There are few places in the world which are as famous within the backpacking circle as Chiang Mai. And, if you’re looking for the best hostels in Chiang Mai, it can be difficult to know where to start! The city is packed with hotels, guesthouses and hostels, suitable for all budgets.
If you’re watching the pennies, staying at a hostel is a great way to keep cash in your pocket, whilst meeting like-minded travellers. However, there are HUNDREDS within the city walls, or just outside.
Depending on what you’re looking for, you’ll find boutique flashpacker digs, digital nomad hangouts, party hostels with swimming pools and super cheap stays. So how do you begin to find the perfect hostel in Chiang Mai? Let us help you!
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Amazing Chiang Mai Hostels For Backpackers
The most up-to-date list on the internet! ? During the COVID-19 pandemic, many hostels shut down, changed hands or fell into disrepair! Many blogs on the internet still list hostels that are no longer popular with travellers or are not even open! This list has been updated recently to reflect current reviews and the latest observations from our Facebook community who are on the road in Southeast Asia right now!
Disclosure: Some links on this page are affiliate links. We always write our articles before checking if affiliate links are available.
Best Hostels in Chiang Mai, Thailand – Quick Answers!
- Best Overall Hostel – Stamps Backpackers
- Best Hostel in Chiang Mai for Solo Travellers: Daizy House
- Best Hostel in Chiang Mai for Female Travellers: Green Sleep Hostel
- Best Hostel in Chiang Mai for Couples: The August Hostel
- Best Party Hostel in Chiang Mai: Slumber Party Hostel
- Best Hostel with Swimming Pool Chiang Mai: Stay Here Hostel
- Best Flashpacker Hostel in Chiang Mai: Hostel Lullaby
- Best Digital Nomad Hostel in Chiang Mai: ALEXA Hostel
- Best Budget Hostel in Chiang Mai: Mapping Hostel
13 Best Hostels in Chiang Mai – Traveller Awards!
To help you save time looking for a place to stay in Chiang Mai, we went straight to the people who know best (our readers of course!) and asked them – what’s the best hostel Chiang Mai has to offer?
We managed to break down their responses into a shortlist of amazing hostels that each offer something a little different!
1. Stamps Backpacker Hostel
- Room Types Offered: Dorms
- Female Only Dorms Available: No
- Breakfast Included: No
- Communal Kitchen: No
- Price: $$
Compare prices of Stamps Backpacker Hostel 💰: Booking.com | Hostelworld
“I’d rather have a passport full of stamps than a house full of stuff.” That’s the motto at Stamps! If you want to meet new people, whilst being in a central location, Stamps is the perfect choice – which is why so many of you told us it was hands down, the best hostel for travellers in Chiang Mai!
Accommodation is based around ‘pod-like’ dorm rooms, which host up to six people. Each pod has a personal power socket, small nightstand and bed with privacy curtain, allowing backpackers a bit of solitude – ideal for introverts looking to recharge their social batteries.
For solo travellers wanting to meet people, there’s plenty of entertainment on site, from fun BBQs to pub crawls and city tours. The staff arrange a different event every night, so it’s hard to get bored!
There are many cafés and restaurants just outside the hotel, including the popular Brasserie and Soi 1 Bar. The famous Thapae Gate and Sunday Walking Street Market are just a few minutes away on foot.
Reader Recommendation!
2. The Common Hostel
- Room Types Offered: Dorms and privates
- Female Only Dorms Available: Yes
- Breakfast Included: No
- Communal Kitchen: Kitchenette with microwave only
- Price: $$
Compare prices of The Common Hostel 💰: Booking.com | Hostelworld
Situated in the heart of the Old City, this is a very popular hostel with backpackers. Easily recognisable for its sleek monochrome decor, travellers can opt for a dorm room, either mixed or female only, and choose between a single bed or a more spacious queen-sized bed.
All rooms have air conditioning and free WiFi as standard. There is a communal kitchen with refrigerator, microwave and vending machines. Free tea, coffee and water are available no matter what the time. Oh, and there’s also a table tennis table in the lobby and nightly events to keep you busy!
