Are you traveling to Hamburg and looking for the BEST Hostels in Hamburg, Germany? You have come to the perfect place. We know Hamburg, we know Hamburg hostels.
We handpicked the 3 best hostels in Hamburg. You can expect incredible cool design, backpacker places, and a fun North-German vibe.
Your Shortcut:
- Pyjama Park Schanzenviertel – for couples, families and female solo-travellers
- Instant Sleep Backpacker Hostel – for backpackers, solo-travellers and party animals
- Generator Hamburg – for couples, travellers and group of friends
This is the only guide you need!
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
We condensed it all to the 3 coolest hostels in Hamburg.
Hamburg is a very popular destination when backpacking Germany. The city of Hamburg can get overlooked when travellers are looking to experience the eclectic nightlife present in Germany. Don’t make this mistake! Hamburg is renowned for its famous Reeperbahn strip where you will find an array of intriguing and unusual bars and clubs, a party lovers dream!
Of course we highly recommend to visit Berlin and Munich as well. Here are our guides to best hostels in Berlin for Hipster-vibes and the best hostels in Munich for Oktoberfest and beyond.
What the heck, go all in and check out the 29 best hostels in Germany.
What we cover in this article?
- Introduction
- 3 best hostels in detail
- Comparison chart of 3 top hostels
- Cheapest hostels in Hamburg
- Best hostels in Hamburg for solo travellers
- Fun party hostels in Hamburg
- More Hamburg hostels you should know
- Discounts and promo codes
- How to book?
- All hostel and sights on a map
- FAQ
- Flights
You can find all 5 Star Hostels here with Hostelgeeks and all guides to “Best Hostels In” here.
Quick Introduction to Hamburg
Average price for a bed: Hostels in Hamburg start from 15€-25€ per night for a bed in a dorm. A private room starts from 60€ up to 120€ per night. This is a rough average just to give you an idea.
Prices always depend on season and holidays. Please always check exact rates on Hostelworld.com or Booking.com.
Check-In and Check Out: The average check-in time is from 15:00 (3pm), while the Check Out time is before 11:00 (11am). 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.
Budget: Check out our Hamburg 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 Hamburg
Let’s jump right into the boutique hostels in Hamburg.
Quick overview:
- Pyjama Park Schanzenviertel – for couples, families and female solo-travellers
- Instant Sleep Backpacker Hostel – for backpackers, solo-travellers and party animals
- Generator Hamburg – for couples, travellers and group of friends
- Extra: Superbude Hamburg – for couples, families and business travelers
We put all three accommodation in Hamburg on map, you will also find the Hamburg map tourist attractions at the end of the article.
Overview: Best Hostels by Traveler Type
| 🦸 Solo Traveler: | Pyjama Park Hostel |
| 🙎♀️ best for Female Solo Traveler: | Pyjama Park Hostel |
| 🥳 Party Hostel: | Instant Sleep Backpacker Hostel |
| 👩❤️👨Couple Hostel: | Generator Hamburg |
| 👨👩👦 Family Hostel: | MEININGER Hamburg City Center |
| 👩💻 For Digital Nomads: | Superbude Hamburg |
| 👫 For Socializing: | Generator Hamburg |
1. Pyjama Park Schanzenviertel – Design Hostel
We kick off this place with the coolest one; Pyjama Park Hostel. Pyjama Park Schanzenviertel is a youth hostel Hamburg has to offer or as they call it “Jugendherberge Hamburg“. Safe, sparkling clean, stylish, relaxed.
There are numerous reasons why Pyjama Park Schanzenviertel is one of the coolest hostels in Hamburg. Here’s another quick overview what’s on offer:
- Bohemian location
- Free fresh bed linen everyday
- Aesthetically pleasing style
- Beds in dorms with individual black-out curtains
This hostel immediately makes you feel at ease with the beautifully designed spaces, from walls painted with wild flowers to images of rainforests and animals.
The theme of nature is enforced by the abundance of plants in the hostel. This all serves to create the ultimate tranquil experience.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
What about the location?
Want to escape the crowds and the typical tourist traps?
As the city becomes more popular, Pyjama Park Schanzenviertel is a welcome retreat which lies slightly off the beaten track in the bohemian area of Sternschanze.
The neighbourhood has a real alternative vibe about it, filled with quaint cafés and trendy vintage shops.
Also be sure to check out the restaurant next door which provides delicious pizza!
Sternschanze is a great place to get to know the locals, and a world away from the hustle and bustle of the centre.
