Last Updated: 4/6/23 | April 6th, 2023
Paris is a city on everyone’s bucket list. I’ve been dozens of times, and my love for the city is well-known. To me, Paris has it all: music, history, food, culture, and beautiful architecture. It’s got that special something. I even moved to Paris to live out that writer cliché…if only for a while!
But as a visitor to Paris, knowing where to stay can be difficult. There are lots of arrondissements (neighborhoods). Which is the best?
For a tourist, there’s really no bad neighborhood. Nowhere you stay is going to be too far or unsafe (forget what you hear about in the news). Paris’s metro goes everywhere and stays open late.
That said, Paris has hundreds and hundreds of hostels. How do you know which are the best ones? The city is expensive, and as someone who has stayed in some less-than-stellar accommodations for way too much money, I know the price of making the wrong decision.
To help you plan your trip, here is my list of the best hostels in Paris. If you don’t want to read the longer list below, the following hostels are the best in each category:
Best Hostel for Budget Travelers: St. Christopher’s Canal
Best Hostel for Families: Generator Hostel
Best Hostel for Solo Female Travelers: 3 Ducks Hostel
Best Hostel for Digital Nomads: The People – Paris Belleville (former Les Piaules)
Best Hostel for Partying: St. Christopher’s Canal
Best Overall Hostel: The People – Paris Belleville (former Les Piaules)
Want the specifics of each hostel? Here’s my comprehensive list of the best hostels in Paris:
Price Legend (per night)
- $ = Under 40 EUR
- $$ = 40-55 EUR
- $$$ = Over 55 EUR
1. St. Christopher’s Canal
I love the St. Christopher’s chain. It has two hostels in Paris (see below for the other one). This location has Wi-Fi, comfy beds, lockers, clean showers, 5 EUR breakfast, and a lively bar. It’s in a relaxing and beautiful part of the city and is very popular among backpackers. The view of the canal is incredible, and during the summer months, the terrace is hopping! This is one of my favorite hostels in Paris.
The beds here aren’t great (the mattresses are a bit thin) but there are privacy curtains, lights, lockers, and plenty of outlets to charge your stuff. In short, it has all the basics covered!
St. Christopher’s Canal at a glance:
- $$
- Great for meeting people
- Organizes lots of events
- Lots of free perks (like free drinks and free walking tours)
Beds from 48 EUR, private 4-bedrooms from 208 EUR.
2. The People – Paris Belleville (former Les Piaules)
Also located in Belleville, this hostel is in a beautifully renovated art deco building. It has a fantastic chimney lounge, a rooftop terrace, and a cool bar/restaurant on the ground floor that’s popular with locals too (I saw a paint-and-drink club here). The rooms are super modern, the beds are comfy, and you can pay extra for either a basic breakfast (3 EUR) or a “badass” breakfast (7 EUR). It’s my favorite hostel in Paris and one of the best places to meet people! I can’t recommend it enough!
Les Piaules at a glance:
- $$$
- Cool rooftop for hanging out
- Bar on-site to make meeting people easy
- Organizes lots of events and activities
Beds from 63 EUR.
3. Generator Hostel
Located in the 10th Arrondissement, an emerging district close to the Canal St. Martin, this Generator Hostel has a chic array of stylish rooms with high-speed Wi-Fi and friendly staff. Its private rooms even have terraces! There is also a lively bar, an epic rooftop terrace, an indoor common area, and female-only dorms. The bunks here are a little basic (no curtains) but the mattresses are decent and there are lockers to store all your stuff. The dorms are clean and spacious too.
This is one of my favorite chains in Europe. It has a bit more of a hotel vibe, but it’s still easy to hang out and meet people.
Generator Hostel at a glance:
- $$
- Lively bar makes it easy to meet people and mingle
- Female-only dorms for extra privacy and security
- Social rooftop lounge for hanging out
Beds from 55 EUR, private rooms from 153 EUR. HostelPass members get 12% off
4. St. Christopher’s Gare du Nord
This backpacker base opened in 2013 and is close to the Gare du Nord train station, making it easy to get to the airport. It’s the most convenient hostel in town. It has Wi-Fi, clean showers, 5 EUR breakfast, and a bar that features live music too. The beds are basic and have thin mattresses so they’re not the most comfortable. But there are privacy curtains so you can get a decent sleep. There are lockers below each bunk as well.
It’s really popular with many of the backpacker tours that come through Paris. Try to get a room facing the street, as the interior courtyard rooms get loud with all the noise from the downstairs bar.
St. Christopher’s Gare du Nord at a glance:
- $$
- Fun bar with live music and cheap drinks
- Convenient location
- Social atmosphere makes it easy to meet people
Beds from 53 EUR, private double rooms from 218 EUR.
5. Enjoy Hostel
This basic and affordable hostel is in the residential/business neighborhood of Montparnasse in the south part of the city. There are lots of restaurants, bars, and supermarkets in the area, and it’s much more “local” than other neighborhoods in town. The hostel provides a free basic breakfast and there’s also a large, newly renovated kitchen for guests to use. If you get there early, try to get a top bunk, as the bottom ones have very little headspace. This also is a great choice if you have an early or late train, as it is close to the Montparnasse station.
Enjoy Hostel at a glance:
- $
- Quiet atmosphere
- Convenient location (near the train station, bars, and a supermarket)
- Free breakfast
Beds from 36 EUR.
