Buzzy nightlife, great shopping scene, Cardiff is a fun city surrounded by valleys, castles and beaches, making it an extra fun place to visit in summer when the weather is poppin’ for outdoor activities.
They love rugby here, so if you can catch a game at the Millennium Stadium you should definitely go for it – it draws huge crowds!
But being a city, it’s difficult to know which area to stay in. But not only that, sometimes city hostels can be a bit… ropey. You know, old. Are the ones in Cardiff OK to stay in…?
Don’t worry! The Cardiff hostel scene is as strong as its drinking scene. And we’ve selected the best hostels in Cardiff (and put ’em into handy categories) to help you choose the right one for you.
So what are you waiting for? Have a look at the top hostels in Cardiff!
Quick answer: The Best Hostels in Cardiff
- Best Overall Hostel in Cardiff – The River House Cardiff
- Best Hostel for Couples in Cardiff – Bunkhouse
Best Hostels in Cardiff
Backpacking the UK and looking for a Cardiff hostel? Then read on!
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Best Overall Hostel in Cardiff – The River House Cardiff
- $$
- Free Breakfast
- Free Walking Tour
- Cat
This is quite a small hostel, but one cute thing about this place is that it’s run by a brother-sister team, which is fun. They wanted to create somewhere that feels like home, and they thought one way to do that was to serve up an absolutely huge free breakfast every morning! Suits us just fine.
The owners work super hard to make this the best place in Cardiff to stay – that means everything from catering for everyone’s dietary requirements to keeping the place literally spotless. Plus there’s a hostel cat to have a cuddle with if you like cats.
We’ve tested countless backpacks over the years, but there’s one that still stands the test of time: the backpacker-approved Osprey Aether.
Want more deetz on why it’s so damn perfect? Then read our comprehensive review for the inside scoop!
View on Osprey View on REIBest Hostel for Couples in Cardiff – Bunkhouse
- $$
- Bar & Cafe
- Free Breakfast
- Luggage Storage
Bunk up together with your partner at this best hostel for couples in Cardiff. Yep, it’s nice. Set in a Victorian building it’s got a load of period features (high ceilings and all that) mixed with stylish, modern decor for one of the coolest hostels in Cardiff.
The cafe/bar area is a pretty chill place to hang out in with your partner, but if you wanna hit the city for some romantic meals or some things to do in the daytime to put on Facebook (or however you share your life), then you’ll love the central location of this place.
If you’re traveling with your partner and would prefer somewhere with a bit more privacy, check out these epic bed and breakfasts in Cardiff!
Best Party Hostel in Cardiff – NosDa Hostel & Bar
- $$
- Cafe & Bar
- Art Gallery (?!)
- Female-only Dorms
Clean, comfortable, but also a fun place to get a lil’ bit turned, this top hostel in Cardiff is the place for people who like listening to music and having a drink. I mean, who doesn’t like that?
It’s the best party hostel in Cardiff because it has it’s own bar slash live music venue, which is pretty dang cool. Here you can listen to local bands, eat some Welsh food, have a loada drinks, and then stumble to your decent dorm. They even put on a beer festival!
NosDa Hostel & Bar is one of our favourites in Cardiff but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.
Best Hostel for Solo Travellers in Cardiff – Mrs Potts in Cardiff
- $$
- 24 Hour Security
- Laundry Facilities
- Wheelchair Friendly
It sounds like some kinda children’s book – and actually, that makes sense. Mrs Potts is a super nice place to stay, it’s warm, welcoming, got colourful polka dot curtains and cosy beds. Staying at this best hostel for solo travellers is a little bit like staying in a children’s book.
This recommended hostel in Cardiff is set in a building actually designed by the same guy who designed the Natural History Museum in London. How about that? The staff here are super nice and are more than happy to help you with recommendations.
Mrs Potts in Cardiff is one of our favourites in Cardiff 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.
Best Cheap Hostel in Cardiff – Nomad
- $
- Free Breakfast
- Free Coffee (And Tea)
- Bar
If you’re looking to stay in Cardiff on a budget, this Cardiff backpackers hostel is the place. The value for money game here is on point: free tea and coffee all day, free breakfast, and all set in a comfy B&B style building. We love it.
Besides being the best cheap hostel in Cardiff (great if you’re backpacking, obviously), it’s also a fun place to hang out. There’s a ping pong table for all you pros and non-pros out there, plus there’s a bar. And that’s always welcome.