However, if you’re still interested in seeing the sights, you’re in luck! The hostel is located only 5 minutes from the metro station, a good way to explore the city by day. By night, you’re only a 20 minute walk away to the famous Reeperbahn strip!
Hamburg is an up and coming city in Germany, known for its picturesque waterways and the bustling nightlife.
After seeing all the city has to offer, what better way is there to unwind than returning to Pyjama Park Schanzenviertel!
Who stays here?
Pyjama Park is far from a party hostel, there is no real common room or kitchen to socialise.
Although if your priority is simply to chill out, this shouldn’t be a problem for you.
Despite having no common area, the bedrooms themselves are very spacious and range from private rooms to 8-bed dorms. Each bed is fitted with a small light, plug socket and a black-out blind for that important extra privacy!
To make your stay as comfortable as possible, you get fresh bed sheets everyday and even free ear plugs to drown out any noise. You’re guaranteed to wake up feeling well rested and refreshed!
Pyjama Park Schanzenviertel is a great design hostel in Hamburg. Yet it is not ideal for those wanting a lively social atmosphere; not your typical backpackers hostel in Hamburg (but keep scrolling, dear backpacker).
It’s perfect for those wanting to relax in a chic and modern environment – and of course, get a good night’s sleep!
You can also have a look at check Pyjama Park Hotel & Hostel Reeperbahn. It is one of the best Reeperbahn hostels.
Pyjama Park Schanzenviertel is the top hostel in Hamburg for:
- Travellers looking to unwind
- Couples
- Families
- Female Solo-Travellers
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
2. Instant Sleep Backpacker Hostel
Next on our list is Instant Sleep Backpacker Hostel. Now, that sounds promosing already.
This hostel is able to maintain this youthful energy with colourful social spaces and rooms with alternative designs and graffiti tagged walls. In contrast to the urban design, the hostel itself is surprisingly very clean and has all the basic facilities to guarantee your stay is comfortable!
Instant Sleep Backpacker Hamburg Hostel is full of energy, and buzz, here are some of the features that make this place unique:
- Instruments and open mic nights
- Free tea and coffee
- 1€ drinks for happy hour
- Urban design
Are you looking for a hostel that reflects this appealing social energy? Instant Sleep Backpacker Hostel is a perfect fit for those night owls and social butterflies.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
What about the rooms?
The rooms range from private rooms to 12-bed dorms with a bonus of each bed having a light and plug socket. That is already a big plus.
The hostel also provides a fully equipped kitchen, breakfast buffet and free tea/coffee to ease those morning hangovers (yes, yes, we know…)!
The best places to meet people would be the modestly sized common area which comes with board games, a good idea for those initial icebreakers! There is also an outdoor terrace, a great place to chill out and enjoy those summer days.
During the day this hostel provides the perfect easygoing atmosphere, but it’s at night when the place really comes to life.
The common room brings the energy by offering a variety of instruments to enjoy and open mic nights to show off your skills…or lack of! Of course, a visit to Germany wouldn’t be complete without sampling the beer.
So come to Instant Sleep Backpacker if you’re seeking that lively social experience and the ultimate party!
Instant Sleep Backpacker Hostel is the best in Hamburg for:
- Backpacker
- Solo-Travellers
- Party animals
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
3. Generator Hamburg
Generator Hamburg is part of the international hostel chain Generator Hostels. It is quite surprising to us, but the hostel has a rating of less than 8/10 on Booking.com. Here’s why.
If you are a frequent hostel visitor, you may have experienced that energy of lively chaos that comes with smaller hostels and overcrowded dorms. This is great if you’re looking for a party, however if you’re wanting a more chilled atmosphere, Generator Hostel is the place to be.
This modern and stylish hostel could be likened to hotels simply because of the large building and the amount of space.
The size means you can choose to have a little more privacy, perfect for couples or those wanting to unwind.
Backpacking Generator Hostel is perfect for those searching for the mellow atmosphere of a hotel, but with the character and low price of a hostel!
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
Location: In the cities heart, directly at the main train station.
Generator Hamburg is a hostel near hamburg HBF. You have access to all types of public transportation here, so a very convenient location.
Of course there is also plenty to see and do outside the walls of the hostel, and the location couldn’t be better! Being directly opposite Hauptbahnhof Station, you have free reign to explore the whole city. Although, as the city is in the centre of Hamburg, you can get around easily by foot whilst being close to all the surrounding bars and restaurants.