6. Yooma Urban Lodge
This is a modern, beautifully decorated hostel in the 15th arrondissement on the Seine River near the Eiffel Tower. They have a bar, restaurant, a rooftop garden, and a fitness room with a sauna. They also offer lots of activities, such as cooking classes. The beds have thick mattresses and there are plenty of lights and plugs. There are change tables for traveling families as well, making this a good choice for anyone traveling with kids. The rooms are spacious and the bathrooms are modern and clean as well.
Yooma Urban Lodge at a glance:
Private double rooms from 202 EUR.
7. FIAP Jean Monnet
This hostel is huge, modern, and filled with fun activities. Breakfast is included, and there is a cafeteria where you can get other meals. But it’s not a party hostel: it’s in a quiet neighborhood. This is somewhere else you can stay if you’re looking for something quiet and relaxing. There are often school groups here, and dorms are available only for 18-to-30-year-olds.
FIAP Jean Monnet at a glance:
- $$$
- Free breakfast
- Dorms for travelers under 30
- Quiet and laid back vibe
Private rooms from 96 EUR.
8. 3 Ducks Hostel
A 10-minute walk from the Eiffel Tower, 3 Ducks has one of the best locations in town. The staff is friendly, the rooms are small but comfortable, and the showers are clean. It has one of the cheapest bars in Paris. The beds aren’t anything to write home about (they have thin mattresses and no curtains) but there are plenty of outlets and lights and there are small lockers available to store your valuables.
It’s also super affordable and a great place to connect with other travelers. It’s my second-favorite hostel in the city!
3 Ducks Hostel at a glance:
- $
- Amazing central location
- Super cheap and social bar
- Great place to meet people
Beds from 30 EUR, private rooms from 89 EUR.
9. Oops Hostel
Located in a former 18th-century inn, Oops Hostel is right next to Paris’s Latin Quarter, one of the city’s best hubs for nightlife, dining, and shopping options. It’s actually my favorite part of town! Dorms are small and cozy but feature great amenities like ensuite bathrooms, free Wi-Fi, and individual reading lamps. There’s a cool hostel bar that’s great for meeting other travelers. It’s also one of the most affordable hostels in the city too.
Oops Hostel at a glance:
- $
- Great for meeting people
- Convenient location with lots of clubs and shopping nearby
- Free breakfast
Beds from 27 EUR, private rooms from 70 EUR.
10. Caulaincourt Montmartre
Caulaincourt is a design-forward hostel and hotel located in the heart of artsy Montmartre. The focus is mostly on private rooms, with a few smaller dorms (maximum 3 beds per room).
The common spaces and kitchen are beautifully designed and cozy, making for nice places to hang out when you need a break from exploring. However, without organized social activities or an on-site bar/café, it’s harder to meet people if that’s your goal. But if you’re looking for a quiet hostel in a central location, Caulaincourt is great!
Caulaincourt Montmartre at a glance:
- $$
- Free breakfast
- Guest kitchen
- Quiet hostel with only a few beds per dorm room
Beds from 49 EUR, private rooms from 80 EUR.
11. JO&JOE (Nation + Gentilly locations)
Jo&Joe is a small hostel chain that started in France, with two great hostels in Paris to choose from: Paris – Gentilly, and Paris – Nation. Both locations are modern hostels with a lot of common areas, including a huge outdoor yard at Gentilly and a rooftop terrace at Nation.
Both hostels also have an on-site bar/restaurant, serving food and drinks (including an extensive cocktail list). If you’re looking to meet people, Gentilly is the more established and more social hostel, with a stage for performances and organized weekly events.
Jo&Joe at a glance:
- $
- Continental breakfast available
- Lots of common spaces (including outdoor areas)
- On-site bar/restaurant
Jo&Joe Paris – Gentilly: Beds from 35 EUR, private rooms from 60 EUR. HostelPass members get 10% off
Jo&Joe Paris – Nation: Beds from 41 EUR, private rooms from 145 EUR. HostelPass members get 10% off
Whichever one of these hostels you choose, you’re going to meet a lot of people and friendly staff, and have a good night’s sleep in a clean room. You just need to pick the hostel that matches your personality. These are all easy to get to using public transportation, and several offer airport transportation (for a fee). These are the best places hostels in Paris (remember The People – Paris Belleville (ex Les Piaules) is my number one pick), and you won’t go wrong with any of them.
Get Your In-Depth Budget Guide to Paris!
For more in-depth information, check out my guidebook to Paris written for budget travelers like you! It cuts out the fluff found in other guides and gets straight to the practical information you need to travel around Paris. You’ll find suggested itineraries, budgets, ways to save money, on- and off-the-beaten-path things to see and do, non-touristy restaurants, markets, bars, transportation and safety tips, and much more! Click here to learn more and get your copy today!
Book Your Trip to Paris: Logistical Tips and Tricks
Book Your Flight
Use Skyscanner to find a cheap flight. They are my favorite search engine because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned!
Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the biggest inventory and best deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels.
If you’re wondering what part of town to stay in, here’s my neighborhood breakdown of the city!
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:
- Safety Wing (for everyone below 70)
- Insure My Trip (for those over 70)
- Medjet (for additional repatriation coverage)
Need a guide?
Paris has some really interesting tours. My favorite company is Take Walks. They have expert guides and can get you behind the scenes at the city’s best attractions. They’re my go-to walking tour company!
If you want a bike tour, use Fat Tire Tours. They have the best and most affordable bike tours in the city.
Looking for the Best Companies to Save Money With?
Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use to save money when I’m on the road. They will save you money when you travel too.
Want More Information on Paris?
Be sure to visit our robust destination guide on Paris for even more planning tips!
