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If you’re looking for the best hostels in Kuala Lumpur, this is the guide for you!
I’ve rounded up genuine recommendations from real travellers to create this list of the very best budget accommodation in the city. Whatever your travel style, there’s a hostel for you here!
To make it easier to find what you’re looking for, I’ve divided this post into four sections to make life easier. See below for more details and to skip ahead if you need to. Whether you’re looking for a dorm that feels more flashpacker than backpacker, or a great place to meet fellow travellers, these are the very best hostels in Kuala Lumpur.
Best Hostels in Kuala Lumpur
My four hostel categories explained:
Premium Hostels – chic, luxurious hostels for flashpackers.
Relaxed Social Hostels – chilled-out hostels for folks who want to make friends but still get a solid night’s sleep.
Party Hostels – for wilder (and sometimes noisier) social vibes.
Budget Hostels – cheap and cheerful hostels for those on a budget.
Premium Hostels
Paper Plane Hostel
Recommended by: Alice, Teacake Travels – Check out her review of Paper Plane Hostel for more info.
If you’re looking for a characterful and hip place to stay in Kuala Lumpur, look no further than the Paper Plane Hostel. For me, what makes a hostel awesome is its inviting atmosphere This place oozes with quirky details, while still feeling cosy.
On arrival, one is greeted by a glasshouse lobby, rich with plants and natural light. Artwork covers the walls, inside and out. This hostel has a charming rooftop garden, a perfect place to relax and chat with other guests.
The friendly staff are super helpful too and a wealth of information on what to see and do in the city is on the tip of their tongue! The hostel is located in a quiet neighbourhood, away from the hustle and bustle of the more touristy areas, but it’s still only a short distance away from getting to where you need to go! It’s the perfect place to stay in Kuala Lumpur.
CHECK PRICES: Hostelworld | Booking.com
Back Home
Recommended by: Claire, Backpacking Bella
UPDATE: BackHome Hostel has permanently closed. I’m working on finding a replacement for this section of the list, in the meantime, click here to search for the best hostels on Booking.com.
Social Hostels in Kuala Lumpur
Mingle
Recommended by: Lora Pope, Explore with Lora
Mingle Hostel is a great, social hostel to stay in Kuala Lumpur. I love this hostel because true to its name, they make it very easy to meet other travelers. The hostel has no shortage of social places and activities to help guests mingle with each other, including daily tours, events, and activities exclusively for Mingle guests.
Located in a historical building from the 1920s, the shared space and décor of the hostel is beautiful. They offer both dorm and private rooms to fit the needs of any traveller. The location of the hostel is right in the heart of Chinatown so food and shopping options nearby are excellent. If you are looking for one of the best social hostels in Kuala Lumpur that’s more then just a party hostel, look no further then Mingle Hostel.
CHECK PRICES: Hostelworld | Booking.com
Dorms KL 2
Recommended by: Roobens Fils, Been Around the Globe
Three different people I met while travelling told me about Dorms KL 2 in Kuala Lumpur! So I decided to stay there, and truthfully speaking, I had a great time in this hostel! They have dorms but also private rooms if needed, the staff is friendly and welcoming, the Wi-Fi works pretty well, and they have lockers in each room!
The hostel is clean and well located, and it’s cheap!!! Travelling solo and wanna meet new people? Go to Dorms KL 2, it’s really a social hostel! They have a nice common area with comfortable couches, a big-screen TV, board games, a large balcony and a clean kitchen! Going to Kuala Lumpur? Don’t miss Dorms KL 2!
UPDATE: Dorms KL was freshly renovated last year and is now better than ever! Click here to check prices.
Grid 9
Recommended by: Alan Graves, More Passport Stamps
There are many hostels in Kuala Lumpur, but not many are just right for me. Situated close enough to the action so that you can walk where you need to and far enough away so that you can sleep soundly at night, Grid 9 is located perfectly.
The nearest monorail stop is a two-minute walk and it’s only a three-minute walk to the infamous Chinatown. Once you’re checked in you’ll feel the chilled out vibe here, there’s no pressure to socialize but the option is there. I have made some great friends here! Grid 9 ticks all the boxes and in my opinion is one of the best places to stay in Kuala Lumpur, so get it booked and enjoy!
CHECK PRICES: Hostelworld | Booking.com
Party Hostels
Reggae Mansion
Recommended by: Me!
Not only is Reggae Mansion considered one of the best party hostels in Kuala Lumpur, but it’s probably one of the best places to stay full-stop. I stayed here myself a couple of years ago and had a great time.
UPDATE: Reggae Mansion has now sadly closed. I’m working on finding a replacement for this section of the list, in the meantime, click here to search for the best hostels on Booking.com.
Budget Hostels
The Explorer’s Guesthouse and Hostel
Recommended by: Rose, Where Rose Goes
For a friendly and affordable base in Kuala Lumpur, you can’t beat Explorer’s Guesthouse. Those who like luxury might not find it ticks all the boxes… But if you’re after security and a great location, this is undoubtedly a winner.
From the door, you can walk less than 20 paces for world-class street food, plus you’re right beside Central Market, Petaling Street, Sri Mahamariamman Temple and Chinatown’s bustling food courts.
The hostel itself has a spacious downstairs with a tv lounge area, computers, and tables suited for using a laptop or chatting with other guests. For your bargain room rate, a basic breakfast of toast and coffee is provided – all you need to begin a day in the city!
CHECK PRICES: Booking.com
Suzie’s Hostel
Recommended by: Jorge Bastos, Travel Drafts
While travelling in Kuala Lumpur, in Malaysia, we stayed one week in Suzie’s Guesthouse and Hostel and it was fantastic. Suzie’s Guesthouse and Hostel is well located, very cheap, clean and with a good wifi connection… what else can you ask from a hostel?
The hostel is in walking distance to Pasar Seni Metro Station, only 100 mts, and 2 min from Kuala Lumpur Chinatown, it has a perfect location. Plus, it has a kitchen where you can prepare your meals, and best of all, in the morning they offer breakfast. The downside is that the bathrooms are shared and they only have 2, so depending on the hour of the day you may need to wait. But bear in mind it is a hostel and it’s very cheap.
CHECK PRICES: Agoda
More in this Series
Do you have any recommendations for the best hostels in Kuala Lumpur? Share in the comments and if it fits the bill, I’ll add it to the post!
Back Home is enjoined to one of the best brunch cafes in the heart of KL called LOKL!
On the flipside, Reggae Mansion courted controversy due to its skin color discriminatory policy a number of years back – “Reggae Mansion is a hostel for international backpackers. Unfortunately, we do not accept bookings by Malaysian, Indian and Middle Eastern nationals” – which I hope they would have change by now.
Thanks for the tip about LOKL :)
The news story about Reggae Mansion seems to date from 2013-ish. It appears they’ve had new management since then – certainly their policies have changed. I’ve checked their website and it doesn’t mention this poilicy at all. There are also recent reviews from Malaysian and Indian guests on booking.com, and I’m seeing a lot of different skin colours in the pictures. Hopefully that clears things up :)