Best hostels for socialising and remote working in Toronto’s centre 

Searching for a budget-friendly hostel in the heart of central Toronto with home comforts and facilities for work, socialising and relaxing? Many of Old Toronto’s best hostels that cost as little as CAD 50 per night boast comfortable bunk beds, communal kitchens and free Wi-Fi.

Internet access and facilities such as kitchenettes and lounges are standard in most of the city’s top-rated hostels for digital nomads. But some of the most affordable hostels in Toronto feature luxuries ranging from rooftop decks, barbeque stations and dorms with privacy curtains and balconies.

In this guide, we introduce you to six hostels in Toronto where you can meet fellow nomads, find space to work and explore the city with ease.

Best Toronto hostels at a glance

One of Toronto’s most impressive hostels is The Planet Traveler Hostel, where sleeping options include dorms and capsule-style pods. A recent renovation saw the installation of green tech such as solar thermal water heating, photovoltaic electrical production and geothermal heating, making the Planet Traveler a top accommodation choice for eco-conscious nomads.

With its art-covered exterior and onsite pub serving over 200 craft beers, The Only Backpacker’s Inn is an excellent hostel for creatives looking to mingle with locals. Facilities for guests include a rooftop deck and a barbecue station.

Hostels such as Samesun Toronto and The Clarence Park have privacy curtains installed on all bunks in all dorms. While The Clarence Park’s dorms feature spacious desks with adjustable lamps that make them idea for remote workers, Samesun’s dorms each boast their own balcony.

If you’re not concerned about flashy facilities or a focus on community vibes and instead just want a comfortable bed near Downtown, you can book a bunk at The Palmerston for as little as CAD 40 per night.

Toronto’s best hostels: a detailed look

Top-rated hostels in Toronto include The Planet Traveler Hostel, The Only Backpacker’s Inn and Samesun Toronto. Here’s everything you need to know about those and more to decide where to book:

1. The Planet Traveler Hostel

Situated in the bohemian Kensington Market neighbourhood of Downtown Toronto, The Planet Traveler Hostel is a warm, welcoming and practical hostel for digital nomads, with plenty of communal spaces to browse, work and mingle. And with green tech features such as solar thermal water heating, photovoltaic electrical production and geothermal heating, the Planet Traveler is a champion of sustainability.

Each dorm has bunks for five to eight people and its own ensuite. For a little extra peace and quiet, you can stay in a pod room that features a privacy curtain and a personal reading light.

You’ll usually find fellow digital nomads with their laptops in the communal space near the guest kitchen. If you experience problems with your electrics, you can use the iMac computers free of charge until midnight. The best place to kick back is the rooftop patio – bring your own drinks to make the most of the sunset. Bicycle rentals are available for when you want to explore.

A mecca for hipsters and artists, the hostel’s surrounding neighbourhood is home to trendy bars, casual restaurants through to fine diners, art spaces, indie shops and vintage boutiques. You’ll also be within walking distance of Little Italy, Chinatown and Old Toronto. The waterfront of Lake Ontaria is less than three kilometres away.

You can get a bunk in a male-only, female-only or mixed dorm at The Planet Traveler Hostel for as little as CAD 55 per night. Pods start from around 69. Comfortable private rooms that share a bathroom with three other rooms on the same floor are available for around CAD 165.

• Location: 357 College St, Toronto, ON M5T 1S5, Canada
• Phone: +1 647-352-8747
• Nearest public transport: College St at Major St (tram stop)

2. The Only Backpacker’s Inn

Just around the corner from the Donlands subway station in East Toronto is The Only Backpacker’s Inn, a homely hostel with an art-covered façade, chill vibes, plenty of communal spaces, and a host of facilities that make it ideal for any length of stay. Dorms have bunks for four to eight people, and private rooms are available at budget-friendly rates. Downstairs, over 200 beers are served at the onsite pub, an excellent spot to meet fellow nomads and friendly locals alike.

Facilities for hostel guests include a movie room and library, a barbecue station, a shared kitchen, and a dining area where the daily breakfast buffet is served. When the weather allows, you can soak up the sun on the colourful, wall-art filled rooftop deck. With a mix of vibrant and quiet lounge areas, you won’t struggle to find a place to use your laptop.

The Only Backpacker’s Inn neighbours a variety of cafes and restaurants serving local and international cuisines. As the Donlands subway station is just 100 metres way, the entire city of Toronto is at your fingertips. It takes just 20 minutes to reach Queen Station near Downtown and Old Toronto.

Nightly rates at The Only Backpacker’s Inn usually start at around CAD 60 for a six-bed dorm bunk or CAD 65 for a four-bed dorm bunk. Female-only dorm rooms for up to four guests are also available for a similar price. Private loft units with queen beds for up to two people usually start at about CAD 145 per night.

• Location: 972 Danforth Ave, Toronto, ON M4J 1L9, Canada
• Phone: +1 855-463-3249
• Nearest public transport: Donlands (subway station)

3. Samesun Toronto

Located a stone’s throw from award-winning fusion restaurants, trendy bars and hip coffee shops in Kensington Market, Samesun Toronto boasts a mix of dorms and private rooms that all feature balconies. All bunk beds also have a privacy curtain.