What rooms are at Generator Hostel?
After a long day/night wandering around the city, you can rest in one of the clean and comfortable dorms with a choice of 8-beds to private rooms.
There are plenty of special touches to be found in the dorms too!
Each bed includes a light, power socket and a small barrier for that extra privacy. Enjoy getting dolled up for a night out? Female dorms include makeup benches and hair dryers, so you can leave the hostel looking like you stepped out of a hotel! There are also small bathrooms in each dorm, however you can also find bigger ones on each floor of the hostel.
As for security, each bed includes lockers underneath and there is also a free luggage storage room.
Who stays here?
You will meet international solo-travellers, young travelers, backpackers and groups of friends.
This relaxing ambience is great, but if you’re looking for the best of both worlds, you can step into the Helter Skelter bar for live music and the chance to meet fellow travellers. The name of the bar is no coincidence, as the Beatles actually recorded music here before they became famous!
The creative flare in the hostel doesn’t end there either. The walls are covered in cool artwork created by local artists.
Generator Hostel is the best hostel in Hamburg for:
- Couples
- Travellers wanting to relax
- Groups of friends
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
Extra 4: Superbude Hamburg
Usually we only cover the three most amazing hostels in a place. For Hamburg, we added an extra #4. Without Superbude Hamburg, this list would not be complete.
The only reason Superbude Hotel didn’t make it to the top of the 3 best hostels in Hamburg: They only offer private rooms!
Traveling as a couple or group? Then consider Superbude.
Black and yellow, cosy and social engagement – the Superbude Backpackers St Pauli Hamburg is a unique hostel in Hamburg and Germany on many levels. During your breakfast there may be a live concert and your chair can be an actual wheelbarrow.
Superbude shows their love for the city, design, street art and music all over the place. There are lyrics printed on walls, design elements like boxes and ropes from the harbor everywhere.
At Superbude many things are different and unique.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com
What about the location?
The design-led hostel is located in Hamburg’s hippest neighborhood, Schanze and St Pauli. No doubt, you will have heard of the famous football club FC Sankt Pauli.
The location is just great. You are in walking distance to the best bars and clubs in town, ask the staff for their favorite one and start exploring!
The area is called Schanze.
Rooms at Superbude Hamburg:
As mentioned, there is no dorms at Superbude. You can only stay in private rooms.
- Double Room
- Triple Room
- Quadruple Room
- 5-Bed Room, and
- ASTRA Rockstar suite for 6 people
Who stays at Superbude?
Most of the guests are from Germany. You can find many couples, families and even business travelers.
The age differs from young travelers to retirees. The atmosphere is easy-going, but don’t expect the typical international backpacker vibe.
Superbude is the best hostel in Hamburg, Germany for:
- couples
- families
- business travelers
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com
Comparing all 3 Top Hostels in Hamburg
Here is an overview of our handpicked top hostels in Hamburg. In this chart we compare the main facilities and things to expect.
It will help you to take a decision.
| Pyjama Park Schanzenviertel | Instant Sleep Backpackers Hostel | Generator Hostel | |
| Recommended for… |
|
|
|
| Kitchen | No | Yes | No |
| WiFi | Free (Fast) | Free (Good) | Free (Good) |
| Breakfast | Yes | No | Yes |
| Location | Top (central, but quiet!) | Top (Bar nearby) | Top (Main Station) |
| Special | Sparkling Clean, Style! | Backpacker Vibes |
Big Hostel, in-house bar
|
| Activities | No | Yes | Yes |
| Lockers – and safe? | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Facilities for disabled guests | No | No | Yes |
| How to book? | Hostelworld | Hostelworld | Hostelworld |
This information can vary by season and availability. Please take this into account.
What about cheapest hostels in Hamburg?
Are you a broke backpacker Hamburg? Don’t worry! Of course, there are always cheap hostels. We even have two recommendations for cheap hostels in Hamburg.
If you are traveling on a shoe-string budget and you wanna save every penny, there are ways to find the cheapest places in Hamburg.
- Open Hostelworld with full list of budget places to stay in Hamburg
- Order the listing by price
Simple as that. 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.
Our recommendations for Cheap Hostels in Hamburg:
Best Hostels in Hamburg for Solo Travellers?
What is the best hostel in Hamburg for solo-travellers? Not a super easy answer. Let us answer it with this list:
- Best Hostels for Female Solo-Travellers: Pyjama Park Schanzenviertel
- Best Hostels for Backpackers: Instant Sleep Backpacker Hostel
- Best Hostels for Partying: Instant Sleep Backpacker Hostel
Remember, Pyjama Park Schanzenviertel is our top recommendation for female solo-travellers for major reasons. It is clean, safe, stylish.
