{"id":262058,"date":"2023-08-31T09:35:39","date_gmt":"2023-08-31T13:35:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nomadicmatt.com\/?p=262058"},"modified":"2025-05-19T12:19:12","modified_gmt":"2025-05-19T16:19:12","slug":"best-hostels-kuala-lumpur","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nomadicmatt.com\/travel-blogs\/best-hostels-kuala-lumpur\/","title":{"rendered":"The 5 Best Hostels in Kuala Lumpur"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/p>\n
Kuala Lumpur<\/a> is one of my favorite cities in Southeast Asia. It\u2019s a melting pot of influences and cultures (Indian, Chinese, Malay, Western), there’s a ton of activities to do, and it’s a foodie heaven that I think rivals nearby Bangkok. <\/p>\n So \u201cKL\u201d is a must for anyone backpacking the region.<\/p>\n Below is my list of the best hostels in Kuala Lumpur to help you plan your trip and save money. If you don\u2019t want to read the longer list below, the following are the best in each category:<\/p>\n There\u2019s a shared kitchen and caf\u00e9, and the staff organize lots of activities to help you see the city and connect with people. The dorm beds have privacy curtains, and the mattresses are comfy. There are lights and outlets to charge your stuff too. It\u2019s one of the most popular hostels in town.<\/p>\n Chinatown Hostel at a glance:<\/strong><\/p>\n The staff organize lots of events too, including food tours. The dorm beds are super thick and have curtains so you can get a good night\u2019s sleep. There are bed lights and outlets too. <\/p>\n While it\u2019s one of the more expensive hostels, I think you get a lot of value for the price. It\u2019s a bit further out from downtown, but you\u2019re just a three-minute walk from public transit, which can get you anywhere you need to go.<\/p>\n Penthouse on 34 at a glance:<\/strong><\/p>\n The rooms are basic but comfortable, and the showers all have hot water and decent pressure. It\u2019s not a fancy hostel, but it\u2019s one of the most affordable in town, so it\u2019s a great choice for budget-minded travelers.<\/p>\n Birdnest Collective at a glance:<\/strong><\/p>\n The cozy, pod-style bunks have thick mattresses, individual lights, and lockers to keep your things safe and secure. The bathrooms are all clean and modern, with decent shower pressure. <\/p>\n Freedom Club at a glance:<\/strong><\/p>\n The pods are comfortable and all have lights, outlets, and AC so you can get a decent night\u2019s sleep. If you just need a basic place to crash and want a unique stay, this is the perfect choice!<\/p>\n Space Hotel at a glance:<\/strong><\/p>\n Kuala Lumpur<\/a> is the beating heart of Malaysia<\/a> and a must-visit for backpackers and foodies alike. But while the city has a lot of hostels, not all of them are created equal. By staying in one from this list, you\u2019ll be sure to have a fun, safe, and budget-friendly visit to this lively capital.<\/p>\n Get all my best Southeast Asia travel tips & free planning guides sent straight to your inbox <\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n
\nWant the specifics of each hostel? Here\u2019s my breakdown of the best hostels in KL and why I love them:<\/p>\n1. Chinatown Hostel (by Mingle)<\/a><\/h3>\n

\nLocated in the heart of Chinatown, this is a fun and social backpacker hostel that makes it easy to meet and mingle with other travelers. Chinatown has tons of cheap and delicious places to eat, so the area makes for a good base (especially for foodies).<\/p>\n\n
\n <\/p>\n2. Penthouse on 34<\/a><\/h3>\n

\nThis is one of the coolest hostels in KL. It\u2019s located in the penthouse duplex of a skyscraper, so you get epic views. There\u2019s also a rooftop area where you can take part in yoga classes or just hang out, and guests get access to the infinity pool that looks down over the city from the 37th floor. <\/p>\n\n
\n <\/p>\n3. Birdnest Collective<\/a><\/h3>\n

\nThis no-frills hostel is also located in Chinatown. All the rooms have AC, and there\u2019s a cool rooftop caf\u00e9 where you can hang out and relax. It\u2019s not super social, though there\u2019s plenty of space to chill. <\/p>\n\n
\n <\/p>\n4. The Freedom Club Hostel<\/a><\/h3>\n

\nThis new boutique hostel, just a short walk from most of the main sights, is modern and stylish, with three common areas to hang out in, though it has more of a quiet vibe, since the staff don\u2019t organize events. There\u2019s also a kitchen where you can cook your own meals if you\u2019re on a budget. There\u2019s free Wi-Fi too. <\/p>\n\n
\n <\/p>\n5. Space Hotel @ Chinatown<\/a><\/h3>\n

\nThis is a space-themed capsule hotel and boutique hostel. Located in Chinatown, it has an artsy, futuristic vibe, as the walls are covered in space-themed murals and all the beds are capsule pods. It\u2019s not a social hostel, since everyone has their own capsule, but there are lots of things to do nearby, as well as places to eat (including the Petaling Street Market).<\/p>\n\n
Planning a Trip to Southeast asia<\/h5>\r\n
\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n