6 Best Hostels In Galway, Ireland: Cheap + Central Hostels For Solo Travellers + Groups

I‘ve slept in a lot of different hostels in Galway over the years. Some have been great. And others have been absolutely sh*te.

In this guide, I’m going to show you the best hostels in Galway, Ireland. You’ll find review scores, prices and everything else you need to know about each hostel.

If you’ve been to this site before, the chances are you’ll have heard me say that I spent a lot of time in Galway over the years (check my guide on what to do in Galway).

Mainly when I was much younger (there’s a lot of great bars in Galway… we were kept busy).

During that time, we only ever stayed in hostels, so I’ll be chucking in my own experiences below, along with Hostelworld reviews. 

The best hostels in Galway, Ireland for 2020

1. Kinlay House (best for groups)
2. Snoozles (best for couples)
3. Sleepzone (best cheap hostel in Galway)
4. Nest Boutique Hostel (most stylish)
5. Bunk Boutique Hostel (best location)
6. Galway City Hostel (recent award winner)
7. Savoy Hostel Galway (Galway’s newest hostel)

1 – Kinlay House: The best Galway City hostel for groups

When it comes to cheap hostels Galway City has it’s fair share. My favourite hostel in the city is Kinlay.

I’ve visited Kinlay House in Galway twice. On both occasions, we had groups with 15+ people, all of whom were looking to save money and head out on the town.

We rented out two dorms (one for the lads and one for the girls) and made it our base for a weekend.

We bought noodles from Dunnes Stores (a supermarket) and cooked them (badly) in the kitchen, and drank cheap cans of cider in the communal area.

I’ve nothing but fond memories of our time in Kinlay House (aside from the thunderous hangovers!)

The rooms were clean (but pokey), the communal area was perfect for chilling with a big group of friends and the location was cracking.

2 – Snoozles: The best hostel in Galway for couples 

Actually, this should really be titled the ‘Best Hostel in Galway for Couples and Friends’… that sounds a bit arsey though, doesn’t it?!

So, I visited here two years ago with one of the lads and we stayed the night in a room with two beds. This was the first hostel that I’d stayed in in a while and I was hesitant booking it.

The room was small, but it was clean, had a big shower and, randomly enough, it also had a balcony, similar to the one in the photo above, actually.

It was also nice and close to the train station and we managed to park the car nearby. A great spot that I’d happily recommend.

3 – Sleepzone: The Best Cheap Hostel in Galway City

This is another hostel in Galway that we used to frequent when we were younger. It’s central and pretty damn cheap, also.

When we were here last (probably 7 years ago, now), I vividly remember a group of us returning after a night out to find that the lock in the door was broken.

A bloke on reception (Horatio – no idea how I remember his name!) came up and did a James-Bond-style trick by slipping a card down through the gap in the door.

The door clicked open… I’ve requested a safe in every room that I’ve stayed in since. This is a handy spot that has a decent sized kitchen and communal area if you fancy keep costs low and cooking on-site.

4 – Nest Boutique Hostel: Most Stylish Hostel

I’d never heard of Nest Boutique Hostel until I was planning out this guide. Nest straddles the line between funky guesthouse and hostel and, rumour has it, they’re trying to get planning permission to turn the hostel into a hotel (I’m not sure how true this is!)

This place looks ridiculously good. It’s been a while since I’ve stayed in a hostel in Galway, but I’d genuinely consider spending a night here.

This is a boutique-style hostel that looks like something you’d find in Berlin. Definitely the most stylish hostel Galway has to offer.

5 – Bunk Boutique Hostel Galway: Best Location

The Bunk Boutique Hostel is another quirky hostel in Galway City.

Located a handy 1-minute walk from Eyre Square and the city’s bus and train stations, this hostel boasts fantastic reviews, a top location and one of the best prices for a private room that I could find (see below).

Visitors to this hostel can expect free WiFi, luggage storage and lockers. There’s also either en suite or shared bathroom facilities with showers in all mixed and all-female dormitories.

6 – Galway City Hostel: Recent Award Winner

If awards tend to swing your booking decision, then the Galway City Hostel may tickle your fancy.

This place won the Hostelworld best hostel in Galway and Ireland in 2018, 2017 and 2016. Located right beside the bus and train station, the Galway City Hostel boasts excellent reviews (see below) and a decent bar on-site.

7 – Savoy Hostel: Galway’s Newest Hostel (Apparently…)

According to their profile on Hostelworld, the Savoy Hostel is the newest and most modern youth hostel in Galway.

After browsing through their photos, I’d have to disagree with the ‘most modern’ bit. While the rooms do look big and bright, this place looks far less modern than many of the other hostels on our list.

Visitors to the Savoy Hostel can expect a big common room equipped with a widescreen TV, pool table and jukebox, which makes it a solid option for those of you visiting the city with friends.

They also offer daily tours of the Cliffs of Moher, Connemara and the Aran Islands via the Galway tour company at a discounted rate for hostel guests.

Have you stayed in a hostel in Galway, Ireland?

It’s been a few years since I’ve stayed in any of the hostels in the guide above.

So, I’d love to hear of any recent experiences you’ve had.

If there’s a hostel that you loved or hated, let me know in the comments below.