Nomad is one of our favourites in Cardiff 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.
Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Cardiff – YHA Cardiff Central
- $$
- Wheelchair Friendly
- Self Catering Facilities
- Bar & Restaurant
Wowww, the lounge area of this place is NICE! It’s definitely one of the best aspects of this cool hostel in Cardiff – and also a super chill place to get some work done, which is why we’ve also chosen it as the best hostel for digital nomads in Cardiff.
And when you’ve had enough typing and scrolling? Just head to the hostel bar. Great for digital nomads who want to let off a bit of steam, this Cardiff backpackers hostel is a decent place for those who wanna meet people and party, too.
YHA Cardiff Central is one of our favourites in Cardiff but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.
Best Budget Hostels In Cardiff
But if the thought of a dorm room at a backpackers hostel in Cardiff just isn’t doing it for you, then don’t sweat it. We understand. And we got you! There are plenty of decent budget hotels to choose from in the capital of Wales, so we’ve done the legwork for you and found a few of the best cheap hostels in Cardiff for you to browse.
Ibis Budget Cardiff Centre
- $
- Free Breakfast
- Luggage Storage
- En-suite Bathrooms
It’s Ibis! Everyone knows Ibis. It’s a solid option for a budget hotel anywhere in the world, so that means it’s also a pretty decent option when you want a budget hotel in Cardiff. Great value for money, seriously.
There are a few combos of rooms that you can choose to suit your backpacking ways and keep to a budget even MORE. For instance, if you’re with a couple o’ mates, get a triple room and split the cost! Easy! And guess the F what? There’s a free breakfast too.
The Angel Hotel
- $$$
- Room Service
- 24 Hour Reception
- Bar
This budget hotel in Cardiff is in a Victorian building right next to Cardiff Castle. What?! We know right? Pretty cool. And of COURSE that means this place is gonna be pretty dang elegant – and it is!
Elegance means (for us) a decent restaurant and bar with all the trimmings of a period property. It’s not exactly the lowest end of the budget, but you can treat yourself here without splurging, as they say. Oh, and, hang on – did someone say ‘room service’?
Cardiff Sandringham Hotel
- $$
- Live Music
- Bar
- Baggage Storage
Cake game strong at this budget Cardiff hostel. (Yes they serve good looking cakes). And it’s actually pretty cheap for the most basic option. So you can stay here without feeling guilty that your backpacking budget is being frittered away on stylish stays. No sweat.
Plus you can actually save money here, sorta, ’cause it’s so central – in walking distance to a load of sights, bars, restaurants. All that city stuff. And if you thought this place was full budget, think again! The bar here has live jazz in the evenings. What?!
Sleeperz Hotel Cardiff
- $$
- Laundry Service
- Daily Housekeeping
- Air Con
Sleeperz (with that all-important Z) is, like, a modern budget hotel. You can get yourself a basic little (very little) room with a bunk bed and en-suite bathroom for not much coin and that’s pretty good.
This budget hotel in Cardiff is right near the train station, which is a plus if you wanna get around – or in, or out, of Cardiff. Plus there’s a load of stuff within walking distance, it’s a great location to be honest.
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What to Pack for your Cardiff 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 Cardiff
Those were the best hostels in Cardiff. And some of them are really nice!
It’s surprising how many top hostels there are in the Welsh capital, from traditional B&B style places, to more cool hostels in Cardiff, there’s quite a bit to choose from!
And if you’re allergic to dorm rooms, and a budget hostel in Cardiff just isn’t your thing, we also included a few of the best budget hotels in Cardiff so that there really is something for everyone on our handy list.
Still can’t decide on a place to stay? No worries. Our top choice for bthe est overall hostel in Cardiff, The River House, is a solid option!
FAQ about Hostels in Cardiff
Here are some questions backpackers ask about hostels in Cardiff.
Travel Safety Tips for Cardiff
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More Epic Hostels in UK and Europe
Hopefully by now you’ve found the perfect hostel for your upcoming trip to Cardiff.
Planning an epic trip all across UK or even Europe itself?
Don’t worry – we’ve got you covered!
For more cool hostel guides around Europe, check out:
Over to you
By now I hope our epic guide to the best hostels in Cardiff 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!
