Manchester Britains self proclaimed “second city” is world famous for football, music and swagger. Home to footballing giants Man Utd and Man City as well as British music icons such as Joy Division, The Smiths and Oasis.
The city has grown out of its industrial past, repurposing its warehouses and factories to become a place where communal mindset, liberalism and self-improvement is the city’s new pride.
But where on earth in a big city do you stay? You wanna sample the city’s nightlife, catch a few gigs? Or are you there to watch some football? What’s the best area for you?
Don’t worry! We’ve selected some of the best hostels in Manchester to make life easy for you when it comes to choosing somewhere that’s best for you.
There are even a few budget hotels in Manchester to choose from, too. Peep our list below!
Quick answer: The Best Hostels in Manchester
- Best Overall Hostel in Manchester – YHA Manchester
Best Hostels in Manchester
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Best Overall Hostel in Manchester – YHA Manchester
- $$
- Free Parking
- 24 Hour Reception
- Bar
Bright, fun and friendly, if you’re looking for the best overall hostel in Manchester, look no further. Seriously, this place is a gem for travellers who want to meet other travellers, be close to the city sights, and sleep in a clean bed in stylish surroundings.
Staying in this cool Manchester hostel is a good choice for people who don’t mind staying a little out the centre, and walking to different destinations. Its located on the side busy canal, and there’s a bar so you can enjoy a drink or two before heading out to dinner.
Best Cheap Hostel in Manchester – Hatters on Newton
- $
- Free Breakfast
- Free Tours
- Cafe
Travelling on a budget in an English city isn’t always an easy feat, but by choosing to stay at this top hostel in Manchester centre you’ll be able to stay inside a reasonable travel budget. There’s a free breakfast (which is always a plus point), AND free walking tours!
Rooms are simple but there is a nice friendly traveller atmosphere in the cafe downstairs, so if you just want somewhere to crash after a night out, or want to meet new mates, this is the best cheap hostel in Manchester for you.
Hatters on Newton is one of our favourites in Manchester but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.
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View on Osprey View on REIBest Hostel for Couples in Manchester – Hatters at Hilton Chambers
- $$
- Free Food
- Pool Table
- PlayStation
In Manchester with your partner? Girlfriend? Boyfriend? Husband? Wife? Who knows – it doesn’t matter to us. But you should definitely stay at the best hostel for couples in Manchester.
It’s modern, it’s in the Northern Quarter (near to all the great nightlife – especially great if you and your partner love going out), and there’s an onsite restaurant. Free walking tours? Free food on a Tuesday? Decent private rooms? Ok, we’re in.
Hatters at Hilton Chambers is one of our favourites in Manchester 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 Hotels In Manchester
The modern hostel scene hasn’t really hit Manchester yet, and while that’s good news for backpackers who wanna unearth a more authentic side to a city before other travellers follow suit, this also means budget travel is a little trickier. No worries! There’s a solid range of cheap hotels in Manchester that are great for budget travellers. So here’s our selection of the best budget hotels in Manchester…
Milton Manchester Hotel
- $$
- Bar & Restaurant
- 24 Hour Reception
- Daily Housekeeping
Close to the Trafford Centre and all the shopping you could ever dream of, this is a modern hotel that seems to cater more to business types than budget types, but it’s still pretty affordable.
The rooms are spacious, the beds are comfy, the staff are lovely, and it’s 10 mins by train to the centre of Manchester. It’s a good choice for people who are in the city for a spot of football, too – Old Trafford, Manchester United’s ground if you weren’t aware, is very very close.
Hallmark Inn Manchester
- $$$
- Room Service
- Bar
- Parking
A more traditional hotel than others on this list, it’s set in an old building and has things like trippy carpet patterns, a lounge/lobby that looks out over the carpark/garden… You know the sorta place. But it IS one of the top budget hotels in Manchester.
Yep, it’s clean, they’ve got BIG beds here, there’s tea and coffee in the rooms, there’s a conference room (maybe you can rent it out to do some grand travel planning, we don’t know). Plus there’s a bar. That’s helpful – and fun! Bit pricey tho.
