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Istanbul<\/a> is a dynamic, sprawling, and historic metropolis known as the bridge between Europe<\/a> and Asia. For centuries it was one of the most important cities in the world, a hub for trade and culture between the four corners of the earth.<\/p>\n Like Rome<\/a>, Istanbul has layers upon layers to unravel as you wander its bustling streets. Now home to over 15 million people, it was once the capital of the Byzantine Empire (the inheritor of the Roman Empire). Then it was the center of the Ottoman Empire, which lasted over 600 years before dissolving in 1922. <\/p>\n Istanbul used to be a very cheap place to visit. However, prices have risen in recent years due to rampant inflation. But it’s still relatively inexpensive and home to several fun, social, and affordable hostels that can save you some money \u2014 money you can then spend on delicious food, aromatic Turkish coffee, and any of the amazing sights and activities the city has to offer, such as the Hagia Sophia or relaxing in an authentic hammam (steam bath).<\/p>\n Below is my list of the best hostels in Istanbul. If you don\u2019t want to read the longer list below, the following are the best in each category:<\/p>\n The staff here are legendary for their warmth and friendliness. The hostel is also close to everything you might need (restaurants, grocery stores, the metro) and is kept very clean (including the bathrooms). While the dorms aren\u2019t anything fancy, the beds are comfortable. Bring your own padlock for the lockers. Also, there is sometimes a two-night minimum so keep that in mind when booking.<\/p>\n Tilas House at a glance: <\/strong><\/p>\n Le Banc has a cozy common room where you can hang out, chat with other travelers, and relax after a day of exploring. The lovely terrace has an outstanding view of the skyline too. The dorm beds are cozy, with privacy curtains and thick mattresses, and the bathrooms are modern and clean. It’s one of the more affordable choices on this list too.<\/p>\n Hostel Le Banc at a glance: <\/strong><\/p>\n The wooden dorm beds are wide and have privacy curtains and comfy mattresses so you can actually get a good sleep here. There are also lockers in each dorm room as well as individual reading lists. Overall, it’s a comfy and chill spot in a great part of the city.<\/p>\n Yolo Hostel Kadik\u00f6y at a glance: <\/strong><\/p>\n The bunks are basic (they are wood and there are no privacy curtains), but the beds are comfy, and there are lockers available to store your bags. There are also female-only dorms. Note that they only allow travelers aged 15-40 to stay in the dorms.<\/p>\n Cheers Hostel at a glance: <\/strong><\/p>\n Each bed in the spacious dorms has its own reading light, power outlet, and privacy curtain. The mattresses are thick, so you can actually get a decent night\u2019s sleep too! Note that they only allow travelers aged 18\u201345 to stay in the dorms.<\/p>\n Stanpoli Hostel at a glance: <\/strong><\/p>\n The in-house bar stays open late every night, so if you\u2019re traveling alone and want to meet fellow travelers, this is the place to stay. Just note that they only accept guests between 14-40. <\/p>\n Bahaus Guesthouse Hostel at a glance: <\/strong><\/p>\n The hostel offers a nice Turkish breakfast for just 175 TRY and regular communal dinners so you can get to know your fellow travelers. The staff organize walking tours and pub crawls too.<\/p>\n While the beds are basic (cheap metal bunks with no curtains), there\u2019s a chill rooftop terrace for hanging out, the bathrooms are clean and spacious, and the staff go above and beyond to make you feel welcome. Note that dormitories have an age limit of 40 years old. <\/p>\n Second Home Hostel at a glance: <\/strong><\/p>\n Istanbul<\/a> is one of the most historic, iconic cities in the world, literally bridging the gap between east and west. It\u2019s lively and energetic, and while prices have risen in recent years, it\u2019s still very affordable \u2014 especially if you stay in one of the city\u2019s fun, safe, and low-cost hostels.<\/p>\n Book Your Flight<\/strong> Book Your Accommodation<\/strong> Don’t Forget Travel Insurance<\/strong> Want to Travel for Free?<\/strong> Need a Rental Car?<\/strong> Need Help Finding Activities for Your Trip?<\/strong> Ready to Book Your Trip?<\/strong> Istanbul is a dynamic, sprawling, and historic metropolis known as the bridge between Europe and Asia. For centuries it was one of the most important cities in the world, a hub for trade and culture between the four corners of the earth. Like Rome, Istanbul has layers upon layers to unravel as you wander its…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":253059,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","_kadence_starter_templates_imported_post":false,"_kad_post_transparent":"default","_kad_post_title":"default","_kad_post_layout":"default","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"default","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"default","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[69],"tags":[745,2250,2801],"class_list":["post-253047","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-asia","tag-hostels","tag-istanbul","tag-turkey"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n\n\n\nBest Hostel for Budget Travelers<\/strong>:\n<\/div>\n\nSecond Home Hostel<\/a> or Hostel Le Blanc<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\nBest Hostel for History Buffs<\/strong>:\n<\/div>\n\nCheers Hostel<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\nBest Hostel for Solo Female Travelers<\/strong>:\n<\/div>\n\nCheers Hostel<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\nBest Hostel for Digital Nomads<\/strong>:\n<\/div>\n\nSecond Home Hostel<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\nBest Hostel for Partying<\/strong>:\n<\/div>\n\nBahaus Guesthouse and Hostel<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\nBest Overall Hostel<\/strong>:\n<\/div>\n\nHostel Le Blanc<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\nWant the specifics of each? Here\u2019s my breakdown of the best hostels in Istanbul and why I love them:<\/p>\n1. Tilas House<\/a><\/h3>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/2022\/istanbulhostels1.jpeg\")