On top, every bed in the dorm comes with its own plug and privacy curtain. A nice little extra!
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
Party Hostels in Hamburg
Oh the nightlife is huuuuge in Hamburg.
This is not a Hamburg nightlife guide or a Hamburg nightclubs guide but we can give you an idea on where you can stay if you want to experience parties Hamburg has in stored for you.
The Reeperbahn, the thousands of bars, the live concerts all over the city, the alternative district of Schanze and St Pauli.
You won’t have a problem to find a crazy and fun nightlife here for sure.
So, what is the best hostel in Hamburg for partying?
Make it Instant Sleep Backpacker Hostel.
The hostel bar offers beer at cheap prices and even has a happy hour, 1€ for all drinks!
The hostel can get pretty loud as there are a few more bars located in the building, but on the plus side, you won’t even need to venture outside to sample the nightlife!
This isn’t to say you should limit yourself to staying in the hostel building though!
Instant Sleep Backpacker is located close to the hipster quarter of St Pauli and only a 10 minute walk from the buzz of Reeperbahn. There is also plenty to see during the day too, close to the Botanical Gardens and a short walk away from an S-Bahn stop, giving you access to the whole city.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
Hamburg Hostels with Parking?
Are you traveling by car and would love to park somewhere in Hamburg?
Well, bad news. Not one of our hostels on this list have a good area for parking your car. We doubt, you will find any.
We used this Parking app for Hamburg.
It might be the easiest way to find a parking spot, at least for us it was super helpful.
As Hamburg is a big city, a car is not necessary and it’s a hassle to find parking. Best way to travel to hamburg is by taking the train and then public transport.
More Hamburg hostels worth a mention
We hope that by now you already have a hostel in mind and a pretty good idea where to stay in Hamburg. We listed more hostels in Hamburg that you want to look at.
- Arena Hostel Hamburg
- MEININGER Hamburg City Center
- Boulevard Hostel Hamburg
- MAC City Hostel
- Schanzenstern Altona
Arena Hostel Hamburg
Arena Hostel Hamburg is in Lurup area which is known to be a great choice for backpackers interested in fish markets, nightlife and culture.
The rooms are nice and cozy. The beds are very comfortable and the common areas and kitchen are also great. The showers and bathrooms are all so clean which is important to guests.
Perks at Arena Hostel Hamburg Germany:
- Non-smoking rooms
- Family rooms
- Facilities for disabled guests
- Business centre
- Lift
- Heating
Location: Located at Eidelstedt S-Bahn Train Station. The hostel is 10 minute walk from the Barclaycard Arena and the Volksparkstadium. The nearest airport is Hamburg Airport which is 7.9 km. Hamburg Central Station is 8.3 km.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
MEININGER Hamburg City Center
MEININGER Hamburg City Center is one of the hostels in Hamburg Germany that looks like a hotel so it is extra nice. The rooms are so spacious and it has a bright interior, warm and comfortable.
The atmosphere of the entire hostel is very pleasant and welcoming. There are enough common rooms for hanging out and a luggage locker facility for your convenience.
Staff are amazing and if ever you need Reeperbahn maps or city map, you can ask them.
Perks at MEININGER Hamburg City Center:
- Non-smoking rooms
- Free city map
- Facilities for disabled guests
- Private parking
- Free Wifi
- Family rooms
- Parking
- Bar
- Good breakfast
Location: Located at the city centre, just 400 m from Hamburg Altona Train Station. S-Bahn trains run from Hamburg Altona Station to the famous Reeperbahn nightlife area in 4 minutes.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
Boulevard Hostel Hamburg
This is a perfect getaway for couples because it is so grand. Boulevard Hostel Hamburg is like a hotel in every way. It is in a historical building and everything in it is quite baroque which is cool.
The breakfast is rich. You can have breads, cheeses, cold cuts and spreads.
It is true that it is pricey compared to others but the ambience, the friendliness, the breakfast, the garden, the room are perfect!
