Looking for a cheap hostel or hotel in Stockholm? Staying in the capital can turn into an expensive experience. I’ve researched, guested and reviewed the most popular places, so you can have a great stay that suits your budget.

All opinions are my own. I paid for all stays in full and had checked out before revealing that I wanted to review the stay. If you book your stay through a link in this review, I get a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Hotel Hornsgatan

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  Stylish and affordable

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  24/7 complimentary snacks

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Personal and welcoming budget pearl in top location

Somehow, I could tell that this hotel was family-owned as soon as I set my foot there. It was as professional as any other hotel, just so much more personal. The staff made sure to check with me whether I was enjoying my stay or needed anything. You’ll enjoy the classy color scheme and generous snacks. On your doorstep, you have all the bars, restaurants, cafés and shops of Södermalm.

Read the full review: Hotel Hornsgatan review

What I got: A single room sleeping one person (July 2, 2018), with TV, and shared bathroom and toilet in the corridor, 711 SEK. Sheets and towels included (beautifully made bed!). Breakfast included.

Location: Right next to Mariatorget on Södermalm.

Good for: Guests wanting a personal stay at a low cost. Perfect for guests wanting to explore Södermalm or Old Town by foot.

Facilities: Free wifi. Complimentary access to continental breakfast or snack at any hour. A computer with printer access is offered free of charge.

Breakfast: Breakfast starts at 08:00 in the morning. The breakfast area offers 24/7 a complimentary selection of cereal, yogurts, cookies, and fruits, as well as coffee, tea, and juices.

Pro tip: The bathroom closest to the reception in the long hallway is the largest.

Read the full review: Hotel Hornsgatan review

Långholmen Hotel and Hostel

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  View of the room

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  Outdoor seating

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  50 meters to the beach!

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  Stockholm's old prison

Stay in a prison cell at Sweden’s Alcatraz

Långholmen Hotel and Hostel definitely falls into the category of quirky hostels. After all, this building was once the most important prison in Sweden. Apart from enjoying the prison museum and genuine details, you also get a green and quiet yet central location. Långholmen Hotel and Hostel offers dormitories as well as rooms with private bathroom.

Read the full review: Långholmen Hotel and Hostel review

What I got: A bunk bed in a four-bed women-only dormitory (June 5, 2018), with bathroom and toilet in the corridor, 250 SEK plus 35 SEK for cleaning and 100 SEK for sheets and towel. Personal locker in the room. Breakfast excluded. If you book a hotel room, sheets, towel, cleaning and breakfast are included in the price.

Location: On the former prison island Långholmen, next to the trendy Hornstull area of Södermalm. 50 meters to the beach. Jogging tracks, lush gardens, and kayaks to rent are nearby.

Good for: Mix of young backpackers and budget-savvy travelers of all ages. Great if you want to explore Södermalm yet stay in a green and quiet area.

Facilities: Free wifi. Guest kitchen. Café and restaurant open during summer. The reception is open 24/7 and sells toiletries, SL travel cards, as well as snacks and drinks.

Breakfast: Breakfast buffet (98 SEK) is one of the best budget breakfasts in Stockholm. Plenty of options for vegetarians and those with food intolerances.

Pro tip: You won’t need a padlock for the lockers as they have their own keys. If you stay in a dormitory with bunk beds, hang a small bag on the side of the bed, as there are no shelves.

Read the full review: Långholmen Hotel and Hostel review

Af Chapman & Skeppsholmen Hostel

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  View from the cabin

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  Cabin dormitory

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  Deck chairs with Old Town view

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  Af Chapman hostel

Iconic hostel ship with a five-star view

The ship af Chapman has turned into a Stockholm landmark and one of the most affordable and popular hostel options in the capital. The hostel consists not just of the ship, but also a larger 19th-century building where you’ll find the reception, lounge, and breakfast area. I loved the fresh dormitory with stable bunk beds, washbasin in the room, and a stunning view over the Royal Palace.

Read the full review: Af Chapman and Skeppsholmen Hostel review

What I got: A bunk bed in a mixed six-people dorm (June 9, 2018), sea view, bathroom and toilet in the corridor, 375 SEK. Sheets, towel, and cleaning included. Breakfast excluded.

