Calgary is a city of contrasts. It may be renowned as the energy capital of Canada, but it’s also known as Cowtown, a tribute to its western heritage. Stroll the streets, and you’ll find both contemporary art galleries and traditional rodeos with skyscrapers trying to compete with the mountains on the horizon.
You’ll obviously need a good place to stay, which is why we created this guide on the best hostels in Calgary.
So put on your cowboy boots (or charge your Tesla very cost-effectively?); here are the 3 best hostels in Calgary.
Our favorite hostels in Calgary are:
- Wicked Hostels - Calgary - best for social butterflies
- HI Calgary City Centre Hostel - best for groups and families
- The Calgary Hub hostel style Home - best for backpackers
Money-saving tip: Compare hostel prices with Hostelz.com. They compare prices from Hostelworld, Booking.com and others with 1 click.
1. Wicked Hostels - Calgary
2. HI Calgary City Centre Hostel
3. The Calgary Hub hostel style Home
If you’re hopping around, we have other guides that might come in helpful, like our guide on the best hostels in Canada or the one on the best hostels in Toronto.
This guide is perfect for YOU, when you…
- are tired of crappy hostels!
- want a social Hostel to actually meet people
- are happy to spend $1 to $2 more for a much better experience
You can find all 5 Star Hostels here with Hostelgeeks and all guides to “Best Hostels In” here.
Quick Introduction to Calgary
Average price for a bed: Hostels in Calgary cost $26 – $30 per night for a bed in a dorm. A private room has an average of around $103 per night. This is a rough average, just to give you an idea.
Prices always depend on the season and holidays. Please always check the exact rates on Hostelz.com or Hostelworld.com.
Check-In and Check-Out: The average check-in time is from 15:00 (3 pm), while the Check-Out time is before 11:00 (11 am). Hostels usually offer luggage storage in case you arrive earlier or leave later. Make sure you check if luggage storage is free or if there is an extra cost.
Transportation in Calgary: Calgary has an extensive bus system that you can pay for with cash or buy tickets at various retail stores. Additionally, Calgary has two Light Rail Transit (LRT) lines, known as the C-Train, which you can pay for with cash or credit. Ticket prices are the same as the bus.
Also, the downtown core of Calgary offers free rides on the C-Train between the City Hall Station and Downtown West/Kerby Station, but you must have a ticket once you leave the free zone.
Other options include taxis (but they aren’t cheap) and ride-sharing options like Uber. Locals often opt for bicycles instead, as the city is known for its number of cycling paths, designated bike lanes, and bike-sharing programs.
When is the cheapest time to visit Calgary: Winter! But although the prices are lower, so are the temperatures, so make sure to dress adequately.
Calgary travel info:
- Electrical plug types: A and B with 120 V electricity
- International Dialing codes: + 1403
- Emergency telephone number: 911 (for police, firefighters, and paramedics)
🎁 New to Hostels? Read my guide to staying in a Hostel for the First Time here. I especially recommend reading:
- How to book hostels?
- Understanding Hostels in Europe - and what makes them special
The 3 Best Hostels in Calgary are …
Let’s jump right into the coolest hostels in Calgary.
- Wicked Hostels - Calgary – best for social butterflies
- HI Calgary City Centre Hostel – best for groups and families
- The Calgary Hub hostel style Home – best for backpackers
These are our favorite hostels in Calgary. We want to make your life even easier, so we put all accommodations on a map for you. We even added our own tips for favorite restaurants, things to see, and more.
1. Wicked Hostels - Calgary
2. HI Calgary City Centre Hostel
3. The Calgary Hub hostel style Home
Overview: Best Hostels by Traveler Type
| 🦸 Solo Traveler: | The Calgary Hub hostel style Home |
| 👨👩👦 Family Hostel: | HI Calgary City Centre Hostel |
| 🎒 for Backpacker: | The Calgary Hub hostel style Home |
| 👯 For Groups: | HI Calgary City Centre Hostel |
| 👫 For Socializing: | Wicked Hostels - Calgary |
1. Wicked Hostels - Calgary
Wicked Hostels - Calgary is an awesome option for people who want to meet fellow travelers and make new friends.
This Calgary hostel has the following facilities:
- A shared kitchen
- free breakfast
- Two shared lounges
- A library
- A cinema room
- A game area
- Business facilities
Wicked Hostel offers travelers a range of accommodation options, from shared dormitories to private rooms with towels and linens. Here, you’ll have access to free international calling to 120 countries and free laundry service (if you stay for more than 3 nights).
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
This is one of the best hostels in Calgary for events as they organize them almost every single day, like Krazy Karaoke Night, Wicked Wings Night, and Pub Crawls. With them, you’ll also get free entry to some bar and club events in Calgary.
