MY 6 favorite HOSTELS IN CHICAGO

Posted: 7/22/2020 | July 22nd, 2020

Boasting a robust food scene (don’t miss Chicago-style pizza!), fun nightlife, and plenty of green space, Chicago is not only one of my favorite cities in the US, it’s one of my favorite cities in the world! While the winters here are harsh, it’s a beautiful, green city in the summer that uses visitors a plethora of things to see and do.

I’ve been checking out Chicago for a decade and have stayed in a lot of hostels here. There are a lot of things to consider when selecting a hostel. The four a lot of crucial criteria are:

Location – Chicago is huge, and it can take some time to get around. pick a place that is central to the sites and nightlife you want to experience. (All the hostels provided here are in central locations.)

Price – In Chicago, you really get what you pay for, so if you opt for a really cheap one, you’re probably going to get a hostel that is small and cramped and doesn’t offer great service.

Amenities – Every hostel in town uses complimentary Wi-Fi, and a lot of have a complimentary breakfast, but if you want a lot more than that, be sure to do your research to find the hostel that best meets your needs!

Staff – All the hostels provided here have fantastic staff who are incredibly friendly and knowledgeable. even if you don’t end up staying at one of the places provided below, be sure to look up reviews to make sure that you end up somewhere where the staff is helpful and friendly, considering that they can make or break a hostel!

To help you plan your trip, here is my list of the hostels in Chicago that I like the most. If you don’t want to read the longer list below, the following are the best in each category:

Best Hostel for budget Travelers: HI Chicago
Best Hostel for Families: HI Chicago
Best Hostel for Solo female Travelers: Freehand Chicago
Best Hostel for digital Nomads: Chicago vacation Hostel
Best Hostel for Partying: Wrigley Hostel
Best overall Hostel: HI Chicago

Want the specifics of each hostel? Here’s my detailed list of the best hostels in Chicago:

Price legend (per night)

$ = Under $40 USD

$$ = $40-50 USD

$$$ = Over $50 USD

 

1. HI Chicago (The J. Ira and Nicki Harris family Hostel)

HI Hostels are some of my favorites, because they know exactly what we budget travelers want: budget-friendly accommodations and all the amenities we need to take pleasure in our stay. HI Chicago is no exception. They organize a complimentary walking excursion (and other weekly activities, such as pub crawls and jazz bar tours), the common areas are spacious, and there’s a fully equipped kitchen. The beds are comfy, with thick mattresses, and they offer complimentary breakfast. It’s an all-around great hostel and my favorite in Chicago.

HI Chicago at a glance:

$

Lots of amenities

Social atmosphere makes it easy to meet people

Organizes lots of activities

Beds from $32 USD a night, rooms from $85.

Book HI Chicago here!
 
2. Wrigley Hostel

This is a lively hostel with a bar on-site, making it a good place to stay for any night owls seeking to take pleasure in the city’s nightlife. There’s an outdoor patio with a BBQ, so you can grill burgers when the weather is nice, and they organize walking excursions and day trips. The dorm beds aren’t great (the mattresses are thin and the beds are squeaky), but the staff are awesome and the complimentary breakfast is delicious. While the shower pressure was weak, the bathrooms are incredibly clean.

Wrigley Hostel at a glance:

$

Bar on-site

Organizes excursions and activities

Free breakfast

Beds from $36 USD a night, rooms from $141.

Book Wrigley Hostel here!
 
3. Freehand Chicago

Housed in a historic building from 1927, this hostel is immaculately created and has tons of character. Freehand is absolutely a lot more of a boutique hostel, but it’s worth the price if you feel like treating yourself. The beds are cozy, the water pressure is strong, and the common areas are laid back. There’s also an award-winning cocktail bar on-site. It’s the coolest hostel in the city.

Freehand Chicago at a glance:

$$

Female-only dorms for added privacy and security

Cocktail lounge

Beautiful interior design

Beds from $45 USD a night, rooms from $173.

Book Freehand Chicago here!
 
4. Parthenon Hostel

Located in Greektown, Parthenon has a large common room with a huge TV and lots of books, the staff can help you organize tours, and there’s complimentary breakfast. In short, it has all the makings of your classic backpacker hostel. There’s a pub ideal off the lobby as well. The dorms aren’t huge, and the beds aren’t anything special, but it’s one of the a lot more budget-friendly places in town. Overall, it’s clean, comfortable, safe, and in a good location.

Parthenon Hostel at a glance:

$

Female-only dorms for added privacy and security

Super comfy beds

Great location

Beds from $34 USD a night, rooms from $90.

Book Parthenon Hostel here!
 
5. found ChicagoWhile they have lots of modern amenities (including a karaoke lounge), the vintage décor and huge collection of ’70s board games gives the hostel a very retro feel. It’s clean and quiet, and the beds are really comfortable. There are laundry facilities on-site, and the bathrooms are modern and clean (which is rare for hostels). It absolutely has a lot more of a hotel feel to it, making it a good choice for any individual trying to find a quieter, a lot more luxurious stay.

Found Chicago at a glance:

$$$

Clean and quiet

Beautiful vintage interior

Really helpful staff

Beds from $63 USD a night, rooms from $294.

Book found Chicago here!
 
6. Chicago vacation Hostel

While the rooms here are nothing special, the hostel has a big common area and is in a great location. breakfast is included. There’s also a board to let you know what’s happening in the city during your visit. It’s not incredibly social, so it’s good choice for travelers trying to find something quieter. Public transportation is close by, so you can easily get around too.

Chicago vacation Hostel at a glance:

$

Free breakfast

Good location

Lots of common space

Dorms from $21 USD, rooms from $79 USD per night.

Book Chicago vacation Hostel here!

***
No matter what kind of budget you have, you’ll be able to find a hostel that works for you and your travel style.

Book Your trip to Chicago: Logistical ideas and Tricks
Book Your Flight
Use Skyscanner or Momondo to find a cheap flight. They are my two favorite search engines because they search web sites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned. start with Skyscanner first though because they have the greatest reach!

Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the greatest inventory and best deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the least expensive rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels.

Don’t forget travel Insurance
Travel insurance will secure you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s detailed protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it lots of times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

Safety Wing (for everyone below 70)

Insure My trip (for those over 70)

Medjet (for additional repatriation coverage)

Looking for the best companies to save money With?
Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use to save money when I’m on the road. They will save you money when you travel too.

Want a lot more information on Chicago?
Be sure to visit our robust destination guide on Chicago for even a lot more planning tips!

Photo credits: 2 – HI Chicago (The J. Ira and Nicki Harris family Hostel), 3 – Wrigley Hostel, 4 – Freehand Chicago, 5 – Parthenon Hostel, 6 – found Chicago, 7 – Chicago vacation Hostel