What is the cheapest hostel in the world?

Question

I'm asking about the cheapest bunk-bed or similar in a hostel in the world if only one traveller arrives to the hostel.

Answer 1

Well one website did an investigation into this, and found:

Garden Village Guesthouse in Siem Reap, Cambodia

Which has beds for US$1 per night.

To quote:

But, there’s a catch…

The $1 dorm beds are in a thatched-roof hut that is partially open to the elements. It appears that you do get a mattress, pillow, towel, and even a mosquito net, but that’s it. There’s also no proper locker system out there so you have to leave your valuables at reception when you are away.

Nighttime average low temperatures are steady, ranging from 79F/26C in March to 68F/20C in January, and it’s always humid, so it might not be too comfortable on the warmest nights, but at least you’ll never be cold.

Also, the dorm beds are right next to the kitchen, so you need to be prepared for some noise and smells while you are saving all that money.

On the other hand, the Garden Village offers:

• Free pickup from the airport or bus terminal
• Free (slow) Wi-Fi in the public areas
• A volleyball court
• Laundry service
• Cheap bicycle rental
• Affordable Khmer restaurant
• Rooftop bar with cheap beer

So you really do get most of the normal benefits of staying at a hostel, even for this ridiculously low price. Want something better, Mr. Moneybags?

If you can afford US$6 per night you can get a “standard single” room of your own, ranging up to a “deluxe triple” room for US$13.

You can’t book the $1 dorms online, but you can book all the other private rooms from their website. I’m told you can reserve the $1 dorms by emailing them, so you won’t have to just roll the dice and hope one is open.

Lest you think the Garden Village is just trying to get people stuck in some remote place to sell them food and drinks, it is actually very well located, only a few blocks from Pub Street and the main tourist district of Siem Reap. Also, they have a good and cheap restaurant, plus 50-cent Angkor draft beers available all day at their sunset rooftop terrace.

Answer 2

Cheapest I've come across anywhere in my travels was Utopia Guesthouse in Sihanookville, Cambodia. There you can stay in their dorm room for FREE (yup, costs nothing), or I think i paid $4 for a private room there.

Don't get much cheaper than that! it's a pretty fun place to stay too, if you're into the party-type vibe.

Actually, just looked them up, seems they charge $1 for a dorm bed these days. Inflation huh.

Answer 3

Many hotels in Japan, especially in large cities, will let you stay for JPY 1 (USD <0.01) under some conditions; typically if it's your birthday and you are over a certain age. For example this one in Osaka if you are at least 70.