The Best Hostels in Vienna, Austria

Unlike the usual hostels, this property occupies a 300-year-old building in the 16th district, Ottakring. Close to metro and tram stops, it’s perfect for those who want to see the historic, colourful town or sample delicious, multicultural cuisines from one of the 170 market stalls of Brunnenmarkt. This charming family-run lodging provides many amenities including a garden and outdoor lounge area, a party room, a 24-hour, fully equipped kitchen and communal activities, such as darts and table football. Plus, there’s no curfew.

There’s a feel-good vibe in the air at Vienna Boutique Hostel, which is reflected in the accommodation. The high-ceiling rooms create an expansive feel, furnished with high-quality bedding and plush, brocade chairs. A continental breakfast is available each morning, before you set off to explore the various galleries and specialised shops – including book, make-up, photography, flower and bike stores – dotted around the area. Visit the Parliament of Austria, MuseumsQuartier and Wiener Stadthalle, which are also close by.

If you’re making a quick trip to Vienna but don’t want to miss out on the city’s main attractions, this is the hostel for you. Wombats City Hostel’s Naschmarkt location is situated at the famous Naschmarkt (literally “nibbling market”), making it perfect for discovering Vienna on foot. The hostel has mixed and female-only dorms of four to six beds per room, though be aware that they only accept guests over the age of 18. Get prepped for a day of sightseeing with their breakfast buffet, or make your own in the guest kitchen. Be sure to come back for a drink at the in-house bar in the evening. The hostel organises a number of activities, ranging from comedy nights to pub quizzes.

Wombats City Hostel’s second location in Vienna is slightly further out of the centre, but only a block from the nearest subway station. The hostel is located close to Neubau, Vienna’s hip seventh district, so classy bars are a short walk away. Alternatively, enjoy a beer from the hostel’s bar, either in the classic Viennese courtyard or lounge space. There’s also a fully kitted-out guest kitchen. As with the Naschmarkt location, simply decorated, mixed-sex and female-only dorm rooms are available for travellers aged over 18.

Hostel Ruthensteiner was built in the 1840s, and has since played a significant role in Viennese history. After being opened as a student residence in the late 1960s, it served as a refuge for immigrants fleeing the Eastern Bloc, many of whom stayed in the hostel while waiting for visas to Australia, South Africa, Canada or the USA. Today, surrounded by chic cafés, vintage second-hand shops and dimly lit bars, Hostel Ruthensteiner is the perfect base for exploring central Vienna. Their child-friendly policy, mixed and single-sex dorms with six to 10 beds, as well as private rooms, make this hostel appealing to a wide range of guests. Grab one of the micro-brewed hostel beers, light the communal barbecue and chill out in the green courtyard to enjoy a perfect Viennese summer evening.

Located in the beautiful Jewish quarter of Leopoldstadt, this stylish hostel is only a 30-minute walk from the historic centre. Though the rooms are clean and modern, the artworks that decorate the walls take you back a century with their depictions of imperial Austria. Guests over 18 can book the mixed or female-only dorms with four to six beds each. The breakfast buffet includes an array of fruit, cheese, meats, jams and cereals and is served in a sprawling common room filled with natural light. There’s also a communal kitchen. Nearby Augarten, a pretty public park, is a 10-minute walk from the hostel and is well worth checking out.

This hostel is only a short walk from the beautiful University of Vienna campus, which is also the location of one of Vienna’s best Christmas markets – ideal if you’re visiting in the festive season. If you’re not a fan of bunk beds, the Campus Hostel could be the choice for you. The mixed-sex and female-only dorms, decorated in muted tones, have four single beds per room. For a good coffee to start your day, head to Coffee Pirates, one of Vienna’s best artisanal cafés, only a seven-minute walk away. The hostel is family-friendly and has a guest kitchen. For an extra charge, they rent bikes. There’s also a tram stop nearby, offering easy access to the city centre.

Every corner of this boutique hostel is decked out with quirky touches – from the fairy lights above the beds and the coffee tables made of tree trunks, to the murals painted by artists from all over the world. Offering a complimentary welcome drink, free saunas on Sundays and a garden to chill out in, the hostel is a home away from home. They can accommodate 10 guests across three rooms (a mixed dorm, a twin and a double), so make sure to book well in advance. While it’s a little bit outside of the city, it’s still well connected – just a 35-minute train from the centre.

With a sprawling red carpet, surrounded by tall brass vases and a check-in counter that looks like a Rubik’s Cube, there’s a lot going on in the entrance hall of the a&t Holiday Hostel. The hostel’s large communal areas make it ideal for groups, and the breakfast buffet spread (not included) features a selection of breads, cheeses and meats. It’s a great place for solo women travellers to stay, as they have an entire floor just for female guests. Located outside of the centre, it’ll take you about 20 minutes on the subway to get into town. Be aware that there is no communal kitchen.