The Garden Hotel
- $$
- Bar
- Laundry Service
- 24 Hour Front Desk
This budget hotel in Manchester has bright rooms, stylish furniture, a big, open lobby for you to lounge around in… I mean, it’s a little bit rough around the edges, but it’s kept pretty clean AND it’s pretty much in the centre of the city.
So, yeah, if location is your jam then this is your thing. Don’t be expecting anything too fancy though. From ‘executive double’ rooms to a basic single, there’s a selection here that depends on how rich you’re feeling. You’d think there’d be a garden here, but no: it just looks out over Piccadilly Gardens.
Holiday Guest House
- $
- En-suite Bathroom
- Laundry Facilities
- Free Tea & Coffee
So this place is a pretty decent option when it comes to a budget hotel in Manchester. Sure, it’s not exactly the coolest or most modern place around, but it IS like staying in a big shared house… which is sorta like a Manchester backpackers hostel.
It’s also super cheap, which is great for anybody on a shoestring. Plus it’s very well maintained and clean – always a plus. There’s ALMOST an Airbnb sorta vibe going on here. Located in a newly built house, the owners are accommodating and helpful. Oh, like curry? 5 mins to the ‘Curry Mile’ from here.
Holiday Guest House is one of our favourites in Manchester 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.
Umbrella Tree
- $
- Free Breakfast (Stocked Kitchen)
- It’s An Apartment
- Location Location Location
Do you like cheap? Then you’ll like this budget hotel in Manchester. That’s because it is quite cheap indeed. And the best thing is it’s not even a hotel. It’s an APARTMENT. So that just makes the value for money factor of this place literally soar sky high. AND it’s super central, too!
It’s the sorta place you can rent with your travelling buddies and really feel like you are IN Manchester, properly. It’s decked out so stylishly that we reckon it could be the coolest budget hotel in Manchester. Wooden floors, minimal decor, comfy bed… I mean, dang.
Umbrella Tree is one of our favourites in Manchester 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.
Victoria Warehouse Hotel
- $$$
- Breakfast (On Offer, Not Free)
- Disabled Access
- Bar
Set in an old warehouse, if you couldn’t tell from the name, this one is slightly confusing in that it’s half, like, really cool, and half pretty basic. Some of the rooms are design-led and have exposed bricks and stylish furniture – others just have a bed and an armchair.
But it’s still a top budget hotel in Manchester. In fact, downstairs the bar is a pretty hip sorta place, places to sit and stuff in a cool setting with quirky retro furniture (making it a good option for digital nomads, we’d say). Plus there’s a yoga studio for all your yoga needs.
Victoria Warehouse Hotel is one of our favourites in Manchester 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.
Hotel Ivy
- $$
- Free Breakfast
- Pet-Friendly
- Bar
If boutique is what you’re looking for in a Manchester budget hotel, then Hotel Ivy is… a place you should be looking at. It’s small and cute. They’ve definitely tried hard on the boutique side of this place.
A small bar downstairs helps when you fancy a drink and can’t be bothered to move (it’s a 10 min drive to town). The gin and tonic here is apparently on point. Plus there’s a free breakfast. All in all, it’s a family-run place that’s reasonably priced and has super nice staff.
Hotel Ivy is one of our favourites in Manchester 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 Manchester 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 Manchester
There you have it people, the best hostels in Manchester!
However, as you can see the Manchester backpackers hostel scene is still in growth mode. There are only a few and they do fill up om busy weekends in Manchester.
But that’s ok! When it comes to budget hotels in Manchester, there really are a load of places to stay!
From basic business hotels to cute boutique guesthouses, and with locations from out of town (perfect for Old Trafford) to in town and party-ready, there’s something to suit everyone.
And if you can’t choose? Don’t you worry. We’ve got you covered with our top pick for the best overall hostel in Manchester, YHA Manchester of course! It’s a strong choice.
All you have left to do is to get ready to be wowed by this cool city!
FAQ about Hostels in Manchester
Here are some questions backpackers ask about hostels in Manchester.
Travel Safety Tips for Manchester
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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 Manchester.
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 Manchester 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!
