Best Hostels in Venice: Budget Stays on the Most Expensive Island in Italy

Venice is the most expensive city in Italy for accommodation — and one of the most expensive in Europe. A room that costs €80 in Bologna costs €150–200 in Venice for the same quality. Hostels are the most effective way to experience Venice on a budget, and staying on the island is worth the extra cost — walking out in the morning to a canal view and exploring after the day-trippers leave makes a fundamentally different trip.

Best hostels on the island

Generator Venice (Fondamenta Zitelle 86, Giudecca)

The best-located hostel in Venice, occupying a converted granary on Giudecca island with views across the canal to San Marco. Dorm beds from approximately €30/night in a 6-bed room, from €25 in a 10-bed room, as of 2026. Private doubles from approximately €100/night. The common areas include a waterfront terrace with direct lagoon views, a bar, and a cafe. Self-catering kitchen, luggage storage, air conditioning, personal lockers. Vaporetto Line 2 from Zitelle to San Marco takes approximately 5 minutes (approximately €9.50 single, €25 for a 24-hour pass). The Giudecca location is quieter than the main island — a genuine advantage in peak season.

We Crociferi (Campo dei Gesuiti, Cannaregio)

A hostel in a 12th-century former monastery near Fondamente Nove. Dorm beds from approximately €35/night, as of 2026. Private doubles from approximately €110/night. The building is extraordinary — vaulted ceilings, stone walls, a cloister courtyard. Facilities include a bar, self-catering kitchen, luggage storage, and air conditioning. The Cannaregio location is the most local-feeling sestiere in Venice, with good restaurants along the Fondamenta della Misericordia. Well-positioned for vaporetto services to Murano and Burano (lines 4.1/4.2/12 from Fondamente Nove).

Combo Venice (Dorsoduro 3500, near Campo Santa Margherita)

A hybrid hostel-hotel in the student neighbourhood. Dorm beds from approximately €30/night, as of 2026. Private rooms from approximately €90/night. The building is a converted palazzo with a bar-restaurant, courtyard, and cultural programme (live music, exhibitions). The Campo Santa Margherita location is ideal — the most lively, local piazza in Venice, surrounded by bars and restaurants at reasonable (by Venice standards) prices. Self-catering kitchen, luggage storage.

Anda Venice Hostel (Calle del Forno, Cannaregio 5477)

A smaller hostel near the Rialto Bridge. Dorm beds from approximately €28/night, as of 2026. Private rooms from approximately €85/night. Basic facilities — lockers, WiFi, luggage storage — but the location is excellent for exploring both Cannaregio and San Polo. No kitchen. Clean, functional, and well-maintained.

A&O Venice Mestre (Via Ca’ Marcello 19, Mestre)

The best mainland option. Dorm beds from approximately €18/night — the cheapest option for Venice access, as of 2026. Private doubles from approximately €55/night. Modern facilities: bar, self-catering kitchen, laundry, luggage storage, air conditioning. Mestre station is a 10-minute walk; trains to Venice Santa Lucia run every 10–15 minutes (approximately €1.50, 10 minutes). Not Venice, but the savings are substantial — approximately €15–20/night less than island hostels.

SIH — Santa Fosca (Cannaregio 2372, near Ca’ d’Oro)

A student housing complex that opens to travellers during university holidays (typically June–September). Dorm beds from approximately €22/night when available, as of 2026. Basic but very cheap. Kitchen access, luggage storage. The Cannaregio location near Ca’ d’Oro vaporetto stop is convenient. Availability is limited — check their website for opening periods.

Areas to consider

Giudecca — The long island south of Dorsoduro. Quieter, cheaper, connected to San Marco by Vaporetto Line 2 (5 minutes). The Generator hostel here has the best views of any budget accommodation in Venice.

Cannaregio — The most local-feeling sestiere. Fewer tourists than San Marco and Dorsoduro, good restaurants (especially along Fondamenta della Misericordia), and the Jewish Ghetto. Several hostels concentrated here.

Dorsoduro — The student neighbourhood near the Accademia gallery. More youthful atmosphere, good bars around Campo Santa Margherita, canal-side walks along the Zattere.

Mestre (mainland) — Not Venice, but connected by frequent trains. Doubles and dorms are 40–60% cheaper than on the island. The practical choice for budget travellers who plan to spend full days on the island and don’t mind the 15-minute commute each way.

Budget tips

• Venice hostels fill up weeks ahead in summer (July–August) and during Carnival (February — dates vary). Book as early as possible.
• The Venice access fee (contributo di accesso, approximately €5/day as of 2026) for day visitors doesn’t apply to overnight guests — your accommodation provides an exemption. Keep your booking confirmation accessible.
• All luggage must be carried on foot from the nearest vaporetto stop — no taxis, no trolleys on the bridges (they have steps, not ramps). Pack light. Hostels near the train station (Santa Lucia) or Piazzale Roma minimise the carrying distance.
• Vaporetto Line 1 is slower but stops more frequently; Line 2 is faster with fewer stops. A 72-hour vaporetto pass (approximately €40 as of 2026) is the best value if you’re staying 3 days and using boats regularly.
• Self-catering saves serious money in Venice. The Conad supermarket near Piazzale Roma and the Coop near Campo San Giacomo dell’Orio have groceries at normal Italian prices. The Rialto market (Tuesday–Saturday mornings) has fresh produce.
• City tax: approximately €3 per person per night for hostels, as of 2026. Paid directly at check-in, on top of the room rate.
• Laundry: few Venice hostels have washing machines. The Orange Lavanderia (Santa Croce 665b) is a self-service laundrette — approximately €8 for a wash-and-dry cycle.

For planning your time in the city: things to do in Venice covers the main sights, the quieter sestieri, and island trips to Murano, Burano, and Torcello. Eating affordably is possible — food to try in Venice covers the best cicchetti bars and bacaro options where locals eat. Guided tours of Venice covering the Doge’s Palace and St Mark’s Basilica with skip-the-line access are worth booking alongside your hostel.