7 Coolest Hostels in Vienna in 2025 (Ranked by a Local)

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I’ve been to Vienna more than ten times, and it never gets old. My wife grew up here, so between family visits and my own backpacking days, I’ve gotten to know the city in a way that goes way beyond Schönbrunn Palace and schnitzel joints. Over the years, I’ve stayed in just about every kind of hostel Vienna has to offer…sleek design havens, social party spots, quiet corners perfect for remote work, and budget beds that somehow still feel like home.

Whether you’re a first-time solo traveler looking for good vibes and easy friends, a digital nomad who needs strong Wi-Fi and quiet hours, or a couple chasing a boutique feel without the boutique price, I’ve got you covered. These are the seven coolest hostels in Vienna in 2025…handpicked from personal experience and local insight, ranked by what actually matters when you’re on the ground.

• Read my ultimate guide: Europe’s Best Digital Nomad Hotspots in 2025

Coolest Hostels in Vienna

We’re about to set off on an extraordinary journey through Vienna’s coolest hostels…from family-run locations to lively market-side hangouts. So, let’s buckle up and fly to Vienna, checking out the coolest hostels across the city!

Don’t have time to read? Here’s the best hostels in Vienna at a glance:

• Top Overall Hostel: Hostel Ruthensteiner
• Best Location: Meininger Vienna Downtown Sissi
• Best for Solo Backpackers: Joe & Joe Vienna
• Best Party Hostel: Wombat’s City Hostel
• Best Budget Hostel: A&T Holiday Hostel

1. Hostel Ruthensteiner

• Location: Rudolfsheim-Fünfhaus
• From: $12 per bed/night 
• Best For: musicians who want to jam with strangers, solo travelers who actually talk to people, and artsy types who don’t mind a hippie vibe

Hostel Ruthensteiner takes the whole “music hostel” thing seriously. They’ve got guitars, piano, drums, and ukulele scattered around for impromptu jam sessions. I watched talented musicians turn random Tuesday nights into mini concerts in the bar area. This place has been running since 1968 and was just voted Europe’s best hostel 2024 by Hostelworld, so they’re clearly doing something right.

The big draw here is the community feel. They do pay-what-you-wish dinners every night cooked by volunteers, which sounds cheesy but actually works for meeting people. Basic dorms sleep 8-10 people, while nicer options have 4-6 beds. Each bed gets individual reading lights, power outlets, and lockers. The shared bathrooms are clean, though some reviews mention they can get busy during peak times.

The location strikes a nice balance between the city center and Schönbrunn, with easy tram connections in both directions. You’ll find an international and social crowd here that’s more lively than a library, but without the chaos of a party hostel.

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2. JO&JOE Vienna

• Location: Rudolfsheim-Fünfhaus (inside IKEA)
• From: $22 per bed/night
• Best For: party people who want Instagram-worthy rooftop views, digital nomads who need reliable WiFi and social buzz, and anyone who thinks sleeping above IKEA is weirdly cool

Staying above an IKEA store might sound like a gimmick, but this place makes it work in the coolest way possible. Spread across the 5th and 6th floors, JO&JOE Vienna delivers a massive rooftop terrace with sweeping views over Vienna. Downstairs, plus when you’re hungover, IKEA’s famous $2 breakfast is literally downstairs. The whole setup feels like a social experiment that actually works.

They run daily events like karaoke, live music, DJ sets, beer pong, and quiz nights, with locals mixing with travelers on both the main floor bar and rooftop. Dorm beds come with charging ports, privacy curtains, and individual reading lights. The 10-bed dorms can get loud with people coming and going, but bathrooms are shared within each dorm plus separate sinks for quick teeth brushing.

Location score hits 9.2/10. You’re steps from Westbahnhof station and a short walk to city center. The 7th floor rooftop is actually publicly accessible and has four shipping container food stalls, making it a legitimate Vienna hangout spot and one of Europe’s prettiest places.

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3. Meininger Vienna Downtown Sissi

• Location: Leopoldstadt
• From: $35 per bed/night
• Best For: travelers who want hotel vibes without hotel prices, families needing space and amenities, and anyone who prefers clean and quiet over chaotic social scenes

If you’re after reliable comfort without the party scene, Meininger Vienna Downtown Sissi leans more toward a budget hotel vibe than your typical hostel. They have 102 rooms across 5 floors, offering single, double, and multi-bed options, all with private bathrooms and modern amenities. The whole place has an Empress Sissi theme with “amusing little details” that add some Austrian charm without going overboard.

The crowd skews toward groups, families, and travelers who value sleep over socializing. Common areas include a guest kitchen, lounge with pool table, bar, and game zone with foosball, but the atmosphere stays pretty mellow. The colorful Karmeliter Market with cafes and restaurants is just around the corner, and you can walk to St. Stephen’s Cathedral in about 15 minutes.

