So you’ll be traveling around Rajasthan alone as a solo backpacker in India, and you would like to have at least some level of normal social interaction.
Or, maybe you’re just looking for a cheap place to stay! 😉
Either way, there are hostels in Rajasthan that can give you budget accommodation and a chance to be meet people and maybe even find a travel partner to your next destination.
The cities listed below are where to go in Rajasthan that you’ll want to travel through so you’ll have a chance to stay at a hostel!
Also see how to spend your weeks in Rajasthan, including Udaipur (city of lakes), Jaipur (pink city), Jodhpur (blue city), Jaisalmer (golden city), the Thar desert (camel safari), Agra, and the Taj Mahal for backpacking North India.
And when you’re headed to South India… Goa beach huts and the Kerala backwaters! (Along with the best hostels in Goa and the best hostels in Kerala.)
Now…
First, WHY the listed cities are worth visiting in Rajasthan.
Then, a list of the best hostels in each of these cities.
So…
What are the best cities for hostels in Rajasthan?!
More like..
Where to look for hostels in Rajasthan?
Have a look to these top cities:
Things to look for in a hostel
None of these things will make or break your stay, but they could be extra things that you may want to look for!
- Common area
- Rooftop access
- Fort views or lake views depending on the city
- A/C
- Hot water shower
- Wifi
- Kitchen
- Filtered water provided
- Breakfast or snacks for purchase on-site
- Private room – meet people but have your own room!
There are affiliate links below. You should totally check out the pictures and reviews of these hostels in Rajasthan.
Put in your travel dates below and you’ll be able to see the prices of all accommodation in Rajasthan!
1. Jaipur
Jaipur is the Pink City of India, and a part of the famous Golden Triangle of India, and it’s a good place to go if you’re looking for to explore Rajasthan’s history and culture.
There are a number of forts and palaces to visit, and if you are short on time, this could be the best place to go if you want to get a glimpse of the royal past of Rajasthan.
This is the biggest city in Rajasthan, so it means that you’ll experience some of India’s hustle and bustle when you’re here too.
Best hostels in Jaipur
- Blue Beds Hostel
- The Big Mooch (no private rooms, no A/C)
- Jaipur Jantar Hostel
- Wanderer’s Nest
- The Hosteller Jaipur
Go for a 3-day Jaipur itinerary.
2. Udaipur
Udaipur is the city of lakes in Udaipur, and you can get the most of this by staying at a lakeside hostel that overlooks Lake Pichola. (Another thing to look for in a hostel specific to Udaipur!)
You can get a glimpse of Rajasthan’s royal past in Udaipur too, with a visit to the City Palace.
Udaipur is also a good place to make a couple of day trips to heritage forts. At the end of the day, you can return to relax on the rooftop of your hostel with lake views!
In general, Udaipur can be a nice place to stay for a few days if you’re looking for a city to take a little bit of a break.
Best hostels in Udaipur
Go for a 3-day Udaipur itinerary.
3. Jodhpur
Jodhpur is the Blue City of India and it’s know for its blue streets.
You do kind of need to go on the hunt for them, but that can be part of the adventure!
And once again, Jodhpur has some royalty to be seen with the palace that’s within the Mehrangahr Fort.
Best hostels in Jodhpur
Go for a 2-day Jodhpur itinerary.
4. Pushkar
Pushkar is best known for the camel festival that usually takes place in November.
It can still be worth a visit even outside of festival time.
Pushkar is another city that can be a nice place to stay for a few days if you’re looking for a low-key city to rest up in.
Best hostels in Pushkar
5. Jaisalmer
Most people make a trip out to Jaisalmer pretty much just for an overnight camel safari.
And it really is a trip out to Jaisalmer, because it’s kind of far away from the rest of the tourist destinations in Rajasthan.
While Jaisalmer is a laid-back city that could also be a good city to relax in, if you’re not interested in a desert tour, you might not find a trip to Jaisalmer to be worth it.
But if a desert tour sounds fun, then definitely consider this city!
