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The best hostels in San Francisco

Some of the best backpacker spots in San Francisco

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HI San Francisco Downtown Hostel, hotel in San Francisco

Centrally located in San Francisco just 5 minutes’ walk from shopping and dining in Union Square, Each bright room is practically furnished.

It’s clean. Staff is friendly. The living room is well decorated. Location very convenient.
Scored 8.4
8.4
Rated very good
Very good
3,885 reviews
Price from
£57.98
per night
HI San Francisco Fisherman's Wharf Hostel, hotel in San Francisco

Overlooking San Francisco Bay, this Fisherman’s Wharf hostel features free WiFi throughout the property. A 24-hour reception welcomes guests and daily activities are offered.

The matress/bed linen were clean and comfy and I slept alright. I loved the fireplace area, cozy and relaxing. Different from any other hostel I've stayed at. Great location, walking distance to many places, beautiful views. Really positive attitude from a couple of the staff. Erica (spelling?) You're a sweetheart!
Scored 8.3
8.3
Rated very good
Very good
1,887 reviews
Price from
£48.79
per night
Samesun San Francisco, hotel in San Francisco

Located within 2.6 km of Crissy Field East Beach and less than 1 km of Ghirardelli Square, Samesun San Francisco provides rooms with air conditioning and a private bathroom in San Francisco.

Staff are always very nice and helpful, and it has amazing facilities
Scored 8.5
8.5
Rated very good
Very good
3,586 reviews
Price from
£94.55
per night
Music City Hotel - Home of the San Francisco Music Hall of Fame, hotel in San Francisco

Music-themed, boutique lifestyle hotel & hostel, now with onsite bar & restaurant and newly renovated common areas.

Great atmosphere
Scored 8.1
8.1
Rated very good
Very good
840 reviews
Price from
£72.01
per night
ITH San Francisco Pacific Tradewinds Hostel, hotel in San Francisco

Boasting a shared lounge and free WiFi, ITH San Francisco Pacific Tradewinds Hostel is situated in San Francisco, 1 km from Union Square and 1.1 km from Coit Tower.

Staff is really friendly and helpful (big thank you to Asad) Always clean Social activities everyday Safe location Very cool people
Scored 8.8
8.8
Rated fabulous
Fabulous
339 reviews
Price from
£74.97
per night
Green Tortoise Hostel, hotel in San Francisco

Located in the lively North Beach Little Italy district, this San Francisco hostel is just 3 minutes’ walk to the renowned City Lights Bookstore and the entertainment district. Free WiFi is provided.

private double rooms in a different building, very quite and clean. breakfast is nice and people absolutely friendly. lots of help when needed
Scored 8.8
8.8
Rated fabulous
Fabulous
911 reviews
Price from
£97.30
per night
Chapter San Francisco, hotel in San Francisco

Located in San Francisco and within 1.4 km of San Francisco City Hall, Chapter San Francisco features a shared lounge, non-smoking rooms, and free WiFi.

Very good value for money, especially for the private pods that happen to be very silent and comfortable. Common area is nice and well kept. It is close to a Whole Foods store.
Scored 8.9
8.9
Rated fabulous
Fabulous
764 reviews
Price from
£56.31
per night
Orange Village Hostel, hotel in San Francisco

Located in Central San Francisco, Orange Village Hostel is just 5 minutes’ walk from Union Square. A fully equipped kitchen and free WiFi access are featured at this hostel.

One guy behind the check in was really nice/ kind. Helped look after bags and provided coins for laundry. Also let me check in half hour early (2:30 pm) which was very kind. Cleaners are good on regularly checking rooms throughout the day WiFi is good Locker storage space under bed for big bags to be safe Orange juice and toast at breakfast was brilliant
Scored 7.8
7.8
Rated good
Good
2,599 reviews
Price from
£76.83
per night
Amsterdam Hostel, hotel in San Francisco

Conveniently located just 8 minutes' walk from San Francisco’s fashionable Union Square, Amsterdam Hostel places guests in Central San Francisco.

nothing
Scored 7.4
7.4
Rated good
Good
1,511 reviews
Price from
£58.72
per night
Adelaide Hostel, hotel in San Francisco

This San Francisco hostel is conveniently located within 5 minutes’ walk of Union Square. Each guest room includes free Wi-Fi.

