5 Great Hostels in Austin
Austin is no stranger to fine accommodations, but there’s more to be found beyond the common hotel experience. Hostels offer a unique and charming way to experience any city. They are famous for being far more affordable than traditional hotels, and often attract international students and travelers. This makes them the perfect spaces to experience cultural diversity and meet some new friends!
Many amenities common in hotels are available to hostel guests as well, such as free Wi-Fi, room service, free beverages and luggage storage. Read on to discover five of Austin’s best local hostels.
*Please note: nightly rates and availability are subject to change. Please contact the hostels for updates on operations during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Firehouse Hostel
*COVID-19 Statement: Firehouse Hostel is currently opening, operating at a maximum capacity of 50% occupancy in guest rooms. Social distancing and intense cleaning procedures are being implemented for guest safety.
Located in downtown Austin, Firehouse Hostel occupies what was once Austin’s oldest fire station: constructed in 1885. Just 11 miles from the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, it’s convenient option for any traveler.
The hostel features a speakeasy-inspired lounge, entered through a hidden bookshelf in the main lobby. The Firehouse Lounge features a drink menu dedicated to the tastes of the Prohibition Era.
Guest rooms come in four types. The Suites and Euro Rooms sleep 1-4 guests each and feature private baths, while Deluxe and Economy Dorms sleep 6-8. Rooms are secured with key-card access, and lockers with padlocks are available for guests who wish to stash additional items.
Amenities include free Wi-Fi, all-day tea and coffee service, and coin operated laundry facilities. Separate bathroom facilities are available for men and women. Televisions are not provided in guest rooms.
Firehouse Hostel
605 Brazos St
Austin, TX 78701
United States
Phone: +1 512-201-2522
Nightly rates begin at around $45 a night. Click here to learn more.
Drifter Jack’s Hostel
CLOSED - Updated 2024
Drifter Jack’s is located in downtown Austin, just a 4-minute walk from UT campus. It sits in a lively thrift-shop district of town, known to locals as The Drag. Boasting a relaxed bohemian style, the hostel is decorated in the works of over 25 local Austin artists.
Guest accommodations range from 4-6 person dorms, women-only dorms, and one private guest room. All rooms feature private bathrooms, free Wi-Fi and mini-fridges.
Amenities include free breakfast, laundry facilities, a movie room and luggage storage. The hostel also offers iPad and laptop rentals for guests, along with 24/7 coffee and tea service and an onsite book-lending library. Nightly rates begin at around $51 a night.
Drifter Jack’s is currently accepting donations to help stay afloat in these trying times. The COVID-19 crisis has negatively impacted small businesses worldwide, and hostels are no exception. Click here to shop DJ’s selection of gift cards.
HK Austin
CLOSED - Updated 2024
Nestled in Austin’s East Side, this hostel sits in a lively area rich with restaurants and urban nightlife. HK Austin is housed in a Victorian mansion, originally constructed in 1892. It is registered as a Historic Landmark by the City of Austin, and is located just two miles from The Contemporary Austin Art Museum.
Dorms feature bunk beds and lockers, and make use of shared bathroom facilities. Private rooms with private en-suites are also available. All beds feature spa-grade mattresses, with 500 thread-count sheets.
Weekly activities are held for guests; including neighborhood tours, potluck dinners and more. Views of the State Capitol Building can be enjoyed from the hostel’s wraparound porches and balconies, and the grounds are spotted with lovely orange and peach trees.
Amenities include coffee service, free Wi-Fi, and air conditioning. The hostel’s common areas include a kitchen, office space, library and garden. Nightly rates start at around $33 a night. Click here to learn more.
Native Hostel Austin
*COVID-19 Statement: Until further notice, the Native Hostel Austin is no longer accepting reservations. Reservations will resume once more information is received regarding Texas’s reopening strategy.
Native Hostel Austin is located 2 miles from Lady Bird Lake and the Texas State Capitol Building. The hostel resides in a historic railroader building dating back to the 1890s. It provides an upscale hostel experience with industrial-chic style.
Mixed-gender and female-only dorms are available. Common areas include a kitchenette and plush living room area. Amenities include free Wi-Fi, lockers, and an onsite coffee shop and restaurant.
The Native Bar and Café is open daily from 8AM to 11PM, featuring free Wi-Fi and menu items such as beet-pickled deviled eggs, waffle fry nachos and the Native Chef Salad. Nightly rates at the Native Hostel begin at $38 a night. Click here to learn more.
Native Hostel Austin
807 E 4th St
Austin, TX 78702
United States
Phone: +1 512-551-9947
Hostel 512
CLOSED - Updated 2024
Last but not least is another hostel located in the trendy East Austin area, just 6 miles from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. Hostel 512 sports cozy, laidback style. Dorms sleep 4-8 people and feature bunk beds, lockers, linens and towels.
Additional amenities include free breakfast, air conditioning, a shared kitchen area, garden with swings and a vibrant picnic area. Shared bathrooms are available for dorm guests. Private rooms with separate bathroom facilities are also offered.
Nightly rates begin at around $33 a night. Click here to learn more.
Phone: +1 512-887-4512
Hostel 512
2308 Coronado Street
Austin, TX, 78702
United States
Which of these cozy Austin hostels are you excited to call home?
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