Kathmandu is one of the craziest cities I have ever travelled to, and if you are heading to Nepal, it’s basically unavoidable. With over 300 properties available, it can be overwhelming to know where to stay in Kathmandu.

That’s exactly why I created a list of the best hostels in Kathmandu. This article breaks down the top hostels in Kathmandu based on your interests, so you can travel with confidence, and focus on what matters – experiencing the incredible city of Kathmandu!

To get a real good idea of this crazy city and what it has to offer, you need to ensure that you position yourself in a hostel that has a great location, great facilities, and most importantly, a great price!

Quick answer: The best hostels in Kathmandu

best hostels in Kathmandu

What to look for to find the best hostels in Kathmandu

Obviously the ‘best’ anything is completely subjective, but when it comes to hostels there’s a few important things to take into consideration.

  1. Location – Kathmandu is an enormous city with poor public transit. If you are looking for a specific thing to do in Kathmandu (ie, trekking, or visiting temples) consider something close to your desired activity. I’d recommend finding a hostel near Thamel. Yes, it’s super touristy, loud and crazy, but you’ll be centrally located and able to get around easier.
  2. Price – By backpacking standards, Kathmandu is super cheap, which is why Nepal is one of the best bang-for-your-buck-countries. While there are a few expensive options, you won’t have to worry too much about spending a ton of money on accommodation anywhere in Nepal (which is why it’s not always a terrible idea to splurge here a bit).
  3. Amenities – With such cheap prices in Nepal as a whole, pinching a penny isn’t always as necessary as say Japan. The good news though it that a large majority of hostels in Kathmandu offer some sort of free Nepalese breakfast. Unfortunately, Wifi connections tend to be poor.

The Best Hostels in Kathmandu

Backpacking Kathmandu is only a blast when you find the right place to stay. So check out these highly reviewed hostels in Kathmandu. I separated them into different categories so you could see which cater to your specific needs so you can travel to Kathmandu with confidence!

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    Best Overall Hostel in Kathmandu – Alobar1000

    Alobar1000 best hostels in Nepal
    Hip and fun. Alobar1000 is a top hostel in Nepal
    • $$
    • Free Locker
    • No free breakfast

    While it’s missing some freebies, Alobar1000 is without a doubt one of the best hostels in Kathmandu because of one factor – it’s atmosphere. If you feel that Kathmandu is missing a proper hostel-vibe, Alobar1000 will fill that void. Boasting a rooftop bar, it calls itself home to many travelers, making it one of the best hostels for solo travelers in Kathmandu.

    Best Hostel for Solo Travelers in Kathmandu – Zostel Kathmandu

    Zostel Kathmandu best hostel in nepal
    Zostel Kathmandu is hip af, making it one of the best hostels in Nepal for 2018
    • $$
    • Noteworthy atmosphere
    • No freebies

    For a dorm it’s a tad on the pricey end, but if you are looking to splurge just a bit, Zostel Kathmandu is absolutely worth it. One of the best hostels in Kathmandu, Zostel has taken their atmosphere-game very seriously. The hostel is well decorated and it’s garden and rooftop bar are great for meeting other travelers over food or a pint. Simply put, this hostel is a great experience, and if you can dish out a couple extra bucks, you won’t regret it.

    Best Cheap Hostel in Kathmandu – Wander Thirst Backpacker Hostel

    Wander Thirst Backpacker Hostel best hostel Nepal
    Cool beds for a low price! Wander Thirst Backpacker Hostel is a great cheap hostel in Nepal
    • $
    • Lots of activities
    • No free breakfast

    Well reviewed and a ton of fun, Wander Thirst Backpacker Hostel is one of the best hostels in Kathmandu for solo travelers. This is because of their long list of activities offered, from yoga, meditation, fire dancing to camping trips – they have it all! Meeting people and having a good time is super easy, and the dorms are modern and clean. Highly recommended.

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    Best Hostel for Couples in Kathmandu – Hotel Ganesh Himal

    Hotel Gansesh best hostel in Kathmandu
    Nice bed. One of the best hostels for couples in Kathmandu.
    • $$$
    • Stellar reviews
    • No freebies

    Yes, technically it’s a hotel and it’s a bit expensive, but it’s also really, really, really, nice. A staple feature in Lonely Planet, Hotel Ganish Himal brings a bit of Western decadence to Nepalese accommodation, at a price that is relatively affordable. Centrally located and impeccably reviewed, it’s one of the best hotels in Kathmandu for couples. Hotel Ganish is also a great option for Digital Nomads looking to get some work done.