Location: On Skeppsholmen, close to pretty much everything – the National Museum, the Modern Museum, and a quick ferry trip away from Old Town, Södermalm or Djurgården.

Good for: A mixed crowd ranging from backpackers and single travelers to families. Perfect if you want to stay in a green, quiet area, yet have most of the top museums and attractions nearby.

Facilities: Free wifi. Guest kitchen, lounge areas with pool table and games, café in the reception. In the summertime, the ship hosts a bar that serves drinks and classic Swedish food.

Breakfast: Breakfast buffet for 90 SEK is decent but uninspiring – if you want something more memorable, take the ferry over to Södermalm.

Pro tip: The timers on the shared showers are a bit uneven – don’t freak out if yours doesn’t stop. If you come in the summer, the bar on the ship deck is a great place to try a classic Toast Skagen. Padlocks for the lockers in dormitories need to be on the smaller side to fit (you can buy one for 60 SEK in reception).

Read the full review: Af Chapman and Skeppsholmen Hostel review

Scandic no 53

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Affordable design hotel with prime city location

The chain Scandic has put attention into giving the Scandic no 53 a colorful, bold design. This is as central as it gets and is the most affordable deal I’ve seen so far for a room with a private bathroom and breakfast in this part of town. The room was quiet and comfortable, with a look that felt far more exclusive than the price tag suggested.

Read the full review: Scandic No 53 review

What I got: A standard double bedroom sleeping two people (July 4, 2018), private bathroom, 867 SEK booked. Sheets, towels, and breakfast are included.

Location: Prime location on Kungsgatan, meters away from shopping street Drottninggatan and a short walk from Gamla Stan.

Good for: Mix of business travelers, and couples and groups traveling together. Perfect for travelers who want a central location or to do some shopping, but within easy walking distance of most Stockholm attractions.

Facilities: Free wifi. Generous lounge area, bar, and restaurant, including outdoor patio. The 24/7 reception has a shop for snacks, drinks, and necessities like toiletries.

Breakfast: Massive breakfast buffet with a wide selection including several cooked options. Well sign-posted and plenty of allergy-friendly options.

Pro tip: Check the sign in the elevator to see when the breakfast area usually is the busiest. Cross the street to café institution Vete-Katten to enjoy their baked goods.

Read the full review: Scandic No 53 review

Motel L Hammarby Sjöstad

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  Outside Motel L

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  Standard bedroom

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  Colourful design

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  Lounge area

Cheery design outside the city center, perfect for concert goers

How can Motel L rank number nine on Tripadvisor’s list of the most popular hotels in Stockholm? The rest of the list consists of Stockholm’s luxury hotels. Friendly staff, cheerful design and competitive pricing in Stockholm might give a clue. At most other places, you won’t get a private bathroom at this price.

Read the full review: Motel L Hammarby Sjöstad review

What I got: A standard twin room sleeping two people (June 28, 2018), private bathroom, TV, 725 SEK. Sheets and towels included. Breakfast included when booking through the hotel website, otherwise 90 SEK for adults.

Location: Outside the city center but with excellent communications. The overground train stops outside the hotel. This is the perfect location for anyone going to events at Globen or Tele2 Arena – you’re two stops away. It doesn’t take long to get into central Stockholm with the overground and subway, either. Next door, you’ll find a pharmacy and a supermarket.

Good for: People attending events or concerts at Globen or Tele2 Arena.

Facilities: Free wifi. Minimalist but decent gym. Pub with food. Simple bar and shop in the lobby.

Breakfast: Cold continental buffet. Good selection, with organic coffee and clear allergen signs.

Pro tip: The ferry M/S Emelie (not included in SL transportation card) is the quickest and prettiest route from the hotel to Djurgården. It takes about 20 minutes from Hammarby Sjöstad to the Vasa Museum, with Skansen and Gröna Lund close by. Add another five minutes, and you’re in Nybroviken at the heart of the city.

