOWNTOWN Amsterdam HOSTEL

FLYING PIG DOWNTOWN is one of the most well-known and most awarded hostels in Europe, and it’s one of the top-rated in Amsterdam. It’s known as a bit of a party hostel thanks to its in-house bar and smoke room.

They provide free breakfast, a self-catering kitchen, and plenty of places to socialize. It’s super close to the train station and located in the center of Amsterdam. Prices do rise quite a bit on the weekends so that’s something to consider.

• Beds Start Around €39/night
• Read More Reviews at Hostelworld
• SEE ON GOOGLE MAPS

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FLYING PIG UPTOWN Amsterdam HOSTEL

FLYING PIG UPTOWN is the original Flying Pig hostel. It’s located a bit outside the city center but it’s still a solid location (it’s just around the corner to most of Amsterdam’s museums and a great park).

They have a free breakfast, free walking tours, a bar, a cafe, a smoking area, and plenty of room to socialize. Again, the Flying Pig Uptown gets really good reviews all around and is still one of Amsterdam’s best hostels.

• Beds Start Around €43/night
• Read More Reviews at Hostelworld
• SEE ON GOOGLE MAPS

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FLYING PIG BEACH HOSTEL

FLYING PIG BEACH HOSTEL is another member of the Flying Pig family but this one is located an hour outside the city. They offer a shuttle a few times a day for €4 each way. It features all the great stuff that the other Flying Pigs do (atmosphere, amenities, breakfast, etc) but it’s quite a bit cheaper than other Amsterdam hostels.

Flying Pig Beach still gets all-around excellent reviews and it’s a nice choice if you’re interested in exploring other parts of the country.

• Beds Start Around €30/night
• Read More Reviews at Hostelworld
• SEE ON GOOGLE MAPS

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St Christopher’s at The Winston Hostel

St. Christopher’s at The Winston is located in the heart of the city and near the coffee shops and bars so you never have to go far to have a good time. Plus, this hostel is part of the well-regarded St Christopher’s hostel chain so you know the quality is high.

The hostel has a bar, beer garden, and a smoking area. I’d classify this as a party hostel which means it can get pretty loud at night so don’t expect a great night’s sleep (unless you bring earplugs) — but it’s a good place to meet other travelers.

They don’t have free breakfast and they charge you to store your luggage when you’re not staying there (which isn’t something I’ve ever seen). But, other than that, it’s a solid place to stay.

• SEE ON GOOGLE MAPS
• Beds Start Around €49/Night
• Read More Reviews at Hostelworld

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Durty Nellys Inn Hostel

Durty Nellys Inn is another party hostel in a great location surrounded by tons of nightlife. In fact, the ground floor of the hostel is Durty Nelly’s Irish Pub — so you don’t have far to stumble home. It’s a social hostel and they put on pub crawls and sell cheap beer during happy hour.

Durty Nellys Inn gets good reviews all around (staff, comfort, cleanliness, etc.) but there is no free breakfast or kitchen area.

• Beds Start Around €45/Night via Hostelworld
• Read More Reviews at Hostelworld
• SEE ON GOOGLE MAPS

MEININGER Amsterdam City West Hostel

MEININGER Amsterdam City West receives very solid reviews all around, but it is located a bit outside the city center — although it is well-connected via public transportation. It has a self-catering kitchen and an on-site bar so that’s a nice addition. In short, this hostel is comfy, clean, and affordable.

The MEININGER Amsterdam City West feels a little more like a budget hotel than a traditional hostel, so this is a good option for someone who wants a quiet, low-key place to stay. It’s not a very social hostel so it might not be great for meeting people, but it’s a good choice for families and groups.

• Beds Start Around €40/Night via Hostelworld
• Read More Reviews at Hostelworld
• SEE ON GOOGLE MAPS

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Shelter City Hostel

Shelter City has an awesome location in the heart of the city and it’s smoke-free, drug-free, and alcohol-free—which is actually a breath of fresh air for many travelers. Want a quiet place to stay? Shelter City is your spot.

Shelter City also has free breakfast and solid reviews all around. Plus, it’s one of the cheaper hostels so no surprise that it’s one of Amsterdam’s most popular hostels.

• Beds Start Around €28/Night via Hostelworld
• Read More Reviews at Hostelworld
• SEE ON GOOGLE MAPS

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More Great Amsterdam Hostels

As you can tell, Amsterdam has a ton of good hostels. Below is a list of more excellent choices.

• Stayokay Amsterdam Vondelpark
• Stayokay Amsterdam Zeeburg
• Hostelle – (Female Only Hostel)
• Train Lodge Amsterdam
• SHELTER JORDAN
• Hostel Van Gogh

Photo credits: Clink Hostels, Generator Hostels, Bulldog Hostel, Flying Pig Hostels, St. Christopher’s Hostels, Durty Nelly’s,  MEININGER, Stayokay.

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More Budget Travel Advice From The Savvy Backpacker 

• Guide to Hostels in Europe: Tips and advice for finding the best hostels in Europe
• Hostel Etiquette: The unwritten rules about staying in a hostel.
• Backpacking Europe Packing List: What you should (and shouldn’t) pack when traveling to Europe.
• The Best Travel Insurance: Tips for choosing travel insurance.
• The Best Travel Shoes: Finding comfortable and stylish shoes for travel.
• The Best Travel Backpacks: Our favorite backpacks designed for traveling Europe.