Posted: 03/03/20 | March 3rd, 2020
Montreal is one of the world’s best cities (at least in my opinion). From its lovely parks and historic downtown to its incredible music, art, and foodie scenes, Montreal is amazing.
It also has robust hostel offerings, with dozens to choose from. In my visits to the city, I’ve stayed at numerous hostels but always come back to my favorites listed below. To me, these are the best!
I’ve been visiting Montreal for a decade and have stayed in dozens upon dozens of places. There are a lot of things to consider when selecting a hostel. The top four when picking the best hostel in Montreal are:
Location – Montreal is huge and it can take some time to get around. Pick a place that is central to the sites and nightlife you want to see. All the hostels listed here are in central locations.
Price – In Montreal, you really get what you pay for, so if you go with a really cheap one, you’re probably going to get a hostel that is small, cramped, and doesn’t offer great service.
Amenities – Every hostel in the city offers free Wi-Fi, and most have a free breakfast, but if you want more than that, be sure to do your research to find the hostel that best meets your needs!
Staff – All the hostels listed here have amazing staff! They are super friendly and knowledgeable. Even if you don’t end up staying at one of the places listed below, be sure to look up reviews to ensure you end up somewhere where the staff is helpful and friendly! They can make or break a hostel!
To help you plan your trip, here is my list of the hostels in Montreal that I like the most. If you don’t want to read the longer list below, the following hostels are the best in each category:
Best Hostel for Budget Travelers: The Alternative Hostel of Old Montreal
Best Hostel for Families: HI Montreal
Best Hostel for Solo Female Travelers: M Montreal
Best Hostel for Partying: Samesun Montreal Central
Best Hostel for Digital Nomads: M Montreal
Best Overall Hostel: HI Montreal
Want the specifics of each hostel? Here’s my comprehensive list of the best hostels in Montreal:
Price Legend (per night)
$ = Under $20 USD
$$ = $20-30 USD
$$$ = Over $30 USD
1. M Montreal
M Montreal is huge, with nearly 500 beds. The facilities are pretty great: there’s a rooftop terrace, two jacuzzis, nightly activities in a basement bar open from 3 p.m. to 3 a.m., a café, and free breakfast (though it’s not anything special). The hostel is a quick 10-minute walk from Old Montreal and also close to both the popular Latin Quarter and Festival District.
M Montreal’s super clean rooms run the gamut from female dorms to private apartments, and all have en suite bathrooms. I liked the pod feeling to the beds: they include a curtain so you can get some privacy, as well as outlets and a light. The mattresses are pretty uncomfortable (basically a gym mat), but the social vibe, plethora of activities, and friendly staff more than make up for that.
M Montreal at a glance:
$$
Great place to meet other travelers
Female-only dorms for extra privacy and security
Rooftop terrace, jacuzzi, and bar on-site
Beds from $22 USD, rooms from $83 USD a night.
—> Book your stay at M Montreal!
2. HI Montreal
HI Montreal is a pretty standard hostel but perhaps one of the best situated in town: it’s a two-minute walk from the metro, which delivers you straight to breathtaking Old Montreal. The hostel offers both spotless dorms and private rooms that are clean and comfortable.
The common room comes with a pool table, plus the hostel has a large kitchen stocked with basics so you don’t have to lug them around with you, a café, a bar, and free breakfast daily. It also offers daily activities, including bike tours, walks, a pub crawl, and even poutine tastings.
HI Montreal at a glance:
$
Organizes lots of activities (poutine tours, walking tours, pub crawls)
Great place to meet other travelers
Free breakfast
Beds from $19 USD, rooms from $61 USD a night
—> Book your stay at HI Montreal!
3. Samesun Montreal Central
Samesun Montreal Central is what some would consider a party hostel, thanks to its happy hour and bar getting a lot of action. Rooms here are clean and comfortable, and each features a microfridge, plus reading lights and outlets for each bed. The recently renovated private rooms are some of the best for the price and include cable, a fridge, and a desk.
There’s complimentary breakfast that includes freshly made muffins, waffles, and eggs. Located in the same area as M Montreal, this hostel is smaller and has a more community, homey feel to it. If you’re looking for something more old school and traditional, stay here.
Samesun Montreal Central at a glance:
$$
Party atmosphere makes it easy to meet people
Bar on-site with cheap drinks
Free breakfast
Beds from $22 USD, rooms from $38 USD a night
—> Book your stay at Samesun Montreal Central!
