Let’s not beat around the bush; you’re looking for the best hostels in Dubai, and we’re here to deliver the crème de la crème of hostels in the “City of Gold”.
In this ultramodern city that’s home to great nightlife, luxury shopping, and artificial islands, you’ll also have the chance to sleep in modern, comfortable accommodations. Most likely you will arrive at the Airport with your flights by Emirates. From here you simply take the metro.
Our favorite hostels in Dubai are:
- Bohemian Backpackers - best for Female Solo Travelers
- Bombay Backpackers DXB - best for Solo Traveler
- Dubai Beach Hostel - best for Backpackers
Important: I wrote down my best cheap things to do in Dubai – especially when on a layover only.
We also have a dedicated article for backpackers in Dubai: the best backpacker hostels in Dubai.
1. Bohemian Backpackers
2. Bombay Backpackers DXB
3. Dubai Beach Hostel
Honestly, the hostels here aren’t overly exciting despite this being a cosmopolitan metropolis focused on tourism. Still, the hospitality is great and the prices are agreeable for budget travelers.
If you’re backpacking the Middle East, have a look at our collection of the best hostels in Jerusalem and the coolest hostels in Tel Aviv, Israel.
This guide is perfect for YOU, when …
- tired of bad and crappy hostels
- want to avoid the “young party kids”
- happy to spend 1-2€ for a better experience
FYI: Sorry to say that Aiza Luxury Hostel has closed.
You can find all 5 5-star hostels here with Hostelgeeks and all the guides to “Best Hostels In” here.
Quick Introduction to Dubai
Average price for a bed: Hostels in Dubai cost 12€ – 30€ per night for a bed in a dorm. A private room starts from 35€ up to 45€ 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 Hostelworld.com or Booking.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.
Get around Dubai: The fastest, easiest, and cheapest way to get around is the Metro line. It connects the Airport with Burj Khalif and many main spots. It is so easy. For your first trip from the Dubai International Airport to the city center, I recommend buying the Golden Ticket. This allows you to take the first wagon with the best views of the city. It just costs a fraction more than the regular ticket.
Working Mens Hostel in Dubai: We had a look but we couldn’t find a decent working hostel that we’d recommend. Dubai Youth Hostel is an affordable, centrally located option worth checking out.
Budget: Dubai Budget Travel Guide.
🎁 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 Dubai are …
Let’s jump right into the coolest hostels in Dubai.
- Bohemian Backpackers – best for Female Solo Travelers
- Bombay Backpackers DXB – best for Solo Traveler
- Dubai Beach Hostel – best for Backpackers
These are our favorite hostels in Dubai. 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. Bohemian Backpackers
2. Bombay Backpackers DXB
3. Dubai Beach Hostel
Overview: Best Hostels by Traveler Type
| 🦸 Solo Traveler: | Bombay Backpackers DXB |
| 🙎♀️ best for Female Solo Traveler: | Bohemian Backpackers |
| 👫 For Socializing: | Bombay Backpackers DXB |
| 🥳 Party Hostel: | DXB Backpackers Dubai |
| 👩💻 For Digital Nomads: | Bohemian Backpackers |
| 🎒 For Backpackers: | Dubai Beach Hostel |
| 🤑 Budget-friendly: | Dubai Beach Hostel |
1. Bohemian Backpackers
Bohemian Backpackers is located on the 23rd floor with a breathtaking view of the marina from the balcony. This is a pleasant and very clean place. At the hostel, each room is equipped with a balcony. Plenty of storage space in the dorm.
The property also has a spacious common room for everyone to chill interact and play some games. This is a beautiful, stylishly decorated, and comfortable property in a great location. It has everything you could need and more.
Location: This hostel is located 300 m from Marina Beach. Location is just less than 5 min to the tram which connects with metro station. There is a shop for groceries just down the building. Near Bohemian Backpackers is also Hidden Beach, Barasti Beach, and The Walk at JBR.
This is one of the best hostels in Dubai for
- Female Solo Travelers
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
2. Bombay Backpackers DXB
If Bombay Backpackers DXB is a real backpacker hostel. The hostel is in a luxury apartment building and has an amazing view. Both the manager and owner are friendly and welcoming, and they do a great job keeping the place clean! The hostel is within walking distance of restaurants and the beach.
The facilities are really good, and you also have a private locker for your papers and money, and also a place for your bags. The bed sheets are regularly changed in the morning. The hostel has a very pleasant atmosphere, everything is clean and has everything you need (washing machine, ironing board, etc.)
