Favorite 6 Hostels in Chicago: Boasting a robust food scene (don't miss the Chicago-style pizza), fun nightlife, and lots of green space, Chicago isn't just one of my favorite cities in the United States - it's is one of my favorite cities in the world! Although the winters here are harsh, it is a beautiful green city in the summer that offers visitors a plethora of things to see and do.
I have been visiting Chicago for a decade and have stayed at many hostels here. There are many things to consider when choosing a hostel. The four most important criteria for choosing the best Chicago hostel are:
- Location - Chicago is huge and it can take a while to get around. Choose a place at the heart of the sites and the nightlife you want to see. All hostels listed here are located in central locations.
- Price - In Chicago, you really get what you pay for, so if you go for a really inexpensive hotel, you'll probably get a small, cramped hostel that doesn't offer great service.
- Approvals - Each hostel in town offers free Wi-Fi, and most have free breakfast, but if you want more than that, be sure to do your research to find the hostel that best suits your needs!
- Staff - All the hostels listed here have incredible staff! They are super friendly and knowledgeable. Even if you don't end up in one of the locations listed below, be sure to check the reviews to make sure you end up in a place where the staff are helpful and friendly! They can make or break an inn!
To help you plan your trip, here is my list of Chicago hostels that I like the most. If you don't want to read the longer list below, the following hostels are the best in each category:
Best hostel for budget travelers: HI Chicago
Best hostel for families: HI Chicago
Best hostel for women traveling alone: Freehand Chicago
Best hostel for digital nomads: Chicago Getaway Hostel
Best hostel to party: Wrigley Hostel
Best Youth Hostel: HI Chicago
Do you want the specifics of each hostel? Here's my full list of the best Chicago hostels:
Price legend (per night)
1. HI Chicago (J. Ira and Nicki Harris family inn)
HI hostels are some of my favorite hostels to stay in because they know exactly what we want for budget travelers. Their accommodations are affordable and they have all the amenities we need to enjoy our stay. They organize a free walking tour (and other weekly activities), the common areas are spacious, they have a fully equipped kitchen and they offer free breakfast. This is my favorite hostel in the city.
HI Chicago in brief:
Beds from USD 32 per night, rooms from USD 85.-> Book your stay at HI Chicago!
2. Wrigley Hostel
It is a lively hostel with an on-site bar, making it a good place to stay for night owls wishing to enjoy the city's nightlife. They have an outdoor patio with a barbecue so you can grill burgers when the weather is nice and they organize walking tours and day trips too. Free breakfast is included.
Wrigley Hostel in brief:
Beds start at USD 36 per night, rooms start at USD 141.-> Book your stay at Wrigley Hostel!
3. Freehand Chicago
Housed in a historic building from 1927, the inn is impeccably designed and has lots of character. They also have an award-winning cocktail bar on site, which really makes it easy to meet. Freehand is certainly more of a boutique inn, but it's worth the price if you want to spoil yourself.
Freehand Chicago at a glance:
Beds from USD 45 per night, rooms from USD 173.-> Book your stay at Freehand Chicago!
4. Parthenon Hostel
The Parthenon has a large common room with a huge TV and lots of books, can help organize tours and offers a free breakfast. The dorms are not huge. They also have a dormitory reserved for women. It is clean, comfortable and safe.
Parthenon Hostel at a glance:
Beds from USD 34 per night, rooms from USD 90.-> Book your stay at Parthenon Hostel!
5. Found Chicago
Although they have many modern conveniences (including a karaoke lounge), the vintage decoration and the vast collection of board games from the 70s give the inn a very retro atmosphere. It's clean, quiet and the beds are really comfortable.
Chicago at a glance:
Beds start at USD 63 per night, rooms start at USD 294.-> Book your stay at Found Chicago!
6. Chicago Getaway Hostel
Although the rooms are nothing special, the hostel has a large common area and is in a great location. Free breakfast is included and they have a board to let you know what's going on in the city during your visit. It's not super social, so it's a good choice for travelers looking for something quieter. It is also the cheapest hostel in town!
Chicago Getaway Hostel at a glance:
Dorms from USD 21, rooms from USD 79 per night.-> Book your stay at the Chicago Getaway Hostel!
***Whatever type of budget you have, you can find a hostel suited to your travel style.
