The Best Places to Stay on a Budget in Kazan, Russia
Sleeping in budget accommodation stretches your travel dollar further, and in a city like Kazan there are a wealth of museums, galleries, restaurants and bars to discover. If you’re visiting to see the Kul Sharif Mosque in the Kazan Kremlin, exploring Tatarstan or just backpacking through Russia and want a cheap deal, check out these affordable hotels and hostels.
Wings Hostel
Hostel
Wings Hostel is a cute, 50-person establishment right in the heart of Kazan. The hostel entrance is located in the courtyards behind the main roads, which leaves an impression of quiet in the middle of a bustling regional capital. Guests can avail themselves of mixed or female-only rooms, with services like bicycle rentals and shuttles to and from the airport. All the main sights, including the Kazan Kremlin, are within a comfortable walking distance.
H&Co Hostel
Hostel
Perched just a step away from the downtown’s Kaban Lakes, H&Co Hostel is located on a pedestrian street in the Old Tatar quarter. This means that you’ll find all the main tourist sights accessible by foot, while keeping a bit of distance from the crowds. Guests can enjoy private rooms as well as dorms, each with a modern look that balances comfort with budget.
Hotel Lampa
Hotel
For travellers who are looking for a comfortable hotel experience without breaking the bank, Hotel Lampa offers three affordable room options, plus discount group rates. It’s ideal for families with small children looking to find a base to explore the city from. Guests can relax in their spacious rooms, head to the hotel bar to meet new people, try local foods or arrange with in-house tour staff to take advantage of the region’s Tatar heritage.
Parison
Hotel
Parison Hotel is ideal for guests looking to enjoy Kazan’s unique atmosphere, but well away from the busy downtown core. Located next to the bus station, Parison’s rooms are unique and colourful, with double or triple occupancy options and cots available for small groups or families. The hotel is a short walk away from the Volga River as well as other hotspots like Youth Park, River Station and various local mosques.
Tatar Inn Hotel
Hotel
Right along the edge of the largest of the Kaban Lakes, the Tatar Inn is a comfortable, three-star establishment with studio, standard and double rooms available. Travellers staying at the Tatar Inn can enjoy the in-house bar, restaurant – breakfast included – and conference centre before heading out to the nearby downtown core to explore the city’s museums, parks and, of course, the old city with its historical Kremlin complex.
Hostel Krolichya Nora
Hostel
Krolichya Nora, which translates to “rabbit hole,” is a cozy hostel on the edge of the city centre close to sights like the Hermitage Garden, the Kazan State University and various museums. The hostel boasts both dormitories – private or shared bathroom – as well as private rooms. Once refreshed, you’ll only have a few minutes’ walk to Bauman Street, the centre of Kazan’s pedestrian life with cafes, shops, Tatar sweets and nightlife all in one place.
Hostel Enot
Hostel, Hotel
This bright, cheap, clean hostel is right across the road from the main station. It has 43 smoke-free rooms and multilingual staff, who are happy to help out with local tips. Close to the central market and the Kremlin, it’s also not far away from Bauman Street – where many of Kazan’s popular cafes, restaurants, bars and clubs are to be found.
Fatima Hotel
Budget Hotel, Hotel
This budget hotel is clean and central. Close to the Kremlin, it’s a stroll across the Kazanka River to the Kazan Family Centre. The location means guests are in the heart of the city and so sightseeing is made easy. It’s close to the city’s main landmarks – plus art galleries and museums – and to Bauman Street, making it well-connected with public transport, should you want to venture out further.
Happy House Hostel
Hostel, Hotel
Happy House Hostel is convenient and cheap, with colourful, cheerful dorms that have a casual, social hostel air to them. It’s good for solo travellers, those on a budget or for tourists who just want to soak up as much of the city as they can – without spending hand over fist for a place to sleep. All the buzz of Bauman Street is nearby, as are all the central sights, including the Soviet Lifestyle Museum. The stadium is also easily reached by public transport.
Nogai
Independent Hotel, Hotel
This hotel is well kitted-out for children – with a free kids’ club and multiple playrooms, Hotel Nogai is a top pick if travelling with family. Its central location means the Kremlin, central market and the sports stadium are all close by. It offers a range of sleeping options, from spacious family apartments to stylish doubles. With a spa, sauna, gym, two restaurants, a cafe and a karaoke club, nights spent in the hotel will be as fun as a night on the town.
Zita Whalley contributed additional reporting to this article.