Finding the right hostel in Malaysia, especially while backpacking Kuala Lumpur, can be quite complicated!
Kuala Lumpur is such a big city and there are different areas to pick from!
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I thought I’d help you guys find the perfect hostel to make sure you guys can make the most of your time in Malaysia!
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Why every backpacker goes to Kuala Lumpur at some point
Most people end up backpacking in Kuala Lumpur as it’s a cheap hub for flights (hello AirAsia!).
This means many of us will do our visa runs over there, go for a quick shopping session, or eat too much Indian food. This means you’ll have many backpackers in Kuala Lumpur!
Of course, if you’re backpacking across Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur should be on your itinerary.
Opinions are always different about Kuala Lumpur. Personally, I’ve been learning how to love this huge city and I was quite sad when I left in the end.
Surprisingly, Kuala Lumpur managed to work its magic on me!
What to look out for when booking your hostel in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
I love staying in hostels as it allows me to meet new people. The atmosphere is a major point for me!
Especially in a city like Kuala Lumpur where it’s even better if you can share moments with people instead of exploring the city on your own!
Most hostels are located in Chinatown (it’s the backpacker area in Kuala Lumpur), which is excellent for cheap food options and you can easily walk your way around the city especially if you can handle walking in the heat!
There are also a lot of party hostels in Kuala Lumpur, so depending on your mood, you might want to make sure you’re going to book the best hostel in KL.
Good news: there are many cheap hostels in Kuala Lumpur – which are pretty decent for their price!
If your hostel provides a kitchen and excellent Wi-Fi it can’t get any better! It’s actually easy to cook your own food as the grocery stores offer many great products! (Yes, you can even find decent and affordable peanut butter!).
Am I the only one excited about this?
I also suggest that you read reviews prior to booking your hostel to make sure you get a positive experience out of your trip.
On weekends, hostels can be fully booked, so booking in advance could also be a wise choice! Now, let’s talk about the best hostels in Kuala Lumpur!
Dorms KL
Dorms KL is located only a few minutes away from the famous Pub Street and the Food Street. Of course, these streets have other names but this is what most of us call them.
Dorms KL provides a free breakfast and is next to TG’s Restaurant, which is actually one of my favorites in Kuala Lumpur.
Dorms KL 2
Dorm KL 2 is the newest version of Dorms KL and they have a pretty decent set up including a rooftop and a big terrace at the entrance of the hostel which makes parties a lot easier.
Although the way the hostel is built makes it easy to avoid the loud parties from your room! It’s a big hostel and it’s one of my favorite hostels in Kuala Lumpur.
Step Inn Guesthouse
Step Inn Guesthouse is basically the laid-back and chilled version of the next hostel on this list. I worked in this hostel for a month and a half and I really appreciated the option to cook my own food while I was in Kuala Lumpur.
I enjoyed the family vibes and the fact that most backpackers were a bit older.
They also offer many private rooms, so for the couples out there you can get your social vibes as well as intimacy! It’s one of the most relaxing (and best) hostels in KL.
Step Inn Too
Every single time I travel to Kuala Lumpur I’ve been staying at Step Inn Too. But you should know that this hostel is mostly for party animals!
It is an excellent place to meet new people with its small family and friendly vibes, it’s not where you want to go if you’re planning on catching up on jetlag!
Even though I’m not so much into partying nowadays I still enjoy going there as I always meet really good friends every time. It’s a fun choice if you’re looking for one of the best party hostels in Kuala Lumpur.
The Icon Hostel
The Icon Hostel is actually a new hostel. They’ve been doing quite well considering they recently opened and they have much competition in Chinatown. They also provide a kitchen and a cool atmosphere which is a mix of parties and chill vibes!
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