10 Best Hostels in New York for International Students 2025

New York can be the best city that can take you closer to manifesting your dreams. However, living in the city is costly. This article presents a list of best hostels in New York for Indian students that are also affordable in cost. 

Hostels in New York offer an incredible mix of community, convenience and cost-effectiveness. But with so many student accommodation options in New York, how do you pick the right one? So, we've done the legwork for you by diving deep into the city's best student-friendly hostels.

Why Stay in a Hostel in New York?

Usually, first-year or freshmen enrolled in US universities are mandatorily required to pay for on-campus accommodation. But in the second year, the freshmen can opt for off-campus accommodation. On the other hand, postgraduates studying in US can choose to stay off-campus from the first year itself. However, this rule does not apply to New York University, and so undergraduates can also choose to stay off-campus in their first year if they wish to.

Hotels in New York are costly and can hurt the pocket, plus they are not a good option for the long run since New York is the second most expensive city to live in the world, as per the New World Wealth by Henley and Partners 2025 report. The best option for long-term accommodation while studying in New York universities is shortlisting hostels in New York for a temporary but extended stay. This is why staying in a hostel in New York is necessary and a lucrative option. 

Top 10 Hostels in New York for Indian Students in 2025

Pro-Tips for Indian Students

• The "7 Train" is Your Friend: If you stay in Queens (The Local or Q4), the Number 7 Subway Line is your lifeline. It connects you to Manhattan (School) in one direction and Jackson Heights (Indian Groceries/Food) in the other.

• Booking Season: For the August/September 2025 intake, you must book your hostel by May or June. Cheap, good rooms vanish fast.

• Membership Fees: Places like the YMCA or HI NYC sometimes add a small daily "membership fee" ($3-$5) if you are not a member. It is usually cheaper to buy a 1-year membership if staying for a week or more.

• Vegetarian Options: New York is incredibly veg-friendly. Hostels with free breakfast (like American Dream) usually offer cereal, bagels, milk, and fruit, which is safe for vegetarians.

How to Choose Best Hostels in New York?

There are various parameters which students must consider before making the final choice for booking a hostel in New York City. Since the cost of living in New York is high, choosing student budget-friendly options is essential. Check out some of the key points and tips-

• Choose a hostel that's close to your university or at least has easy subway access. Location will affect your daily routine more than anything else.
• Always check the total price with taxes and fees included because base rates can be misleading. Plus, there can be additional charges for booking a New York hostel. 
• Go for those hostels in New York which have a 4.0+ rating on cleanliness and security. Look for security features like lockers and keycard entry.
• Understand whether you're booking a private room or just a bed in a shared dorm, do read the fine print.
• Prioritise practical amenities like a laundromat, kitchen access, Wi-Fi, and an elevator if you’re carrying heavy luggage.
• Look for ₹0 upfront payment or free cancellation so you're not locked into bad options.
• Also, decide if you want a social environment (with events and common areas) or a quiet, no-frills place to sleep.
• Some New York hostels have a maximum stay limit; make sure you know about the rules and understand if they allow long-term stays, if that’s your plan.
• Read recent guest reviews about the chosen hostels in New York to catch deal-breakers like noise, maintenance issues, or cleanliness complaints.
• Pick only those hostels in New York that allow group bookings if you're sharing with friends or triple occupancy. It saves more money and is lower on the hassle.

Staying in a hostel while studying may just be more enriching to your first couple of months in NYC than you can imagine. Unlike a boring dorm room, hostels are all about instant community, affordable kitchens, free events, and most, if not all, are conveniently located near your campus or sites of cultural interest.

If you are a social person, consider either HI NYC or The Local. If access to a gym, as well as privacy, matter to you, try to stay at a West Side YMCA or NY Moore. If sharing makes sense, consider KLO for a cost-saving trio split. Suppose you are a real ultra-budget person who is close to Columbia. In that case, you can stay at KAMA Central Park, which is surprisingly reasonably priced, yet provides excellent access to a level of comfort and safety.

Whatever direction you go in, please read reviews as current as possible. Lock in your stay early, then enjoy the journey, who knows, your hostel might become your first New York classroom.