The charismatic capital of the United States has a lot to offer, and it is no wonder that it receives a huge inflow of visitors almost all the time. Unlike other major tourist destinations in the country, Washington DC does not enjoy having a large number of hotels. Consequently, travelers on a budget usually find it a challenge to find appropriate stays within the city. However, DC is blessed with several hostels that offer a wide range of amenities, and which will make a great alternative to the scarce and more expensive hotel accommodation. Read on to find out our top picks for the best hostels in Washington DC.
We handpicked these listings carefully, considering (wherever possible) Superhost status, recent guest reviews, location, accommodation type, prices, availability of dates, decor, and amenities. The image galleries get refreshed with the latest updates regularly. They were last updated on February 05, 2024.
1. Duo Nomad (from USD 47)
Great value for money with affordable rates and free breakfast.
Clean and cozy communal spaces, including a lovely terrace and shared living room.
Outstanding location in the diverse and pleasant Eastern Market neighborhood, close to major attractions and public transportation.
Delicious homemade chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast, with nearby food options and a farmers market.
Duo Nomad is an adult-only hostel with a shared lounge and terrace, free WiFi and a 24-hour front desk. All the rooms in the hostels are air-conditioned and feature a kitchen, a seating area, a dining area, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, and a shared bathroom where guests will find a shower and a hairdryer. Select rooms come with an electric teapot and patio. Though the rooms have a kitchen, a continental breakfast is served every morning. The nearby attractions include the National Museum of the American Indian – 2.3 km (1.4 miles) away, while the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum is 2.6 km (1.6 miles) away. The nearest airport is Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, 9.7 km (6 miles) away from the hostel.
Duo Nomad
Address: 1010 Pennsylvania Ave S. E.
4.67 km (2.9 mi) from National Geographic Museum
2. U Street Capsule Hostel (from USD 46)
Reasonable pricing for a convenient location near metro and attractions.
Clean and comfortable capsules with helpful self-check-in app, cafe, and spacious showers.
Superb location near metro, restaurants, and attractions like the White House.
Great coffee shop, nearby restaurants, and lively neighborhood for dining and socializing.
U Street Capsule Hostel is 1.9 km (1.2 miles) from the Washington Convention Center, 3.4 km (2.1 miles) from Franklin D Roosevelt Memorial and 3.1 km (1.9 miles) from the White House. The hotel offers air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi and a shared lounge for all guests. There is no shared kitchen or a restaurant in the facility, but American or buffet breakfast is offered to guests each morning. For those who would love to explore around, Newseum in 3.5 km (2.2 miles) away while the Washington Monument is only 3.4 km (2.1 miles) from the hostel. The nearest airport is Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport located at about 9.7 km (6 miles) from the hostel.
U Street Capsule Hostel
Address: 1931 13th street NW
1.5 km (1.0 mi) from National Geographic Museum
3. Duo Housing (from USD 34)
Duo Housing is only 1.6 km (1 mile) from the White House, about six minutes’ drive from the Washington Monument, and nine minutes’ drive from the Lincoln Memorial. The hostel offers dorm-style rooms with free linen, towels, and a shared bathroom. There are a shared lounge and terrace where guests can interact, and there is also a shared kitchen for fixing quick meals. For guests’ convenience, the hostel provides a 24-hour front desk, free WiFi, luggage storage, as well as a vending machine for refreshments and snacks.
Duo Housing
Address: 1223 11th Street Northwest
980 meters (0.7 ft) from National Geographic Museum
4. HighRoad Hostel DC (from USD 105)
The hostel is located in a restored Victorian mansion, about 0.7 miles (1.1 km) from Dupont Center, and less than one minute’s walk away from the nearest bus station. The hostel offers a variety of mixed, exclusively male, and exclusively female dorm rooms. The beds in all the rooms are fitted with memory foam mattresses and the rooms are also air-conditioned. The shared amenities include a common lounge, a kitchen, and a business center with complimentary computers. Free WiFi is available throughout the property.
HighRoad Washington DC
Address: 1804 Belmont Rd NW
1.74 km (1.1 mi) from National Geographic Museum
Washington Tour Guide
Annie Leguennec
My name is Annie. I am a local Tour guide based in Philadelphia enjoying fully what the city has to offer with its deep history, street arts, murals, architecture, traditional food, black history, Farmer Markets, green space, a melting pot of neighborhoods and its great locals. I am looking for to welcome you and show you this incredible city where you will gain a better understanding of the city's rich heritage and its continuing legacy as the birthplace of the United States of America. Book my tour. Explore and learn about this unique city where you will walk on the footsteps of our America's founding Fathers. My tours are conducted in English, French and Italian.