4. Le Gîte du Plateau Mont-Royal
Le Gîte du Plateau Mont-Royal is a five-minute walk to Rue Saint-Denis, only 10 minutes to Old Montreal, and 20 to the famous Parc du Mont-Royal. The hostel itself is bright and colorful, and offers clean and cozy rooms and shared bathrooms. Rooms range from dorms to studios and have sinks; if you opt for a dorm, take note that there are only two bathrooms per floor, so sometimes there’s a wait.
There’s a common area to chill out in, plus a rooftop terrace to enjoy when the weather warms up. Breakfast with pancakes and maple syrup is free.
Le Gîte du Plateau Mont-Royal at a glance:
$
Rooftop terrace for hanging out and mingling
Social vibe so it’s easy to meet people
Free pancake breakfast (with real maple syrup!)
Beds from $18 USD, privates from $51 USD a night
—> Book your stay at Le Gîte du Plateau Mont-Royal!
5. Auberge Saint-Paul
Exposed brick and stone in the rooms give Auberge Saint-Paul a historic feel, which adds to its charm. Located near Montreal’s Old Port, this hostel is clean and bright and includes a state-of-the-art (and magnificent) kitchen, free Wi-Fi, a basic complimentary breakfast, air conditioning, and a common area for mingling with others.
There’s a bar below the hostel playing loud music until late, so bring earplugs. If you don’t want to drop $5 on a lock to secure your belongings, be sure to bring your own. While the bathrooms could use a little refresh, Auberge Saint-Paul has everything you need in a hostel: cleanliness, space, a large kitchen, and a great location.
Auberge Saint-Paul at a glance:
$
Great place to meet other travelers
Located above a bar so it’s lively and social
Free breakfast
Beds from $16 USD, rooms from $58 USD a night
—> Book your stay at Auberge Saint-Paul!
6. The Alternative Hostel of Old Montreal
If you’re looking for a place with a boho feel, this is it. Located in the historic area of the city and a short jaunt to the city center, this vibrant hostel is in a restored warehouse that was built more than a century ago (1857) and has retained the quirks that make it special, like high ceilings, arched windows, exposed stone, and hardwood floors.
Besides its eclectic and artsy vibe, the hostel includes a common room, a kitchen, complimentary continental breakfast, and Wi-Fi that reaches up to its top floor. What it doesn’t have is an elevator — and rooms start on the third floor, so it’s a walk up with your gear.
The Alternative Hostel of Old Montreal at a glance:
$
Laid-back and chill atmosphere
Eco-friendly
Cafe on-site so it’s easy to hang out and meet people
Beds from $16 USD, rooms from $43 USD a night
—> Book your stay at The Alternative Hostel of Old Montreal!
7. Alexandrie-Montreal
Alexandrie-Montreal offers basic dorms on the cheap (you’ll have to go to the basement to use the bathroom, which can mean four flights of stairs), renovated dorms with en suite bathrooms, and private double rooms with shared bathrooms. It features a huge kitchen with plenty of storage (a whopping five refrigerators), a lounge in its basement that’s open all the time, and a rooftop terrace. It’s also close to many Montreal attractions, including Chinatown and the Latin Quarter, and there are tons of markets and restaurants nearby.
This is a budget hostel and it doesn’t camouflage it. Not all of the rooms have air conditioning, and the Wi-Fi is spotty at best throughout the hostel. But Alexandrie-Montreal does have some perks, like a basic free breakfast and free use of its washer and dryer.
Alexandrie-Montreal at a glance:
$
Laid-back lounge and rooftop terrace for meeting people
Free perks (free breakfast, free washer/dryer)
Convenient location near Chinatown and the Latin Quarter
Beds from $18 USD, rooms from $49 USD a night
—> Book your stay at Alexandrie-Montreal!
***
If you’re looking for the best hostels in Montreal, stay at one of those listed above. If there’s one you stayed in and liked that’s not listed, let me know in the comments. Tell us why you like it!
Book Your Trip to Montreal Logistical Tips and Tricks
Book Your Flight
Use Skyscanner or Momondo to find a cheap flight. They are my two favorite search engines because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned. Start with Skyscanner first though because they have the biggest reach!
Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the biggest inventory and best deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. I’ve been using World Nomads for ten years. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:
World Nomads (for everyone below 70)
Insure My Trip (for those over 70)
Looking for the Best Companies to Save Money With?
Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use to save money when I’m on the road. They will save you money when you travel too.
Want More Information on Montreal?
Be sure to visit our robust destination guide on Montreal for even more planning tips!
Photo credit: 2 – M Montreal, 3 – HI Montreal, 4 – Samesun Montreal Central, 5 – Le Gîte du Plateau Mont-Royal, 6 – Auberge Saint-Paul, 7 – The Alternative Hostel of Old Montreal
Montreal is one of the world’s best cities (at least in my opinion). From its lovely parks and historic downtown to its incredible music, art, and foodie scenes, Montreal is amazing.
