8 of the Best Backpacker Hostels in Delhi

Backpacking Hostels in Delhi, India

New Delhi is where many travellers start their Indian adventure. The Indian capital is a chaotic, crowded but captivating city but often those new to India find it challenging and a culture shock but give Delhi a chance and you’ll find there is a lot of see, do and love in this interesting city.

Traditionally travelers usually make a beeline to Paharganj (Delhi’s sort of equivalent of Bangkok’s Khao Sand Road) where most of the budget accommodation and traveller orientated shops and restaurants are situated but in recent years many new backpacker hostels in Delhi have opened up where you can also have a cheap, comfortable, safe and sociable stay.

Humayuns Tomb, a UNESCO world heritage site in Delhi
At Humayuns Tomb, a UNESCO world heritage site in Delhi

Paharganj is a lively but a bit of a grotty, noisy and crowded area however it makes a cheap, central and convenient base close to New Delhi Railway Station and the sights and shops of Old Delhi but if If you prefer somewhere cleaner, calmer and quieter to stay check out the backpacker hostels in Delhi in the southern suburbs.

Over the last few years many new, funky, modern backpacker hostels have sprung up around Delhi offering a great place from which to explore Delhi, meet other travellers and come back to a relaxing and fun environment that won’t break the bank.

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The Best Backpacker Hostels in Delhi

(Insiders Tip: As backpacker hostels are a relatively new concept in India they are not always the cheapest accommodation option, they are great for meeting people but if you prefer to have a private room it’s often cheaper to stay in a guesthouse and split the cost of the room between 2 people than pay for 2 beds in a hostel.

Find and book cheap guesthouses in Paharganj here) Also read this first to avoid getting scammed in Delhi like I did the first time I visited.

Here’s my pick of the best backpacker hostels in Delhi

Paharganj at sunset
Paharganj at sunset

Central Delhi & Paharganj / Main Bazzar Area:

Zostel, New Delhi Railway Station

Zostel was the first chain of modern backpacker hostels in India and has 16 hostels over the country and counting and is still one of the most popular chains in India. The Zostel backpacker hostel in Delhi is conveniently located for backpackers right opposite the New Delhi Railway Station with a vibrant and friendly common room, dormitories and private rooms, free WiFi, a kitchen and fridnly staff who can help you with onward travel plans and sightseeing in Delhi.

Three different types of rooms so that you can choose as per your convenience and need for privacy. Everything is air conditioned and there’s wi-fi access for all guests. There’s a common room with computers in case you’ve got some spare time and/or email to check. What we love is that they’ll make detailed itinerary’s for you and offer travel advice is you want it, free of charge. They also take guests on walks around Delhi, on pre-structured routes.

Click here to check up to date prices and to book

Stops Hostel, Chandi Chowk

Stops Hostel in Delhi is centrally located near the bustling Chandi Chowk which is a great area for shopping and close to all the sights in Old Delhi. Stops is a stylish backpacker hostel with a homely and sociable atmosphere with lots of activities, games and a well stocked library with lots of good reading material and documentaries on India. There is also a common kitchen, free evening tea and airy balconies. Stops is a popular chain of backpacker hostels that started in Varanasi in 2014 and now has hostels also in Delhi, Jaipur and Kolkata and is one of the most popular backpacker hostels in Delhi.

Click here to check up to date prices and to book

Smyle Inn, Paharganj

Smyle Inn is one of the long standing budget traveller and backpacker favourites located in the heart of Paharganj and close to the main bazaar and New Delhi Railway station. There is a variety of dorms and private rooms to choose from, a terrace and common areas and a 24-hour front desk and travel desk that can help you with sightseeing in Delhi as well as booking train tickets and making onward travel plans. They also provide an airport pick up – great if you’re a solo female traveller or just want to avoid getting scammed in Delhi when you arrive and ensure you get to your accommodation without any hassles.

Click here to check up to date prices and to book

Backpacker Panda, Paharganj

Backpacker Panda Hostel is located in bustling Paharganj close to Ramkrishna Marg Metro Station (which is much smaller, easier and less hassle to use than the New Delhi Railway Station Metro Station) Backpacker Panda is a cheap, cozy and comfortable stay with dorms and private rooms, a large roof terrace to chill out on, wifi and a shared kitchen.

