Top Gay Hostels

Although it is great to be living in a world that is now predominantly tolerant of gay and lesbian travellers, staying in a gay hostel on your trip can be an advantage.

Hostels are famed for their sociable atmosphere and friendly staff, so a gay hostel is an ideal opportunity to meet like-minded people, score some free travel advice and get to know the best gay areas in the city... 

1. Madrid 

Gay Hostel Puerta del Sol: This cheap stay in Puerta del Sol Square couldn't be more central (or easier to find!). They offer private rooms a few of which are en suite, all very clean and well-equipped with free internet and TVs. Breakfast and all your linen is included in the price.

This friendly hostel also has great advice for gay travellers in Madrid and can offer free entry to the most popular gay discos in the city. Beds from €17 per person, per night...find more hostels in Madrid.

2. Barcelona

Equity Point Centric: Ranking top 3 for ‘Most Popular’ in Europe in HostelBookers Awards for Excellence 2010, they offer private singles and doubles as well as 12-bed spacious dorm rooms. Guests can enjoy a free breakfast, free internet access and meet fellow travellers in their popular bar or sunny terrace. Beds from €17pppn...find more hostels in Barcelona.

3. New York City

Chelsea Inn: For easy access to the NYC Meatpacking District and Greenwich Village, try Chelsea Inn which offers private doubles and twin rooms. Decor is traditional and the price includes a free breakfast (we heard on the grapevine white chocolate and cranberry scones!) Rooms from €34pppn

Hostelling International – New York: For cheap accommodation in New York City, the HI - New York has shared, single sex rooms on the Upper West Side and it is just a short walk to Central Park. Beds from €20pppn...find more hostels in New York City.

4. Munich 

Euro Youth Hostel: If you intend to visit the Germany Gay Pride event – known locally as Christopher Street Day – Euro Youth Hostel is close to the main station and ideal for your Munich weekend break. 

They have a nice long list of freebies including Wi-Fi in your rooms, lockers and a walking tour. They can also arrange cheap bike rental and discounts on pub crawls. Or perhaps you’d rather chill out at the on site bar with a daily happy hour? The popular Munich gay district of Gärtnerplatz is a 15-minute walk. Beds from €40pppn...find more hostels in Munich.

5. San Francisco

Elements Hostel: Gay travellers will love the short walk to the San Francisco Castro district. The hostels has a fantastic roof terrace with 360° views of downtown and with easy access to BART, the rest of the city is at your fingertips.

They offer private rooms and shared rooms for female-only, male-only and mixed occupancy all with en suite facilities. Dorms have sturdy wooden bunks and mattresses are new and extra long. They offer discounts on San Francisco clubs and also boast their own on site bar. Beds from €15pppn...find more hostels in San Francisco.

6. London

London Gay House Hostel: One of just a handful of hostels catering exclusively for gay travellers in London, London Hostel Gay House has provided a friendly, comfortable place to stay since 1984.

It’s a little out of town, but the London House Gay Hostel is a bargain and you can be in the centre in 30 minutes. They offer 4-bed male dorms with self-catering facilities, a TV lounge and laundry facilities. Breakfast, linen and Wi-Fi is included in the price. Beds from €20pppn

YHA London Central: This is our top-rated hostel in London. The popular London gay Soho neighbourhood is a 10 to 15-minute walk with bars, clubs, shops and a lively gay cafe culture with seats outside.

YHA London Central has a bar, self-catering facilities, lockers in dorms and a games room. They offer both female and male-only dorms as well as private rooms sleeping up to 6 people with en suite facilities. Beds from €22pppn...find more London hostels.

7. Berlin 

Gay Hostel: A male-only hostel with private singles and shared rooms ranging from 2-bed to 8-bed dorms. Guests have access to private lockers and internet while bed linen and towels are included in the price. There are self-catering facilities and a lounge with a flat screen TV.

Favourite gay spots including Tom’s Bar, the Apollo Sauna Club Brasil, The Jaxx and Caré Berio are all minutes from the Gay Hostel, which is located in the heart of the most buzzing Berlin gay district. Beds from €22pppn

Circus Hostel: A really sociable place to stay in Berlin with hostel events including free beer on Mondays and Thursdays, free dinners, daily alternative walking tours and live music in their bar. They also provide bike or Sedgway hire. Beds from €19pppn...find more Berlin hostels.

8. Los Angeles

Banana Bungalow West Hollywood: Close to the West Hollywood gay neighbourhood, this is also where LA PRIDE is held, so you are ideally located for getting to and from the festival site. A short walk from the hostel, Melrose Avenue is a fun place for (beautiful!) people-watching, shopping and eating. Beds from €18pppn...find more LA hostels.

9. Amsterdam

The Bulldog: In the heart of the Amsterdam Red Light District, The Bulldog is something of a landmark itself. Their roof terrace is the place for a quiet drink while the bar downstairs, complete with games area, is a great meeting spot.  Beds from €30pppn...find more Amsterdam hostels.

10. Washington DC

Duo Housing Washington DC: With brand new facilities, Duo Housing Washington DC hostel offers care-free budget accommodation just 5 minutes from Chinatown and buzzing Washington nightlife. It’s a nice intimate hostel with friendly staff on hand 24 hours a day and common areas including a lovely terrace. Beds from €15pppn...find more Washington hostels.