Best Budget Guesthouses and Hostels in Kathmandu, Nepal

Best Budget Guesthouses and Hostels in Kathmandu, Nepal
Kathmandu is the capital and largest city in Nepal and most people who visit the country arrive through Kathmandu. For some, the city can feel chaotic and overwhelming, but if you take the time to explore it, you'll come to appreciate the wonderful colors, sounds, and aromas. It's a city that's rich in culture and there is a lot here to explore as a visitor.

Kathmandu is an affordable city to visit, and accommodation is no exception. There are plenty of budget guesthouses where you can get a room for a very reasonable price. Most guesthouses are concentrated in the Thamel neighborhood, which is where you'll find most tourists, tourist restaurants, and shops. This is the most convenient area to stay in if you're planning to do any trekking, as there are plenty of travel agencies and guides that you can coordinate with.
How much do hostels in Kathmandu cost?

You can find our comprehensive analysis of all hostel prices in Kathmandu here. We've found the average prices of dorms and private rooms, as well as the typical prices of hostels with various amenities, too.



A good hostel for solo travellers, couples, and small groups.

Dorm Bed from $6.00
Private Room from $6.33
Overall Rating: 93%
Thamel Kathmandu, Kathmandu
Elbrus Home is a popular hostel in Kathmandu. It's located in the Thamel neighborhood, which is where most backpackers and trekkers base themselves during their time in the city. The hostel is about a ten minute walk from the Royal Palace and the bus station that most tourists use. In the Thamel neighborhood you'll find plenty of great restaurants that serve momos and curries. There are also plenty of western restaurants, bakeries, and pubs nearby. Many trekkers pick up supplies from any of the many shops in the area. Both knockoffs and geniune brands are available. It can be difficult to find great deals simply because the knockoffs are of varying quality and the real brands typically have set prices. There are also many travel agencies in the area that can help you arrange treks with guides or porters. The hostel itself has its own travel desk where they can make arrangements for you as well.

This hostel is a clean and comfortable place to stay either before or after you do a trek. The showers have reliably hot water all day. There's also a pleasant common room that has a balcony and a nice garden where guests enjoy hanging out. There are tables, chairs and umbrellas. This is a popular hostel so you can be assured that there will be plenty of other guests, at least during peak seasons.

The hostel has a wide variety of private rooms available. There are singles, twins, doubles, and triples. With each size room you can choose either basic, deluxe or superior styles.


Private Room from $7.00
Overall Rating: 96%
Lekhnath Marg Thamel, Kathmandu
Avalon House is another favorite place to stay in Kathmandu. It's also located in the tourist center of Thamel and is a good place to base yourself either before or after your trek. It's really more of a hotel than a hostel and there are no dorms available. It has a relaxed setting with several common areas where guests can hang out.

There are twenty rooms available that each have private bathrooms with showers that have reliably hot water. Rooms also have televisions and wi-fi. The hostel is simple but pleasant. It has a nice rooftop terrace that offers views of Kathmandu. You can even see the monkey temple to the west and snowy mountain to the north. Breakfast is served in the morning on the terrace.

The staff is also wonderful here. They can help you with any arrangements for treks or activities. They can also advise you on what treks might best meet your needs and experience levels.

The private rooms are either singles, twins, or doubles. Guests can choose between deluxe or standard rooms.


A good guesthouse for solo travellers, couples, and small groups.

Private Room from $4.02
Overall Rating: 100%
Kathmandu Thamel, Kathmandu
Kathmandu Madhuban Guesthouse is another favorite place to stay in the city. It's also located in the Thamel neighborhood and is set back in a quiet area where you can be assured a good nights sleep. It's about a twenty minute drive from the airport and is just a ten minute walk to many of the city's best sights including Dubar Square, the Royal Palace Museum, the Monkey Temple, and more.

The hostel has several great places where guests can hang out including the lobby and the garden. The rooms are large and clean and each has its own attached bathroom with a hot shower. There's a restaurant available that serves both Nepalese and western dishes and there's a sunny balcony where you can relax outside. The rooftop terrace is also a nice place to hang out.

The hostel has a travel desk that can help arrange any treks or activities you might want to do. There is also airport pickup available if you need it, but you must stay at least two nights.

Single, twin, double, and three bed rooms are all available.


Private Room from $11.13
(Prices vary by season)
Overall Rating: 100%
Chhetrapati, Kathmandu
Hotel Ganesh Himal is very popular due to the atmosphere, great location, and long list of amenities. It features friendly service, a bar, bicycle hire, and cable tv. When it's time to eat, it's also nice because there's a restaurant. Wi-fi, laundry facilities, luggage storage, 24 hour reception, parking, towels included, internet access, air conditioning, and housekeeping are also on the list to make sure your stay is very comfortable.


Dorm Bed from $5.00
Private Room from $4.50
(Prices vary by season)
Overall Rating: 100%
Paknajol Marga, Thamel, Kathmandu
Paradise Guest House is very popular due to the atmosphere, great location, and long list of amenities. It features friendly service, a common room, and cable tv. When it's time to eat, it's also nice because there's a restaurant. Laundry facilities, luggage storage, 24 hour reception, towels included, internet access, and housekeeping are also on the list to make sure your stay is very comfortable. And Paradise Guest House is also child friendly and pet friendly.


Private Room from $5.00
(Prices vary by season)
Overall Rating: 100%
Pakanajol Road, Thamel, Kathmandu
Hotel Green Orchid is very popular due to the atmosphere, great location, and long list of amenities. It features friendly service and cable tv. When it's time to eat, it's also nice because there's a restaurant. Laundry facilities, luggage storage, 24 hour reception, towels included, internet access, and housekeeping are also on the list to make sure your stay is very comfortable.


Private Room from $8.67
(Prices vary by season)
Overall Rating: 100%
49/61 Gaa Hiti Marga Thamel, Kathmandu
This terrific hostel offers friendly service and bicycle hire. The good location and overall vibe also make it very popular. When it's time to eat, it's also nice because there's free breakfast and a cafe. Wi-fi, laundry facilities, luggage storage, 24 hour reception, parking, internet access, and housekeeping are also on the list to make sure your stay is very comfortable.


Private Room from $23.75
(Prices vary by season)
Overall Rating: 100%
Chhusya Galli, Jyatha-30, Kathmandu
Taleju Boutique Hotel is very popular due to the atmosphere, great location, and long list of amenities. It features friendly service, a bar, and cable tv. When it's time to eat, it's also nice because there's free breakfast and a restaurant. Laundry facilities, luggage storage, 24 hour reception, towels included, internet access, air conditioning, and housekeeping are also on the list to make sure your stay is very comfortable.
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More Accommodation Options

Check these out other nearby places to stay.

For more accommodation prices and options, check out our guide covering Kathmandu hotel prices for your next trip.



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Best Budget Guesthouses and Hostels in Kathmandu, Nepal | Budget Your Trip

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