8 Of The Best Hostels In Dublin City For 2026

I’ve slept in a lot of different hostels in Dublin City Centre over the years. Some have been great. And others have been absolutely terrible.

In this guide, I’m going to show you the best hostels in Dublin, based on my own personal experiences, most of which have been pretty good.

You’ll find review scores, prices and everything else you need to know about each hostel, each of which is accurate at the time of typing.

What to know before booking any hostels in Dublin

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. Location matters. A lot!

Dublin is a very walkable city, however, if you’re only here for a few days and you’re looking to keep costs as low as possible, being central matters. Although many Dublin hostels are central, others are a good walk from the heart of the city, so check the location first.

2. Be very clear on the room type

Hostels in Dublin are the same as you’d find anywhere in the world, and each comes with many different room types. If you’re booking online, be very clear that the room type you’re booking is what you’re comfortable with, as you may not be able to change when you arrive.

3. Take ‘party hostels’ with a pinch of salt

So, I get annoyed when reading Dublin hostel guides by people that don’t live here, as they’ll often say that there are clear party hostels in Dublin, but that just isn’t the case. Some hostels host drink nights, but they tend to be rare. You could just as easily encounter a rowdy crowd in a ‘quiet’ hostel and you could in a so-called ‘party hostel’.

4. Some hostels are as expensive as a B&B

When deciding where to stay in Dublin on a budget, don’t immediately assume hostels are the cheapest option. Often, you’ll find that some (not all!) B&Bs in Dublin will be just as reasonable, so make sure to browse before you book.

What I think are the best hostels in Dublin City Centre

The first section of our Dublin hostels guide takes a look at our favourites – these are hostels that one or more of The Irish Road Trip Team have stayed in over the years.

Below, you’ll find everywhere from The Generator and Jacobs Inn to Abigail’s and some often overlooked cheap hostels in Dublin City Centre.

1. Generator Hostel Dublin

Generator Dublin is more hotel than hostel in both looks and scale, sitting on Smithfield Square right beside the Jameson Distillery.

The design is slick and contemporary, with large common areas, a busy bar, and a packed events calendar that leans heavily into parties, DJs, and organised socials.

Rooms range from dorms to private options, but recent reviews flag hit-and-miss cleanliness and tired bathrooms in places – worth knowing before you book.

Location-wise, it’s a solid base. You’re about 10 minutes on foot from Temple Bar, close to the Luas, and within walking distance of the Guinness Storehouse and Phoenix Park.

Some need-to-knows

• Location: Smithfield Square, Dublin 7
• Hostelworld review score: 7.6/10 from 6,463 reviews
• Room types: Private rooms and shared dorms
• Breakfast: Not included (available from €11 per adult)
• See reviews and prices: Right here

2. Jacobs Inn Hostel

Our next Dublin hostel is one of the most reliable all-rounders in the city, especially if you want comfort without losing the social buzz.

Latroupe Jacobs Inn sits just off Talbot Street, a short walk from Connolly Station and within easy reach of O’Connell Street, Temple Bar, and the IFSC.

The standout here is the sleeping setup. The pod-style dorm beds offer proper privacy (curtains, lights, USBs, lockers), while the private rooms feel closer to a hotel than a hostel.

Cleanliness is consistently praised, and every dorm is en suite, which removes a lot of the usual hostel friction. Just note that there are some areas of Dublin to avoid nearby!

Some need-to-knows

• Location: Talbot Place, near Connolly Station
• Hostelworld review score: 9.0/10 from 15,757 reviews
• Room types: Pod-style dorms, Twin Rooms, Double Rooms
• Breakfast: Not included (available on-site)
• See reviews and prices: Right here

3. Clink

Clink i Lár is one of Dublin’s newer hostels and it’s very much built for modern backpackers rather than nostalgia. It’s big, slick, and busy, with a social setup that feels intentional rather than chaotic.

Set on Abbey Street Upper, Clink i Lár sits right in the middle of the city, a short walk from O’Connell Street and within easy reach of pretty much everything you’ll want to see in central Dublin.

Airport buses stop nearby, which makes arrivals and departures painless. Rooms are clean and functional, with both private rooms and a wide range of dorms.

Dorm beds come with curtains, lights, USB ports, and sockets, which makes a noticeable difference if you’re staying more than a night or two. There’s also an on-site bar, WunderBAR, which doubles as a social hub.

Some need-to-knows

• Location: Abbey Street Upper, Dublin 1
• Hostelworld review score: 8.5/10 from 2,172 reviews
• Room types: Private rooms and shared dorms (various sizes)
• Breakfast: Available from €10.90 (not included by default)
• See reviews and prices: Right here

3. Gogarty’s

Gogartys Temple Bar Hostel is about as central as Dublin accommodation gets, sitting right in the thick of Temple Bar with music, pubs, and late nights outside the door.

This is not a quiet base – it’s a stay-for-the-action kind of hostel. The location is the headline act. You’re steps from live music, bars, and restaurants, with Dublin Castle, Trinity College, and the Liffey all within an easy walk.

Rooms are a mix of privates and dorms, and while they’re functional rather than fancy, they’re clean and well run.