Perks at Boulevard Hostel Hamburg:
- Non-smoking rooms
- Free parking
- Free WiFi
- Terrace
- Good breakfast
Location: Just 600 m from the Außenalster Lake, this Art Nouveau hotel in the Uhlenhorst district of Hamburg. The Zimmerstraße bus stop is directly opposite the Boulevard Hotel, providing buses to the city centre and Hamburg Train Station in 15 minutes. Hamburg Airport is a 15-minute drive away.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
MAC City Hostel
MAC City Hostel is close to shopping, museums, and other activities. The location is right by the subway and bus station so it’s easy to get around.
Rooms are very spacious and modern. The bathrooms are modern and spotless. The staff are friendly, helpful, and the rooms are nice and large.
Perks at MAC City Hostel:
- Non-smoking rooms
- Parking
- Free WiFi
- Family rooms
- Lift
Location: Just 800 m from Hamburg Main Train station. Mönckebergstraße is 1.5 km from MAC City Hostel , while Speicherstadt is 1.6 km from the property. Hamburg Airport is 9 km away. There is a cash machine at the property while other banks are within a 2 minute walk.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
Schanzenstern Altona GmbH
Schanzenstern Altona GmbH is another Hamburg hostel you need to try. Every morning they treat their guests with breakfast buffet. Perfect way to start the day because exploring the places in Hamburg.
The rooms are cozy and has natural light which is great. The hostel is quite clean, very quiet, and in a good location.
Perks at Schanzenstern Altona GmbH:
- Non-smoking rooms
- Facilities for disabled guests
- Free WiFi
- Family rooms
- Lift
- Breakfast
Location: Situated in Hamburg, 2.9 km from Port of Hamburg. The property is around 3.1 km from Millerntor Stadium, 4.1 km from Fish Market Hamburg and 5 km from CCH-Congress Center Hamburg. Elbphilharmonie Hamburg is 5 km from Schanzenstern Altona GmbH, while St. Pauli Piers is 5 km from the property. The nearest airport is Hamburg Airport, 13 km from the hotel.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
How to book?
We recommend using Booking.com or Hostelworld for your reservations.
Booking.com is the biggest and safest platform for hotel and hostels reservations. Their cancellation policy is one of the best, normally 100% refundable until 24h before the stay.
Hostelworld is also super safe and the biggest booking platform for hostels.
Here’s our guide on how to book hostels with Hostelworld.
On both platforms your credit card is 100% protected and the booking 100% confirmed.
We included the handy links to each of the recommended hostel. Just click on the hostel name. The link will lead you to check prices and availability.
Here is the overview:
- Pyjama Park Schanzenviertel
- Instant Sleep Backpacker Hostel
- Generator Hamburg
- Extra: Superbude Hamburg
We recommend booking your hostel as early as possible!
All of Hamburg best hostels are popular; especially in high-season. To make sure you end up in those stylish hostels, secure your room or bed as soon as you have your travel dates fixed.
Any Discounts?
Currently, we have no special hostel discounts in Hamburg. I know, it’s a pity. You can subscribe to our newsletter to receive our newest hostel discounts always to your inbox.
You can find all our hostel discounts worldwide here.
My Best Hostels in Hamburg for Female Traveler on a Map + Sights
Let us have a look on the map. Below we list all three best Hamburg hostels on a map.
We also included the main tourist attractions you’ve to know in this list:
- Speicherstadt
- Reeperbahn
- Beatles Square
- Landungsbrücke Harbour
- John Lennon, Rock ‘n’ Roll Doorway
- Elbphilharmonie Hamburg
(You can deactivate and activate the different layers in the left sidebar. Open the map in a new tab here.)
FAQ
Alright, you should have found your accommodation already. Below we list all the frequently asked questions. Have a look.
[flightsfeature]
Hamburg is really well connected. You can catch flights from Barcelona, Paris and London.
Also, check flights first to Berlin. Berlin has even cheaper connection flights. It might be worth it to kick-off your trip in Berlin and then take a train to Hamburg.
[/flightsfeature]
More guides for Germany and Europe
Alright, this is your answer to where to stay in Hamburg.
We did the leg work for you to bring you more hostel guides to German destinations including:
- best hostels in Berlin + Berlin Budget Travel Guide
- best hostels in Munich + Munich budget travel guide
- best party hostels in Munich
- best hostels in Dresden
- best hostels in Cologne
- best hostels in Frankfurt
- 29 BEST hostels in Germany
Outside of Germany, we cover the following cool destinations around Hamburg:
- best hostels in Denmark
- best hostels in Amsterdam
- best hostels in Rotterdam
- best hostels in Copenhagen
- best hostels in Prague
You can find all our new and updates articles for Best Hostels in here.
We also created a huge guide to hostels.
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