Considering this city is jammed with almost every one of the largest hotels in the world, many people might not expect to find actual hostels in Las Vegas as well. Well, there are three of them, but the situation is a bit complicated so before you try to book at one of them, read the information below.

Unusual rules at Las Vegas hostels

Unlike their counterparts in nearly every other part of the country, the hostels in Las Vegas only accept students with valid identification or international travelers with passports. So if you are an American without a student ID you are out of luck, but then again it might be for the best anyway, once you read the other information below.
This city has more than its fair share of homeless folks, as well as those “living on the edge” and the last thing these hostels need is to become flophouses taking in unlucky locals who can only afford a bed once in a while. Therefore, these rules are enforced strictly.

Benefits of Las Vegas hostels

The three hostels in this city are very popular with international travelers in particular (see the rules above) so the social aspect of staying at them is very strong, assuming you are out to meet other international travelers. Meeting people in Las Vegas tends to be easy just in general, so it’s probably a good thing to be able to mix with fellow backpackers when you are at your local home.

Downsides of the three Las Vegas hostels

Each of the three of them is in an area that has seen better days. To be more blunt, the neighborhoods can even feel a bit dangerous, particularly late at night. The hostels themselves are fine and totally safe, but if you are the type who likes to wander around at 2am near where you are staying, then these places are not ideal.

The other thing to consider is that the hostels have no casinos, so they can only afford to cut their prices so much. In a down economy you might actually find nice hotels with private rooms and all the trimmings going for even less than a pair of bunk beds in one of these places, so it’s a good idea to check hotel prices before locking in a hostel dorm bed.

Prices of Las Vegas hostel

Each place charges around $20 per bed per night during the weekdays and about $25 per night on weekends. They’ve each been known to have special offers at times, so you might find an even better deal.

The three Las Vegas hostels

All three of them are former motels that have been partially converted into dorm housing, so that share that main feature.

USA Hostels Las Vegas – This one is about 7 blocks from the casino part of Downtown, and it might be the most fun of the three. You can walk about 10 minutes and be in the really fun, and cheap, part of Downtown Las Vegas, but after dark you are liable to come across some weirdos and such, so keep that in mind.

Sin City Hostel – This place is relatively small and fairly popular. The address might lead you to believe that it’s on the Las Vegas Strip, but it’s a long walk from anything nice or interesting, and in a part of the Strip that time seems to have forgotten. If you are taking taxis or the bus you will be fine, but it’s not a great walking neighborhood.

AAE Todd’s Hostel – This is the newest of the 3, as far as the hostel conversion goes, and it’s just down the street from the Sin City, so all of those neighborhood warnings apply here too. They do have private rooms and good room specials, so it’s still worth considering, especially if you are the hardcore hostel type.

Written by Roger Wade