Booking a hostel in Amsterdam

Booking a hostel in Amsterdam is easy. Most travelers are asking the same very question: how to find and book a hostel in Amsterdam? Hostels-Amsterdam is picking the glove in the following tutorial:

Ok, so you are heading to Amsterdam and one of the most important issues is where to stay. Naturally, the place you stay at, influence your whole Amsterdam experience. I myself divide all city hostels to three major categories: good ones, so–so ones and run for your life ones. It is very subjective of course but there are common perceptions we would like to share with you.

Advanced hostel booking: is always advised. For most weekends it is a must. Trust us; you don’t want to find yourself with your backpacks on traveling throughout the city. It is always advised to book directly with the hostel, so there are no agents or mediators in between. An exception to that rule is some online reservations sites that provide good selection, booking immediately and some feedback on the target hostel. The down side of booking in advance is that you are liable to your reservation. The good side is that you have somewhere to sleep while some others will settle for the Vondel Park. If you are not sure about your hostel, you could book only one night first and see later.

Cancellation policy: most hostels in Amsterdam have 24 HRS cancellation policy with one night penalty. That means that you could cancel your booking up until 24 HRS before arrival and if you do not show up, they will charge one or two nights from your credit card. You should be advised that finalized reservation is a contract by all means and you should never be a “no show” unless of course you have extra money on your CC. always communicate to the hostel as soon as you anticipate any change in your itinerary.

Location: although location is perceived by you travelers as one of the most important issues, I would like to dispute it simply due to the fact that Amsterdam is relatively very small city and distances are not an issue here. Most of Amsterdam’s attractions are located within one kilometer from downtown area anyway and most hostels are located within the city centre.

Atmosphere: definitely a major issue. We all know that coming to Amsterdam to meet people meaning to spend time with other travelers in a cozy atmosphere, preferably in an alcohol saturated environment. Only few hostels in Amsterdam are living up to the expectations and the way to recognize them is to look for a public place at the hostel designed for people to meet.

Price: unfortunately, demand in Amsterdam is high and the prices are accordingly relatively high as well compared with other destinations. If you happen to live outside Europe, the price might really be an issue. In the winter time, off season price might be around the 15 Euros per person per bed per night (PBN) at weekdays and 20 PBN Euros at weekends.

In spring and summer the price might raise to 20 Euros PBN for the week days and 25 Euros for the weekends. Anything more than just a bed, such smaller room or in room facilities might raise the price to 30 to 40 Euros PBN. No mercy, I agree.

Facilities: the current situation of the hostel facilities are important as well, the advertisement is not always matching and you do not want to find yourself in a running down dump. Some hostels will publish when was the last time they did renovation some won’t.

Cleanliness: same as facilities, cleanliness is a major point in the rooms, the beds, the public areas and the showers. It is not possible to find that fact in advance of course the only way is to read other travelers experience.

Curfew: curfew or lockout is just another way of spoiling your vacation. Some hostels still have this policy dictating closing the establishment for few hours at night. Unless you came to Amsterdam to read books, make sure your hostel does not have such policy.

Friendliness of staff: it is always nice to have smiling helpful people at the hostel you are staying. To some of us it is a major problem and some of us can live without it. It might be useful to mention that Holland delivers typical European customer service level, not more, so don’t expect American level here. Some hostels are employing former travelers. That’s the best you can expect. They are friendly, nice and know you well.

Security: there is always a rotten apple there that spoils it for everyone, so make sure your belongings are always protected. Most hostels in Amsterdam maintain a reasonable security level in their premises. If they allow only guests to the rooms are, this is a good sign. They should have lockers and padlocks as well and key or code to the doors. 24 HRS recording security cameras are very effective if they have it. You should always have your important documents and valuables in a key deposit box even if it costs a Euro or two. Most hostels will provide that.
Since most of us have this tendency to do stupid things on our vacation or travel, we strongly advise you to read our article: “better safe than sorry” it might save you lots of troubles and it is applicable to any city of course.

We hope this article helped you in finding a hostel in Amsterdam.

List of Amsterdam Hostels and cheap budget hotels

This is a list of most of the hostels in Amsterdam, including their area and address. For hostels reservations please use the booking engine at the top of the page.
If you wish to book a hotel, please use the hotels page.