    Best Digital Nomad Hostel in Kathmandu – Shangrila Boutique Hotel

    Shangrila Botique hotel best hostels in Kathmandu
    Shangrila Botique hotel offers some good value for Digital Nomads
    • $$$
    • Free breakfast
    • Free towels

    The good thing about ‘high end’ hostels in Kathmandu is that they are still relatively cheap. So if you’re traveling solo and looking for a nice bed and shower, or with the friends and want to split the cost of a nicer room – look no further than Shangrila Boutique Hotel. Good for Digital Nomads due to decent WiFi reviews, and desks in bedrooms and around property.

    More of the Best Hostels in Kathmandu

    Some neighborhoods are more fun than others – discover which are the best areas to stay in Kathmandu and then book the right hostel!

    Sara’s Backpacker Hostel

    Sara's backpacker hostel
    Sara’s backpacker hostel has some n
    • $
    • Breakfast not included
    • Free tea

    Family run and family owned, Sara’s Backpacker Hostel is one of the best hostels in Kathmandu for good reason. The hostel is actually on the bottom floor of their family’s home, which provides a very authentic feel to your stay. Home cooked meals are available, but unfortunately no free breakfast.

    327 Thamel Hostel

    327 Thamel best hostels in Kathmandu
    Good beds. Clean. Korean food. 327 Thamel has it all!
    • $$
    • No freebies

    327 Thamel Hostel is one of the best hostels in Kathmandu for solo travelers. Boasting a well-reviewed cafe on the ground floor (that serves Korean food!) this hostel is setup to help connect travelers. Travelers have reviewed the hostel as extremely clean, but for the price I wish they would include breakfast.

    Shantipur Kathmandu Hotel

    Shantipur Kathmandu Hotel best hostels in Kathmandu
    Shantipur Kathmandu Hotel offers a ton of value for money
    • $
    • Free towel
    • No free breakfast

    Shantipur Kathmandu is located a bit outside the city centre – which depending on what you want can be a good thing or a bad thing. No breakfast, but there is a restaurant on site that offers Nepalese, continental, and Israeli food. Also, with fiber optic wifi, the connectivity here is much better than other options in Kathmandu.

    The Happily Ever After Hostel

    Happily Ever After best hostels in Kathmandu
    Happily Ever After – One of the better cheap hostels in Kathmandu
    • $
    • Free Brekkie
    • Free towels

    The Happily Ever After Hostel is locally run and well reviewed. Decent beds and good wifi, you’ll end up saving extra money due to their free breakfast and free towels. Centrally located, this is one of the best cheap hostels in Kathmandu.

    Avalon House KTM

    Avalon House KTM best hostels in Kathmandu
    Technically a hotel – Avalon House KTM is pricey but nice
    • $$
    • Free brekkie
    • Free towels

    Not technically a hostel, and a bit pricier, I recommend Avalon House KTM for when you are traveling with friends. Splitting the cost of a room will get you your own twin bed for an affordable price. Plus, when you add in the free breakfast and free towels, you get a decent bang for your buck.

    Famous House Kathmandu

    Famous House Kathmandu best hostel in Kathmandu
    Famous House Kathmandu has a bunch of freebies making it a top hostel in Kathmandu for 2018
    • $
    • Free towels
    • No free breakfast

    Rooftop restaurant and a ton of dorm beds – Famous House is one of the best cheap hostels in Kathmandu. This hostel has a ton of value, offering fair prices as well as free tea, free coffee, free breakfast and free towels. Well reviewed, but the Wifi doesn’t seem to work very well above the ground floor.

    Elbrus Home

    Alobar 1000 best hostel in Kathmandu
    Good vibes. Good price.
    • $$
    • Free breakfast

    Nothing super fancy here, which is exactly why Elbrus Home is one of the best hostels in Kathmandu for couples. The property is very clean, very quiet, and very well reviewed. The beds are comfortable, and the staff is very helpful. All of this for an affordable price and breakfast included makes Elbrus Home a top choice.

    Kathmandu Madhuban Guesthouse

    Kathmandu Madhuban Guesthouse best hostels in Kathmandu
    • $$
    • Free breakfast
    • Free towels

    Less of a hostel and more of a guesthouse, Kathmandu Madhuban is one of the best options for couples traveling to Kathmandu. It’s very well reviewed, and very clean. The beds are comfortable, and the wifi is quite good. Add in a free breakfast and it’s easy to see why it’s one of the top-rated accommodations in Kathmandu.