Location: This hostel is located on the 18th Floor with a breathtaking view of Dubai Eye on Bluewaters Island and overlooking JBR Beach and The Walk JBR. It is 200 m from Marina Beach, 700 m from Hidden Beach, 2.4 km from Barasti Beach, and a few steps from The Walk at JBR.
This is one of the best hostels in Dubai for
- Solo Travelers
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
3. Dubai Beach Hostel
To finish off, we want to let you know about Dubai Beach Hostel which offers shared dorms exclusively for budget-conscious backpackers – great!
The hostel owners sum it up beautifully:
“A place where exchanges and good vibes punctuate the daily life of the hostel: you can enjoy discovering the culinary specialties of many countries, play cards, chess, ping pong, and get to know all the good things about Dubai from the very first days.”
The thing is, it doesn’t stop there! Other services to look forward to, include:
- Access to a gym & swimming pool
- Basketball court
- Balcony w/ views of Bluewaters Island
- Living room
- Shared kitchen & dining table
The best bit? Easily the balcony. It offers a 360-degree view of JBR beach, with seating and shisha. Nice.
Other freebies include free internet access, lockers, and towels.
As for the rooms, let us mention again that there are only shared dorms available here.
They include one 12-bed that is mixed, and two 8-bed dorms; one for men and one for women. All have air conditioning.
And guess what?! There are privacy curtains on the bottom bunks creating private bed space! This is the only hostel we could find with this included.
Location: Very close to all of your needs including a supermarket, tramway, bars, restaurants… you name it!
This is one of the best hostels in Dubai for
- Backpackers
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
What about the cheapest hostels in Dubai?
Of course, there are always cheap hostels. Forget hotels! We think it might not be worth it to go with the cheapest hostel out there. Why?
For Dubai Hostels, the quality can differ a lot, and some amenities are not included. This can be breakfast or linen. Also, take the location into account. A metro connection is just useful and cheaper to have as well. Imagine taking a taxi every time you want to go back to your hostel. That’s gonna cost good money in Dubai.
That being said, if you are traveling on a shoe-string budget and you wanna save every penny, there are ways to find the cheapest places in Dubai:
- Open Hostelz.com with a full list of budget places to stay in Dubai
- Order the listing by price
Simple as that.
Read: 15 hacks for booking hostels
Make sure you use then the other filters and rank per price.
Also keep a close eye on the ratings, especially the “extreme ratings”. Meaning, the best and worst. These ratings can give great insight on what to expect.
If you’re interested in comparing affordable hotels, have a look at Saffron Boutique Hotel and Fortune Classic Hotel.
The best cheap hotel near Dubai Airport is Ibis Styles Dubai Airport Hotel. It is only a 5-minute metro ride away, and we paid only $60 for a spacious Private Double Room.
It is the perfect hotel in Dubai for a layover. We stayed here as well for one night when our Emirates Flight arrived late at night. The rooms are sound-proof, therefore you will sleep like a baby and have good rest.
Best Hostels in Dubai for Solo Travellers?
What is seriously the best hostel in Dubai for solo travellers?
Honestly, we swear by Green Sky Hostel for anyone traveling this part of the world solo.
The bedrooms are the best we could find in all of the Dubai hostels, and it’s an absolute bonus that there’s a female-only dorm available here. (This is one of the best hostels in Dubai for ladies).
We think the homely design encourages people to socialize in the hostel, too.
As you’ll be centrally located, it’s easy and safe to explore as a solo traveler when staying here.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
Party Hostels in Dubai
For those of you backpacking United Arab Emirates and looking to mingle with others, we suggest DXB Backpackers Dubai.
Let’s be honest, the reviews aren’t as high as we’d like, yet this is a popular hostel regardless.
What it’s good for: fun vibes, events, and sea views.
The overall atmosphere has more of a party vibe, though it isn’t technically a party hostel. Just don’t stay here if you’re looking for peace and quiet.
Guests can use the swimming pool and gym free of charge, and there are plenty of bars nearby when you fancy hitting the town.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
More Hostels worth a mention
At the moment we have two more hostels for recommendation.
- Green Sky Hostel
- Bollywood Beach Hostel
1. Green Sky Hostel
We’ve chosen Green Sky Hostel because of the wonderful homely atmosphere that has been created here. It’s more like a house than a hostel!
Honestly, once you’re inside you might forget you’re in the uniquely bizarre city of Dubai.
In search of female hostels in Dubai? Or a cheap dormitory in Dubai? Bingo!