The Flying Pig Downtown Hostel
Amsterdam (Old Centre), North-Holland, Netherlands

Location: Central Station / Dam square
Address Nieuwendijk 100, Amsterdam

Hans Brinker Budget Hotel
Amsterdam (City Centre), North-Holland, Netherlands

Location: Very close to the Leidseplein square.
Address: Kerkstraat 136, Amsterdam

The Flying Pig Uptown Hostel
Amsterdam (City Centre), North-Holland, Netherlands

Location: Leidseplein square / Vondelpark
Address: Vossiusstraat 46, Amsterdam

Hostel Royal Hotel Kabul
Amsterdam (Red Light District), North-Holland, Netherlands

Location: next to red light district
Address: Warmoesstraat 38-42, Amsterdam

The White Tulip Youth Hostel
Amsterdam (Red Light District), North-Holland, Netherlands

Location: Central Station / red light district
Address Warmoesstraat 87, Amsterdam

Stayokay Stadsdoelen Hostel
Amsterdam, North-Holland, Netherlands

Location: next to Muntplain
Address: Kloveniersburgwal 97, Amsterdam

Shelter Jordaan Hostel
Amsterdam (Jordaan), North-Holland, Netherlands

Location: Jordaan
Address: Bloemstraat 179, Amsterdam

Bob’s Youth Hostel
Amsterdam, North-Holland, Netherlands

Location: few minutes’ walk from Central Station
Address: Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 92, Amsterdam

Meeting Point Youth Hostel
Amsterdam (City Centre), North-Holland, Netherlands

Location: Central Station / red light district
Address: Warmoesstraat 14, Amsterdam

The Bulldog
Amsterdam (Red Light District), North-Holland, Netherlands

Location: next to Dam square and red light district
Address Oudezijds Voorburgwal 216, Amsterdam

Stayokay City Hostel Vondelpark
Amsterdam, North-Holland, Netherlands

Location: Vondel park / Leidseplein
Address: Zandpad 5, Amsterdam

Last Waterhole Hostel
Amsterdam, North-Holland, Netherlands

Location; Centrum
Address Oudezijds Armsteeg 10-12, Amsterdam

Amsterdam Hostel Cosmos
Amsterdam (City Centre), North-Holland, Netherlands

Location: next to Damrak
Address Nieuwe Nieuwstraat 17-1, Amsterdam

Hostel the Globe Center
Amsterdam, North-Holland, Netherlands

Location: next to red light district
Address: Oudezijds Voorburgwal 3, Amsterdam

Shelter City Hostel
Amsterdam, North-Holland, Netherlands

Location: next to red light district
Address Barndesteeg 21, Amsterdam

International Budget Hostel
Amsterdam (City Centre), North-Holland, Netherlands

Location: next to Leidseplein square
Address Leidsegracht 76, Amsterdam

St. Christopher’s at The Winston
Amsterdam, North-Holland, Netherlands

Location: Dam square / red light district
Address: Warmoesstraat, 129, Amsterdam

Hotel/Hostel Aroza
Amsterdam, North-Holland, Netherlands

Location: Central Station / Dam square
Address Nieuwendijk 23, Amsterdam

Marnix Hotel & Hostel
Amsterdam, North-Holland, Netherlands

Location: Leidseplein
Address: Marnixstraat 382, Amsterdam

Durty Nellys Inn
Amsterdam, North-Holland, Netherlands

Location: Central station / Red light district
Address: Warmoesstraat 117, Amsterdam

Radio Inn Youth Hostel
Amsterdam, North-Holland, Netherlands

Location: Next to Rembrandt plain
Address: Utrechtsedwarsstraat 79, Amsterdam

Amigo Hostel
Amsterdam, North-Holland, Netherlands

Location: next to the Zoo
Address: Plantage Kerklaan 19, Amsterdam

Inner Amsterdam
Amsterdam, North-Holland, Netherlands

Location: next to museum plain
Address: Wanningstraat 1, Amsterdam

Aivengo Youth Hostel
Amsterdam, North-Holland, Netherlands

Location: central station / Dam square
Address: Spuistraat 6, Amsterdam

Budget Hotel Tourist Inn
Amsterdam, North-Holland, Netherlands

Location: Dam square area
Address Spuistraat 52, Amsterdam

Beagle Houseboat
Amsterdam, North-Holland, Netherlands

Location: next to Amstel Botel
Address: Oosterdokskade 5, Amsterdam

The Friendship (boat)
Amsterdam, North-Holland, Netherlands

Location: few minutes’ walk from Central station
Address: Singel opposite 77, Amsterdam

Hotel / Hostel Linda
Amsterdam, North-Holland, Netherlands

Location: south east to Leidseplein square
Address: Stadhouderskade 131, Amsterdam

Passenger Ship Avanti
Amsterdam, North-Holland, Netherlands

Location: east to Central station
Address: Oosterdok 5, jetty 5, Amsterdam

Hostel Lum ‘n Abner
Amsterdam, North-Holland, Netherlands

Location: north part of the city
Address: Ondinaweg 17 ab Marietta, NDSM veer-haven ship Marietta, Amsterdam

Summer House Hostel
Amsterdam, North-Holland, Netherlands

Address Hudsonstraat 3, Amsterdam

Marie-Anns Houseboat/Deo Volente
Amsterdam, North-Holland, Netherlands

Location: north part of the city / port
Address Dijksgracht 7, Amsterdam

Jonas Houseboat
Amsterdam, North-Holland, Netherlands

Location: north part of the city / port
Address: Dijksgracht 10, Amsterdam

Passenger Ship Maria Alberta
Amsterdam, North-Holland, Netherlands

Location: north part of the city / port
Address Marcantilaan 33, Amsterdam