Finding the best hostels in Austin, Texas starts with an honest fact: Austin has one of the smallest hostel scenes of any major American city. a handful of properties that book out fast during SXSW and Austin City Limits. Here is every Austin hostel we could verify as operating in 2026, led by Firehouse Hostel (8.6/10 from 2,600+ reviews).
TL;DR: Firehouse Hostel is Austin’s best hostel — an 1885 fire station steps from Sixth Street, dorms from ~$22, free breakfast, hidden speakeasy lounge. Native Hostel Austin is the solo-traveler pick. Book early: dorms average $44/night in December, $73 in March.
The 8 best hostels in Austin, Texas
1. Firehouse Hostel — best overall
Firehouse Hostel is the best-rated hostel in Texas by the numbers. Hostelz ranks it 8.6 out of 10 across 2,652 verified guest reviews, and Hostelworld’s own Austin guide names it the top pick with an 8.6 score, free breakfast, and affordable pricing. The hook is the building: an 1885 fire station — Austin’s oldest — at 605 Brazos Street, steps from Sixth Street’s live-music strip. Dorms start around $21.56; bunks include lockers, outlets, and reading lights, plus a communal kitchen and a speakeasy lounge behind a bookshelf.
2. Native Hostel Austin — best for solo travelers
Native Hostel Austin, at 807 East 4th Street between downtown and the East Side, is a 65-bed luxury hostel with a bar, kitchen, and coffee shop. Four-bed dorms include privacy curtains, lamps, plugs, and locked storage. Momondo rates it 9.0 from 239 verified ratings, typically ~$30 a night — about $142 cheaper than Austin’s average two-star hotel. Cautions from its Hostelworld listing: minimum age 21, and the bar’s DJ sets can run until 2 a.m. — light sleepers pack earplugs.
3. Drifter Jack’s Hostel — best budget pick near UT (verify before booking)
Drifter Jack’s sits at 2602 Guadalupe Street, across from the University of Texas in buzzing West Campus, minutes from Sixth Street. Guests praise murals by 25+ local artists and Thursday/Saturday pub crawls. KAYAK shows it bookable at 8.5 from 307 verified ratings as of October 2026 — but Google’s listing flags it permanently closed, so confirm directly before booking.
4. Winnetou and Old Shatterhand Hostel — South Austin local favorite
At 3115 South 1st Street, this small independent hostel is a world away from the Sixth Street party scene — quieter and cheaper, popular with long-stay backpackers exploring South Austin’s taco trucks and vintage shops.
5. Marcys Cottage Hostel — cottage-style stay in South Austin
Marcys Cottage Hostel, at 4200 Menchaca Road, is a house-style hostel in residential South Austin — shared common spaces and a homier vibe than downtown, listed as active and inexpensive.
6. Wild Sam Austin Hostel — East Austin, walkable to downtown
Wild Sam, at 1021 Waller Street in East Austin, is a small budget hostel about a 15-minute walk from downtown and the Convention Center — near the East Side’s barbecue joints and coffee shops without downtown prices.
7. R&R Hostels — hostel rooms via Airbnb
R&R Hostels offers hostel-style rooms at 8115 Shenandoah Drive, bookable via Airbnb — a practical fallback when central hostels sell out during festivals.
8. Sua Casinha — quiet pick with breakfast
Sua Casinha is a quieter, breakfast-included option in Tripadvisor’s Austin hostel rankings — but the review base is thin, so treat it as a backup and confirm availability.
How much do hostels in Austin cost in 2026?
Timing matters more than property in Austin. Hostelz’s 2026 data puts the average dorm bed at $44 a night in December (cheapest) versus $73 in March during SXSW, with October (Austin City Limits) at $66. Hostelworld lists typical non-peak dorms around £30 a night. For broader context on what to expect from American hostel stays, see our guide to the best hostels in Washington, DC.
Frequently asked questions
How many hostels are in Austin, Texas?
Very few — one of the smallest hostel scenes of any major US city. Expedia lists five properties under Austin hostels; Hostelz currently ranks just Firehouse Hostel. Book early for March and October.
What is the best hostel in Austin?
Firehouse Hostel: 8.6/10 (2,652 reviews), steps from Sixth Street in an 1885 fire station, dorms from ~$22, free breakfast.
How much is a hostel in Austin per night?
$44/night for a dorm in December, up to $73 in March during SXSW (2026 data); private rooms from ~$81.
Which Austin hostel is closest to Sixth Street?
Firehouse Hostel at 605 Brazos Street — genuinely steps from Sixth Street’s nightlife and live-music venues.
Are Austin hostels good for solo travelers?
Yes — Firehouse and Native Hostel draw social solo crowds with bars, communal kitchens, and pub crawls.
Do hostels in Austin include breakfast?
The best do: Firehouse, Native Hostel, and Sua Casinha all include breakfast.
What is the cheapest month to stay in a hostel in Austin?
December, averaging about $44 a night for a dorm. March is priciest at $73, driven by SXSW.
Are there hostels near the University of Texas at Austin?
Drifter Jack’s sits on Guadalupe Street across from the UT campus — but confirm it is open before booking, as its status is disputed.
