If you are looking for the best hostels in India for foreigners, look no further. Accommodations are an important factor while planning your trip, and hostels are a fun stay, especially for backpackers and solo travelers. Not only are they more budget-friendly, but they also allow you to meet other travellers and make friends along the way. Here is our list of some of the best hostels in India for foreigners.
Zostel (Multiple locations)
Zostel is the pioneer of backpacker hostels in India. Started in 2013, it is the largest hostel chain in the country with more than 60 locations across India. Varanasi and Spiti Zostel are especially popular among travelers, with great reviews for their location and service.
Every Zostel property provides various regionally curated experiences, such as nature trails and treks, adventure activities, and local arts. Zostel also offers different types of accommodations: Zostel Hostels are the perfect option for backpackers, solo travelers, couples, and small groups. Zostel Homes are family accommodations like homestays and lodges, while Zostel Plus offer luxury accommodations for a unique stay. All in all, there is a Zostel for everyone while you are traveling.
The Hosteller (Multiple locations)
The Hosteller is a chain of hostels across many travel destinations and metro cities in India like Rishikesh, Goa, Jaipur, Himachal Pradesh, Mumbai, Delhi, and Bengaluru. Founded in 2014, the hostel chain offers an affordable and safe experience for all travelers.
The hostels provide uniform service across all properties and offer shared dorms, private rooms, common areas and workspaces. The hostels also offer fun community activities such as karaoke, movie nights, curated tours, camping, and more. Providing a clean and safe space for backpackers, digital nomads, and solo travelers, The Hosteller is one of the best hostel chains in India.
Read more: Top hostels in North India
The Hosteller Lansdowne (Picture credits: The Hosteller)
Moustache Escapes (Multiple locations)
A part of India Hostels Pvt Ltd, Moustache Escapes have around 20 properties across India, including hostels, boutique hotels, homestays, and luxury stays. The most well-loved Moustache properties are the ones in Pushkar, Jaipur, Udaipur, and Varanasi, perfect for backpackers and travelers.
Moustache Escapes sets itself apart through beautiful interiors, vibrant artwork, and rooftop cafes. There are shared living areas and various events like workshops, cultural walks, and meditation sessions.
These properties are safe for female and solo travelers. An added advantage is that they are present in cities that are major tourist attractions.
Moustache Escapes Mukteshwar (Picture credits: Moustache Escapes)
Madpackers (Multiple locations)
Madpackers is another fast-growing youth hostel chain in various destinations across India. A good option for budget travelers, solo backpackers, and digital nomads, Madpackers Pushkar, Jaipur, and Rishikesh hostels are the best-loved.
Easy on the pocket, Madpackers hostels are located in good neighborhoods and have a 24/7 staff, making them safe for women. Beautiful artwork, rooftop cafes, common workspaces, and terraces just add to its charm.
goSTOPS (Multiple locations)
goSTOPS is a vibrant hostel chain expanding quite rapidly in India with properties in more than 20 locations including Jaipur, Delhi, Mumbai, Agra, Udaipur, and Jaisalmer. The hostels are vibrant, focusing more on young backpackers and travelers, with community events like painting workshops and karaoke nights.
The hostels offer various categories of accommodation such as mixed dorms, female-only and male-only dorms, and private rooms, as well as cafes, co-working spaces, and high-speed WiFi. With digital door locks and privacy curtains, safety and security is also not compromised here. Female travelers also feel safe here, since there are female-only dorms available, and the option to shift dorms if you feel uncomfortable in a mixed dorm.
See more: Hostel hopping through Rajasthan
goSTOPS Udaipur (Picture credits: goSTOPS)
Backpacker Panda (Multiple locations)
Backpacker Panda is also a popular chain of hostels across India, with properties in Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore, Goa, Manali, and Pushkar. Offering budget-friendly stays for backpackers, female, and solo travelers, these properties are located at convenient locations for ease of travel.
Youth Hostel (Youth Hostels Association of India)
The official Indian wing of Hostelling International, YHAI has more than 75 hostels across India in major cities, near trekking destinations, and popular tourist places. These hostels are quite affordable, but much more basic as compared to many others on the list. These are not the hostels for you if you are looking for a social or party vibe.
You will need a membership to book a Youth Hostel, but it is an easy process. You can get a Hostelling International membership in your home country and the same can be used while booking a Youth Hostel in India. If you are already here, there are a few YHAI hostels that allow foreigners to buy immediate membership.
Live Free Hostel, Rishikesh
Live Free Hostel in Rishikesh has been one of the most popular among backpackers in India. Started in 2017, tLive Free is loved by travelers across the world who visit Rishikesh. There is so much to do here – community dinners, musical gigs, festival celebrations, and gatherings. The hostel also provides local experiences, cultural tours, and adventure activities like camping, trekking, and river rafting.
The hostel also provides basic amenities like Wi-fi, privacy curtains, indoor games, CCTV cameras outside, and toiletries. It is also pet-friendly, another plus for people traveling with pets.
The Bucket List Hostel, Goa
Located 5 minutes away from Vagator Beach, The Bucket List Hostel in North Goa is a backpacker-favorite. This is not a luxury hostel; rather, you will find bamboo-style rooms, live music, hammocks, and communal spaces, ideal for backpackers and solo travelers looking to socialize.
Play fun games like beer pong and beer challenge, enjoy pool parties and live music as well as community dinners. For some quiet time, chill in a hammock with a book in hand, or play board games, practise yoga, or go on a cycle tour.
However, if you want a quieter stay, this might not be the best place for you, since The Bucket List Hostel is all about social energy and your typical backpacker hostel culture.
See also: Backpacker hostels in South India
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Frequently Asked Questions
Zostel is the largest hostel chain in India with hostels in more than 60 destinations across India and Nepal.
Yes, a hostel is definitely more budget friendly than a hotel. Most hostels have shared rooms and dorms, making them a lot more affordable.
Into the Unknown Hostel in Tapovan is the largest hostel in India with a hundred beds.
While hostels are primarily known for rooms on a shared basis in 2-bed, 4-bed, 6-bed, and 8-bed dorms, there are quite a few hostels which offer private rooms as well. This way, you get the privacy you need while also being able to socialize in the shared spaces.
About Aishwarya Shete
Aishwarya Shete is a content writer at India Someday. Her passions are writing, photography, and more importantly, food. She hopes to travel the world someday and document it through her pictures and words.
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