The best hostels in Galway are Kinlay House, the Dawson and Snoozles, but there are several good options.
Deciding where to stay in Galway can be tricky, especially if you’re on a tight budget.
However, for a city its size, Galway has an excellent selection of hostels, ranging from long-standing favourites like Kinlay to newer, boutique options like Nest in Salthill.
The best hostels in Galway
It’s worth taking 15 seconds to have a look at the map above, first, as it’ll give you the lay-of-the-land.
As you can see, the majority of the Galway hostels are located within easy reach of both the bus and train station.
Note: if you book a stay through one of the links below we may make a tiny commission that helps us keep this site going. You won’t pay extra, but we really do appreciate it.
1. Kinlay Hostel

Photos via Kinlay Hostel on FB
In my opinion, the best hostel in Galway City is Kinlay House, and I’m basing this on many stays over the years.
It’s located right on Eyre Square (a large open space), a stone’s throw from the bus and train station and a handy 8-minute walk into the centre of the city.
From its doorstep you can visit one of the finest pubs in Galway, take one of the Galway day tours or explore the city.
What you’ll like about it
- Excellent location and reputation
- Refurbished in 2024
- Voted Ireland’s top hostel at the International Hostel Awards
Hostel features, rooms and facilities
- Room types: Private rooms and dormitories, including twin, double, family rooms, and 4, 6, or 8-bed dorms
- Facilities: Free breakfast, Wi-Fi, pool table, 70″ TV, self-catering kitchen and large common areas
2. The Dawson

Photos via The Dawson
The Dawson has been one of the most popular hostels in Galway City for many years now, but under a different name – Sleepzone!
It was only rebranded at the end of August 2024.
I’ve stayed here a number of times over the years and, while the location isn’t as good as Kinlay, it made a great, cheap base to explore from.
What you’ll like about it
- Location (it’s an 8-minute walk from the centre, Galway Cathedral and the bus station
- The majority of rooms are ensuite
Hostel features, rooms and facilities
- Room types: Private rooms include twin, 4-bed, and 6-bed options with en suite bathrooms. Dorm options range from 4 to 10 bed
- Facilities: Free breakfast, tea, and coffee all day, fully equipped self-catering kitchen, HD TV lounge, reading lounges and Wi-Fi
3. Snoozles

Photos via Snoozles on FB
Snoozles is arguably one of the best hostels in Galway for couples or for smaller groups.
I stayed here two years ago with a friend during race week as the various hotels in Galway and B&Bs in Galway were booked out.
While I was very wary of what to expect (it had been a while since I stayed in a hostel) the private rooms were big, clean, bright and spacious, and it made a great base for a couple of nights.
What you’ll like about it
- Location (right by the bus station and 10-minute walk from the centre)
- Clean, well-maintained rooms
Hostel features, rooms and facilities
- Room types: Private rooms with en suite bathrooms, including single, twin, double, and larger dormitory-style rooms (6-bed and 10-bed)
- Facilities: Free breakfast, Wi-Fi, self-catering kitchen, living and dining areas, luggage storage and patio area
4. Galway City Hostel

Photos via Galway City Hostel on FB
If awards tend to swing your booking decision, then the award-winning Galway City Hostel may tickle your fancy.
It won the Hostelworld best hostel in Galway and Ireland in 2018, 2017 and 2016. Not too shabby, given the competition!
Located right beside the bus and train station, the Galway City Hostel boasts excellent reviews, mainly from solo travellers.
What you’ll like about it
- Excellent location near the bus, train, centre of the city and many of the best restaurants in Galway
- Good social buzz here as it’s one of the Galway hostels popular amongst solo travellers
- Clean, comfortable rooms that offer good value for money
Hostel features, rooms and facilities
- Room types: Dormitory-style rooms with 10 or 12 POD beds
- Facilities: Free continental breakfast, Wi-Fi, luggage storage, printing services and shared lounge
5. Woodquay Hostel

Photos via Woodquay Hostel on FB
Next up is one of the best hostels in Galway for those of you in search of a cheap and reasonably central places to stay in Galway, with a night starting at €22.
Although the map at the top of this guide might lead you to believe Woodquay is way out of the city centre, that isn’t the case – it’s a 5-minute walk away!
What you’ll like about it
- Excellent location close to all of the things to do in Galway
- Clean rooms, friendly staff and a well-equipped kitchen
Hostel features, rooms and facilities
- Room types: Private rooms for 5 to 6 people with en suite bathrooms. 6, 7, 8, and 10-bed dorms
- Facilities: Free tea and coffee, Wi-Fi, self-catering kitchen, luggage storage and outdoor seating area
6. Nest Boutique Hostel

Photos via Nest Boutique Hostel on FB
So, while all of the Galway hostels mentioned above are in the city centre, Nest Boutique Hostel isn’t!
You’ll find it in Salthill – a seaside town that’s located right next to Galway City. It’ll take you around 25 minutes to walk from Nest into the city’s Latin Quarter.
Out of all of the hostels in Galway, Nest is the most unique, and it’s arguably more like a boutique hotel than a hostel.
What you’ll like about it
- Location (by the sea in an area many visiting Galway tend to miss)
- Hotel vibe (quieter than some of the other Galway hostels with a cosy, comfortable atmosphere)
Hostel features, rooms and facilities
- Room types: Double and twin en-suite rooms, family rooms and 6 and 7-bed dorms (some are en-suite)
- Facilities: Free parking (5 spaces), Wi-Fi, adaptors, continental breakfast for €7.50 per person
Explore beyond the Galway hostels
Now that you have a sense of where to stay in the city, here are some things to do:
- Travel to the Aran Islands from Galway City
- Take my free Galway walking tour
- Follow my Galway Road Trip itinerary
- Visit the Spanish Arch, Galway City Museum, the Galway Christmas Market and the Long Walk
Keith O’Hara has lived in Ireland for 35 years and has spent much of the last 13 creating what is now The Irish Road Trip guide. Over the years, the website has published thousands of meticulously researched Ireland travel guides, welcoming 40 million+ visitors along the way. In 2022, the Irish Road Trip team published the world’s largest collection of Irish Road Trip itineraries. Keith lives in Dublin with his dog Toby and finds writing in the 3rd person minus craic altogether.