It’s a cozy hostel, with a mix of dorms and private rooms, including a female-only dorm.
What we really like is how inviting the room designs are. Whichever you walk into you’ll feel like you’re entering a homely bedroom.
Bright decor, big windows, sea views – sounds fancy, right? And that’s just the bedrooms!
Let’s have a look at the other amenities here:
- Use of gym & heated outdoor pool
- Kitchen Appliances
- Mini pool & football table
- Modern living room
And for once, the living room is exactly what it sounds like. Beanbags, a big TV, wall decor, carpet, sofas… all the comforts you’d hope for when you fancy sitting down to relax.
There’s also a little dining area attached which is equally good for eating and working.
Looking for a long-stay option? Green Sky Hostel has a good offer so just have a chat with the staff.
Speaking of staff, Mona is a hostess with the mostess!
She’ll help you organize tours and goes out of her way to make you feel at home. It is her home too, after all!
We certainly recommend starting your day by enjoying breakfast out on the big balcony with awesome views.
Location: The tram is a block away and it’s a short walk to the marina and beach clubs. There’s a supermarket in the building which is open 24/7.
This is one of the best hostels in Dubai for
- Female solo travellers
- Couples
- Digital Nomads
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
2. Bollywood Beach Hostel
If you like the idea of spending a lot of your time on an open terrace enjoying views of the marina and Palm Jumeirah, definitely stay at Bollywood Beach Hostel.
In fact, the terrace is the highlight of this hostel.
It has been set up well, complete with chairs, a sofa, and a false grass lining to add some color.
It’s a really cool space to chat with other travelers, enjoy a drink or hookah, and unwind.
Either that or you can do a similar thing in the indoor living room.
On a nice day the door – which connects the living room and terrace – is open, so it doesn’t really matter which space you choose!
Inside there’s a foosball table, darts, and access to a swimming pool, gym, and basketball court.
To top it off, it’s an easy 5-minute walk to the beach and a few extra minutes to Dubai Marina.
We love the little inclusions that go a long way. For instance, towels are included with bed linen, and there are plenty of lockers to store your valuables.
What about the rooms?
- 6 and 10-bed mixed dorms
- 6-bed female dorm
While the rooms are pretty basic, they do have big patio doors that access the terrace and let in plenty of light.
Bonus: There’s a manager onsite almost 24 hours a day.
Not only is there a super fancy shower here, but a bathtub, too!
Location: Right on the JBR walk, a 2-minute walk from the tram. Supermarkets, clubs, and restaurants can be found by taking the building lift!
This is one of the best hostels in Dubai for
- Solo Travellers
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
Student Hostels in Dubai
It seems a popular thing for people to look for hostels in Dubai for students, as well as hostels in Dubai for employees.
Of course, hotels and other accommodation types in Dubai can be really pricey, so it’s no surprise many people opt for shared living.
An option we’ve found that’s good for both students and employees is Dubai Youth Hostel.
This is a HI (Hostelling International) owned accommodation, and like most of their properties, it’s big!
The good thing about a big hostel is that it’s set up for many traveler types.
There are actually three hostels in the same vicinity, yet they are treated as separate buildings.
Facilities include a cafe-bar that serves meals, TV and common areas, and good free wifi throughout. There’s a big swimming pool, too!
Choose between affordable shared or private rooms of different sizes.
Location: 10 minutes from Dubai International Airport, aka Maktoum International Airport.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com
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 Dubai 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.
Cheap Things to Do in Dubai and on Layover Only
I have no doubt you already know this: Dubai is not cheap. In fact, it made me feel three times smaller when I was there. Everything is big, majestic, new, and impressive. Not to say, intimidating. I was looking for things to do in Dubai on a budget.
Here are my favorite cheap things to do in Dubai:
1. Sky Views Observatory (from 15€ only)
This is actually my absolute best tip. It is unique, cheap, and super cool. What else do you want?!
Instead of going up the Burj Khalifa, you can explore the Sky Observatory, take the Sky Glass Slide, and walk the Sky Edge Walk.
Before you run and buy your ticket, I have bad news: The thrilling air-walk experience actually costs much more! It costs more than 160€ – bummer!
For 15€ you have the Sky Views Observatory and one outdoor glass slide – NOT the air-walk like in the photo and video below.
However, still worth it and super cool! Just do not be disappointed about the air-walk 🙂
Compare prices: Tiqets.com | Get Your Guide
2. Enter Burj Khalifa (from 32€)
One of the most obvious things to do in Dubai is entering the tallest building in the world: Burj Khalifa. It is 828meter tall, or
2,717 feet. It is a masterpiece.