\nLocated on a quiet side street in Kadik\u00f6y, a cool, laid-back residential neighborhood, Tilas House is a favorite among budget travelers and backpackers. The 150-year-old building is filled with comfortable furniture, colorful drapes, and eclectic art, and each room\u2019s walls are hand-painted and reflect various aspects of the culture and history of this city. It feels less like a hostel and more like a large family home or B&B.<\/p>\n\\<\/p>\n
\n <\/p>\n2. Hostel Le Banc<\/a><\/h3>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/2022\/istanbulhostels2.jpeg\")
\nIf location is your priority, Le Banc is the hostel for you. It\u2019s located steps from Taksim Square, the modern heart of the city, so if you yearn to feel the intensity that is central Istanbul, this is the place to stay. <\/p>\n\n
\n <\/p>\n3. Yolo Hostel Kadik\u00f6y<\/a><\/h3>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/2022\/istanbulhostels3.jpeg\")
\nYolo is a very social hostel. The staff organizes a lot of gatherings and activities, plus there\u2019s a lovely terrace, leafy communal garden, and open, fully equipped kitchen in which you can relax and talk to other travelers (and cook your own meals if you’re on a budget). <\/p>\n\n
\n <\/p>\n4. Cheers Hostel<\/a><\/h3>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/2022\/istanbulhostels4.jpeg\")
\nCheers is located on the European side of the Bosphorus, just a few minutes\u2019 walk from some of Istanbul\u2019s most iconic historical sites (including the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque). I love that they offer regular walking tours (in English and in Spanish), as that’s a great (and easy) way to see the sights and meet other travelers. The hostel also has a terrace and bar with great views overlooking the city. Cheers Caf\u00e9 provides a cozy place to sip Turkish coffee in the morning or nurse a beer in the evening. <\/p>\n\n
\n <\/p>\n5. Stanpoli Hostel<\/a><\/h3>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/2022\/istanbulhostels5.jpeg\")
\nAt Stanpoli, just steps from the Blue Mosque, the Hippodrome, the Basilica Cistern, and the iconic Hagia Sophia, you can indulge in a Turkish-style breakfast feast on the lovely rooftop terrace, which has a great view of the historic Sultanahmet district. The hostel also has a friendly staff who know the city well and can share their insider tips and advice to help you make the most of your trip.<\/p>\n\n
\n <\/p>\n6. Bahaus Guesthouse Hostel<\/a><\/h3>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/2022\/istanbulhostels6.jpeg\")
\nSocial activities are the name of the game at Bahaus, located on the European side of Istanbul, just a short walk from numerous historical sites (such as the Blue Mosque). Bahaus offers daily walking tours \u2014 which include a deep dive into the Grand Bazaar, a stroll around the Asian side of town, and a tour of the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia \u2014 as well as organized gatherings in the evenings (such as barbecue and drinks on the rooftop terrace). All the bunk beds have wrap-around curtains for extra privacy, and all rooms have an attached bathroom, air conditioning, and ceiling fans, so you won\u2019t be sweltering during the hot summer months. <\/p>\n\n
\n <\/p>\n7. Second Home Hostel<\/a><\/h3>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/2022\/istanbulhostels7.jpeg\")
\nIf you have to work while you\u2019re on the road or you\u2019re a digital nomad, Second Home (located on the European side of town) is your best option. Not only is the Wi-Fi fast throughout the property, but there are desks in the guest rooms and the common room. <\/p>\n\n
\nBook Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks<\/h4>\n
\nFind a cheap flight by using Skyscanner<\/a>. It’s my favorite search engine because it searches websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is being left unturned. <\/p>\n
\nYou can book your hostel with Hostelworld<\/a>. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com<\/a> as it consistently returns the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels. <\/p>\n
\nTravel 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. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:<\/p>\n\n
\nTravel credit cards allow you to earn points that can be redeemed for free flights and accommodation \u2014 all without any extra spending. Check out my guide to picking the right card and my current favorites<\/a> to get started and see the latest best deals.<\/p>\n
\nDiscover Cars<\/a> is a budget-friendly international car rental website. No matter where you’re headed, they’ll be able to find the best \u2014 and cheapest \u2014 rental for your trip!<\/p>\n
\nGet Your Guide<\/a> is a huge online marketplace where you can find cool walking tours, fun excursions, skip-the-line tickets, private guides, and more. <\/p>\n
\nCheck out my resource page<\/a> for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use when I travel. They are the best in class and you can’t go wrong using them on your trip.\n<\/div>\n\nPhoto credits: 2 – Tilas House<\/a>, 3 – Hostel Le Banc<\/a>, 4 – Yolo Hostel<\/a>, 5 – Cheers Hostel<\/a>, 6 – Stanpoli Hostel<\/a>, 7 – Bahaus Hostel<\/a>, 8 – Second Home Hostel<\/a>.\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"