This modern hostel gets superb reviews from travellers, mostly on account of the super friendly staff! Backpackers who can’t be bothered to cook will be pleased to learn that there is a range of tasty restaurants just a stone’s throw away too.
3. Slumber Party Hostel Chiang Mai
- Room Types Offered: Mixed dorms
- Female Only Dorms Available: No
- Breakfast Included: No
- Communal Kitchen: No
- Price: $$
Compare prices of Slumber Party Hostel 💰: Booking.com | Hostelworld
This is the ideal hostel for those who want to meet new people and party as much as possible. (Naturally, that means it is not the best for those who want to sleep well at night!) They also run the legendary Chiang Mai pub crawl. It looks like things are about to get messy!
Slumber Party Hostel, formerly Bodega Chiang Mai Party Hostel, has a sociable common area, nightly events, drinks deals and super-friendly staff who know how to get everyone involved! However, some backpackers say that despite the deals, the drinks are more expensive here than elsewhere in the city. Make the most of the bar crawls to get the best bang for your buck!
There’s a delicious daily breakfast you can buy (to help with the hangover) and food and drink are served all day. Rooms are all dorm-style (without privacy curtains) and cater for four people in a mixed capacity. There are private bathrooms and air conditioning in each dorm room, and a 24-hour reception desk to answer any queries you might have. This hostel was voted the best party hostel in Chiang Mai by our readers!
Also read: Top party places in Southeast Asia.
4. U2 & i-smile Hostel
- Room Types Offered: Dorms and privates
- Female Only Dorms Available: No
- Breakfast Included: No
- Communal Kitchen: No
- Price: $
Compare prices of U2 & i-smile Hostel 💰: Booking.com | Agoda | Hostelworld
The motto of Me U2 & i-smile Hostel is ‘come as guest, leave as friend’. The hostel is a great budget option for travellers, offering dorm rooms starting at around $6USD per night and privates for around $17USD. There is the option of rooms with a fan or aircon.
Although there is no breakfast included in the room rate, tea, coffee, drinking water, bananas and cookies are free for guests. This hostel is situated in an ideal location as the main attractions are within walking distance but it is also down a side street, which means it is quiet at night.
The hostel owners can easily help guests to arrange tours, onward travel and motorbike rentals, often offering discounts. Get to know the friendly staff to really get the most out of your stay.
Wondering What To Pack?
5. Hostel Lullaby
- Room Types Offered: Dorms and privates
- Female Only Dorms Available: Yes
- Breakfast Included: Yes
- Communal Kitchen: No
- Price: $$$
Compare prices of Hostel Lullaby 💰: Booking.com | Agoda | Hostelworld
This whitewashed hostel is one of the most central you will find in Chiang Mai and is a modern and chic option decoration-wise. It is located around 200m away from the Chedi Luang Temple.
A buffet and continental breakfast are served free of charge daily in a beautiful conservatory location with colourful cushions and big open windows overlooking the garden. Access to the hostel is via a key card, so you know you can come and go as you please, whilst also feeling safe when you’re there. There are security personnel 24hrs a day!
Dorm rooms are mixed or female only, with bunk beds, personal reading lights, lockers and stripey privacy curtains! Bear in mind that the dorms can be a bit snug once everyone has dragged their backpacks in from the lobby.
Lullaby Hostel is known for its fabulous free activities that it hosts daily. Cooking classes, bike rental, yoga classes and boxing sessions are offered to those staying, depending on teacher availability.
Reader Recommendation!
6. Daizy House
- Room Types Offered: Dorms and privates
- Female Only Dorms Available: Yes
- Breakfast Included: No
- Communal Kitchen: Yes
- Price: $$
Compare prices of Daizy House 💰: Booking.com | Agoda | Hostelworld
Located in the Nimman neighbourhood, Daizy Hostel is a great choice for backpackers looking to experience a more local side of the city. The cleaning is done daily and the hostel is constantly praised for its attention to detail.
The facilities at Daizy are great and the hostel has a communal kitchen, washing machine, bicycle rental and complimentary tea, coffee and water available throughout the day. There is a mix of private rooms and dorms available. The light and colourful decor is uplifting and the big windows allow plenty of light in. All dorms have privacy curtains and lockers to store your backpack – remember to bring a padlock!
