Stockholm doesn’t have to shred your budget, and hostels are the reason. On my leaner trips here I’ve slept in a bunk on an 1888 sailing ship, sweated in a hostel sauna after a cold day of sightseeing, and eaten free pasta with a dozen strangers who became travel friends by breakfast. For solo travellers especially, this is the cheapest and most sociable way to base yourself in one of Europe’s pricier capitals.
Which are the best hostels in Stockholm, and what do they cost? Dorm beds run roughly 295–500 SEK a night, hostel private rooms 750–1,500 SEK (confirm current rates). My top picks: Generator Stockholm for design and buzz, City Backpackers Inn for community and a sauna, STF af Chapman for the famous ship, Castanea for a Gamla Stan address, and Interhostel for the lowest dorm price in town.
This is the budget-bed chapter of our broader Stockholm hotels and accommodation guide. Below I compare dorm and private prices, weigh location trade-offs, and flag the right hostel for solo travellers, couples and groups — plus when a budget hotel or private room makes more sense instead.
The best hostels in Stockholm at a glance
| Hostel | Area | Dorm from | Privates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Generator Stockholm | Vasastan/Norrmalm border | 350 SEK | 1,000–1,400 SEK |
| City Backpackers Inn | Near Stockholm Central | 320 SEK | 1,100–1,500 SEK |
| STF af Chapman (ship) | Skeppsholmen | 380 SEK | 950–1,400 SEK |
| Castanea Old Town | Gamla Stan | 350 SEK | 950–1,250 SEK |
| Interhostel | Near Stockholm Central | 295 SEK | 850–1,200 SEK |
| Hostel 50 | Östermalm | 380 SEK | 950–1,400 SEK |
| Hostel Bed & Breakfast | Vasastan | — | 750–1,150 SEK |
Those from-prices are low-season floors; expect the top of each range in summer. Always double-check current rates when you book.
Stockholm’s best hostels, up close
Generator Stockholm — design and social buzz
The slick pick, from the Generator chain, with dorms from four to eight beds and private rooms that feel close to hotel standard. There’s a proper lobby bar, a café and comfortable lounge space, and it draws a strong solo-traveller crowd — if you want to fall into conversation over a drink, this is the one. It sits on the Vasastan/Norrmalm border, about an eight-minute walk from Stockholm Central. The trade-offs: private rooms run a touch snug, and the bar gets lively on weekend nights. If you like the area, our Vasastan neighbourhood guide covers what’s around it.
City Backpackers Inn — community and a sauna
Stockholm’s most-awarded hostel, and my sentimental favourite. It has a sauna (genuinely rare at this price), a full kitchen, free WiFi and free pasta dinners on rotation, plus staff who actually run a social calendar. The building’s older and the décor more basic than Generator’s, and private rooms are limited — but for community over polish, nothing beats it. Also an eight-minute walk to Stockholm Central.
STF af Chapman — sleep on an 1888 ship
A full-rigged 1888 sailing ship moored at Skeppsholmen, and an experience you can’t get anywhere else in the city. The atmosphere is unmatched; the cabins are, predictably, cramped, and the shared bathrooms are below deck. It’s a 25-minute walk from Stockholm Central, but you’re right next to Moderna Museet — pair a night here with the museum using our Moderna Museet guide. The land-based STF Skeppsholmen Hostel next door has more private rooms if the ship’s cabins feel too tight.
Castanea Old Town — a Gamla Stan address on a budget
The only proper hostel in Gamla Stan, tucked into a 1700s building on a lane near Stortorget. Sleeping inside the Old Town at hostel prices is a rare thing, and worth it for the atmosphere and the walk to the Royal Palace. It’s small, so rooms go quickly, and the cobbled streets are less forgiving with wheeled luggage. To make the most of the setting, our Gamla Stan guide maps the lanes worth wandering.
Interhostel — the cheapest dorms in town
A small, no-frills place near Stockholm Central with the lowest dorm rates in the city (from around 295 SEK). Décor and common spaces are basic and the social scene is quiet, but if rock-bottom price is the goal, this is where to look.
Hostel 50 — Östermalm on a budget
A rarity: a hostel in upscale Östermalm, on Birger Jarlsgatan near Stureplan. The atmosphere is quieter than Generator or City Backpackers, but you’re walking distance from Strandvägen and the smart end of town at budget prices.
Which hostel fits your trip?
- Solo travellers: Generator (biggest community, lobby bar) or City Backpackers (free pasta dinners, organised events). Both are built for meeting people.
- Couples: a Generator private double, a Hostel Bed & Breakfast private (750–1,150 SEK, the cheapest for two), or a Castanea private for Old Town charm.
- Groups: Castanea’s private multi-bed rooms, af Chapman’s cabins, or reservable bunk blocks at Generator.
- Longer stays and remote workers: Generator’s lobby workspaces or City Backpackers’ community kitchen. Note that hostels here rarely do monthly rates — for stays over two weeks, weigh a Stockholm apartment rental instead.