Read the full review: Motel L Hammarby Sjöstad review

City Backpackers Hostel

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A quintessential youth hostel (including loud music)

A dormitory bed here was slightly more expensive than at the competitor down the road, Generator. But City Backpackers Hostel has more personality and feels genuine. Plus, it has a guest kitchen with free pasta. While the live music got tiresome for those wanting to sleep, the generous breakfast, charming decor and friendly staff won me over.

Read the full review: City Backpackers Hostel review

What I got: A bunk bed in a four-people women-only room (July 5, 2018), 360 SEK. Sheets (mandatory, 35 SEK) and towel (15 SEK). Breakfast 75 SEK. The live music in the courtyard made the room almost unbearable until 23:00 when it stopped – I was fine but I pity the jetlagged girl below me who tried to sleep earlier.

Location: Very central – only a few minutes away from the central station as well as shopping street Drottninggatan.

Good for: Based on the people I saw around the hostel and at breakfast, a majority of guests are backpackers or young adults. The central location makes it a great base for exploring Stockholm.

Facilities: Free wifi. Large communal areas with lounges, computers, and even a sauna. Guest kitchen with free pasta. The restaurant and bar Nomad occupies the patio in the evening, sometimes with live music. The hostel arranges free and paid activities.

Breakfast: Breakfast (75 SEK) includes yogurt with a fruit salad, granola, sandwiches, and cinnamon bun, as well as coffee or tea and juice. A high-value breakfast with a surprisingly good bun.

Pro tip: If you’re around in the evening, enjoy the sauna. Guests remove outdoor shoes, not in the reception but in the other communal areas. Bring a padlock for the dormitory’s locker.

Read the full review: City Backpackers Hostel review

Generator Stockholm

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  Outside the hostel

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  Dormitory bed

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  "Eggs any style"

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  Football game in the lounge

A fresh and trendy backpacker favorite

Generator Stockholm is part of a chain of twelve European hostels. The concept is simple: sleek design and affordable prices. The mandatory “personal touches” such as a blackboard menu and vintage objects can feel a bit forced, but the atmosphere is friendly and welcoming. While I enjoyed the atmosphere, the real advantage comes from the freshness and the central location.

Read the full review: Generator Stockholm hostel review

What I got: A bunk bed in a six-people dorm women-only (June 19, 2018), with private bathroom and toilet, 307 SEK. The bed is half-made. Breakfast excluded. Personal locker in the room (bring a padlock).

Location: A few minutes walk to the Central Station. Five minutes in the other direction, you have a host of bars, restaurants, and cafés. Shopping street Drottninggatan is nearby.

Good for: Mostly young backpackers and travelers in the shared dormitories, but all ages in the other rooms. Perfect if you want to be close to the Central Station or the shopping areas.

Facilities: Free wifi. Large lounge area. Laundry-room and storage room. The reception sells toiletries and a selection of other useful things such as flip flops. Great info on what to do in town, and plenty of tours and activities arranged by or through the hostel. You can also rent bikes.

Breakfast: Pre-pay breakfast at check-in (85 SEK), or order from the menu. Cooked breakfasts as well as sandwiches and sweet treats.

Pro tip: You’ll need a padlock for the locker in dormitories. If you want a cooked breakfast, pre-pay it for 85 SEK as you check in. This will be cheaper than ordering off the menu the next days. “Eggs any style” were delicious.

Read the full review: Generator Stockholm hostel review

Zinkensdamm Hotel and Hostel

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Green oasis close to both beach and bars

It is easy to forget that you’re in the middle of Stockholm when you’re at Zinkensdamm Hotel and Hostel on Södermalm. The area is lush with allotments and parks, and the hostel’s own courtyard is filled with roses and lavender. Still, Hornsgatan with its vintage shops, cafés, and restaurants is just minutes away. While the no-frills dormitory style looks like from a summer camp with its simple wooden bunk beds, I had a pleasant stay.

Read the full review: STF Zinkensdamm Hotel and Hostel review

What I got: A bunk bed in a four-people women-only room (July 3, 2018), bathroom and toilet in the hallway, 270 SEK, excluding sheets and towel (100 SEK).

Location: Next to the Södermalm park and summer hotspot Tantolunden.