    Acme Guest House

    Acme guest house best hostels in Kathmandu
    Acme guest house has a pool for those hot summer days
    • $$$
    • Free breakfast
    • Free towels
    • Swimming pool

    While slightly on the expensive side for Kathmandu, this hostel actually gives a lot of value for the cost. Authentic and very peaceful and quiet, Acme Guest House offers free breakfast and free towels, and if you are visiting in summer even has a swimming pool.

    Acme Guest House is one of our favourites in Kathmandu but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.

    Hostel Himalaya

    Hostel Himalaya best hostels in Kathmandu
    Hostel Himalaya is super quiet and chill – a top hostel in Kathmandu
    • $
    • Free Towels
    • No free breakfast

    If you are looking for a peaceful, relaxing hostel, Hostel Himalaya might be your spot. Located 10 minutes walk from the city center, Hostel Himalaya is well reviewed as a quiet, chill spot, and is a great hostel for solo travelers. It also comes at an affordable price, and a free towel, which can help you save some money on laundry costs for the week.

    Hostel Himalaya is one of our favourites in Kathmandu but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.

    Hostel One96

    Hostel One96 best hostels in Kathmandu
    Hostel One96 is a great choice for vegetarian travelers.
    • $
    • Free towels
    • No free breakfast

    Hostel One96 is one of the best hostels for solo travelers in Kathmandu. Boasting a social environment and rooftop bar, Hostel One96 aims to connect their guests to Nepal, and are involved with a ton of local volunteering. This is a GREAT stay for vegetarians, as family-style optional dinners are held every night. Also there’s a cat on location, which is awesome.

    Hostel One96 is one of our favourites in Kathmandu but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.

    Zen Bed and Breakfast

    Zen bed and breakfast best hostels in kathmandu
    Well reviewed. Zen Bed and Breakfast is one of the best hostels in Nepal
    • $
    • No freebies

    Zen is a bed and breakfast and a hostel – best of both worlds! With a well reviewed staff, and rooftop access, Zen Bed and Breakfast gives decent bang for your buck. Unfortunately, breakfast is not included, but there is a restaurant on site and they offer to refill water bottles (which can add up in savings!).

    Zen Bed and Breakfast is one of our favourites in Kathmandu but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.

    Shree Tibet Family Guest House

    Shee Tibet best hostel in Kathmandu
    Shee Tibet – A taste of Tibet in Kathmandu
    • $
    • No freebies

    Opened and run by a Tibetan family since 1992, this is one of the longest running and best hostels in Kathmandu. The rooftop is nice and has an ‘exotic’ garden, but the real value is it’s location, customer service, and cleanliness. This is a quiet hostel, and good if you are looking for a good rest at a good price.

    Shree Tibet Family Guest House is one of our favourites in Kathmandu but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.

    Sweet Dreams Hostel

    Sweet Dreams Hostel best hostel in kathmandu
    Sweet Dreams Hostel is a nice quiet hostel in Kathmandu
    • $$
    • Free brekkie

    Boasting free breakfast, a bar and music – what’s not to love about Sweet Dreams Hostel? Centrally located, this hostel is well reviewed and has advertises a large free breakfast. This is a quieter hostel, not as ideal for socializing, but a great way to get a good night’s rest for a decent price.

    Sweet Dreams Hostel is one of our favourites in Kathmandu but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.

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      What to Pack for your Kathmandu Hostel

      Pants, socks, underwear, soap?! Take it from us, packing for a hostel stay is not always quite as straight forward as it seems. Working out what to bring and what to leave at home is an art we have perfected over many years.

      Check out our definitive Hostel Packing list for our top packing tips!

      Why you should travel to Kathmandu

      While there are a ton of cool hostels in Kathmandu, Alobar1000 is a fantastic choice for a decent price.

      Alobar1000
      Alobar1000 – our top pick

      FAQ about Hostels in Kathmandu

      Here are some questions backpackers ask about hostels in Kathmandu.

      Travel Safety Tips for Kathmandu

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      If want to learn more about staying safe in Nepal, then check out our comprehensive security guide here.

      More Epic Hostels in Nepal and Asia

      Hopefully by now you’ve found the perfect hostel for your upcoming trip to Kathmandu.

      Planning an epic trip all across Nepal or even Asia itself?

      Don’t worry – we’ve got you covered!

      For more cool hostel guides around Asia, check out:

      Over to you

      By now I hope our epic guide to the best hostels in Kathmandu has helped you choose the perfect hostel for your adventure!

      If you think we’ve missed anything or have any further thoughts, hit us up in the comments!


      And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links. That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!