Best hostels in Jaisalmer
Go for a 3-day Jaisalmer itinerary.
HAPPY HOSTEL STAY IN RAJASTHAN!
How to spend your weeks in Rajasthan
How to spend one week in Kerala
The need-to-know India travel tips!
If it's your first trip to India, be sure to see these tips for getting around India on a budget, and more! You might wait until India to buy this mosquito repellent that works for many foreigners! Also be sure to see how to spend one month in South India and 2 weeks in North India, as well as tips for the Golden Triangle. And, overnight sleeper bus travel isn't so bad, and neither is traveling in general class on the train! Also see the easy way to get an e-visa. And this is the easy way to book train tickets online as a foreigner. I've used it, and it's simple! You can just show the e-ticket on your phone.There are affiliate links on this page that lead to partner websites.
Hostels in Kerala
For a hostel with international standards in Kerala, try Zostel! Both of these hostels in Alleppey and Varkala offer ocean views from the outdoor common area! There are shared dorms and private rooms available.More Zostels in Kerala:
- Zostel Kochi
- Zostel Wayanad (hills)
- Zostel Vagamon (hills)
Zostel is a top backpacker chain across India, and I've stayed at many Zostels in India! And outside of Kerala, if you'll be passing through Gokarna as you go from Goa to Kerala (here are options of how to get from Goa to Kerala!), then Zostel Gokarna is in an amazing location too! Here are pictures from the on-site cafe that overlooks the ocean.
And then...
Where to stay on the tourist trail in Kerala
These places basically go down the coast from north to south!- Cochin: Try a homestay in the cute heritage area of Fort Kochi.
- Marari Beach: This is an "off-beat" location as Marari is mostly unknown to backpackers, but it can be a convenient stop to make between Cochin and Alleppey with chill laid back vibes. For an idea of what type of beach can be nearby, see my beach walk from Alleppey to Marari.
- Marari Nest Beach Homestay
- Homestay Marari John's Beach
- Raju Villa for solo travelers for the budget single room
- Alleppey Beach:
- Funky Art Beach House again for chill vibes with a location among locals in a residential neighborhood
- And there's Zostel Alleppey too for another beach location to stay several days
- OR if Alleppey is a quick visit, try Dream Nest to be closer to town
- And see how to spend one day in Alleppey (short version: go for the backwaters village canoe tour instead of a houseboat!)
- Alleppey backwaters:
- Try a cottage right on the backwaters
- Or a beautiful homestay practically on the backwaters, like this one or like this one
- Munroe Island: This is another generally kind of more off-beat location, and you can see a different part of the Kerala backwaters on a quiet island
- Try a cottage backwaters homestay right on the waters (and see why you should consider munroe island! short version: food, sunrise canoe tour, quiet cycling around the island)
- Varkala cliff:
- Seawin OR Prashanthi for ocean views
Retreats in Kerala
For relaxation and rejuvenation for health and wellness, also see:- Yoga retreats in Kerala
- Ayurveda retreats in Kerala - ayurveda is basically healthy living through natural herbs and remedies, and Kerala is the birthplace of ayurveda!
How to book India train tickets online as a foreigner
If you don't want to go through the complicated process of setting up an IRCTC Indian railways account as a foreigner...Then the most convenient way to buy train tickets online is through this booking website. I've used it, and it's super simple! You buy the ticket, and then show the electronic version on your phone once you're on the train. Compared to buying directly through an Indian ticket booking website (IRCTC account required) or directly at the train station in India, there is a small convenience fee, as well as a less flexible cancellation policy, though!
India tourist visa tip!
Access to India as a foreigner seems to be getting friendlier! There's an e-visa now and this visa fee is far less than it was before. See the current cost of an e-visa by selecting your country. That's a partner website to make the evisa application process less stressful - it's possible to apply on your own too. See about your options on how to get an e-visa for India.Travel insurance for India - just in case!
You get travel insurance hoping that you'll never have to use it. But if you do end up needing to use it, chances are that you will be VERY happy that you did get it! See how to figure out the cost of travel insurance for India.
