# Hostelworld: Hostel Travel App — Affordable Sociable Adventures

> Global hostel booking platform with social features for budget travelers. (iPhone/iPad app by Web Reservations International.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hostelworld-hostel-travel-app/id348890820 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Web Reservations International](https://appshunter.io/developer/348890823)
- Category: Travel, Lifestyle
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Rating: 4.90/5 from 77,677 App Store ratings · 703 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 17.0 · 322 MB
- Languages: German (Germany), Italian, French (France), Chinese (Simplified, China), Chinese (Traditional, Taiwan), American English, Dutch, Brazilian Portuguese, European Spanish
- Released: 2010-01-18
- Data updated: 2026-08-28
- Monetization: free with in-app purchases
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hostelworld-hostel-travel-app/id348890820/reviews.md

## What is Hostelworld?

Book hostels worldwide and meet fellow travellers with the world’s leading travel app for backpackers and solo travellers. Find cheap hostels, join city chats, discover local events, and travel solo without feeling alone.

Because travelling solo shouldn’t mean staying solo!

Hostelworld is the world's leading hostel finder, trusted by backpackers and solo travellers for over 25 years. Search and book from 21,000+ hostels in 187 countries, compare prices, read verified reviews, and find the best cheap hostels for every budget and travel style.

“Hostels are the best way to travel and Hostelworld is the best way to find them.” – Elite Daily

Meet travellers before you arrive
Go from solo to social in seconds! This is where the trip really starts.

Create your Traveller Profile
Add your name, photo, age, pronouns, languages, interests, travel stats and more
Share where you’ve been, what you love, and let people find you before you even arrive

See who’s going where next. Share your Travel Plans and discover others heading your way
Join plan-based chat groups and connect before you arrive

Chat your way into new connections
City Chats – join destination-based groups linked to your booking
Hostel Chats – connect with people staying at the same hostel
Direct messages – keep conversations going one-to-one

Get your Social Pass
Social Pass unlocks full access to city chats, meetups, and traveller connections in any destination, even without a hostel booking.

Attend Events in every city
From pub crawls to walking tours – join curated experiences designed to bring travellers together offline. Because the best travel moments don’t happen on a screen. They happen when a “maybe” turns into a night out with people you met an hour ago. Or when a walking tour ends in dinner, then somehow turns into plans for the next city. Events aren’t just activities, they’re how strangers become travel companions.

Discover free and paid local activities 
Say yes to spontaneous plans, shared adventures, and nights you didn’t see coming

Find your perfect hostel, anywhere
From party hostels to chilled hideouts – we’ve got you covered. 
Search 21,000+ hostels across 187 countries
From European city breaks to Southeast Asian escapes
Private rooms, shared dorms, mixed or female-only options
Smart filters for price, location, facilities and vibe - find the best affordable hostels for your trip
Real photos and real reviews from real travellers
Making travel more accessible, affordable and social

Trusted by travellers for over 25 years
We’ve been helping backpackers and solo travellers meet the world for two decades.
13M+ verified reviews from real guests
Ratings based on value, location, atmosphere and more
A global community built on honest travel experiences

Experiences built for connection
Travel is what happens between the plans.
Walking tours, pub crawls, yoga sessions and more
Free activities designed to bring travellers together

Built for every kind of traveller
Whether it’s your first trip or your fiftieth: 
Gap year explorers
Solo travellers chasing connection
Budget backpackers stretching every euro
Groups making memories across continents
No matter how you travel, connection changes everything.

Sometimes it’s a quick chat in a hostel kitchen. Sometimes it’s a group plan that turns into a week-long detour. That’s what this is built for – not just places to stay, but people to share them with. If you’re chasing freedom, people, and stories worth telling, you’re in the right place.

Go anywhere, stay everywhere
Hostels in cities, on beaches, in jungles, or wherever the road takes you.
Instant booking across 21,000 hostels in 187 countries
Exclusive deals and cheap hostel rates for backpackers and solo travellers  
24/7 access to the world’s biggest hostel network
Free cancellation on most bookings (plans change – we get it!)
Discover trending destinations and hidden gems worldwide

Travel light. Meet more people. Stay anywhere.

## Key features

- Explore 16,500+ hostels in 180 countries
- Filter by price, rating, and facilities
- Read guest reviews and see hostel photos
- Book dorms or private rooms
- Exclusive app-only deals
- Offline access to bookings
- Social features to meet travelers

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**One-time purchases**

| Purchase | Price | Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 1 week | $4.99 | one-time |
| 1 month | $9.99 | one-time |
| 3 months | $19.99 | one-time |
| 1 year | $59.99 | one-time |
| 3 months | $14.99 | one-time |
| 3 months | $17.99 | one-time |
| 3 months | $12.99 | one-time |
| 1 year | $49.99 | one-time |
| 1 year | $44.99 | one-time |
| 1 year | $39.99 | one-time |


## Chart rankings

- #91 in Top Grossing · Travel (US App Store)

## What do users think of Hostelworld?

Overall sentiment: neutral

**Pros**

- 👍 Easy to use
- 🚀 Convenient booking process
- 💡 Helpful reviews and ratings
- 🌟 Great resource for finding hostels

