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Hostels in Dublin

There are 29 hostels listed within about five miles of central Dublin, which is 3.2% of everything on offer in the city โ€” a strong hostel scene by the standards of this survey. This page covers what that actually means for a trip: which hostels are here, how they rate against Dublin's hotels, and which are worth it if you are coming for a show.

How strong is the hostel scene in Dublin?

Two numbers answer that, and neither means much on its own. The first is how much of Dublin's accommodation is hostels rather than hotels โ€” a city can have plenty of hostels and still be a hotel city. The second is how those hostels score against the hotels sitting next to them, which is the only fair benchmark, because guest scores drift by city and a 7.8 in one place is not a 7.8 in another.

MeasureDublinWhat it tells you
Hostels listed29Dedicated hostels and backpacker accommodation within roughly five miles of the centre.
Share of all accommodation3.2%A strong hostel scene by the standards of this survey. Measured against all 916 properties listed in the same radius.
Average hostel guest score6.9/10Averaged across the hostels above. Supplied by our accommodation partner, not a StubOrder rating.
Average hotel guest score7.8/10The same measure for Dublin’s hotels, with hostels excluded so the comparison is not partly against itself.

The short version: hostels in Dublin score well below the city's hotels, which is worth knowing before you book on price alone โ€” a gap of 0.9 points. That gap is normal and mostly measures the product, not the management: a shared room with six strangers in it will rarely be scored like a private one, however well the place is run. It is worth reading the individual scores below rather than the average.

Hostels in Dublin, closest to the centre first

Distances are measured from the middle of Dublin. Pick your dates to see what a bed actually costs โ€” hostel pricing moves more than hotel pricing does, because a dorm can sell out one bed at a time.

  • Global Hostel at Temple Bar

    Global Hostel at Temple Bar

    Under 0.3 mi from central Dublin Walkable Guest score 5.4/10 (2,058 reviews)

    29 Eustace Street, Dublin

    Experience the Heart of Dublin at The Apache Hostel Convenient Location: Situated just 200 metres from Dublin Castle and a short walk from St Stephen's Green, The Apache Hostel ofโ€ฆ

  • Kinlay House Hostel

    Kinlay House Hostel

    Under 0.3 mi from central Dublin Walkable 2-starGuest score 7.0/10 (50 reviews)

    2-12 Lord Edward Street,, Dublin

    Recreation Opportunities and Amenities Take advantage of bicycles for rent, complimentary wireless internet, and a television in common areas. Dining Options Enjoy a complimentaryโ€ฆ

  • Gogartys Temple Bar Hostel

    Gogartys Temple Bar Hostel

    Under 0.3 mi from central Dublin Walkable Guest score 8.1/10 (3,241 reviews)

    Anglesea Street, Temple Bar, Dublin

    Unique Cultural Experience in Temple Bar Experience the vibrant heart of Dublin at The Oliver St. John Gogarty hostel, located in the lively Temple Bar district. Enjoy the conveniโ€ฆ

  • Abigail's Hostel

    Abigail's Hostel

    Under 0.3 mi from central Dublin Walkable

    7-9 Aston Quay, Dublin

    City-Centre Location Located just moments from the vibrant Temple Bar, Abigail's Hostel offers a prime spot on Aston Quay with stunning views of the River Liffey. Within a short sโ€ฆ

  • Abbey Court Hostel

    Abbey Court Hostel

    Under 0.3 mi from central Dublin Walkable 2-starGuest score 8.0/10 (79 reviews)

    29 Bachelors Walk, Dublin

    Experience the heart of Dublin at Abbey Court Hostel, where urban excitement meets cozy comforts. Modern Amenities Stay connected with complimentary wireless internet access availโ€ฆ

  • Four Courts Hostel

    Four Courts Hostel

    0.3 mi from central Dublin Walkable 2-starGuest score 7.8/10 (50 reviews)

    15-17 Merchant's Quay, Dublin

    Terrace with Panoramic Views Enjoy stunning views from our terrace while staying connected with complimentary wireless internet access. Convenient Amenities Benefit from features โ€ฆ

  • LIVStudent Dublin

    LIVStudent Dublin

    0.4 mi from central Dublin Walkable 2-starGuest score 8.4/10 (20 reviews)

    27 Church St, Dublin

    Recreation and Facilities - Enjoy a 24-hour fitness center, terrace, and garden for relaxation. Stay connected with complimentary wireless internet and make use of amenities like โ€ฆ

  • The Times Hostel - College Street

    The Times Hostel - College Street

    0.4 mi from central Dublin Walkable 2-starGuest score 7.4/10 (100 reviews)

    8, College Street, Dublin

    Convenient Amenities Enjoy complimentary wireless internet, TV in common area, and tour assistance. On-Site Cafe Satisfy your cravings at the hostel's coffee shop. Featured Amenitโ€ฆ

  • The Dawson Hostel

    The Dawson Hostel

    0.5 mi from central Dublin Walkable 2-starGuest score 7.6/10 (6 reviews)

    Discover the vibrant heart of Dublin at The Dawson Hostel, a perfect blend of comfort and convenience, situated just steps from the iconic Grafton Street. Comfortable Accommodatioโ€ฆ

  • Generator Dublin

    Generator Dublin

    0.5 mi from central Dublin Walkable 3-starGuest score 7.3/10 (9,629 reviews)

    Smithfield Square, Dublin

    Welcome to our cozy Dormitory Room for 6, ideal for you and your crew. Comfort and Convenience: With 3 bunks totaling 6 beds, each bunk comes equipped with a light feature, personโ€ฆ

