Hostelworld is an online platform dedicated to providing confirmed bookings for backpacker hostels across the globe. Catering primarily to budget-conscious travelers, the company allows users to search for accommodations based on their desired destinations, dates, and guest numbers. With a comprehensive range of listings, Hostelworld features detailed ratings and reviews from fellow travelers, helping users make informed decisions when selecting their ideal hostel.
In addition to booking services, Hostelworld enhances the travel experience by offering city guides, local events, and entertainment options tailored to backpackers. The platform emphasizes flexible booking and free cancellation policies, ensuring that users can adapt their plans as needed. With a focus on fostering connections among travelers, Hostelworld promotes social interaction through chat features and community engagement, making it a valuable resource for those exploring new destinations.
Reviewers generally praise Hostelworld for its user-friendly platform and the variety of hostels available, highlighting the ease of booking and the quality of accommodations. Many customers express satisfaction with the cleanliness and friendly staff at the hostels, noting that they felt welcomed and well taken care of during their stays.
Read full summaryShow less
However, some negative feedback emerges regarding service issues, particularly concerning booking errors and unexpected changes to reservations, which have left a few consumers frustrated. Additionally, there are complaints about pricing discrepancies when compared to booking directly with hostels. Overall, while the majority of experiences are positive, the service-related issues indicate room for improvement.
Each source counts by its number of reviews. Only reviews written by people are scored.
Rating, volume, share of the score, six-month trend and fake-review risk for each source
Source
Rating
Reviews
Weight
6-mo
Fake risk
★
Trustpilot
Imported Trustpilot reviews
4.4
60
100%
—
● Low
4.4 / 5 overall
=
60 reviews across 1 scored source
How fake risk works ⓘ
Reputation trend
Monthly average rating from reviews written by people.
Not enough history for a trend yet: 60 reviews in 1 month. The chart appears once reviews span two months.
What people praise & complain about
Share of positive (4–5★) and negative (1–2★) reviews mentioning each topic · based on the 60 most recent reviews.
Top praiseof 53 positive reviews
Easy to use26%
14 mentions
Prices & value13%
7 mentions
Website & app11%
6 mentions
Friendly staff9%
5 mentions
“I love this app because it gathers several hostels, making it easy to find the perfect one for each person”
On “Easy to use” · Jan 26, 2026
Top complaintsof 7 negative reviews
Refund43%
3 mentions
Customer service43%
3 mentions
Pricing29%
2 mentions
Payment issues29%
2 mentions
“They said they would look into it, but meanwhile would refund the amount I paid to them as a deposit, as a goodwill g...”
On “Refund” · Jan 26, 2026
How it compares
Same method for every company: overall rating, legitimacy checks, the average rating of reviews mentioning each area and the 6-month trend · Travel & Tourism.
Overall rating and review count for this company and similar companies
I love this app because it gathers several hostels, making it easy to find the perfect one for each person. I love that there are chat groups from the city and the hostel we're going to, making it easy to meet and connect with people. It is a really intuitive and easy app. It's perfect that it doesn't charge the full cost of the accommodation.
Anyone can write a CrowdTrust review. People who write reviews have ownership to edit or delete them at any time, and they'll be displayed as long as an account is active.
Booking system easybtobuse, great description of facilities and locations make it easy to choose best locations. Could use more ease in making changes other than cxl and rebook but cest le vie.
Hostelworld is an online platform dedicated to providing confirmed bookings for backpacker hostels across the globe. Catering primarily to budget-conscious travelers, the company allows users to search for accommodations based on their desired destinations, dates, and guest numbers. With a comprehensive range of listings, Hostelworld features detailed ratings and reviews from fellow travelers, helping users make informed decisions when selecting their ideal hostel.
In addition to booking services, Hostelworld enhances the travel experience by offering city guides, local events, and entertainment options tailored to backpackers. The platform emphasizes flexible booking and free cancellation policies, ensuring that users can adapt their plans as needed. With a focus on fostering connections among travelers, Hostelworld promotes social interaction through chat features and community engagement, making it a valuable resource for those exploring new destinations.