You can enter Levels 124 and 125 for around 40€. On top, you can take a tour and enter Levels 124, 125, and 148 for around 125€. (please always check up-to-date prices here)
Personally, I have not done it yet. Why? I simply prefer the idea of actually looking at this building, rather than being inside of it. So I prefer the Sky Observatory I mentioned before.
Either way, a friend of mine has been inside and she LOVED the view. So yes, it is cool, it is worth it. But at the same time, it costs more than the Sky Observatory (15€ vs 40€, roughly).
Compare prices: Tiqets.com | Get Your Guide
3. Dubai Fountain Show (FREE!)
Let us do one of the best FREE things to do in Dubai: The Fountain Show in front of Burj Khalifa.
The Burj Khalifa light show runs every 30 minutes on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday through until 10.45 PM. On weekdays every hour from 7.45 PM. This schedule subject to change, so please always check it before you go.
I am adding here a video for you to see what to expect.
4. Walk inside the Mall (FREE)
Do you want more free stuff? Enter the worlds biggest mall, the Dubai Mall.
Personally, the idea of visiting this mall already bored me. I should visit a mall as part of sightseeing?! Come on…But this is Dubai, and this is no ordinary mall, of course. I was impressed.
The two biggest highlights are:
- The Ice Skating Rink
- The Aquarium with Manta Rays and sharks
You can get a good idea of the mall in around 2 hours. Just keep walking and consul the map so you won’t get lost. There is also a part that is designed as an Old Market, the Souk. You can also find the skeleton of a Dinosaure here. Dubai is just a different level. The food court is really good, too. Prices are a bit cheaper here, so worth it get your breakfast or lunch here,
I really wanted to enter the Aquarium, but the queue was more than 1 hour long…That was a pity. The entrance costs around $30. You can buy the entrance ticket beforehand, but there is no ticket to skip the line, unfortuntately.
The Ice Rink costs ±$30 for 90 minutes. On their website you can get a discount of 15%, quite nice. You have to book a specific time slot. I recommend to actually go there and when you want to enter, you can book the ticket online on the spot – and compare the price to save a few dollars.
5. Just check sights to Activities
Since Dubai is changing all the time, and new things come up, I recommend to check the following 3 activity sites:
Last but not least, here is another video of 25 things to do in Dubai UAE. Some inspiration for you!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUOrEqtEW-w
My Best Hostels in Dubai for Female Traveler on a Map + Sights
Let us have a look on the map. Below we list all three best Dubai hostels on a map. Personally, we love to plan our trips with a map having all sights and potential hostels on it. We thought this map will help you with planning your trip too.
We also included the main tourist attractions you’ve to know in this list:
- Burj Khalifa
- Burj Al Arab
- The Dubai Mall
- Dubai Miracle Garden
- Wild Wadi Waterpark
- The Dubai Fountain
- Aquaventure Waterpark
- Dubai World Trade Centre
- Qusais Madina Mall
Friendly reminder, I added my favorite cheap things to do here, too.
FAQ
Alright, you should have found your accommodation already. Below we list all the frequently asked questions. Have a look.
More guides
Alright, this is your answer to where to stay in Dubai.
We did the leg work for you and bring you more hostel guides to destinations nearby:
- best backpacker hostels in Dubai
- best hostels in Yerevan, Armenia
- best hostels in Tbilisi, Georgia
- best hostels in Istanbul, Turkey
- best hostels in Zanzibar, Tanzania
- best hostels in Tehran, Iran
- best hostels in Amman, Jordan
- Best hostels in Petra, Jordan
- best hostels in Almaty, Kazakhstan
- Best Hostels in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
You can find all our new and updates articles for Best Hostels in here.
We also created a huge guide to hostels.
Over to you
This guide has covered all of the hostels Dubai we’d recommend.
Was this useful? Do you have any questions, doubts?
Then please please leave us a comment. This list of awesome Dubai hostels should be as informative and useful as possible.
Your question will help me to understand what I have missed to mention.
Therefore, drop us a comment, we are keen to help you!
Last note: Our commitment
This is a genuine article to help you travel a bit smarter and find the best place on a budget! We ONLY recommend places we know you will enjoy, no matter what.
At Hostelgeeks we will never recommend you any place we haven’t evaluated or are not convinced by. Our promise is to only share with you places we also recommend to our best friends and family!
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