Click here to check up to date prices and to book

Bahá'í House of Worship, also known as the Lotus Temple in Delhi
Bahá’í House of Worship, also known as the Lotus Temple in Delhi

Backpacker Hostels in Delhi: Other Areas of Delhi:

Madpackers Hostel, Panchsheel Park

The Madpackers Hostel is one of the coolest places to stay and make new friends in Delhi in a secure, clean and comfortable area in South Delhi away from the hustle and bustle of Pahraganj but as it’s close to the efficient and cheap Delhi metro it’s easy to get around the rest of the city.

There is a colourful common room and roof top garden, a kitchen and loads of services to make your stay convivent and hassle free. Madpackers have mixed dormitories as well as female only rooms and private rooms.

Breakfast, wi-fi, towels and unlimited tea and coffee are all included and also serve a good dinner. The hostel organizes food walks and bar crawls too. Madpackers was voted as India’s Best Hostel by Hostelworld in 2016.

Click here to check up to date prices and to book

Moustache Hostel, Greater Kailash

Moustache Hostel is another one of the new, funky, popular small hostel chains in India which have also expanded to popular destinations including Jaipur, Agra, Udaipur and Jaisalmer. The Moustache Hostel in Delhi is a clean, colourful and arty place to stay in the posher Delhi suburb of Kailash 1 area (or GK1) which is one of the more peaceful and safer areas of Delhi.

There is a terrace, small shared kitchen and a colourful common room with walls adorned with art with plenty of books and games. Moustache Hostel has both dorms and private rooms which include large lockers, wifi and breakfast and they can also help you plan your travels.

Click here to check up to date prices and to book

Jugaad Hostel, RK Puram

Jugaad is a stylish and contemporary hostel located near the lively RK Puram market and only 1 km away from the trendy Hauz Khas District. There is a large common room and a terrace with comfy beanbags and some hammocks for relaxing and socialising. Jugaad has dorm rooms, mixed and female only, as well as private rooms with funky and rustic décor and the staff are super helpful.

Click here to check up to date prices and to book

The Hosteller, Saket

The Hosteller is a backpacker hostel located within walking distance from Saket Metro station on the Yellow Line (the most convenient one to be on) meaning it’s easy to access the sights in Delhi but is far away enough to offer a peaceful escape. The Hosteller has comfortable dorms and private rooms, free WiFi and lockers, AC, luggage storage rooms and offers a home cooked breakfast. The hostel also organizes fun, off-beat events to create a sociable atmosphere and has a fully equipped community kitchen, common room with large projected screen, PlayStation and a library and a nice green, open terrace.

Click here to check up to date prices and to book

Read More:

How to Avoid the Scams and Survive your First Time Backpacking Delhi

My Complete Step by Step Guide to Planning a Trip to India

https://www.roadjunky.com/590/india-stories-pahar-ganj-worlds-craziest-street/

How I got Scammed in Delhi

 

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6 comments

Agness of eTramping February 15, 2017 at 6:45 am

India is a wonderful destination in Asia. This guide is helpful, Anna.

Reply
Anna February 15, 2017 at 7:43 am

Thanks Agness 🙂 glad you liked it. When I first came to India there were no backpacker hostels but now it’s much easier to meet other travellers so I’m excited to share these hostels 🙂

Reply
Kriti February 16, 2017 at 8:02 am

India is a combination of countless cultures, languages. You will get a lot to know here. Thanks for sharing your positive reviews here. This resource would be helpful for other visitors. I would like to invite you to visit in Northern India next time. I hope you will enjoy a lot.

Reply
Anna February 17, 2017 at 1:42 pm

Hi Kriti

Thanks for commenting, you’re right, one of the things that makes India so special is the diversity. I’m glad that the site is useful. Thanks for the invite, I have been to many places in North India – UP, HP, UK, MP Punjab, Bengal and North East India and there is still so much more to see in this incredible country 🙂

Reply
Arianwen February 27, 2017 at 3:21 pm

Sounds like a great selection! For me, a good hostel is all about location and how well it enables you to socialise with other travellers. Other than that I’ll stay pretty much anywhere, but it does annoy me when they don’t even get the basics right, like lockers!

Reply
Anna February 28, 2017 at 5:00 pm

Hey Arianwen, thanks, yes I love hostels because they are great places to meet people which is especially important when traveling solo and it can be hard to met other travellers in India

Reply

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