**Cons**

- 🐛 Buggy app with frequent crashes
- 🤔 Misleading or inaccurate hostel information
- 💰 Inflated prices compared to booking directly
- 🤷‍♀️ Poor customer service and support

**Commonly reported bugs**

- Login issues and endless redirect loops
- Booking details not saving or syncing properly
- Search and filtering functionality not working as expected
- Unreliable cancellation and refund process

**Most requested features**

- Ability to save/favorite hostels
- Option to filter by specific hostel amenities
- Improved chat/messaging functionality
- Offline access to booking information

## Recent user reviews (10 of 703)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hostelworld-hostel-travel-app/id348890820/reviews.md

### 5/5 — The best travel app ever

*2026-08-22, version 13.91.0*

So easy and simple to use and love how you can access what other travels are staying at the hostle you have booked, I also love that it saves all your hostles in the past and shows other travellers what countries you have been to when using hostle world, it also lets you really customise your profile meaning other travellers can get a good idea of you , perfect if you are solo!!

### 5/5 — Best app for solo travelers hands down

*2026-08-18, version 13.91.0*

Using this app you’ll never be or feel alone as long as you’re using it

### 1/5 — Terrible app - do not use

*2026-08-17, version 13.90.1*

Charged me twice for a single transaction and will not provide a refund, awful service! Stay clear.

### 5/5 — Best app ever

*2026-08-12, version 13.90.1*

I usually don’t do reviews but this app has geniunly saved me as a solo female traveller. It connected me with female only dorms that are cheap reputable and affordable and it made the payement process a peice of cake which helped me avoid unnecessary stress from price negotiations

### 5/5 — Syed

*2026-08-09, version 13.90.0*

Good

### 1/5 — Good but…

*2026-08-04, version 13.89.0*

I’ve been using hostelworld for years, and up until now I would’ve gave it 5 stars. It works well for booking accommodation, lets you meet other travellers and has chats for the cities you visit. Tell me why I have to pay for that feature now? Just disappointing that everything requires a subscription nowadays.

### 5/5 — USE THIS

*2026-08-03, version 13.89.0*

This app is one of the best ways to enter the backpacking community all over the world when you’re solo traveling. I can’t recommend enough

### 5/5 — Professional organizations

*2026-08-03, version 13.89.0*

The breakfast is wonderful the space clean , friendly and peaceful.  Love the open air kitchen and rooftop seating.  This has been a wonderful experience.  Had to make to some travel arrangements due to flight cancellations, and the front desk was a minimal and accommodated us, which is fantastic

### 5/5 — Concept parfait, jamais déçue!

*2026-08-02*

Après 5 hébergements booké sur Hostelworld dans différents pays du monde, je peux dire que l’appli est fiable facile d’accès, les établissements sont de qualité. Étant une femme qui voyage seule je peux dire que c’est ma source sûre de réservation. Vous pouvez foncer!

**Developer response:** Merci beaucoup pour ce message ! Nous sommes ravis que l'application vous accompagne en toute confiance dans vos voyages en solo. Bon voyage, l'équipe Hostelworld

### 2/5 — Customer service/rebooking is impossible

*2026-08-01, version 13.89.0*

The app will automatically select dates for a random date when refreshed. Once the booking is made, they make it impossible to change. Even if you notice within minutes after booking. Really frustrating when just going back to look at options, the dates automatically change. It’s a money grab and they know it.

## Frequently asked questions about Hostelworld

### What does the Hostelworld app do?

The Hostelworld app allows users to discover and book affordable accommodation, primarily hostels, in over 180 countries. It offers features like filtering by various criteria, reading guest reviews, and viewing hostel photos to help users plan their budget trips and connect with other travelers.

### What are the key features of the Hostelworld app?

Key features include a vast selection of over 16,500 hostels, advanced filtering options (price, rating, facilities), guest reviews, hostel photos, and the ability to book dorms or private rooms. It also provides app-exclusive deals, offline access to bookings, and social features to meet fellow travelers.

### Is the Hostelworld app free to use?

The app itself is free to download and use for browsing and booking. While the app offers free cancellation options, it operates on a freemium model, meaning there are in-app purchases available for enhanced features or services. Some deals may also be exclusive to app users.

### Who is the Hostelworld app for?

This app is designed for budget-conscious travelers, including solo travelers, backpackers, students, and groups who are looking for affordable accommodation and opportunities to socialize with other travelers. It caters to those planning epic backpacking trips or seeking value-packed holidays.

### Can I use the Hostelworld app offline?

Yes, the Hostelworld app offers 24/7 offline access to your bookings. This means you can view your reservation details even without an internet connection, which is highly convenient when traveling in areas with limited connectivity.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 13.91.0 — 2026-08-18

This version contains performance improvements and bug fixes.

### 13.90.1 — 2026-08-10

This version contains performance improvements and bug fixes.

### 13.90.0 — 2026-08-04

This version contains performance improvements and bug fixes.

### 13.89.0 — 2026-07-21

This version contains performance improvements and bug fixes.

### 13.88.0 — 2026-07-01

This version contains performance improvements and bug fixes.

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## More apps by Web Reservations International

- [Hostelworld Conference](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hostelworld-conference/id1426558781)

All apps by Web Reservations International: https://appshunter.io/developer/348890823

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-28.*