One big draw is that Gogarty’s is the only hostel in Ireland with its own bar and restaurant, serving traditional Irish food and live music every night.

Some need-to-knows

• Location: Anglesea Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 2
• Hostelworld review score: 8.5/10 from 4,802 reviews
• Room types: Private rooms and shared dorms
• Breakfast: Free continental breakfast included
• See reviews and prices: Right here

4. Abigail’s Hostel

Our next Dublin hostel is all about location first, everything else second – and in that regard, it absolutely delivers.

Abigails Hostel sits on Aston Quay, right on the Liffey and less than five minutes from Temple Bar, Trinity College, and many of the best pubs in Dublin.

The building itself is fairly no-nonsense. Rooms are clean and bright, all en suite, but the beds are on the firm side and noise can travel – something to factor in given the location.

There’s a large self-catering kitchen, plenty of communal space, and a mix of guests that skews broader than most hostels, from backpackers to older travellers and small groups.

Some need-to-knows

• Location: Aston Quay, Dublin 2 (beside Temple Bar)
• Hostelworld review score: 8.8/10 from 14,074 reviews
• Room types: En-suite dorms and private rooms
• Breakfast: Not included (self-catering kitchen on-site)
• See reviews and prices: Right here

5. Gardiner House

Set slightly back from the city’s busiest streets, Gardiner House is one of the most popular hostels in Dublin. This is a well-run, modern hostel that focuses on comfort and space rather than late-night chaos.

Located on Upper Gardiner Street, it’s about a 10 – 15 minute walk from O’Connell Street and close to Croke Park, making it a good option if you want easy access to the city without constant street noise.

Inside, this place is big, bright, and properly equipped. Dorm rooms feature pod-style beds with privacy screens, while private rooms are clean and straightforward.

There’s a strong emphasis on shared spaces – a cinema room, games areas, outdoor seating, and even a bookable jacuzzi and BBQ area.

Some need-to-knows

• Location: Upper Gardiner Street, Mountjoy
• Hostelworld review score: 8.6/10 from 2,253 reviews
• Room types: Pod-style dorms and private rooms
• Breakfast: Free light breakfast included
• See reviews and prices: Right here

6. Ashfield Hostel Dublin

Sitting bang in the middle of the city, Ashfield Hostel is all about location first and foremost.

You’re on D’Olier Street, less than five minutes from Trinity College, Temple Bar, and O’Connell Street, which makes this one of the most central hostels in Dublin.

If your plan is to walk everywhere and drop back easily after a late night, this place makes life simple. Inside, Ashfield is functional rather than flashy.

Rooms are en-suite, the beds are decent, and the setup is straightforward. There’s a large self-catering kitchen and dining area that gets good use, especially from budget travellers trying to keep costs down.

Some need-to-knows

• Location: D’Olier Street, Dublin city centre
• Hostelworld review score: 8.6/10 from 9,053 reviews
• Room types: En-suite dorms and private rooms
• Breakfast: Not included (towels available to rent)
• See reviews and prices: Right here

7. Abbey Court

Right on O’Connell Bridge, Abbey Court is as central as Dublin hostels get and many Dublin pub crawls can be kicked-off nearby.

You’re overlooking the Liffey, a two-minute walk from Temple Bar and barely five from Trinity College, which makes this a strong pick if you want everything on your doorstep.

It’s one of the city’s longest-running hostels and still one of the busiest, especially with groups and budget travellers.

Inside, Abbey Court is big, busy and well-equipped. There’s a bar, cinema room, games room, large kitchen, and plenty of communal space, so it works well if you like having things going on without needing to leave the building.

Some need-to-knows

• Location: Bachelors Walk, beside O’Connell Bridge
• Hostelworld review score: 8.6/10 from 14,368 reviews
• Room types: Private en-suite rooms and large dorms
• Breakfast: Available daily for €7.00
• See reviews and prices: Right here

8. Garden Lane Backpackers

Set slightly south of the river in Dublin 8, Garden Lane Backpackers suits travellers who want a calmer base without being cut off from the action.

It’s a 10 – 12 minute walk to Temple Bar, Christ Church and Grafton Street, with the Guinness Storehouse just around the corner.

One of the big draws here is the shared space. There’s a solid kitchen that opens onto a rooftop terrace with city views, making it a good spot to cook, eat, or wind down in the evening.

Inside, there’s also a cinema room for rainy days. Rooms are generally spacious and beds get good feedback for comfort.

Some need-to-knows

• Location: Garden Lane, Dublin 8 (near Guinness Storehouse)
• Hostelworld review score: 7.9/10 from 749 reviews
• Room types: Private rooms and dorms
• Breakfast: Free light breakfast included
• See reviews and prices: Right here

What to do in Dublin

Now you know your way around the best hostels in Dublin, it’s time to decide what to do.

There are endless things to do in Dublin, but you need a good itinerary and good local knowledge to keep you going. Dive into:

• Itineraries: 1 day in Dublin, 2 days in Dublin and 3 days in Dublin
• Tourist tips: What not to do in Ireland, tipping in Ireland and the best time to visit Ireland
• Dublin info: Where to stay in Dublin, Dublin City to the Airport and the weather in Ireland by month