The thing that makes this place really stand out is the incredible staff. Not only do the staff provide helpful recommendations about the local area but they are also very accommodating when dealing with guest queries. This is what keeps backpackers returning to Daizy!
Reader Recommendation!
7. The Islander
- Room Types Offered: Dorms and privates
- Female Only Dorms Available: No
- Breakfast Included: Nomage
- Communal Kitchen: Yes
- Price: $$
The Islander is run by charismatic Irish owner, Alex and his girlfriend, Kate, who together, provide guests with a warm welcome from the minute they step through the doors. At this hostel, you’ll feel like you’re staying with friends!
Located just south of the city walls, this hostel is pretty close to everything, especially the great tasty street food at Chang Puak Gate, which is just 300 metres away. The Islander has recently been renovated and there is now a small kitchen for guest use plus a bar.
All rooms have air conditioning, and many also have balcony areas, so you can chill out in the sunshine, with views over the mountains. You can choose either a private room with a shared bathroom and AC, or you can opt for a dorm.
For a chill afternoon, make the most of the rooftop hangout spot or settle in for some TV time as you catch up on your favourite Netflix show with your newfound travel buddies!
Reader Recommendation!
8. Mapping Hostel
- Room Types Offered: Dorms and privates
- Female Only Dorms Available: Yes
- Breakfast Included: No
- Communal Kitchen: No
- Price: $
Compare prices of Mapping Hostel 💰: Booking.com | Agoda
This is the ideal hostel choice for those who love nature. Sat on Chiang Mai’s Ping River, mapping Hostel feels like a beautiful oasis, away from the hustle and bustle of the city. With ample gardens and space to relax in hammocks, you won’t believe the hostel is only 800 m away from the night bazaar!
You can choose between private rustic bungalows overlooking the river or dorm rooms, which cater for 6 or 8 people, in either a mixed or female-only capacity. Bathrooms are clean and showers are hot, with a shared kitchen for guests to use. The mosquitos can be pretty bad by the river but mosquito nets are provided. Don’t forget your repellent!
Animal lovers will be in their element with lots of furry friends to play with! If you’re looking for a tranquil atmosphere that stands out when compared to other Chiang Mai hostels, then this could be the place for you. Check out the nearby bar, Riverside, for great live music, especially at the weekend!
9. Green Sleep Hostel
- Room Types Offered: Dorms and privates
- Female Only Dorms Available: Yes
- Breakfast Included: Yes
- Communal Kitchen: No
- Price: $$
Compare prices of Green Sleep Hostel 💰: Booking.com | Agoda
From the minute you walk through the doors of this hostel, you’ll feel relaxed and calm due to the peaceful design and homely surroundings. The hostel is bright, tasteful and immaculately clean. Lockers and clean towels are provided for each guest – a nice touch.
Green Sleep Hostel is very centrally located, and it’s the perfect base for your stay in Chiang Mai. Even better, if you choose to stay here, you also get bicycle hire free of charge, making it even easier to explore the city.
The hostel offers a complimentary breakfast every day, and there are many social areas to hang out and meet fellow travellers. Solo female travellers love this hostel because of its super safe location, friendly staff and welcoming atmosphere. There are also female-only dorms.
10. Sherloft Home and Hostel
- Room Types Offered: Dorms and privates
- Female Only Dorms Available: No
- Breakfast Included: Only for privates
- Communal Kitchen: No
- Price: $$
Compare prices of Sherloft Home and Hostel 💰: Booking.com | Agoda | Hostelworld
Feeling more like a hotel than a hostel because of the quality of the accommodation and chic decor, Sherloft Home and Hostel is a popular option for travellers looking to relax and enjoy a taste of luxury.
There are both private rooms and dorms, starting at around $11USD. The bunks come with privacy curtains, safety deposit boxes and individual reading lights. A delicious breakfast is included in the room rate for those in private rooms but dorm guests will need to pay extra.
This hostel has everything a traveller could need, including a communal kitchen complete with a juice blender and microwave, free WiFi and a prepaid washing machine. Tea, coffee and Netflix are free!
