Best Cheap Hostels In Belfast
Two things we look for when we travel - great value and great atmosphere! That is precisely what our list of the best cheap hostels in Belfast will provide!
We know that booking a trustworthy hostel is crucial for having a great time in a new city, so read to discover some brilliant recommendations from our home city of Belfast.
In this article, we outline the best cheap hostels in Northern Ireland’s capital city by assessing how affordable they are, where they are in relation to Belfast city centre and how good the quality of reviews they receive are.
So, let’s dive into: Best cheap hostels in Belfast
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Best cheap hostels in Belfast Overview
Overall best hostel in Belfast: Vagabonds
Cheapest hostel in Belfast: Belfast International Youth Hostel
Best hostel in Belfast for solo travellers: Global Village
Best hostel in Belfast for a longer stay: Botanical Backpackers
Hostels in Belfast
While Belfast is undoubtedly gaining a reputation for being one of the most up-and-coming cities to visit in Europe, the hostel scene in the city still has a long way to go. Having said that, however, you can still find a great hostel in Belfast if you know where to look.
One of our tips for making the most out of your trip to Belfast is to try and stay as centrally located as possible. To make your life easier, we have assembled a list of what we believe to be the best cheap hostels in Belfast and added a comment on how close they are to the city centre.
We’ve assessed everything a good hostel should have and made sure that the hostels on this list all have:
Good price - they need to be affordable for a budget-traveller
Good location - the hostel needs to be close to the major sites in Belfast
Good reviews - there is no better way to assess how good a hostel is than reading the reviews by fellow travellers
Good vibes - this one is harder to assess, but we try and give you an idea of whether the hostel has a party vibe, chill vibe or is better for digital nomads
Overall Best Hostel in Belfast: Vagabonds Belfast
Our first option and top choice for the best cheap hostel in Belfast is Vagabonds. The backpackers hostel is found just next to Queen’s University, close to the Ulster Museum and the botanical gardens, two of the best free things to do in Belfast.
Vagabonds is a short 15-minute walk from Belfast city centre and has a reputation for being the cleanest hostel in Belfast. On top of that, Vagabonds is home to extremely friendly staff and provides a brilliant experience overall.
As if that wasn’t enough, Vagabonds also offers complimentary continental breakfast and access to a movie room - perfect for those travel days when you need to relax and chill out.
Vagabonds isn’t the cheapest hostel on this list, but it’s certainly worth paying that little bit extra because it translates to a lot more quality.
Average price per night for a hostel dorm bed: £25
See Vagabonds Belfast on Google Maps
Read more reviews on Hostelworld
Cheapest Hotel in Belfast: Belfast International Youth Hostel
Belfast’s oldest and biggest hostel, the Belfast International Youth Hostel, advertises itself as having no gimmicks - just a clean, safe space to stay for the night, and we absolutely agree.
Belfast International Youth Hostel is a 5-minute walk from Queen’s University and a 10-minute walk from Belfast city centre, making it the best-located hostel on our list.
BIYH is not a party hostel. Instead, it values a relaxing and quiet atmosphere that is perfect for travellers looking to get up early and explore as much of Belfast as they possibly can.
A coffee station with a microwave, toaster and kettle means you have everything you need to go self-catered throughout your stay, too. Overall, you really cannot complain about the great value for money that Belfast International Youth Hostel offers.
Average price per night for a hostel dorm bed: £19
See Belfast International Youth Hostel on Google Maps
Read more reviews on Hostelworld
Best Hostel in Belfast for Solo Travellers: Global Village Hostel
Found near the university, only a few streets from the botanical gardens, Global Village is one of the best hostels in Belfast and certainly worth considering when looking for a cheap place to stay in Belfast city centre.
Global Village is a great place to meet fellow travellers in Belfast as it promotes a pleasant and friendly atmosphere. The staff always offer advice on the best things to do in Belfast and are there to help you whenever needed.
Overall, it is a very friendly hostel that can be the perfect place to stay in Belfast, particularly if you’re a solo traveller looking to meet like-minded people on your travels.