Good for: The mixed and relaxed crowd consisted mostly of families and groups. Perfect if you want a city break but still enjoy the nice weather in a green area, minutes away from the beach.

Facilities: Free wifi. Reception with a shop. Well-equipped guest kitchen with free pasta. Laundry room. Sauna (50 SEK). Bar and restaurant. Plenty of areas for hanging out.

Breakfast: The hotel breakfast is 175 SEK. The hostel breakfast costs 95 SEK and is simpler but still includes some cooked food like scrambled eggs and bacon. The reception had a hard time telling me the difference. I enjoyed the hostel breakfast and didn’t miss anything.

Pro tip: The dormitory lockers have keys. The reception has a helpful map of the area with supermarkets, pharmacies, etc, marked out. Grab something to eat at Hornstull or further up on Hornsgatan towards Mariatorget. You’re free to walk around and enjoy the allotment areas (although not inside the individual allotments).

Read the full review: STF Zinkensdamm Hotel and Hostel review

M/S Rygerfjord Hotel and Hostel

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Noisy yet charming hostel ship with stunning City Hall view

M/S Rygerfjord Hotel and Hostel spreads out over three boats docked along Söder Mälarstrand, the road on the edge of Södermalm. Get a seaside room and you’ll have a fantastic view over City Hall and Riddarholmen.

Read the full review: M/S Rygerfjord Hotel and Hostel review

What I got: An economy room sleeping two people (June 24, 2018), sea view, bathroom and toilet in the corridor, 693 SEK. Sheets and towels included. Breakfast excluded. In room 137, I grew annoyed with the loud noise from the bar outside and asked for a more quiet room. Room 125 had less noise (though still some from the reception) and a far better sea-view. As both rooms were the same price class, value for money depends on the room. The first room wasn’t worth the money but the second one definitely was.

Location: On Södermalm, with Slussen and Old Town are just a few minutes away.

Good for: Those wanting a central location on Södermalm and a quirky ship stay. My room will not suit you if you’re easily disturbed by noises, although I slept well. Groups of friends and families were enjoying the lounge areas and and guest kitchen.

Facilities: Free wifi. Guest kitchen. Bar and casual restaurant with plenty of space to sit outside. Lounge area with TV.

Breakfast: Breakfast buffet for 85 SEK is decent but mostly worth it for convenience. Otherwise, take a short stroll and enjoy breakfast at one of the Södermalm cafés.

Pro tip: Bring earplugs and have breakfast someplace else. Ask for a quiet room when booking. A good place to get a casual beer with a view.

Read the full review: M/S Rygerfjord Hotel and Hostel review

Old Town Lodge

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Affordable and basic Old Town option

Staying in Gamla Stan tends to be a bit more expensive than other areas. Old Town Lodge might not have particularly impressed but was a decent, clean budget option. The exposed (authentic!) brick wall in my room was stunning and the bed large for single occupancy. I didn’t meet the staff until check-out, but email communications before arrival were friendly and helpful.

Read the full review: Old Town Lodge review

What I got:A standard double bedroom without a window (July 9, 2018), shared toilet and bathroom in the corridor, 583 SEK. Sheets and towel, 65 SEK. Light breakfast included.

A standard double bedroom without a window (July 9, 2018), shared toilet and bathroom in the corridor, 583 SEK. Sheets and towel, 65 SEK. Light breakfast included.

Location: Old Town Lodge is located centrally in Gamla Stan. It is minutes away from Storkyrkan, The Royal Palace, and Järntorget with the Nobel museum.

Good for: Travelers wanting to stay in Gamla Stan at a low cost. You are within walking distance of most Stockholm attractions.

Facilities: Free wifi. Lounge area, a small guest kitchen.

Breakfast: The included breakfast is very light – cornflakes, toast, and coffee or tea.

Pro tip: Pay attention when you book. Some of the separate rooms are in a dormitory and separated by high walls but open in the ceiling (meaning that you can hear your neighbors well). You get access codes via email that lets you inside the safety box so you can check in at any time, even when reception isn’t open.

Read the full review: Old Town Lodge review