There’s no air conditioning in rooms, just fans, which some reviews mention as problematic during summer heat. The vibe is professional and clean rather than social and spontaneous. Good choice if you want hostel prices with hotel-level service and quiet nights.

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4. Space Home Apartment – Inner City

• Location: Landstraße
• From: $30 per bed/night
• Best For: solo travelers who want privacy without paying hotel prices, tech enthusiasts who think sleeping in pods is cool, and introverts who prefer minimal social interaction

Space Home Apartment – Inner City offers Japanese-style sleeping capsules that feel like something from a sci-fi movie. Each lockable pod comes with individual TV, fan, lighting controls, USB charging ports, and a safe. You get actual privacy in a shared room setup, which is the whole point – no awkward small talk required.

This is a self-service concept with no on-site reception, though staff are available by phone 8am-11:30pm. Check-in runs 3pm-11:30pm, check-out 6am-10am. The 12-room property includes shared bathrooms with walk-in showers, hair dryers, lockers, and they provide towels, linens, and shower gel. The capsules have cable TV with BBC and CNN, plus indirect lighting to enhance the “space” vibe.

Rochusmarkt is walking distance for fresh food and restaurants, Prater and the Giant Ferris Wheel are easily reachable. There’s also a bus stop directly outside that gets you to Vienna’s 1st district in 10 minutes.

5. A&T Holiday Hostel

• Location: Favoriten district
• From: $16 per bed/night
• Best For: budget travelers who want modern facilities without premium prices, Spanish-speaking backpackers looking for their crowd, and groups who appreciate Wild West-themed bars

A&T Holiday Hostel bills itself as one of Vienna’s most modern hostels, and the 2013 building does feel fresh compared to some of the city’s older options. The big selling point is supposed to be their Wild West-themed bar, though recent reviews suggest it’s closed every now and then, so don’t count on channeling your inner cowboy.

The crowd is heavily Spanish-speaking, which creates a specific vibe that either works for you or doesn’t. Rooms sleep 2-6 people with private bathrooms, climate control, and lockers. They’ve got an entire floor reserved for women, billiards, foosball, and a piano in the breakfast area.

Location-wise, the area feels safe but is decidedly outside the tourist zone, making it better for budget-conscious travelers than location-obsessed ones. Plus, it’s just a 5-minute walk to Reumannplatz, where you can catch the metro, bus, or tram. This hostel is cheap and modern, but verify what’s actually open before booking.

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6. Stadtaffe – Chic Hostel VIE

• Location: Ottakring (5-minute walk to Josefstädter U-Bahn, near Brunnenmarkt)
• From: $28 per bed/night
• Best For: solo travelers who want clean facilities and optional socializing, backpackers who appreciate courtyard vibes, and anyone seeking a “chic” hostel experience without paying boutique prices

Stadtaffe – Chic Hostel VIE built its reputation around a central courtyard that guests consistently rave about. All rooms face this outdoor space, creating natural airflow that makes the lack of AC bearable and a social hub for those who want it. The whole setup feels more like a small apartment building than a traditional hostel, which works if you prefer low-key interactions over forced group activities.

The hostel markets itself as “crazy, cool & colorful” but the reality is more laid-back than wild. It’s spotlessly clean with modern facilities – each room has private bathrooms, privacy curtains on beds, and reading lamps. The shared kitchen gets high marks and there’s a game room for entertainment. Check-in is self-service via WhatsApp, so don’t expect a traditional reception experience.

You’re 5 minutes from Josefstädter U-Bahn station and close to the multicultural Brunnenmarkt area. The crowd tends toward independent travelers rather than party groups, and the courtyard design means you can be social when you want but retreat to your room when you don’t.

 

7. Wombat’s City Hostel – The Naschmarkt

• Location: Wieden district (right at Naschmarkt, 2-minute walk to Kettenbrückengasse U4 station)
• From: $33 per bed/night
• Best For: first-time hostel users who want hotel-level cleanliness, social travelers who love a good bar scene, and market enthusiasts who want Vienna’s best food scene at their doorstep

With Vienna’s most famous market just steps away, staying at Wombat’s City Hostel means you’re never far from fresh food stalls, cozy restaurants, and the buzz of the Saturday flea market. This is the hostel chain that’s won “cleanest hostel worldwide” multiple times, so expect hotel-level standards in a social setting. Each room has private bathrooms, no shared corridor nightmares here.

The WomBAR is genuinely legendary among Vienna hostels. It’s where guests actually meet each other over craft cocktails, regular events, and happy hours. The bar serves decent toasties and regional wine, plus you get a welcome drink on arrival. Pool tables, live music, and karaoke keep the energy up without turning the place into a chaotic party zone. The atmosphere hits that sweet spot between social and civilized.

Breakfast costs extra but gets rave reviews, and the guest kitchen includes free basics like noodles and rice. The building itself is Art Nouveau from the early 1900s, so you get character with your convenience.