Fort William is most obviously the gateway to Ben Nevis. This means easy access for climbing Britain’s highest mountain! But not only that, the surrounding area is well known for its hiking and is, in fact, one of the UK’s outdoor capitals.
Here you can hike, kayak, cycle, ski and generally get out and about into the spectacular scenery. And then you can top it all off with a return to one of Fort Williams lovely little pubs. Can’t beat it!
But… it’s a small place, right? And a LOT of people sure do wanna climb that mountain. So are there even any spaces at the hostels here? Are there even any hostels?
Well, of course, there are! Have been for years! And we’ve sifted through the best hostels in Fort William to provide you with a handy list to help you find the hostel that suits you the most.
So, here are the top hostels in Fort William!
Quick answer: The Best Hostels in Fort William
- Best Overall Hostel in Fort William – Chase The Wild Goose Hostel
- Best Party Hostel in Fort William – Fort William Backpackers
- Best Hostel for Solo Travellers in Fort William – Loch Ossian Youth Hostel
- Best Cheap Hostel in Fort William – Calluna
- Best Hostel for Couples in Fort William – Àite Cruinnichidh
- Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Fort William – Glen Nevis Youth Hostel
- Best Hostel with a Private Room in Fort William – Bank Street Lodge
Best Hostels in Fort William
Best Overall Hostel in Fort William – Chase The Wild Goose Hostel
– $
– Free Breakfast
– Luggage Storage
– Common Room
The best overall hostel in Fort William is located a little way outta town, but after spending the day enjoying the natural scenery you’ll be able to get a good night’s sleep. It’s maybe even one of the best hostels in Scotland.
There’s loadsa space in the dining room for you to chat to fellow travellers, which is always a plus, and there’s a communal kitchen too where you can make yourself some dinner or snacks for the hike the next day. Oh, and the free breakfast is ace, too.
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Best Party Hostel in Fort William – Fort William Backpackers
– $$
– Outdoor Terrace
– No Curfew
– BBQ
This youth hostel in Fort William is definitely a relaxed place to meet other backpackers. Don’t expect to be getting ultra crunk here, it’s more a place to enjoy a few drinks around the open fire than an impromptu nightclub.
There’s a really social atmosphere here, which – coupled with the drinky vibe – easily makes it the best party hostel in Fort William. Like we said though, take the word ‘party’ here with a pinch of salt. It’s definitely laid-back. BBQs in the summer are fun, too.
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Best Hostel for Solo Travellers in Fort William – Loch Ossian Youth Hostel
– $$$
– Open Fire
– Communal Kitchen
– Late Check-out
If you’re travelling by yourself and looking to meet other backpackers throughout your trip to Fort William, then you should check this place out. Like, seriously. But it is a little bit pricey.
Surrounded by literally stunning mountainous scenery and run by a warden who’s super friendly and accommodating, you’ll feel well looked after as you sit around the fire chatting about your travels. Yep, easily the best hostel for solo travellers in Fort William.
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Best Cheap Hostel in Fort William – Calluna
– $
– Free Parking
– Laundry Facilities
– Luggage Storage
Located in Fort William itself this place is run by a mountaineering guide and his wife, making it a great Fort William backpackers hostel for anyone wanting to tackle a bit of mountain climbing on their trip.
This place is small and basic, but with comfy beds and the amount of advice on offer, we’d definitely say that it’s the best cheap hostel in Fort William. People literally PAY to have guides like these people (not that they actually guide you, but the advice is amazing).
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Best Hostel for Couples in Fort William – Àite Cruinnichidh
– $$
– Sauna
– Board Games
– Communal Kitchen
Comfortable and friendly, this top hostel in Fort William is in the countryside and set in a converted barn, so you can imagine that it’s a pretty cute sorta place. In fact, it’s quite a romantic spot that we think works perfectly for a lil’ couples getaway.
Surrounded by mountainous scenery, of course, the best hostel for couples in Fort William also features a sauna, as well as quiet reading rooms and a communal kitchen. A chill, calm place for you and your partner to stop over in this beautiful region. Nice one. But, if you’re looking for something a bit more private, check out these stunning cabins and lodges in Fort William.
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Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Fort William – Glen Nevis Youth Hostel
– $$$
– Cafe
– Actual Internet Access (Free)
– Free Parking
One of the only hostels around Fort William to actually have full on, working Wi-Fi, this place really is a godsend for anyone travelling around and working at the same time. It’s been recently renovated, so it’s shiny, new and pretty sick looking.
Easily the best hostel for digital nomads in Fort William, this place is super high quality and comes complete with an open plan living space and a wood burning stove. It’s basically one of the coolest hostels in Fort William, we’d say. However, that does come at a price…
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Best Hostel with a Private Room in Fort William – Bank Street Lodge
– $$
– Restaurant
– Laundry Facilities
– Safe Deposit Box
Though the private rooms here are pretty basic and a little bit… dated or maybe old-school, they still are pretty spacious, very comfy and come with things like Velux windows that let a load of light in, plus there’s space for you AND your luggage. AND an en-suite bathroom.
This place is a little haven to come back to, well it’s private rooms are, if you’ve been climbing Ben Nevis. You’ll want somewhere comfy to come back to and have a warm shower in privacy – trust us. But yeah, definitely the best hostel with a private room in Fort William.
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Psst! Heading to a hostel? Don’t forget to pack a padlock! It’s well worth having one so you can secure your locker and protect your stuff!More Best Hostels In Fort William
Some neighborhoods are more fun than others – discover which are the best areas to stay in Fort William and then book the right hostel!