It also has robust hostel offerings, with dozens to choose from. In my visits to the city, I’ve stayed at numerous hostels but always come back to my favorites listed below. To me, these are the best!
I’ve been visiting Montreal for a decade and have stayed in dozens upon dozens of places. There are a lot of things to consider when selecting a hostel. The top four when picking the best hostel in Montreal are:
Location – Montreal is huge and it can take some time to get around. Pick a place that is central to the sites and nightlife you want to see. All the hostels listed here are in central locations.
Price – In Montreal, you really get what you pay for, so if you go with a really cheap one, you’re probably going to get a hostel that is small, cramped, and doesn’t offer great service.
Amenities – Every hostel in the city offers free Wi-Fi, and most have a free breakfast, but if you want more than that, be sure to do your research to find the hostel that best meets your needs!
Staff – All the hostels listed here have amazing staff! They are super friendly and knowledgeable. Even if you don’t end up staying at one of the places listed below, be sure to look up reviews to ensure you end up somewhere where the staff is helpful and friendly! They can make or break a hostel!
To help you plan your trip, here is my list of the hostels in Montreal that I like the most. If you don’t want to read the longer list below, the following hostels are the best in each category:
Best Hostel for Budget Travelers: The Alternative Hostel of Old Montreal
Best Hostel for Families: HI Montreal
Best Hostel for Solo Female Travelers: M Montreal
Best Hostel for Partying: Samesun Montreal Central
Best Hostel for Digital Nomads: M Montreal
Best Overall Hostel: HI Montreal
Want the specifics of each hostel? Here’s my comprehensive list of the best hostels in Montreal:
Price Legend (per night)
$ = Under $20 USD
$$ = $20-30 USD
$$$ = Over $30 USD
1. M Montreal
M Montreal is huge, with nearly 500 beds. The facilities are pretty great: there’s a rooftop terrace, two jacuzzis, nightly activities in a basement bar open from 3 p.m. to 3 a.m., a café, and free breakfast (though it’s not anything special). The hostel is a quick 10-minute walk from Old Montreal and also close to both the popular Latin Quarter and Festival District.
M Montreal’s super clean rooms run the gamut from female dorms to private apartments, and all have en suite bathrooms. I liked the pod feeling to the beds: they include a curtain so you can get some privacy, as well as outlets and a light. The mattresses are pretty uncomfortable (basically a gym mat), but the social vibe, plethora of activities, and friendly staff more than make up for that.
M Montreal at a glance:
$$
Great place to meet other travelers
Female-only dorms for extra privacy and security
Rooftop terrace, jacuzzi, and bar on-site
Beds from $22 USD, rooms from $83 USD a night.
—> Book your stay at M Montreal!
2. HI Montreal
HI Montreal is a pretty standard hostel but perhaps one of the best situated in town: it’s a two-minute walk from the metro, which delivers you straight to breathtaking Old Montreal. The hostel offers both spotless dorms and private rooms that are clean and comfortable.
The common room comes with a pool table, plus the hostel has a large kitchen stocked with basics so you don’t have to lug them around with you, a café, a bar, and free breakfast daily. It also offers daily activities, including bike tours, walks, a pub crawl, and even poutine tastings.
HI Montreal at a glance:
$
Organizes lots of activities (poutine tours, walking tours, pub crawls)
Great place to meet other travelers
Free breakfast
Beds from $19 USD, rooms from $61 USD a night
—> Book your stay at HI Montreal!
3. Samesun Montreal Central
Samesun Montreal Central is what some would consider a party hostel, thanks to its happy hour and bar getting a lot of action. Rooms here are clean and comfortable, and each features a microfridge, plus reading lights and outlets for each bed. The recently renovated private rooms are some of the best for the price and include cable, a fridge, and a desk.
There’s complimentary breakfast that includes freshly made muffins, waffles, and eggs. Located in the same area as M Montreal, this hostel is smaller and has a more community, homey feel to it. If you’re looking for something more old school and traditional, stay here.
Samesun Montreal Central at a glance:
$$
Party atmosphere makes it easy to meet people
Bar on-site with cheap drinks
Free breakfast
Beds from $22 USD, rooms from $38 USD a night
—> Book your stay at Samesun Montreal Central!