Location: This property is nestled right in the heart of Calgary, just 150m from a C-Train station. The Red Mile district is a short walk away, and the Calgary city center and CORE Shopping Center are only 19 minutes away.
The best choice in Calgary for
- Social butterflies
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
2. HI Calgary City Centre Hostel
HI Calgary City Centre Hostel is the best hostel in Calgary for friend groups and families.
Here, you’ll find:
- BBQ facilities
- A lounge with a Billiard table
- 24/7 reception
- A reading room
- A shared kitchen
This newly renovated hostel features mixed female and male dormitory rooms with individual lockers, bed lights, and a shared bathroom.
Guests can also enjoy the convenience of private and family rooms with en-suite bathrooms. HI Calgary City Center provides a delicious breakfast and free, continuous coffee and tea daily.
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
The atmosphere is overall very friendly and familiar, with accommodating hosts and staff.
Location: The City Hall transit stop is a mere two minutes away and provides free transportation around the city center. Studio Bell and the Central Library are a 3-minute walk from the residence, and the Calgary Stampede is 10 minutes away.
Allied Airport Shuttle Bus stops across the street from the hostel, and the Banff Express shuttle offers to pick up from the hostel for daily trips to Canmore and Banff.
A great choice for
- Friend groups
- Families
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
3. The Calgary Hub hostel style Home
The Calgary Hub hostel style Home is our favorite Calgary hostel for backpackers.
On-site, you’ll find:
- A shared lounge
- A terrace
- A shared kitchen
Bob and Martika’s place has it all – free waffles, comfy beds, and friendly owners who go above and beyond. Their hospitality and indigenous-style decor create a very warm and familiar stay.
Travelers can easily access the bus stop for shopping and downtown, and there’s plenty of street parking for vehicles.
Location: In the suburbs, surrounded by small parks with easy access to a bus stop about a 10-minute walk from the hostel.
This is one of the best hostels in Calgary for
- Backpackers
Check prices at:
Booking.com | Hostelz.com
Best Hostels in Calgary for Solo Travelers?
We think that the best hostel in Calgary is The Calgary Hub hostel style Home. This hostel has an incredibly familiar warm atmosphere that will make you feel right at home as soon as you enter it.
Its hosts are lovely, and although the location isn’t central, it’s easy to get around.
Check prices at:
Booking.com | Hostelz.com
More Hostels worth a mention
At the moment, we think you are all set with the hostels we just shared with you. We always try to keep our guides super fresh and up to date. We might add more hostels worth a mention here in the future if we feel that it could enrich your travel and hostel experience.
What about the cheapest hostels in Calgary?
Of course, there are always cheap hostels. But how do you actually find them? When you are traveling on a shoe-string budget and you want to save every dollar, there are ways to find the cheapest places in Calgary.
- Open Hostelz.com with a full list of all hostels in Calgary
- add your dates
- Order the listings by price
Simple as that.
Hostelz.com is a price comparison site for hostels. They list every single one in the world and tells you exactly which website is cheaper to use.
Another smart Tip: Check what is actually included, and what is excluded. Take a closer look at the location, too. A further location might mean more costs in transport.
Any Discounts?
From time to time, I receive special promo codes for booking platforms, hotels, or hostels. I will be sharing these here once received. Bookmark this page to get an update.
How to book?
The most popular booking platforms are Booking.com and Hostelworld.com. On both platforms, your credit card is 100% protected and the booking 100% confirmed.
I included some handy links to each of the recommended hostel. Just click on the hostel name. The link will lead you to check prices and availability.
I recommend booking your hostel as early as possible! All of Calgary best hostels are popular; especially in high-season. To make sure you end up in those stylish and good hostels, secure your room/bed as soon as you have your travel dates fix.
My Best Hostels in Calgary for Female Traveler on a Map + Sights
We’re listing all the three best Calgary hostels on a map to give you an idea of the location and distances between them.
FAQs
Here we share with you the most asked question:
More handmade Guides for you
Alright, this is your answer to where to stay in Calgary.
Discover all the best hostels in Canada for your backpacking trip.
We have more hostels guides that should come in handy:
- best hostels in Toronto
- best hostels in Vancouver
- best hostels in Montreal
- best hostels in Quebec City
- best hostels in Whistler
- best hostels in Ottawa
- best hostels in Boston
- best hostels in Banff
- best hostels in Jasper
- best hostels in Niagara Falls
- best hostels in Chicago, USA
- best hostels in Washington DC, USA
- best hostels in New York City, USA + Manhattan + Brooklyn
You can find all our new and updated articles for Best Hostels here.
We also created a huge guide to hostels. Here we cover how to build lifetime friendships in hostels, the perfect packing list, and more.
