"There’s a fair selection of backpacker/traveler/budget accommodation in Vancouver. We’ve started our list with the hostels, but we might put budget hotels up later. I’ve stayed in most of them and been in all of them and I can tell you that they are all really different from each other. We’ve mentioned a few basic qualities of each of them so you can pick what’s right for you. For more detailed info, check their websites. And don’t forget to visit Victoria and stay with us at Ocean Island Backpackers if you’re in Vancouver! It’s just four hours away (a lovely ferry ride)... Ok, enough sales pitch, here’s the info." - Kevin
Note: you'll also find more hostel listings at hostelhandbook's hostels in Vancouver page ↑ and in our monster list of hostels we know of in Canada.
SameSun Backpacker Lodge
Backpacker deluxe! They claim to be “probably the best hostel in the world” That of course is impossible because Ocean Island Backpackers in Victoria (of which I happen to be the manager) is obviously the best hostel in the world, but they do have a fair shot at being the second best hostel in the world. They have a brand new in house bar, brand new deluxe renovated facilities- kitchen, pool table, tv room, etc., a social director to take you out at night, central location, dorms and private rooms. Basically, this is a party hostel with class. It’s probably the best place to stay if you’re interested in waking up with some charming foreigner you just met last night. Same Sun also has a bunch more hostels in BC and one in Banff, Alberta.
Samesun Vancouver Website
1018 Granville Street
Vancouver BC
Canada
V6Z 1L5
International Direct Telephone 604-682-8226
St. Clair Vancouver
Smack dab in the middle of downtown Vancouver, the St. Clair offers three floors of affordable accomodation. Newly renovated with hardwood floors, laundry facilities and a TV room, the St. Clair is known for its friendly staff and comfy vibe.
St. Clair Vancouver Website
577 Richards Street
Vancouver BC
Canada
V6B 2Z5
International Direct Telephone 604-684-3713
Toll free in North America: 1-800-982-0220
YWCA Hotel & Residence
Affordable hotel-style accommodation, including the social common areas. This place is classy!
This place is somewhere between a hostel and a nice hotel. It has many different room configurations (some good for groups) but no dorms. It’s great for groups, families, couples and single people wanting privacy. It has a good tv room and kitchen facilities, and is very, very clean. I was so impressed at how clean it is, really. It’s very quiet and doesn’t have any backpacker party atmosphere, though it does have most of the facilities of a hostel. Yes, men can stay too, and the location is downtown. And you’re supporting a good cause, the YWCA, they help women, I believe. It’s more expensive than most hostels (check their website for prices), but still great value compared to hotels.
http://www.ywcahotel.com
733 Beatty Street at Robson, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6B 2M4
T. (604)895-5830 F. (604)681-2550 E. hotel@ywcavan.org
Toll free in North America: 1-800-663-1424
Cambie Hostels
The Cambie has two locations in downtown Vancouver:
Cambie Gastown, is the ultimate party adventure over a truly legendary bar. They actually claim “a century of drunken debauchery” at their bar on their website, and I would say that they are quite dedicated to continuing that proud tradition. They also have a bakery and restaurant on site. The hostel has decent facilities with all the usual amenities, private and dorm rooms and it’s good value.
Cambie Seymour is a much more chill place. But, it also has an interesting bar and a bakery/restaurant downstairs. It’s in the heart of the ESL (English as a second language, as in schools to teach kids from around the world English) district, so there are lots of international kids staying there. Good value and all the usual amenities.
www.cambiehostels.com
Two locations:
Gastown Hostel
300 Cambie St., Gastown
Vancouver, B.C. Canada V6B 2N3
Ph. 604-684-6466 Fax 604-687-5618
TOLL FREE 1-877-395 -5335
cambie@cambiehostels.com
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Seymour Hostel
515 Seymour Street
Vancouver, BC, Canada V6B 3H6
Phone (604) 684-7757 Fax (604) 689-3009
TOLL FREE 1-877-395 -5335
seymour@cambiehostels.com |
C&N Backpackers
I know the owner of this place, Nasser, and he’s a very cool cat from Iran. You can talk to him about history, religion, politics, art, anything. This place has very low prices and good value, and while not deluxe, it’s still clean and safe and has all the usual amenities, unlike some other low-priced accommodations. It’s Tourism Vancouver approved, which is a good thing to check for to make sure a place is not a total dive. Usually they have the “Tourism BC Approved Accommodations” sign on the outside of their hostel and on their website. Anyway, it’s also right next to the bus/train station. CNN also has a few other hostels around BC, including one in Ucluelet that I haven’t seen but is apparently great, right on the water.
www.cnnbackpackers.com/vancouver/index.html
Two locations:
927 Main Street,
Vancouver, BC
Canada V6A 2V8
Phone: 604-682-2441
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1038 Main Street,
Vancouver, BC
Canada V6A 2W1
Phone: 604-681-9118 |
Pacific Spirit Hostel
This place is on the campus of the University of British Columbia, and is only open May to August. The campus is great, and is next to Pacific Spirit Park, which is a huge spectacular forest with giant trees, and Wreck Beach, a nude beach (but it’s pretty hippie, so don’t expect anything glamorous) and it’s near Kitsilano, a fun area, but not super close to downtown. The public transit system in Vancouver is great though, so it’s only a 30 minute bus ride to get in. It has nice rooms and is quiet and clean. It also has Internet for laptops available. Ok, that’s all I know.
www.pacificspirithostel.com
Place Vanier Residence
1935 Lower Mall,
Vancouver, BC
Canada, V6T 1X1
There are other hostels in Vancouver, but it would take a while to write about all of them. Click on 'Links' above and select 'Other Hostels' for more listings!
Check out our printable 1-page brochure format Vancouver FAQ in PDF Format! 