Average price per night for a hostel dorm bed: £20
See Global Village Hostel on Google Maps
Read more reviews on Hostelworld
Best Hostel in Belfast for Digital Nomads: Botanical Backpackers
The cosiest hostel on our list, Botanical Backpackers, is one of the best hostels in Belfast because of the intimate and personal feel of the place - they only have 18 beds in total, adding to a warm and friendly atmosphere.
You can start off your day exploring Belfast with a hearty meal as Botanical Backpackers offers a complimentary breakfast (vegan and gluten-free options, too).
It does feel like one of the hidden gems of Belfast as the hostel is home to a well-equipped kitchen and a cosy shared living area, and guests even have access to guitars and a record player.
A feature of the hostel that we love is that organised tours start directly from the hostel doors. So if you want to visit the Giant’s Causeway or partake in a great political black taxi of Belfast, then Botanical Backpackers can organise it for you.
Average price per night for a hostel dorm bed: £25-40 (you get a much better rate for a longer stay)
See Botanical Backpackers on Google Maps
Read more reviews on Hostelworld
Best Party Hostel in Belfast: Paddy’s Palace Belfast
Next up on our list of the best cheap hostels in Belfast is Paddy’s Palace Belfast, another hostel located very close to Queen’s University and only a 10-minute walk into Belfast city centre.
Paddy’s Palace is a great place to stay for people visiting Belfast who simply need a bed to sleep in for the night. This place has no frills or gimmicks; it’s an old-fashioned hostel where you can rest your head for a good night’s sleep.
There is a shared kitchen on-site, and guests also have access to private lockers to store all of their things.
Average price per night for a hostel dorm bed: £20
See Paddy’s Palace on Google Maps
Read more reviews on Booking.com
Best Located Hostel in Belfast: Lagan Backpackers
Our next choice for the best cheap hostels in Belfast is Lagan Backpackers. The hostel can be found very close to Queen’s University in central Belfast, a 15-20 minute walk into Belfast city centre.
One thing that sets the Lagan Backpackers apart is the promise of a complimentary continental breakfast included in the price. Expect freshly cooked eggs with toast, tea and coffee.
Each hostel room contains individual lockers, which is great for looking after your valuables. Lagan Backpackers is also home to a cinema room, great for kicking back and relaxing with Netflix after a busy day exploring all of the sights of Belfast.
While we would generally say they are better hostels on this list, you can't go wrong for the price of Lagan Backpackers.
Average price per night for a hostel dorm bed: £20
See Lagan Backpackers on Google Maps
Read more reviews on Hostelworld
Tips for staying in Hostels in Belfast (and elsewhere)
When we travel, we prefer to stay in hostels. It’s our preferred accommodation option because it’s affordable and you get to meet people from around the world. Over the years, we have learned plenty of tips for surviving in hostels as a couple and so we thought we’d share a few of them here for you.
Even if you are a solo traveller, these tips are going to help you out when you’re staying in a hostel in Belfast - and anywhere else in the world, for that matter.
Bring some great travel games with you - it’s our number one tip for meeting new people at a hostel. Playing some of the best travel games is a super easy ice-breaker and a great way to socialise in a hostel!
Use a towel as a privacy curtain on a bed - not all hostel rooms have curtains on the beds, so one of our best packing tips for long-term travel is to bring a set of quick-dry microfiber towels with you and use one as a regular towel and the other can double-up as a curtain for that bit of extra privacy.
Belfast is cold, and hostels want to save money - staying in a hostel in Belfast is not like staying at a hostel in South America; it’s going to be cold and often, hostels want to save money by leaving the heating off. Bring a few extra layers, particularly for those colder winter nights in Belfast!
Giant’s Causeway - a great place to visit on a day-trip from Belfast
There we have it folks, a complete round-up of the best cheap hostels in Belfast. Northern Ireland’s dynamic capital city is a great place for a European city break and we hope this list of hostels helps you to find an outstanding, affordable accommodation option for your stay in Belfast.
Bonus Belfast Travel Tips
Here are some links to articles that we think will come in handy for your upcoming trip to Belfast.
Titanic Museum Guide - everything you need to know about visiting Titanic Belfast
How to visit Belfast Castle - step-by-step guide on how to get to Belfast Castle in North Belfast
Best Tours in Belfast - embarking on a tour is the best way to discover everything Belfast has to offer
How to get from Belfast International Airport to Belfast City Centre
