New York is one of the most popular and visited cities in the world, but it is also one of the most expensive. Hotel prices here are sky high, some even hundreds of dollars per night for just a basic room with no luxuries.
This is why hostels are such a great option, they offer an affordable place to stay at a much cheaper price meaning you have more money to spend on sightseeing.
There are lots of hostels and budget accommodation available in Manhattan, Brooklyn and the other New York boroughs. Some are party hostels with huge dorm rooms perfect for solo travellers, whilst others are more quiet and offer private rooms ideal for couples and families.
Check out our guide to the best top rated hostels in NYC and book a great place to stay today.
1. HI NYC Hostel
Hostelling International New York is our number one place to stay in New York City. This hostel is huge, one of the biggest in North America and has so many amazing facilities and social activities.
Hi Hostel is located on the upper west side of New York, 1 block from Broadway Street and a 10-minute walk to Central Park.
You can choose between dormitory-style rooms with shared bathrooms. Linens, towels and a housekeeping service are provided. There is also a games room with pool tables. Guests have free access to the large community kitchen and can get beverages and snacks from the café. There is also free Wi-Fi, a movie lounge, and a large patio.
One of the other benefits of staying here include the hostel arranging lots of social activities including pub crawls, night club events and in-house comedy and variety shows which are great way to meet other people from all over the world, explore new places and have a lot of fun.
Hi Hostel is a 10 minute walk from 103rd Street Subway Station, and Times Square is a 10-minute taxi drive away.
Address: 891 Amsterdam Avenue, Upper West Side, New York, NY 10025
2. Jazz on Columbus Circle Hostel
Jazz on Columbus Circle Hostel has one of the best locations of all the hostels on our list with Columbus Circle and Central Park both being minutes away. Free WiFi is offered.
Some units feature a seating area where you can relax. All rooms are fitted with a private bathroom fitted with a shower. A flat-screen TV is featured.
There is a 24-hour front desk at the property. A continental breakfast is offered.
Carnegie Hall is 350 yards from Jazz on Columbus Circle Hostel, while Broadway Theatre is 350 yards away. The nearest airport is La Guardia Airport, 5.6 miles from Jazz on Columbus Circle Hostel.
Address: 940 8th Avenue, New York, NY 10019
3. Chelsea International Hostel
Chelsea International Hostel in New York provides adults-only accommodation with a shared lounge, a garden and a terrace. The property is around 1.2 miles from NYU – New York University, 1.2 miles from Empire State Building and 1.3 miles from Macy’s. The accommodation offers a shared kitchen and free WiFi throughout the property.
At the hostel, all rooms include a private bathroom with a shower.
Address: 251 W 20th St, Chelsea, New York, NY 10011, United States
4. Central Park West Hostel
Located in New York City’s Upper West Side, this hostel is a block from the 86th street underground station and 2 blocks from Central Park. It offers Wi-Fi and staff-organized events.
A shared kitchen, café area, and spacious lounge with a flat-screen TV are part of the facilities at the FIT Hotel. Lockers are provided in the dormitory rooms and luggage storage is available.
The front desk of this New York City hostel is open 24 hours a day. It features daily housekeeping and free linens. The American Museum of Natural History is a 15-minute walk from the NYC FIT Hotel. Times Square is only 10 minutes via underground journey.
Address: 201 West 87th Street, Upper West Side, New York, NY10024
5. West Side YMCA
Located 50 yards away from Central Park, this hostel is located on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, just 5 minutes’ walk from Columbus Circle. WiFi access is provided free of charge to guests.
A desk, a TV and air conditioning are provided in each room at West Side YMCA. Linens and towels are included as well. All rooms have access to a shared bathroom down the hall.
A 24-hour front desk welcomes guests to West Side YMCA. The property features a 65000 square-feet fitness centre that comes with a sauna, steam room, weight-lifting and cardiovascular equipment and 2 indoor swimming pools. There are several free weekly group exercise classes for guests as well. These classes are subject to availability.
Lincoln Center is just 350 yards from the hostel, while Carnegie Hall is 750 yards away. The American Museum of Natural History is 15 minutes’ walk away.
Address: 5 West 63rd Street, Upper West Side, New York, NY 10023
6. Jazz on the Park Youth Hostel
This New York hostel is located at a 2-minute walk from Central Park and 400 yards from the 103rd Street Subway Station. The hostel features a 24-hours front desk and free WiFi.
Jazz on the Park Hostel features dormitories and private rooms. The hostel offers luggage storage to guests. Dorms at the Jazz on the Park feature lockers. Bathrooms are centrally located on each floor.
Jazz on the Park Hostel is 1.4 miles from American Museum of Natural History. Columbia University is 0.7 miles from the hostel.
Address: 36 West 106 Street, Upper West Side, New York, NY 10025
New York really is a city you need to visit with hundreds of tourist attractions and things to do. No matter what time of year you visit you can enjoy a magical experience in the city that never sleeps.
Before departing there are so many things to consider before visiting New York and accommodation is something really important especially considering rooms fill up quick especially during peak times of the year like summer and the Christmas and New Year holidays. Also New York is a city with some of the most 5 star hotels and prices are really high especially compared to other cities in the states.
Staying in a hostel and booking somewhere to stay in advance can really save you a lot of money. Even prices for a standard dorm room can be expensive, expect to pay around $30-$60 per night but discounts are sometimes available especially if you stay more than one night.
Whatever price you pay though, it is worth it to experience the atmosphere, sounds and world famous tourist attractions in NYC that make this one of the greatest cities on the planet.
