Best Backpacker Cities
City↕ | Country↕ | Dorm Bed (USD)↕ | Daily Budget (USD)↕ | Hostel Scene↕ | Known For↕ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bangkok | Thailand | 8 | 30 | Legendary | Khao San Road, gateway to Southeast Asia, street food, cheap beer towers |
Hanoi | Vietnam | 6 | 25 | Excellent | Old Quarter hostels, pho, bia hoi street beer, Halong Bay base |
Berlin | Germany | 25 | 55 | Legendary | Cheapest western European capital, club culture, street art, Generator hostels |
Buenos Aires | Argentina | 12 | 35 | Excellent | Palermo hostels, cheap steak, tango culture, European feel in Latin America |
Prague | Czech Republic | 15 | 40 | Excellent | Cheapest beer in Europe, medieval old town, easy hostel scene |
Siem Reap | Cambodia | 5 | 20 | Strong | Angkor Wat gateway, Pub Street, tuk-tuk temple tours, cheapest SEA city |
Mexico City | Mexico | 15 | 40 | Strong | Roma and Condesa, taco culture, U.S. nomad favorite, affordable luxury |
Budapest | Hungary | 15 | 40 | Legendary | Ruin bars, thermal baths, Danube cruises, party hostel capital |
Kuala Lumpur | Malaysia | 10 | 30 | Good | Petronas Towers, mamak food stalls, SEA transport hub, multicultural mix |
Cusco | Peru | 10 | 30 | Excellent | Machu Picchu base, Inca Trail start, Gringo Alley, altitude adjustment stop |
Krakow | Poland | 12 | 35 | Strong | Old Town, Auschwitz day trips, Wawel Castle, cheap pierogi |
Chiang Mai | Thailand | 7 | 25 | Excellent | Night markets, elephant sanctuaries, Sunday walking street, digital nomad crossover |
Medellin | Colombia | 12 | 35 | Strong | El Poblado nightlife, eternal spring, safer than reputation |
Lisbon | Portugal | 22 | 50 | Excellent | Home Lisbon Hostel (multi-year hostel of the year), fado, pastel de nata |
Tel Aviv | Israel | 30 | 70 | Good | Abraham Hostels, beach city, Mediterranean nightlife, Dead Sea trips |
Istanbul | Turkey | 12 | 35 | Strong | Sultanahmet hostels, bazaars, hamams, Europe-Asia crossroads |
Rio de Janeiro | Brazil | 15 | 40 | Strong | Copacabana and Ipanema hostels, Carnival, samba, Christ the Redeemer |
Marrakech | Morocco | 10 | 30 | Good | Riad hostels, Jemaa el-Fna, souks, Sahara tour base |
Pai | Thailand | 6 | 22 | Chilled | Mountain backpacker town, hippie vibes, waterfalls, hammock culture |
Belgrade | Serbia | 12 | 35 | Strong | Nightlife on river barges, cheap rakija, underrated Balkan capital |
Ubud | Indonesia | 9 | 30 | Strong | Jungle hostels, yoga scene, rice terraces, spiritual crowd |
La Paz | Bolivia | 10 | 25 | Strong | Death Road biking, Uyuni salt flats base, highest capital in the world |
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