Tours by Annie
Washington Tour Guide
Stephanie Eley
I'm a graduate of ITMI, International Tour Management Institute and 17 years as a licensed Tour Director and Program Director. My expertise began in NYC and Washington, DC where I'm a licensed guide and has expanded to Europe, South America, Cuba and the Western / Southwestern National Parks of the US. I'd love to introduce you for a day or a week to Denver, Colorado and the 4 corners region of the US: Colorado, Utah, New Mexico and Arizona! Let's GO!! stepheley@gmail.com
Tours by Stephanie
5. Hostel Comfort Zone (from USD 22)
At Hostel Comfort Zone, you will find air-conditioned guest rooms with closets, though shared bathrooms. Other shared amenities in this hostel include a lounge, a garden, a kitchen, free WiFi, and free parking. On proximity to attractions and amenities, The Capitol is 4.8 km (3 miles) away, while the National Museum of the American Indian and the National Gallery of Art are both 5 km (3.1 miles) away. The nearest airport is Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, being only 12.9 km (8 miles) away.
Hostel Comfort Zone
Address: 2411 Benning Road Northeast
5.8 km (3.7 mi) from National Geographic Museum
6. Hilltop Hostel (from USD 25)
Hilltop Hostel is located within the DC Region, 1.7 miles (2.7 km) from the Vietnam Vets Memorial, 5 miles (8 km) from the Washington Convention Center, and 8.7 miles (14km) from the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. The hostel’s accommodation features air-conditioned rooms. A few of the rooms have private baths while the rest have shared baths equipped with a shower. The shared amenities include a kitchen and a seating area fitted with a flat-screen TV and a DVD player.
Hilltop Hostel
Address: 300 Carroll ST NW
7.98 km (5.0 mi) from National Geographic Museum
7. HI Washington, DC Hostel (from USD 35)
The hostel features dorm-style rooms, with each room featuring a lamp, a locker, and a shared bathroom. The hostel has a game room, laundry facilities, a common room, library, TV room, and a fully equipped kitchen as some of the shared amenities. Every guest is entitled to a free continental breakfast of bagels, cereals, pastries, fruit, and juice. Both the White House and the National Mall are less than a kilometer away from the hostel, while the Metro Center Metro Station is only five minutes away on foot. From the hostel’s location, there are plenty of dining and shopping options within walking distances.
HI Washington, DC Hostel
Address: 1009 11th Street, NW
1.01 km (0.7 mi) from National Geographic Museum
8. DC Lofty Hostel (from USD 33)
DC Lofty is located right at the center of Washington DC, with great proximity to attractions and city amenities. The hostel is about 1.6 km (1 mile) from the city center, while MT Vernon Square is only nine minutes away on foot. The hostel offers dorm-style rooms but with a spacious seating area and shared bathrooms. Guests will have access to a kitchen for those who would love to prepare their meals, common rooms with cable TV, and storage lockers, though guests will have to carry their own padlocks. Also accessible to guests are laundry services and a business center with fax and photocopying services.
DC Lofty
Address: 1335 11th Street NW
1.04 km (0.7 mi) from National Geographic Museum
9. Capital View Hostel (from USD 31)
Free WiFi, free parking, and non-smoking rooms are some of the features that guests can expect when they book accommodations at Capital View Hostel. The hostel is 10 minutes’ walk from the Verizon Center and The Smithsonian American Art Museum, and less than 1 km from both the Washington Convention Center and the Washington Monument. The guest rooms are air-conditioned and fitted with bunk beds and reading lights. The bathrooms are shared. For those coming by air, the nearest airport is Baltimore-Washington International Airport which is just 27 miles (43 km) away.
Capital View Hostel
Address: 301 I Street NW
2.01 km (1.3 mi) from National Geographic Museum
Comfortable stays at the heart of Washington DC
With the above best hostels in Washington DC, the lack of affordable hotels should not stop you from having a comfortable stay. Use them to get the comfortable accommodation you need and also to stay close to some of Washington’s most popular attractions and amenities.
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