Besides the free breakfast, Samesun’s offerings include quirky communal spaces that include lounges, dining areas and movie rooms, perfect for mingling with guests and working on the go. Better still, there’s a schedule of daily activities that introduce you to Toronto and fellow globetrotters.

With its fully equipped kitchen, bunk beds that offer a sense of privacy, balconies in every dorm and private guest room, free Wi-Fi and 24-hour security, the Samesum Toronto is a cosy home from home that’s for digital nomads looking to stay within walking distance of the Downtown core.

Nightly rates at the Samesun start at around CAD 50 for a bunk in a dorm and CAD 135 for a private room.

• Location: 278 Augusta Ave, Toronto, ON M5T 2L9, Canada
• Phone: +1 416-929-4777
• Nearest public transport: College St at Borden St (tram stop)

4. The Clarence Park

With its warm colour pallet and rustic design elements that include dark wooden framed bunks, The Clarence Park is one of the most stylish hostels in Toronto. Conveniently located in the Fashion District not far from the CN Tower, The Clarence Park boasts contemporary lounge areas, ample space to work and communal facilities that include a fully equipped kitchen. There’s also an onsite restaurant that serves American cuisine, with plenty of tasty vegetarian dishes on the menu.

Ideal for digital nomads, each dorm room features a spacious wooden desk with an adjustable lamp. Plus, all the bunks have their own curtains, so you can enjoy a private space all to yourself. Thanks to the daily breakfast and kitchen that’s equipped with a range of modern appliances, you can keep your food costs to a minimum while staying at The Clarence Park. The corner sofas in front of the TV in the main lounge provide a cosy place to kick back in the evenings.

Besides the CN Tower, nearby famous attractions include the Hockey Hall of Fame, Scotiabank Arena, the Art Gallery of Ontario and Old Toronto. The Saint Andrew subway station is just a few blocks to the east. You’ll also find plenty of clothing boutiques, art studios and a thriving dining scene on the surrounding streets.

Nightly rates at The Clarence Park usually start at around CAD 50–60 for a bunk in a dorm, CAD 150 for a Standard Queen Room and CAD 180 for a Premium Queen Room. Keep in mind that private rooms frequently sell out months in advance.

• Location: 7 Clarence Square, Toronto, ON M5V 1H1, Canada
• Phone: +1 416-591-7387
• Nearest public transport: King St West at Spadina Ave East Side (tram stop)

5. The Parkdale Hostellerie

With nightly rates ranging from CAD 45–65, The Parkdale Hostellerie is one of the most affordable hostels in Toronto for digital nomads. In addition to dorm rooms, this hostel is home to warm, homely and modern private rooms and entire apartments, including one with a terrace. Facilities include a shared kitchen plus fully furnished indoor and outdoor communal spaces, while activities range from movie nights to table tennis.

Thanks to its prime location on Queen Street West, The Parkdale Hostellerie places you footsteps from some of the best indie galleries, boutiques and vintage stores in Toronto. Humber Bay attractions, including Sunnyside Beach and the huge lakeside Ontario Place culture and entertainment complex, are about 20 minutes away. It takes 30 to 45 minutes to reach Downtown by tram, and a taxi ride takes around 15.

As well as dorms that go for CAD 45–65 per night, standard double rooms with shared bathroom facilities are available for as little as CAD 89. One Bedroom Apartments with a double bed and a sofa bed start from CAD 135. From just CAD 195, you can get an apartment with two sofa beds, a bathtub and a terrace.

• Location: 83 Elm Grove Ave, Toronto, ON M6K 2J2, Canada
• Phone: +1 416-855-4606
• Nearest public transport: Queen St West at Brock Ave (tram stop)

6. The Palmerston

The Palmerston is one of the cheapest hostels in the Downtown area of Old Toronto. At the no-frills and wallet-friendly Palmerston, you won’t find facilities such as communal kitchens and lounges, but the dorms have ensuite bathrooms and basic appliances such as microwaves and fridges. Some of the private guest rooms feature their own kitchenettes, and their unique interior designs make them stylish home from homes for creative types.

Located along Queen Street West near Alexandra Park, The Palmerston is only around a kilometre from the Fashion District, Chinatown, Old Toronto, Downtown and the waterfront. You might not need to spend a cent on transport to visit major attractions like the CN Tower and the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Nightly rates for a dorm bunk at The Palmerston start under CAD 40. Male only, female only and mixed rooms are available. The cheapest rates we’ve found are CAD 120 for the Standard Queen Room and CAD 128 for the Standard Studio with kitchenette.

• Location: 650 1/2 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M6J 1E4, Canada
• Phone: +1 416-203-8999
• Nearest public transport: Queen St West at Tecumseth St (tram stop)

Have we missed any of Toronto’s top hostels for remote workers?

Above, we’ve introduced you to what we believe to be Toronto’s very best hostels for digital nomads looking for a place to both work and meet other people. We’ll keep updating this article with new information on hostels with facilities such as shared kitchens, lounges, group activities, and unique features for globetrotters, and we could use your help.

Have we missed any hostels in Toronto that deserve a mention in this article? What kind of hostel features do you look for when planning trips that combine work and leisure? What are your favourite things to do in Toronto during your off-screen time? Let us know in the comments below.