What to know before you book
A few Stockholm-specific practicalities that catch people out:
- Linens: usually included, but a few hostels still charge 65–95 SEK — check at booking.
- Towels: often not included; bring one or rent for 30–55 SEK.
- Lockers: standard in dorms — bring a padlock or rent one for around 35 SEK.
- Kitchens: City Backpackers and STF Skeppsholmen have full kitchens; Generator’s is small; af Chapman’s is limited. Self-catering is the single biggest money-saver.
- Sauna: City Backpackers is the standout here.
- No curfew at Stockholm hostels, and WiFi is universal.
Prices through the year
- Low season (Nov–March, excl. December): cheapest — Generator dorms near 250 SEK, City Backpackers around 220 SEK, privates dropping to 700–900 SEK.
- Shoulder (April, May, Sept, Oct): mid-pricing with good availability.
- High season (June–August): peak — dorms 380–500 SEK, privates 1,200–1,500 SEK. Book two to three weeks ahead for the popular ones.
- Mid-December (Christmas markets): rates rise, though availability stays manageable.
Hostel etiquette and Stockholm quirks
- Quiet hours 22:00–07:00 are enforced more strictly here than in southern Europe — keep it down.
- No alcohol in dorms; drink in the bar or common areas.
- Clean as you go in shared kitchens — community standards are high.
- Stockholm is cashless. Every hostel takes cards; many take no cash at all.
- Book direct where you can — it often beats Hostelworld or Booking.com on price.
Best hostel locations to consider
Near Stockholm Central / Norrmalm: Generator, City Backpackers and Interhostel — best transit, walkable to Drottninggatan shopping. If you’d rather have a private budget room right by the station, compare our hotels near Stockholm Central guide.
Skeppsholmen island: af Chapman and STF Skeppsholmen — the most atmospheric, a 25-minute walk from Central or a six-minute ferry from Slussen.
Gamla Stan: Castanea, for Old Town immersion at budget prices.
Östermalm: Hostel 50, a rare budget bed in the smart district.
Hostel or budget hotel?
Go hostel if you’re solo and want to meet people, travelling as a group happy to share, on a tight budget (a 320–500 SEK dorm bed badly undercuts a 950-plus SEK budget hotel), or keen on a sauna and social spaces.
Go budget hotel if you’re a couple wanting privacy and a 24-hour reception, need a private bathroom, or simply sleep better away from communal spaces. Our best budget hotels in Stockholm guide covers the sub-$150 options.
Split the difference with a hostel private room — Generator, City Backpackers or Castanea give you a private door at 1,000–1,400 SEK while keeping access to the sauna, bar and social scene. For many couples on a budget, that’s the sweet spot.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best hostel in Stockholm?
It depends on what you want. Generator Stockholm leads for design and social atmosphere, City Backpackers Inn for community and amenities like its sauna and free pasta dinners, and STF af Chapman for the one-of-a-kind experience of sleeping on an 1888 sailing ship. Each is the best choice for a different kind of traveller.
How much does a hostel cost in Stockholm?
Dorm beds run roughly 295–500 SEK per night depending on the hostel and season, while hostel private rooms cost 750–1,500 SEK. Interhostel offers the cheapest dorms, from around 295 SEK. Prices peak in June to August and dip in the November-to-March low season, so timing makes a real difference.
Are Stockholm hostels safe?
Yes. Stockholm hostels are well run, with electronic key access, in-dorm lockers and 24-hour reception at the established options. Combined with the city’s generally low crime, they feel noticeably safer than budget beds in some other European capitals. Still use the lockers and keep valuables on you when you’re out.
Do Stockholm hostels have private rooms?
Most do. Generator, City Backpackers, the STF properties and Castanea all offer private rooms alongside dorms, typically 750–1,500 SEK a night — often cheaper than a budget hotel and with access to the hostel’s kitchen and social spaces thrown in, which makes them a strong pick for budget-minded couples.
Can you stay on the af Chapman ship hostel?
Yes — STF Vandrarhem af Chapman is a real 1888 full-rigged sailing ship moored at Skeppsholmen, with dorms and small private cabins. The quarters are cramped and bathrooms are shared below deck, but the atmosphere is unlike any other bed in Stockholm. Its land-based sister hostel next door has roomier private options.
Should I book a hostel or a budget hotel in Stockholm?
Book a hostel if you’re a solo or group traveller chasing the lowest prices and a social scene — dorm beds at 320–500 SEK are far cheaper than budget hotels. Choose a budget hotel if you’re a couple who wants privacy, a private bathroom and 24-hour reception. A hostel private room bridges the two.
Final thoughts
If Stockholm’s prices have you nervous, hostels are the great equaliser. Pick Generator or City Backpackers for the social side, Castanea or af Chapman for setting, or Interhostel to squeeze the budget hardest — and use the kitchen to keep food costs down while you’re at it. Book the popular ones a couple of weeks ahead in summer, and you’ll have a bed, a community and money left over for the city itself.
Prices and inclusions change — confirm current dorm rates, fees and what’s included before booking. Photo credit: image via Pexels (see the photo page for photographer attribution).
