The Hippest Hostels to Book in Taipei

With a focus on environmental sustainability, Star Hostel aims to reconnect travellers with nature through acts of environmental responsibility. The hostel, which offers simple but comfortable private rooms in addition to six- and eight-bed dorms, minimises waste by reducing the use of plastic bags, repurposing rainwater for gardening and composting food waste. Start your day with breakfast and freshly brewed coffee in the green lounge, and join other travellers for movie nights and games on the Nintendo Switch.

Only a three-minute walk from Taipei Main Station in the Zhongzheng District, this hostel in Taipei is well connected to the rest of the city. The 89 stylish guest rooms are capsule-style, and the wood-panelled walls give the rooms a modern feel. Those looking to lounge will appreciate the shared space on the second floor, which is equipped with comfy beanbags and sofas against the large windows – perfect for people watching.

Transformed from a 40-year-old hotel, Beimen WOW Poshtel is an upscale hostel in the Datong District. The property kept some of the original designs and incorporated them into its new industrial-chic interiors, which are furnished with rustic wooden furniture and black-metal lighting fixtures. In keeping with the theme, the 22 rooms here feature hardwood flooring and exposed cement walls for that trendy unfinished feel.

Meander Taipei Hostel was established in 2013 and boasts two ideal locations. Travellers who want to stay in the fashion and entertainment centre, Ximending, can head to Meander Taipei, while those who prefer to stay close to Taipei Main Station can head to Meander 1948. Both locations organise excursions to bring travellers together, and offer a laid-back terrace where guests can sunbathe. Sip on a cup of speciality coffee at the on-site cafe at the Meander Taipei location, or join new friends over a game of darts or foosball at the Ximending branch.

This modern youth hostel in Taipei was established in 2015 by a group of friends who wanted to create a safe and welcoming environment for backpackers. It’s conveniently located in the Zhongzheng District, two minutes’ walk from Taipei Main Station, and half a mile from the Presidential Office Building. The exposed wood panels and trendy black-metal lighting give the hostel a distinctly industrial feel.

The air-conditioned rooms at Jiizu Hostel are simply furnished but comfortable. The single bunk beds come with curtains for privacy, and the private studio rooms come equipped with their own bathroom and workspace. Larger groups travelling together can take advantage of the largest room, the Jiizu Room, which accommodates four.

Flip Flop Hostel Garden, near Taipei Main Station, is housed in an old school building from the 1970s, and the interior has since been renovated to provide a more youthful look. The open-air courtyard provides a getaway from the city noise and sometimes unrelenting traffic. Backpackers heading to other parts of Taiwan can show their love for the brand by staying at OwlStay the Salt, a family-friendly B&B in Hualien, or Flip Flop Hostel Jiufen, situated at the end of the narrow Old Street in the mountain town Jiufen.

NK Hostel, in the Songshan District, has all the amenities needed to make a weary backpacker feel at home. The terrace and lounge provide welcoming spaces to relax in, and the bar and games room encourage travellers to mingle. NK Hostel offers shared dorms and private rooms, some of which come equipped with a kitchenette and bathtub for a more exclusive experience. Foodies will love that this hostel is only a five-minute walk from Raohe Night Market, one of the oldest in Taipei.