Hostelling International Washington DC

About Us

Located near the city’s most famous attractions, Hostelling International-Washington, DC (HI-DC) offers a friendly and inexpensive lodging experience for travelers. HI-DC provides an unbeatable environment that brings together international and domestic backpackers and travelers. We provide both private rooms and dormitory style accommodations to satisfy our guests’ needs. Please note that most of our private rooms have shared bathrooms. For those new to the hostelling experience, please click here to find out more about what a hostel is.

HI-DC is part of Hostelling International-USA (HI-USA), a 501(c)(3) non-profit. Click here to find out more about HI-USA and our mission:

“To help all, especially the young, to gain a greater understanding of the world and its people through hostelling.”

No one has a better location: only eight (8) blocks from the White House and the National Mall (home to the Capitol Building, as well as world famous monuments, museums and art galleries), seven (7) blocks from China Town and three (3) blocks from Metro Center. And that's just for starters. Read on for a glimpse of all HI-DC has to offer.

 

Hostel Amenities

We are open 24 hours a day, and our attentive staff is committed to making your hostel experience special. Our hostel is conveniently located and offers great value for your money. Relax and use free Wi-Fi, do your laundry, watch a great movie in our cozy TV room, cook a delicious meal in our fully-equipped kitchen and play foosball. You can do it all without ever leaving HI-DC.

Our comfortable and spacious common room is a great place for you to relax, read, socialize with fellow travelers, check your e-mail and get information about local attractions.

If you are checking in early or staying in the area after check out, for a small fee you may store your luggage in our lockers, located in our shared locker room. And, don’t forget to check out our events board and join fun tours of Washington, DC, brought to you by our lively and unforgettable volunteers. Here are some other nice features of the hostel:

  • 24-hour front desk service and security
  • No curfew, no lock-out
  • Rates include tax
  • An environment that is drug-free, smoke-free and alcohol-free
  • A/C and heat in all guestrooms
  • Free in-room lockers, linens and towels
  • Free tours, movie nights and programs
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Free local map and area information
  • Free books, puzzles, foosball and air hockey
  • Common room with big and comfortable couches, Internet stations, information center and pre-paid phone card machine
  • TV room with big screen, over 100 channels, DVD, VCR, library of free movies, and leather club chairs 
  • Fully-equipped, self-service kitchen
  • Outside patio seating
  • Laundry facilities
  • Luggage storage
  • Wheelchair accessibility
  • Visa and MasterCard accepted
  • Nearby restaurants, bars and pubs, grocery shopping, pharmacy and other conveniences
  • Bicycle rental available near the hostel
  • Individual travelers and groups welcome 

Breakfast at HI-DC

Start your day with a delicious breakfast at HI-DC. It only costs $2 and includes coffee, tea, fruit, milk, cereal, bagel, juice and pastries.

HI-DC, an Environmentally Friendly Organization

Global warming is a serious issue that affects us all. At HI-DC, we do our best to stay environmentally friendly by recycling paper, plastic, glass and aluminum. We also educate interested hostellers on global warming through documentary nights in our TV room. Some of the other, unseen things we do are these:

  • Use and recycle CFLs (compact fluorescent light bulbs)
  • Print only on paper made from 100% recycled materials
  • Paint with low VOC (volatile organic compound) paints
  • Install low VOC carpets that are also made from recycled materials
  • Follow a linen re-use program whereby linens are refreshed during a guest’s stay at their request
  • Have all re-usable products in the kitchen and at breakfast (no disposables)

See the Most of DC!

From amazing historic memorials to dance clubs, the capital region has something for everyone. An added benefit of the nation’s capital is that many museums and sites offer free admission. Visit the Smithsonian museums, enjoy mouthwatering food in Chinatown, catch a breathtaking performance at the Kennedy Center and dance to the beat of international music in Adams Morgan.

Our hostel organizes several free tours each week, throughout the year. Sign up on our events boards and explore Washington, DC with our welcoming volunteers. Click here to see a sample of our tours.