Posted: 02/04/22 | February 4th, 2022
Toronto is Canada’s version of new York City. It’s a diverse, multicultural city with a dynamic nightlife, remarkable food scene, and tons of fun things to see and do — no matter what season you visit in.
While it may lack the historic charm of Montreal or the natural charm of Vancouver, Toronto is a massive metropolis that will easily keep you entertained.
However, it can also be an expensive city to visit.
Budget hotels are inconveniently located and Airbnb prices rise every year. Fortunately, the city has a few budget-friendly hostels that will help you save money — money you can spend enjoying the city and all it has to offer!
That said, there are a lot of things to consider when selecting a hostel. The top four when picking the best hostel in Toronto are:
Location – Toronto is huge and it can take some time to get around. pick a place that is central to the sites and nightlife you want to see. All the hostels noted here are in central locations.
Price – In Toronto, you really get what you pay for, so if you choose a really cheap one, you’re probably going to get a hostel that is small, cramped, and doesn’t offer great service.
Amenities – Every hostel in the city provides totally free Wi-Fi, and many have a totally free breakfast, but if you want much more than that, be sure to do your research to find the hostel that best meets your needs!
Staff – All the hostels noted here have remarkable staff! They are very friendly and knowledgeable. even if you don’t end up staying at one of the places noted below, be sure to look up reviews to guarantee you end up somewhere where the staff is helpful and friendly! They can make or break a hostel!
Price legend (per night)
$ = Under $40 CAD
$$ = $40-50 CAD
$$$ = Over $50 CAD
1. HI Hostel Toronto
HI Hostels are always some of my favorites to stay at because they really get what we travelers need. HI Toronto is in a convenient central location close to everything you need (nightlife, shopping, restaurants, the CN tower, the waterfront, and more). totally free breakfast is included (and is actually pretty decent), there are private safes for every guest, and they host lots of regular events. It’s a fun hostel and very easy to meet people here as there is a bar on-site that regularly hosts live music. The beds are very comfy too so you can a good sleep (a big plus in my book!).
HI Hostel Toronto at a glance:
$$
Hosts lots of events
Easy to meet people
Great central location
Beds from 45 CAD per night, privates from 133 CAD per night.
Book HI Hostel Toronto here!
2. The only Backpacker’s Inn
This is your standard chill backpacker hostel. They have a bar (with over 200 beers), a café, lot of common areas (including an outdoor patio), and totally free breakfast. The staff are very friendly and it’s located near the subway so you can easily get around the city and explore. It’s also one of the most affordable hostels in the city. In short, it’s your laid-back, classic backpacker hostel and a good choice for solo travelers wanting to meet people.
The only Backpacker’s Inn at a glance:
$
Lively social atmosphere makes it easy to meet people
Helpful staff
Chill outdoor patio
Beds from 37 CAD per night, privates from 95 CAD per night.
Book The only Backpacker’s Inn here!
3. The Parkdale Hostellerie
This is the most economical hostel in the city. There’s no totally free breakfast but the money you save makes up for that. There’s a lot of common space as well as a communal kitchen. It’s not as central as the other hostels but it’s near Vegandale, an up-and-coming vegan area of the city, as well as Echo beach and Fort York (a national historic site). The amenities and design aren’t the most modern, but it’s very cheap and has a welcoming, homey feel to it.
The Parkdale Hostellerie at a glance:
$
Super affordable
Social atmosphere
Near lots of great restaurants
Beds from 26 CAD per night, privates from 78 CAD per night.
Book The Parkdale Hostellerie here!
4. The Clarence Park
This centrally located hostel is just a few blocks away from the CN Tower, the Roger’s Centre, Toronto’s harbor front, and numerous other well-known sights. It’s a great place to stay if you want to be in the heart of it all.
The Clarence Park is a social hostel, with a comfortable lounge providing totally free tea and coffee, weekly events, and a rooftop terrace and BBQ (seasonal, this is Canada after all!). There’s also a large, fully equipped, and modern kitchen, which is great for cooking your own meals to save some money. Desks in every room as well as totally free Wi-Fi throughout the property make it easy to get in some laptop time if you need to.
The Clarence Park at a glance:
$$
Communal kitchen
Weekly social events
Rooftop terrace and BBQ
Beds from 42 CAD a night, private rooms from 95 CAD a night.
Book The Clarence Park here!
***
Toronto is a world-class city. The hostels here are especially social and fun, making it easy to meet people and have fun with other travelers. just make sure you book your stay in advancement as there are not numerous hostels here – and they fill up fast (especially in the busy summer months)!
Book Your trip to Toronto: Logistical suggestions and Tricks
Book Your Flight
Use Skyscanner to find a cheap flight. They are my favorite search engine because they search sites 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 most significant inventory and best deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the most affordable rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels. My favorite places to stay are:
Don’t forget travel Insurance
Travel insurance will safeguard you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s extensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it numerous 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)
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 much more information on Toronto?
Be sure to visit our robust destination guide on Toronto for even much more planning tips!
Photo credits: 2 – HI Toronto, 3 – The only Backpacker’s Inn, 4 – The Parkdale, 5 – The Clarence Park