  • The Dawson Hostel - DUBLIN

    The Dawson Hostel - DUBLIN

    0.5 mi from central Dublin Walkable 4-starGuest score 7.2/10 (3,119 reviews)

    35 Dawson Street, Dublin

    Central Location The Dawson Hostel is conveniently located in Dublinโ€™s city centre, close to St. Stephen's Green and Grafton Street. Nearby Attractions Explore popular attractionsโ€ฆ

  • Backpackers Citi Hostel

    Backpackers Citi Hostel

    0.6 mi from central Dublin Long walk 2-starGuest score 5.4/10 (75 reviews)

    61/ 62 Lower Gardiner Street, Dublin

    Central Location Located in the heart of Dublin, just a short walk from Trinity College and O'Connell Street, Backpackers Citi Hostel offers convenience for exploring the city. Coโ€ฆ

Staying in a hostel for a Dublin event

A hostel makes most sense on exactly the kind of trip StubOrder sends people on: one or two nights, built around a fixed start time, where you are out of the building all evening. The bed is somewhere to sleep afterwards, not somewhere to spend the weekend, and the saving against a hotel on a sold-out event night is usually the largest saving available on the whole trip โ€” event nights are when city hotel rates spike and hostel beds barely move.

The two things to check before you book are the ones that catch people out. First, front-desk hours: a support act running long can put you back at 23:45, which is no use if reception closes at 23:00 and there is no night code. Second, whether the rate is per bed or per room โ€” a private twin at £70 and a dorm bed at £35 each are the same money for two people, and the private room is the better buy.

What is on in Dublin

See all Dublin events →

Distance from a specific venue

The hostels above are measured from the centre of town. If you want to know what is actually walkable from the doors of one building, each venue has its own accommodation page that sorts every nearby property by real distance.

Dorm bed or private room?

This is the decision that actually determines what your stay is like, and it is not the same decision as hostel-or-hotel. Almost every hostel in Dublin sells both, at prices that overlap with the cheaper end of the city's hotels.

Dorm bedHostel private room
Priced byThe bed. Two people pay twice.The room, like a hotel.
Best forSolo travel, and meeting people.Two people, or anyone who wants a door that locks.
BathroomUsually shared down the hall.Often private, but check โ€” many are not.
Getting in lateFine, but you will wake people.No issue.
LuggageA locker, usually needing your own padlock.In the room.
Versus a cheap hotelMuch cheaper, especially on event nights.Often similar money โ€” compare properly.

The rule of thumb that holds nearly everywhere: travelling alone, take the dorm; travelling as two, price the private room against a budget hotel before assuming the hostel wins. On an ordinary weeknight the hotel sometimes does. On the night of a sold-out event, the hostel almost always does.

What to check before booking a hostel

Hostels vary in ways hotels mostly do not, and the variation is in the policies rather than the rooms. None of the following is unusual, and all of it is easier to find out now than at 1am.

  • Age limits. Some hostels are 18โ€“35 only, some refuse under-18s without an adult, and a few are over-18 with no upper bound. This is a property-by-property rule, not a city rule.
  • Reception hours and curfews. A genuine curfew is rare now, but limited front-desk hours are common. If your event finishes late, confirm there is a night entry code.
  • Whether the rate includes linen. Mostly yes; occasionally a few pounds or dollars extra at check-in, which quietly changes the comparison against a hotel.
  • Lockers and padlocks. Nearly every dorm has lockers. A good number expect you to bring your own padlock, and the ones sold at the desk cost more than one from home.
  • Deposits. Some hostels take a key or damage deposit in cash at arrival and return it on checkout โ€” worth knowing if you are travelling cardless.
  • Cancellation terms. The cheapest hostel rates are frequently non-refundable, which matters more than usual when the trip depends on an event that could be postponed.

Two of these โ€” cancellation terms and what the rate actually includes โ€” are shown on the booking screen once you pick dates, so check them there rather than assuming.

Plan the rest of the trip

Frequently asked questions

Does StubOrder sell hostel beds and tickets together?

No. Tickets come from our resale marketplace and accommodation from our booking partner. They are two separate bookings with separate confirmations, and neither depends on the other.

How many hostels are there in Dublin?

Our accommodation partner lists 29 hostels within about five miles of central Dublin, out of 916 places to stay in total โ€” 3.2% of everything listed here. That count includes both dedicated hostels and backpacker accommodation.

Are there hostels near the venues in Dublin?

The hostels on this page are measured from the middle of Dublin, not from any one venue. For distance from a specific building, use that venue's own accommodation page โ€” each one is linked above and sorts every nearby property by real distance from the doors.

Are hostels in Dublin any good?

Dublin's hostels average 6.9/10 in guest scores against 7.8/10 for the city's hotels, so they score well below the city's hotels, which is worth knowing before you book on price alone. Those scores come from our accommodation partner, not from StubOrder.

Can I book a private room in a hostel?

Most hostels sell private rooms alongside dorm beds, and they are usually cheaper than a hotel room of the same size. Whether a given property has one is shown when you pick your dates โ€” if only dorm beds come back, that hostel has no privates free for that stay.

Is a hostel a sensible place to stay for a concert or a game?

For a one- or two-night trip built around an event, often yes โ€” you are out of the building most of the evening anyway. The things to check are the front-desk hours and whether there is a curfew, because a show that ends at 23:30 is no use if reception shut at 23:00.