It is close to the Saturday and Sunday walking streets which makes it a good base from which to explore the city. Bikes are available and the staff can give good recommendations about the best places to go.
11. The August Hostel
- Room Types Offered: Dorms and privates
- Female Only Dorms Available: No
- Breakfast Included: No
- Communal Kitchen: Yes
- Price: $$
Compare prices of The August Hostel 💰: Booking.com | Agoda | Hostelworld
This is a sleek and modern hostel, which is nestled right in the heart of Chiang Mai’s Old City. It is within walking distance of everything you might need and just steps away from the Sunday Walking Market.
The August Hostel is known for its high levels of cleanliness and helpful staff. Rooms cater for 2, 4, 6, or 8 people, with plenty of space for everyone. The dorms are mixed and feature comfortable bunk beds with privacy curtains and reading lights.
There are also lovely double rooms with balconies which aren’t too expensive, ideal for couples. If you are looking to save a few baht, make sure to make the most of the guest kitchen. This communal space is clean and well-stocked!
12. Stay Here Hostel
- Room Types Offered: Dorms and privates
- Female Only Dorms Available: No
- Breakfast Included: No
- Communal Kitchen: Yes
- Price: $
Compare prices of Stay Here Hostel 💰: Booking.com | Agoda
The location of Stay Here Hostel is very convenient for travellers looking to explore the Old City. It’s very modern in design and gets extra points for cleanliness. The hostel offers both private rooms and dorms, and you can grab breakfast on top for a small fee.
Many liken this hostel to a hotel and it is easy to understand why. It even has a swimming pool! The hosts at Stay Here Hostel pride themselves on quality and do everything they can to make their guest’s stay memorable.
The downstairs coffee bar is a great addition and provides a good place to chat with other backpackers. The WiFi is also good, making it a good place for digital nomads to catch up on their emails. The reception desk is super helpful and can help you arrange tours and also recommend local bars and restaurants.
13. ALEXA Hostel
- Room Types Offered: Dorms and privates
- Female Only Dorms Available: Yes
- Breakfast Included: No
- Communal Kitchen: No
- Price: $$$
Compare prices of ALEXA Hostel 💰: Booking.com | Agoda | Hostelworld
ALEXA Hostel is a super swanky, vibrant, and modern place to stay, located just off the famous Nimmanhaemin Road. While this is a little far from the main sights, it is close to plenty of nightlife and entertainment options.
It’s a big hit with the thriving digital nomad community of Chiang Mai, who love the spacious common area and café serving good, strong coffee. You’ll see digital nomads tapping away at their silver MacBooks around the clock! Of course, it makes sense that you’ll find super-fast WiFi throughout the hostel, as well as AC in all the indoor areas.
There are dorm rooms or private rooms, however, the latter are a little pricey. Every guest has plenty of space within the dorms, as well as an individual light and a curtain for privacy. Free toiletries are provided – a nice touch for backpackers who have used nothing but shampoo bars for the last two months (and have the dreadlocks to prove it)!
Closed Chiang Mai Hostels – Backpacker Favourites!
Unfortunately, the pandemic forced a lot of great hostels to close. Lack of tourism, plummeting revenue and local curfews meant many of the legendary backpacker hostels in Chiang Mai simply couldn’t go on. Below we’ve listed a few of our old favourites – hopefully, someone will want to reopen them in the future!
- Brick House Hostel
- Hug Hostel Rooftop
- Baan Heart Thai
- The Pause Hostel
- D-Well Hostel
- To Bed Poshtel
- Na La Da Hostel
With so many hostel options available in Chiang Mai, you’re truly spoilt for choice! Tell us! What’s your favourite hostel in Chiang Mai?
Nikki Scott | Founder & Editor
Nikki is the founding editor of South East Asia Backpacker and The Backpacker Network. In her early twenties, she left her home in the North of England on a solo backpacking adventure and never returned! After six months on the road, she founded a print magazine that became legendary on the Banana Pancake Trail. The rest is history.
10, 12, 11, 13… interesting counting… 😉
Whoops! There were so many great hostels in Chiang Mai… I seem to have lost count! Haha!