Hostels in NYC: 5 Central, Cheap Places to Crash

As I always tell you, New York is the second most expensive city in the United States, beaten only by Hawaii, and that's something you just have to accept if you want to see this fantastic city.

But there are ways to save, like staying at one of these 5 central, cheap hostels that our readers book constantly and rate highly, mostly for their low prices and excellent location:

1. West Side Ymca

From 50 dollars per person in a double room!
Address: 15 West 63rd Street, Upper West Side
Subway: A, B, C, D lines, 59 St Columbus Circle station

I'm starting this list of central, cheap hostels in New York with my favorite hostel in Manhattan: the West Side Ymca, housed in a historic Gothic building in the Upper West Side.

I can't even count how many times I've stayed there. The location is almost too good, steps from Central Park (seriously, steps) and a few blocks from Lincoln Center and Rockefeller Center.

If you don't mind sleeping in a small private room that's clean but comes with shared bathrooms, this is a solid place to save yourself a good chunk of money, and believe me, the neighborhood is great.

You also get to use the sports facilities (remember, it's a YMCA hostel), including the semi-Olympic pool. If you work out daily, and you still have energy left after pounding the NYC pavement, that's a huge plus.

This link has more info and availability (and hurry, because it sells out fast, the location really is that good).

2. Hostelling International

From $50 per person in a shared room
Address: 891 Amsterdam Avenue
Subway: 1 line, 103 St station

Right near Columbia University, this is another of the cheapest and most central hostels on this list. It's some of the best pricing you'll find if you're traveling solo or in a bigger group.

The HI NYC is also a youth hostel with the basics for sleeping and plenty of chances to meet other travelers. It's part of the well-known worldwide youth hostel chain Hostelling International.

If you know the brand, you know you need to be a member to stay, but there's also the option of paying a small daily membership fee if you don't have the card.

The organization encourages guests to meet and socialize, so they're always running free activities: walking tours of the city, bar crawls, parties, movie screenings. If you love company and don't want to overpay, book here.

3. Chelsea Inn

From $65 per person in a triple room
Address: 46 W 17th Street between 5th and 6th Avenues
Subway: L, N, Q, R, 4, 5, 6 lines. Union Square station

Really good value if there are 3 of you! It's a hostel in Chelsea, right in the middle of the classic Manhattan attractions.

It's in a stately four-story 19th-century building (no elevator, so brace yourself if you end up on the top floor).

It has shared and private rooms for different group sizes, all with a small fridge and coffee maker, so you can save a few more dollars with a quick grocery run.

The rooms are small, but they do the job for sleeping, and honestly the price is very good for the area.

On top of that, the rate includes breakfast, so do the math: even if it's a bit pricier than the average hostel, those perks can tip the balance in your favor. You can book it here without paying anything up front.

4. New York Moore Hostel

From $55 per person in a shared room
Address: 179 Moore Street, Brooklyn
Subway: L line, Morgan Ave station / J and M lines, Flushing Ave station.

I added an option outside Manhattan so you can get to know Williamsburg, Brooklyn's trendiest neighborhood, packed with things to do and 20 minutes from Manhattan by subway (if you're looking for a hotel in Brooklyn, you'll find recommendations at that link).

The Moore Hostel is relatively new, set in a huge industrial loft, spacious and modern. It has the most positive reviews on this list, with 90% of guests saying they'd come back!

This is a true youth hostel, ideal if you're traveling solo, backpacking with friends, or you just like meeting people from all over the world. You can always grab a drink with company, even if you arrived alone.

It offers all kinds of rooms: female dorms, mixed dorms, doubles with shared bathroom, and private rooms with their own bathroom.

You can also book online without paying anything (you pay when you arrive at the hostel) and cancel up to 2 days ahead free of charge.

5. Feather Factory Hotel

From $52 per person in a double room with private bathroom and breakfast
Address: 26-32 Skillman Avenue, Long Island City, Queens
Subway: E, G, 7 lines, Court Square station / 7 line, Hunters Point Avenue station.

I included the Feather Factory Hotel on this list of central, cheap hostels because it has hostel prices with hotel comforts.

It's in Long Island City, a Queens neighborhood that keeps getting more interesting and really is close to Manhattan (just 2 subway stops from Grand Central Terminal).

The rooms are spotless, the beds are comfortable, there's a private bathroom with nice little soaps and plenty of towels changed daily, plus breakfast is included. Pretty great, right?

Now for the catch: it faces a Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) station and a subway line, so you'll hear the rattle of trains and the whistles. If that doesn't bother you (personally I love the sound of trains, it even puts me to sleep 😜), a pair of earplugs solves it.

One more thing to keep in mind: when you read other travelers' reviews you'll see several mentions of how quiet and empty the area feels, and it is. Long Island City was an industrial district that's slowly turning into one of the most sought-after residential neighborhoods outside Manhattan. In fact, it's one of the neighborhoods to stay in New York that I always recommend.

But here's the good part: the hotel is right next to a police station, and a 10-minute walk away you've got 2 of the best subway lines in the city: the E and the 7, both frequent and with stops at the most popular spots you'll surely want to visit.

I stayed here on my last trip, so everything I'm telling you is firsthand. Such a good price for being this close to Manhattan's attractions! Don't miss out on the great rates at the Feather Factory Hotel.

Tips for staying in hostels

Don't forget to check out my tips for staying in a hostel.