4. Le Gîte du Plateau Mont-Royal
Le Gîte du Plateau Mont-Royal is a five-minute walk to Rue Saint-Denis, only 10 minutes to Old Montreal, and 20 to the famous Parc du Mont-Royal. The hostel itself is bright and colorful, and offers clean and cozy rooms and shared bathrooms. Rooms range from dorms to studios and have sinks; if you opt for a dorm, take note that there are only two bathrooms per floor, so sometimes there’s a wait.
There’s a common area to chill out in, plus a rooftop terrace to enjoy when the weather warms up. Breakfast with pancakes and maple syrup is free.
Le Gîte du Plateau Mont-Royal at a glance:
$
Rooftop terrace for hanging out and mingling
Social vibe so it’s easy to meet people
Free pancake breakfast (with real maple syrup!)
Beds from $18 USD, privates from $51 USD a night
—> Book your stay at Le Gîte du Plateau Mont-Royal!
5. Auberge Saint-Paul
Exposed brick and stone in the rooms give Auberge Saint-Paul a historic feel, which adds to its charm. Located near Montreal’s Old Port, this hostel is clean and bright and includes a state-of-the-art (and magnificent) kitchen, free Wi-Fi, a basic complimentary breakfast, air conditioning, and a common area for mingling with others.
There’s a bar below the hostel playing loud music until late, so bring earplugs. If you don’t want to drop $5 on a lock to secure your belongings, be sure to bring your own. While the bathrooms could use a little refresh, Auberge Saint-Paul has everything you need in a hostel: cleanliness, space, a large kitchen, and a great location.
Auberge Saint-Paul at a glance:
$
Great place to meet other travelers
Located above a bar so it’s lively and social
Free breakfast
Beds from $16 USD, rooms from $58 USD a night
—> Book your stay at Auberge Saint-Paul!
6. The Alternative Hostel of Old Montreal
If you’re looking for a place with a boho feel, this is it. Located in the historic area of the city and a short jaunt to the city center, this vibrant hostel is in a restored warehouse that was built more than a century ago (1857) and has retained the quirks that make it special, like high ceilings, arched windows, exposed stone, and hardwood floors.
Besides its eclectic and artsy vibe, the hostel includes a common room, a kitchen, complimentary continental breakfast, and Wi-Fi that reaches up to its top floor. What it doesn’t have is an elevator — and rooms start on the third floor, so it’s a walk up with your gear.
The Alternative Hostel of Old Montreal at a glance:
$
Laid-back and chill atmosphere
Eco-friendly
Cafe on-site so it’s easy to hang out and meet people
Beds from $16 USD, rooms from $43 USD a night
—> Book your stay at The Alternative Hostel of Old Montreal!
7. Alexandrie-Montreal
Alexandrie-Montreal offers basic dorms on the cheap (you’ll have to go to the basement to use the bathroom, which can mean four flights of stairs), renovated dorms with en suite bathrooms, and private double rooms with shared bathrooms. It features a huge kitchen with plenty of storage (a whopping five refrigerators), a lounge in its basement that’s open all the time, and a rooftop terrace. It’s also close to many Montreal attractions, including Chinatown and the Latin Quarter, and there are tons of markets and restaurants nearby.
This is a budget hostel and it doesn’t camouflage it. Not all of the rooms have air conditioning, and the Wi-Fi is spotty at best throughout the hostel. But Alexandrie-Montreal does have some perks, like a basic free breakfast and free use of its washer and dryer.
Alexandrie-Montreal at a glance:
$
Laid-back lounge and rooftop terrace for meeting people
Free perks (free breakfast, free washer/dryer)
Convenient location near Chinatown and the Latin Quarter
Beds from $18 USD, rooms from $49 USD a night
—> Book your stay at Alexandrie-Montreal!
***
If you’re looking for the best hostels in Montreal, stay at one of those listed above. If there’s one you stayed in and liked that’s not listed, let me know in the comments. Tell us why you like it!
Book Your Trip to Montreal Logistical Tips and Tricks
Book Your Flight
Use Skyscanner or Momondo to find a cheap flight. They are my two favorite search engines because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned. Start with Skyscanner first though because they have the biggest reach!
Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the biggest inventory and best deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. I’ve been using World Nomads for ten years. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:
World Nomads (for everyone below 70)
Insure My Trip (for those over 70)
Looking for the Best Companies to Save Money With?
Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use to save money when I’m on the road. They will save you money when you travel too.
Want More Information on Montreal?
Be sure to visit our robust destination guide on Montreal for even more planning tips!
Photo credit: 2 – M Montreal, 3 – HI Montreal, 4 – Samesun Montreal Central, 5 – Le Gîte du Plateau Mont-Royal, 6 – Auberge Saint-Paul, 7 – The Alternative Hostel of Old Montreal
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