Posted: 2/20/24 | February 20th, 2024
Chiang Mai is the most popular destination in northern Thailand. It’s a hub for travelers looking to go trekking in the jungle or visit the nearby elephant sanctuaries. I love it here. I was there recently and glad to see that, even post-COVID, the vibe the city has remained the same (it’s one of the best places for food in the country).
As a popular travel hub, the city is awash in hostels. There’s something for every travel type and budget.
To help you pick out of the hundreds of options available, below is my list of the best hostels in Chiang Mai.
If you don’t want to read the longer list, the following are the best in each category:
Want the specifics? Here’s my breakdown of the best hostels in Chiang Mai and why I love them:
Price legend (per night):
- $: Under 350 THB
- $$: 350-500 THB
- $$$: Over 500 THB
1. Stamps Backpackers
Right on the outskirts of the Old City, this is a super social hostel. They organize events every single night and there’s a bar on-site that’s open to the public so you can mingle with locals and travelers alike (they have a great happy hour). They also have a tour desk and they organize day trips from the city. What I especially found helpful was their blackboard where travelers can post their plans.
While the dorm beds in the larger rooms are basic (simple bunks with no curtains), the mattresses are thick and quite comfortable. The smaller dorms also only have single beds so there are no bunks. You also get your own little alcove so it feels much more private than the standard dorm. (Note: while the smaller dorms have AC, the larger eight-person dorms only have a fan (it’s a personal fan though).)
This is the best hostel in the city. If you can find a room, stay here!
Stamps at a glance:
- $$
- Super easy to meet people
- Shared activity board
- Tour desk on-site
Beds from 450 THB.
2. Hidden Garden Hostel
This hostel is incredibly charming, with beautiful architecture and a minimalist design that features lots of exposed wood. It has a boutique feel to it, with large and spacious dorms that don’t feel crowded. The dorm beds are super comfortable and feature individual lights, outlets, and curtains so you can get a good sleep. It’s a social hostel, but not party centric.
The hostel also has a pool if you want to hang out and relax, as well as a rooftop terrace where you can take in the view. While breakfast is not included, they do offer free snacks all day. The bathrooms are all clean and well-maintained and the showers have decent pressure too. Located right on the southern outskirts of the Old City, it’s super easy to get around the city from here.
Hidden Garden Hostel at a glance:
- $$
- Beautifully designed spaces
- Female only dorms
- Pool and terrace to relax and meet people
Beds from 515 THB, private rooms from 1,250 THB.
3. Mad Monkey Chiang Mai
Stay here if you want to party. It’s super lively, with lots of things happening every night, from bar crawls to drinking games. You get a free drink on arrival, which really sets the tone for the hostel. It’s super easy to meet people here. There’s a saltwater pool as well as a bar and restaurant on site as well as lots of common spaces, including a gym and yoga space.
Like most party hostels, the dorm beds are pretty basic (but still comfortable). There are lockers in each room and most beds have privacy curtains too (rare in party hostels). It’s one of the cheapest hostels in the city too, making it the best choice for budget travelers who want to party.
Mad Monkey at a glance:
- $
- Lively, social atmosphere
- Gym, pool, and yoga studio on-site
- Free welcome drink on arrival
Beds from 315 THB, private rooms from 1,591 THB.
4. Hostel Lullaby
This award-winning hostel offers tons of free perks, including free breakfast, free bike rentals, and free daily classes (such as Thai boxing or yoga). It’s a laid-back hostel but not overly social (it’s definitely not a party place). There are lots of communal spaces to hang out, both indoors and out as well. It’s right in the middle of the Old City so it’s super easy to get around from here.
The hostel itself is pretty no-frills. The dorm rooms aren’t huge, but the beds are really comfy. There are individual reading lights, lockers, and privacy curtains for each bed as well. It’s a chill spot with lots of free perks, offering budget travelers a ton of value.
Hotel Lullaby at a glance:
- $$$
- Female-only dorm
- Free breakfast
- Free daily classes (Thai boxing, yoga)
Beds from 510 THB.
5. Dozy House
Located in the Old City (sense a them here?), this is a homely, comfortable hostel with a super friendly owner who is always happy to help make your stay enjoyable. There are colorful murals and art on the walls, and lots of laid-back common areas where you can hang out. It’s not super social but is more of a quiet and low-key hostel perfect for budget travelers. It’s one of the cheapest hostels in the city.
The dorms aren’t huge, but they have outlets, lockers, and AC. The dorm beds are super basic and only have thin mattresses and no curtains. However, the private rooms here are actually super comfortable and boast thick mattresses. It’s a good hostel for budget travelers looking to splash out on a cheap private room.
Dozy House at a glance:
- $
- Super affordable
- Comfortable and spacious private rooms
- Great location in the Old Town
Beds from 220 THB, private rooms from 880 THB.
6. Revolution Chiang Mai
This party hostel is right outside the Old City near the Saturday market. There are plenty of common spaces for hanging out, drinking, and playing beer pong. The hostel has an age limit so you know that it will only be younger travelers staying here. They also have a free nightly dinner which makes it easy to socialize and meet people. There’s no kitchen to cook, but there are lots of bars and restaurants within walking distance.
The dorms here aren’t huge but, unlike most party hostels, the beds are actually really comfy. They don’t have privacy curtains, but they do have individual lights and outlets (as well as thick mattresses). There are also small lockboxes for each bed where you can lock up your wallet, phone, and other small valuables.
Revolution Chiang Mai at a glance:
- $
- Fun party atmosphere
- 18-35 age limit
- Free nightly dinner
Beds from 299 THB.
7. About a Bed
This stylish, minimalist hostel has a boutique feel, with sleek dorms that have comfy mattresses, curtains for the pod-style beds, individual lights and outlets, and lockers. It has a friendly, calm atmosphere and the rooms have lots of natural light and feature light, natural tones. It’s more of a hostel for quiet travelers or digital nomads looking to get work done. There’s free coffee and tea available all day, as well as a small kitchen and pantry if you want to do some basic food prep.
It’s also located right near the Chang Phuak Night Market, where you can find some of the best street food in the city, as well as the centuries-old Wat Lok Moli temple.
About a Bed at a glance:
- $$
- Pod-style beds
- Free coffee & tea
- Calm, quiet atmosphere
Beds from 370 THB.
8. Sylvis Hostel Chiangmai
Located right across the street from Stamps, this hostel has a really great cocktail bar that specializes in Thai drinks made from local ingredients. It’s another energetic hostel where it’s easy to meet people as they organize lots of events and have tons of common areas where you can hang out. They can help you book tours and excursions too.
They also enforce a midnight quiet hour so you can still get a decent sleep. The dorms beds are quite comfy, with thick mattresses, privacy curtains, and individual lights and outlets. They beds are also pod-style, so you have more privacy. The shared bathrooms are large and well-maintained, with lots of space and great water pressure.
Sylvis Hostel Chiangmai at a glance:
- $$
- Cozy pod-style dorm beds
- Amazing cocktail bar
- Female only dorm
Beds from 350 THB, private rooms from 1,000 THB.
A lively hub of backpackers, expats, foodies, and digital nomads, Chiang Mai is a must-visit stop on any trip to Thailand. Stay in one of the hostels above and have a fun, affordable, and nice place to stay!
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Book Your Trip to Thailand: Logistical Tips and Tricks
Book Your Flight
Use Skyscanner to find a cheap flight. They are my favorite search engines because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned!
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. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:
- Safety Wing (best for everyone)
- Insure My Trip (for those over 70)
- Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage)
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.
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