10 Best Hostel Chains for Solo Female Travelers

Hostels are the beating heart of solo travel. They are where you meet your future travel partners, swap destination tips over breakfast, and find the kind of instant community that hotels simply cannot replicate. But not all hostels are created equal, especially when it comes to safety and comfort for women traveling alone.

We evaluated dozens of hostel chains on the criteria that matter most to solo female travelers: availability of female-only dorms, security features, social atmosphere, cleanliness, and reviews from women who have actually stayed there. Here are the ten best.

1. Generator Hostels

Locations: 16 properties across Europe (London, Paris, Barcelona, Amsterdam, Rome, and more)

Generator has quietly become one of the most reliable hostel chains for solo women in Europe. Every property offers female-only dorms with keycard access. The common areas are designed to encourage mingling — stylish bars, co-working lounges, and regular social events. The design-forward interiors feel more boutique hotel than backpacker crash pad.

Why solo women love it: Clean female-only rooms, central locations, and a social atmosphere that makes it easy to meet people without any pressure.

2. Selina

Locations: 40+ properties across Latin America, Europe, and Asia

Selina blends hostel affordability with co-working infrastructure, making it a favorite among digital nomads and longer-term solo travelers. Most locations offer female-only dorms. The community programming — yoga classes, surf lessons, movie nights, communal dinners — is genuinely excellent and provides natural opportunities to connect with other travelers.

Why solo women love it: Strong community vibe, wellness programming, and co-working spaces that attract a more intentional, respectful crowd.

3. St Christopher’s Inns

Locations: 10+ properties in the UK and Europe (London, Paris, Barcelona, Amsterdam, Berlin)

St Christopher’s is a solid mid-range chain with a reputation for cleanliness and security. Female-only dorms are available at most locations. Each property has an on-site bar (Belushi’s) that serves as the social hub, and the front desk is staffed 24/7. Their “oasis” premium floors offer extra quiet and privacy for travelers who want the hostel social scene without sleeping in a party atmosphere.

Why solo women love it: The tiered room options let you choose your comfort level, and 24-hour reception adds a layer of security.

4. Hostelworld’s “Female Solo Traveler Approved” Properties

Locations: Worldwide (curated collection, not a single chain)

Hostelworld introduced a filter specifically for solo female travelers based on safety features and reviews from women. Properties earning this badge have verified female-only dorms, locker availability, 24-hour reception, and consistently high ratings from women guests. It is not a chain per se, but the curation makes it function like one.

Why solo women love it: The badge takes the guesswork out of booking in unfamiliar cities.

5. MEININGER Hotels

Locations: 30+ properties across Europe (Germany, Austria, Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Denmark)

MEININGER sits at the sweet spot between hostel and hotel. You can book a bed in a shared dorm or a private room, all in the same well-maintained property. Female-only dorms are available at most locations. The properties tend to be in excellent, safe locations near major transit hubs, which matters enormously when you are arriving alone in a new city late at night.

Why solo women love it: Hotel-level cleanliness and security with hostel pricing and social spaces.

6. Wombats City Hostels

Locations: Vienna, Munich, London, Budapest, and other European cities

Wombats consistently ranks among the best-rated hostels in Europe. Their female-only dorms feature individual reading lights, power outlets at each bed, and secure lockers. The common areas — including rooftop bars at some locations — are lively but never out of control. Staff are known for being helpful and responsive to guest concerns.

Why solo women love it: Thoughtful bed-level amenities (curtains, outlets, lights) that provide privacy in a shared space.

7. YHA (Youth Hostel Association) and HI Hostels

Locations: Global network with thousands of properties across 80+ countries

The HI (Hostelling International) network is the world’s largest hostel system. Quality varies by location, but the network’s standards require certain safety baselines: lockers, staffed reception during peak hours, and gender-separated dorm options. Many locations are in national parks and smaller towns that independent hostel chains overlook.

Why solo women love it: Unmatched global reach means you can find safe, affordable accommodation even in remote destinations.

8. a]o Hostels

Locations: Germany and Austria (Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, Vienna, and more)

a&o is a budget-focused chain that does the basics exceptionally well. Properties are clean, centrally located, and offer both dorm beds and private rooms. Female-only dorms are available at most locations. The reception desks are staffed 24/7, and the properties tend to be large enough that there is always someone around — which matters for safety.

Why solo women love it: Extremely affordable with no compromise on basic security features.

9. Zostel

Locations: 50+ properties across India and Southeast Asia

For solo women heading to South Asia — a region where safety concerns are particularly acute — Zostel is a standout. They offer female-only dorms at every location, and their community events are designed to help solo travelers connect safely. The staff are trained to be attentive to guest safety, and the properties are generally well-maintained by regional standards.

Why solo women love it: A trusted, consistent option in a region where hostel quality varies dramatically.

10. Freehand Hotels

Locations: Miami, Los Angeles, New York, Chicago

Freehand occupies the premium end of the hostel spectrum. The properties are beautifully designed, the bars and restaurants are destinations in their own right, and the shared rooms maintain a level of style and comfort that feels more like a boutique hotel. Female-only room options are available. The locations are all in walkable, well-connected neighborhoods.

Why solo women love it: When you want the solo traveler social experience with hotel-level comfort and safety.

How to Choose the Right Hostel

Even within these trusted chains, individual properties vary. Here is a checklist for evaluating any hostel as a solo female traveler:

• Female-only dorm available? This is the single most important feature for comfort and safety.
• Lockers in the room? Not just in a common area. In-room lockers with your own padlock are the standard.
• 24-hour reception? If the front desk closes at 10 PM, that is a problem if your flight arrives at midnight.
• Keycard access? Electronic access control for room doors and common areas.
• Reviews from women? Filter reviews by solo travelers and women specifically. The overall rating does not always tell the whole story.
• Location and transit access? Can you walk safely from the nearest metro or bus stop at night?

The best hostel is one where you feel safe enough to relax and social enough to connect. These ten chains consistently deliver on both fronts.