The best budget hostels in Paris include Les Piaules in Belleville, Generator Paris near the Canal Saint-Martin, St Christopher’s Inn Canal on the Bassin de la Villette, MIJE Marais in three historic buildings, and Le Régent Montmartre at the foot of Sacré-Cœur. Each offers dorm beds and private rooms at a fraction of central hotel prices, and most have a bar or café where it is easy to meet other travelers.

Paris has a reputation for expensive accommodation, but a well-chosen hostel can cut your costs dramatically without sacrificing location or comfort. Below are our picks, grouped by area, plus a few budget hotels for travelers who want more privacy. Rates vary a lot by season, so compare current prices before you book. For a checklist of what to look for, read Comparing hostels in Paris.

Northeast Paris: Canal Saint-Martin, La Villette and Belleville

The 10th, 11th, 19th and 20th arrondissements are where many of the city’s best-value hostels are. These lively, less touristy neighborhoods have plenty of cheap restaurants and bars, and good metro links to the center.

Generator Paris

Generator Paris, on Place du Colonel Fabien in the 10th arrondissement, is a large design hostel with dorms and private rooms, a café-restaurant, a basement bar and a rooftop terrace with views toward Sacré-Cœur. It sits between the Canal Saint-Martin and the Parc des Buttes-Chaumont, and Gare du Nord is about a 15-minute walk away, which is handy for Eurostar arrivals.

St Christopher’s Inn Paris – Canal

Part of the European St Christopher’s chain, this hostel occupies a converted former warehouse overlooking the Bassin de la Villette, the largest artificial lake in Paris. It has modern dorms with pod-style beds, private rooms, and a Belushi’s bar that gets lively in the evenings. The neighborhood is quieter than the center, and the metro takes you to the main sights quickly.

Les Piaules

Les Piaules, on Boulevard de Belleville, is a stylish design hostel in a renovated building in one of the city’s most multicultural neighborhoods. Highlights are its popular ground-floor bar serving local beers and coffee, comfortable bunks with privacy curtains, and a rooftop terrace with sweeping views over the Paris skyline. Breakfast is available at extra cost. The surrounding streets are full of cheap restaurants, cafés and bars.

Mama Shelter Paris East

Mama Shelter is a design hotel rather than a hostel, but its compact, well-designed rooms are often good value. It is in the 20th arrondissement, in the east of Paris, a short walk from the Alexandre Dumas and Gambetta metro stations; line 2 from Alexandre Dumas runs directly to Montmartre. The hotel is known for its lively restaurant and bar.

Hôtel & Résidence de la Mare

This simple guesthouse-style hotel in the Belleville area offers private rooms, some with kitchenettes, which helps you save by cooking your own meals. Popular venues such as La Bellevilloise are within reach for an evening out. Check whether your room has a private bathroom when booking.

Central Paris: Marais and Latin Quarter

MIJE Marais

MIJE Marais occupies three 17th-century buildings in the historic Marais (Maubuisson, Fourcy and Fauconnier), a short walk from the Seine, Île Saint-Louis and Notre-Dame. Expect beamed ceilings, a courtyard and simple, clean rooms. It is one of the most central and atmospheric budget options in Paris. It suits travelers who value location over nightlife; check current house rules when booking.

Oops! Latin Quarter

Oops! is a colorful design hostel on Avenue des Gobelins in the 13th arrondissement, at the southern edge of the Latin Quarter. Each floor has its own bold decor, rooms have private bathrooms, and breakfast is available. From here you can walk to the Rue Mouffetard market street, the Jardin des Plantes and the Panthéon.

Montmartre and Pigalle

Le Régent Montmartre

Le Régent sits on Boulevard de Rochechouart, between Pigalle and the foot of the Sacré-Cœur. It has dorms and private rooms and a common area, and is well placed for exploring Montmartre’s cafés, galleries and viewpoints. The area is busy at night, so keep the usual eye on your belongings. See our guides to hostels in Montmartre and the Montmartre neighborhood.

Left Bank and Southern Paris

FIAP Jean Monnet

FIAP Jean Monnet in the 14th arrondissement is a large international residence popular with students and groups, with single, double and shared rooms and a restaurant. It is a few metro stops from Saint-Germain-des-Prés and the Jardin du Luxembourg, and is a solid, calm choice for travelers who want simple comfort at a fair price.

JO&JOE Paris Gentilly

Run by the Accor group, JO&JOE Gentilly is just outside the city limits next to the Cité Internationale Universitaire, with easy RER B access to central Paris. It mixes dorms with private rooms, has a bar and a restaurant, and has a relaxed, social atmosphere. A good pick if you do not mind a short train ride into the center.

Arty Paris Porte de Versailles

This hostel, close to the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles exhibition center at the southwestern edge of the city, is handy if you are in town for a trade fair. Rooms are simple, and the common areas include a bar and terrace. Book early during big events, when prices in the area rise sharply.

Hôtel du Champ de Mars

Not a hostel but a small, family-run budget hotel in the 7th arrondissement, about a 10-minute walk from the Eiffel Tower and close to the Rue Cler market street with its bakeries, cheese shops and cafés. It costs more than a hostel bed, but it is good value for a private room in one of the most expensive areas of Paris.

Tips for Booking a Budget Hostel in Paris

• Book early for summer, weekends and major events, when the best-value hostels sell out.
• Check what is included: breakfast, towels, lockers and city tax are not always in the price.
• Look at the location: a cheaper bed far from a metro station can cost you time and transport money. Our guide on choosing your hotel location in Paris helps.
• Choose your atmosphere: some hostels are social and loud; others are quiet. If you want to party, see the best party hostels in Paris.
• Bring a padlock for lockers and keep valuables with you.

Summary

For the best mix of price, atmosphere and location, look at Les Piaules, Generator Paris or St Christopher’s Inn Canal in the northeast, MIJE Marais for a historic central base, and Le Régent for Montmartre. Oops!, FIAP Jean Monnet and JO&JOE are good alternatives in southern Paris, while Hôtel du Champ de Mars and Mama Shelter suit travelers who want a private room on a budget.

Which is your favorite budget hostel in Paris? Let us know in the comments.