The hostel has a strong smell, similar to incense, which also spreads throughout the room; the odor was quite intense. The hostel is good for a short stay. We stayed in a private room with a bathroom, and the space is small. The shower is very strong and hot. The only issue is that there is no ventilation, so there is a risk of triggering the fire alarm due to the steam. The room does not have air conditioning or a fan. Even though San Francisco is a cooler city, we had to sleep with the window open every night because it got quite warm. Keeping the window open makes street noise a problem. The location is great, close to everything, with easy access to public transportation and not many homeless people around. It’s a good hostel.
Scored 7.5
7.5
Rated good
Good
928 reviews
Price from
£62.05
per night
All hostels in San Francisco

Looking for a hostel?

Budget travellers know that there is no better way to make the most of their trip than by staying at a hostel: save money for exploring during the day, and swap stories with fellow backpackers in the shared kitchen or bar in the evening. Dorm-style bedrooms with shared bathrooms are standard hostel fare, but private rooms are also available for those willing to pay a bit more.
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  • HI San Francisco Downtown Hostel
    Scored 8.4
    8.4
    Rated very good
    Very good
     · 3,885 reviews

    Centrally located in San Francisco just 5 minutes’ walk from shopping and dining in Union Square, Each bright room is practically furnished.

    Everything was great, awesome vibe, free breakfast!

  • Orange Village Hostel
    Scored 7.8
    7.8
    Rated good
    Good
     · 2,599 reviews

    Located in Central San Francisco, Orange Village Hostel is just 5 minutes’ walk from Union Square. A fully equipped kitchen and free WiFi access are featured at this hostel.

    Good staff always there to help we like that place

  • Perramont Hotel
    Scored 7.1
    7.1
    Rated good
    Good
     · 176 reviews

    Located 5 minutes’ walk from Duboce Park, this San Francisco hotel is located in the Castro District. The Castro Theatre, shops and cafes are 10 minutes’ walk away. Free Wi-Fi is provided in rooms.

    Lo céntrico, la atención, relación costo-beneficio

  • European Hostel
    Budget options available
    Scored 4.6
    4.6
    Rated disappointing
    Disappointing
     · 576 reviews

    This San Francisco hostel is located 3 blocks from cable cars and the Civic Center. The hostel features a full-service kitchen and rooftop balcony with views of downtown.

    The price - comphort - Stay More than you can ask for

  • Adelaide Hostel
    Scored 7.5
    7.5
    Rated good
    Good
     · 928 reviews

    This San Francisco hostel is conveniently located within 5 minutes’ walk of Union Square. Each guest room includes free Wi-Fi.

    Everything was good. Beds were comfortable and clean.

  • Luz Hotel
    Budget options available
    Scored 7.6
    7.6
    Rated good
    Good
     · 176 reviews

    Built in 1907, this San Francisco hotel is 10 minutes’ walk to Union Square. Free WiFi and a TV with HBO film channels are offered in all guest rooms.

    the staff. nicest staff I ever bump into!! no doubt

  • Pyramid Nightly Stays
    Scored 4.7
    4.7
    Rated disappointing
    Disappointing
     · 3 reviews

    Situated conveniently in the Financial District district of San Francisco, Pyramid Nightly Stays is set 1.1 km from Union Square, 1.1 km from Coit Tower and 1.6 km from Moscone Center.

Great access to the city centre! Check these hostels in San Francisco

  • ITH San Francisco Pacific Tradewinds Hostel
    Scored 8.8
    8.8
    Rated fabulous
    Fabulous
     · 339 reviews

    Boasting a shared lounge and free WiFi, ITH San Francisco Pacific Tradewinds Hostel is situated in San Francisco, 1 km from Union Square and 1.1 km from Coit Tower.

    Good location. Amazing atmosphere with people from different countries.

  • Green Tortoise Hostel
    Scored 8.8
    8.8
    Rated fabulous
    Fabulous
     · 911 reviews

    Located in the lively North Beach Little Italy district, this San Francisco hostel is just 3 minutes’ walk to the renowned City Lights Bookstore and the entertainment district. Free WiFi is provided.

    Shared breakfast with people from all over the world

  • Samesun San Francisco
    Scored 8.5
    8.5
    Rated very good
    Very good
     · 3,586 reviews

    Located within 2.6 km of Crissy Field East Beach and less than 1 km of Ghirardelli Square, Samesun San Francisco provides rooms with air conditioning and a private bathroom in San Francisco.

    Liked the vibe. It felt relaxed yet professionally run.