Grey Corrie Lodge Bunkhouse
– $
– Free Parking
– Common Room
– Bar
Definitely more like an old-school hostel than a cool hostel in Fort William, this place is all wooden bunk beds in a rural setting (in Lochaber, to be exact). If you’re unfussy or don’t care about ‘hostel atmosphere’, this one’s for you. All private bunk rooms, but book with some mates for a super cheap rate.
It’s a great base for exploring the surrounding natural beauty of this area, which should be like, number one priority for every backpacker here. It’s one of the best budget hostels in Fort William because of how no-frills it is. It’s for sleeping and showering with a roof over your head (they say).
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Ossians
– $
– Bar
– Book Exchange
– Linen Included
Informal and friendly and close to a load of things in the actual town of Fort William itself, it’s a solid choice for a budget hostel in Fort William (like, ok for a couple of nights), but it is a bit dated.
The staff here are super helpful and accommodating, and will make your stay much easier. But yeah, at this youth hostel in Fort William it’s literally as no-frills as you can get and it’s basic AF. But it does the job since you’ll be out hiking and stuff most of the time, right?
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Best Budget Hotel In Fort William
And finally… here’s a little budget hotel for you if you’ve seen just about enough dorm rooms in your backpacking travels so far. Perfect for couples or those who want a bit more privacy to spread out and chill after a tough hike, here’s the best budget hostel in Fort William.
No.1 Caberfeidh
– $$
– Free Parking
– Garden
– Free Breakfast
This might be only a B&B but it has pretty spectacular views. Some rooms (all nice and modern, btw) have views of the lake and come with their own en-suite bathroom. Basically, you’re getting some amazing views at an affordable price.
The people who run this place are super kind and have created a dang good base for exploring and getting around the local area. The breakfast here is REALLY big, like huge, and we love how it fills you up for a good bit of outdoorsy shizz nearby.
Check on Booking.com
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Read our full review!
What to Pack for your Fort William Hostel
Pants, socks, underwear… Here are some other items you might not have thought to pack.
1. Active Roots Toiletry Bag: Keep your bath-and-beauty items organized and in the right place with this water-resistant bag. With large compartments, mesh and enclosed clear sections, you can fit everything you might need inside. Hang it up or let it stand on its own – this bag is a must-have for dorm-lifers.
2. Active Roots Microfiber Towel: Having your own towel on your travels is a game changer. The Active Roots Microfiber Towel is perfect for travellers who are looking for a lightweight, quick-drying and extremely soft option. The antibacterial material is super water-absorbent and resists odor buildup because of its antimicrobial material. Ain’t technology cool?
3. Headphone Splitter: Being stuck on a bus or plane with only one phone that has good music or shows downloaded can be pretty annoying if your travel buddy wants to share headphones. With this Headphone Splitter, you won’t have to listen with only one ear anymore. Your friend can plug in their headphones at the same time, so both of you are entertained (on both ears!).
4. TRTL Travel Pillow: Long flights and bus rides are quite uncomfortable (most obvious statement of the day). Most travel pillows… Well, you know how they are. TRTL travel pillow is different. I mean, look at it! It’ll cuddle you to sleep every ride and it does a pretty damn good job of supporting your neck so you don’t get that stiffness or legendary popping when you stir.
5. Playing Cards: These waterproof cards are essential kit for every backpacker. Play by the pool, beach or at your hostel after a long day with travel buds, without your cards breaking or getting soaked. And once you pull out those cards, the chance that you’ll be the hero of the night is pretty high (no promises though).
6. Noise-Cancelling Earbuds: Noise in hostels… is a thing. Your bunkmate coming in late, motorbike traffic just below your window, construction on the property or the round-the-clock rooster that seems to follow you to every f*cking hostel. Having a way to escape the noise while you sleep makes for a well-rested morning. Noise canceling ear-buds are a great solution, just put on your favorite artist or load a quick Netflix episode to fall asleep too.
Why you should travel to Fort William
So there you have it: the best hostels in Fort William.
A few of them still have that definitely old-school no-frills vibe, which is perfect if you’re looking for a budget hostel in Fort William and all you wanna do is be outside anyway!
But there are a lot of nice hostels here now. From places located in more rural locations, to those you’ll find in the heart of Fort William itself, there’s something for everyone.
We even included one B&B that serves up a mean breakfast – fuel for the day’s activities!
There’s a lot of choice! And if you can’t decide, we’d say just go for Chase The Wild Goose Hostel, easily our top pick for the best overall hostel in Fort William.
Now get outta here and get up that mountain!
Travel Safety Tips for Fort William
Don’t forget to sort your travel insurance! We’ve put together a roundup of the best travel insurance for backpackers – check it out here, or if you’re low on time, get a quote from World Nomads now, our favourite travel insurance provider.
More Epic Hostels in Scotland and Europe
Hopefully by now you’ve found the perfect hostel for your upcoming trip to Fort William.
Planning an epic trip all across Scotland or even Europe itself?
Don’t worry – we’ve got you covered!
For more cool hostel guides around Europe, check out:
- Best hostels in Inverness
- Best hostels in Glasgow
Over to you
By now I hope our epic guide to the best hostels in Fort William has helped you choose the perfect hostel for your adventure!
If you think we’ve missed anything or have any further thoughts, hit us up in the comments!
Yay for transparency! Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means that if you book your accommodation through the site, The Broke Backpacker will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Your support helps keep the site going.
Need More Inspiration?
- Travel the Scottish Highlands on Budget | The Broke Backpacker
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