  • Music City Hotel - Home of the San Francisco Music Hall of Fame
    Scored 8.1
    8.1
    Rated very good
    Very good
     · 840 reviews

    Music-themed, boutique lifestyle hotel & hostel, now with onsite bar & restaurant and newly renovated common areas.

    The dorms are nice, since you get a lot of privacy.

FAQ about hostels in San Francisco

Hostels that guests love in San Francisco

  • Scored 8.2
    8.2
    Rated very good
    Very good
     · 3,216 reviews
    The rooms are freshly renovated. They are clean and comfortable. Parking spaces are available in the garage. Rooms are cleaned (only) on request. Safe and refrigerator available.We were able to store our luggage there after checking out. Great location on Lombard Street.
    Kenan
    Family with young children
  • Avg. price/night: £112.37
    Scored 8.8
    8.8
    Rated fabulous
    Fabulous
     · 339 reviews
    Great location, lots of daily activities and recommendations for things to do in the area. Something they do that I haven't seen any other hostel do is the bunk beds are attached to the walls. That means they don't move around or make a noise which is a big positive if you have a restless sleeper in the bed above or below you. Overall it is a quiet hostel during the night
    Jeff
    Solo traveller
  • Avg. price/night: £157.33
    Scored 8.4
    8.4
    Rated very good
    Very good
     · 3,885 reviews
    Great location, easy to walk around and really safe. The facilities are great. And the hostel was very clean. I would stay there again for sure.
    Thais
    Solo traveller
  • Avg. price/night: £112.37
    Scored 8.8
    8.8
    Rated fabulous
    Fabulous
     · 339 reviews
    This place is one of the best hostels I've ever stayed at. The staff were so helpful and friendly. The location of the hostel is perfect and it’s in a nice and safe place. I would definitely be back to this place in the future.
    Shelby
    Solo traveller
  • Avg. price/night: £67.52
    Scored 5.8
    5.8
    Rated okay
    Above average
     · 719 reviews
    Super convenient location and affordable price are the only pros. Better than a bunk bed in a shared room in the hostel, so will do for a couple of nights if you are young, on a very tight budget and NOT a light sleeper.
    Gari
    Solo traveller
  • Avg. price/night: £269.23
    Scored 7.9
    7.9
    Rated good
    Good
     · 1,958 reviews
    This is literally the best hostel I have stayed at in over 4 months of travelling around the world. Its free amenities, fair prices for a central San Francisco area location and immaculately clean facilities make it the best budget open in San Fran.
    Jamie
    Young couple
  • Avg. price/night: £406.87
    Scored 6.4
    6.4
    Rated pleasant
    Pleasant
     · 327 reviews
    Excellent. What a budget hotel should be. Staff was great, all 4 of them, even the security guy was nice. Room was clean, bathroom was clean despite of being shared. Great location. they kept my bags locked safely before and after check in and out for no extra charge.
    gilles
    Solo traveller
  • Avg. price/night: £157.33
    Scored 8.4
    8.4
    Rated very good
    Very good
     · 3,885 reviews
    Listen up solo travelers: this hostel is perfect for you. I felt safe all the time and had an awesome week here in San Francisco. You’ll meet so many new people in the hostel and together (or alone) you can discover the beautiful city. If you need more input HI downtown hostel also provides a lot of information about awesome activities! I loved it here and will definitely come back!
    A
    Anonymous
    Solo traveller
  • Avg. price/night: £157.33
    Scored 8.4
    8.4
    Rated very good
    Very good
     · 3,885 reviews
    Bunk beds are great: not shaky even the top one) and équipes with USB and regular power sockets as well as a small shelf (Very convenient to put glasses, phone and other small valuables when sleeping). Great kitchen, living room, lobby. Great location. Staff helpful and friendly. Built-in laundry with good Quality machines and cheap prices. 10/10 recommend
    Michael
    Solo traveller
  • Avg. price/night: £619.14
    Scored 7.9
    7.9
    Rated good
    Good
     · 1,007 reviews
    Old fashioned with all the pluses and minuses from that. Helpful staff, almost feels like family. Old-fashioned decor. No A/c but ceiling fan. Best shower in SF. Big safe. Continental breakfast on each floor from 7.00am. 12.00pm check-out. Happy to keep luggage before and after stay. Avis/budget across the street. And GREAT location for Union Square etc. Altogether fantastic value for the modest price.
    Candid Mark
    Solo traveller

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