Nairobi

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September 2026
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How much do hostels in Nairobi cost?

Available dorm-bed prices in Nairobi, Kenya range from $10 to $52/night over the next 3 months. HostelHound compares 12 hostels.

On a typical date, the cheapest available dorm bed is around $10.

How these prices work: Hostelworld listings, based on one night and the selected dorm-bed type. “Typical starting price” is the median of daily minimum prices across 7 contributing properties—not the typical hostel’s price. Amounts are converted to USD; verify availability and final taxes and fees on Hostelworld. Filters can narrow the advertised results below, but this summary remains citywide. Latest city scrape: 2026-09-13T07:45:53.930Z.

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Local knowledge for Nairobi

Where to stay

Most budget hostels cluster in Westlands, around Woodvale Grove and the Sarit Centre area, or in Kilimani along Argwings Kodhek Road. Both neighborhoods put you close to matatu routes and decent food options without the pickpocket risk that comes with cheap rooms near River Road in the CBD.

Getting around

  • Matatus cover the whole city for 30-50 KES per ride. Route 58 runs Westlands to the CBD. Confirm the route with the conductor before boarding, since different vehicles on the same route sometimes terminate early.
  • The Maasai Market rotates by day: Tuesdays on Kijabe Street, Fridays at Village Market in Gigiri. Show up on the wrong day and you will find an empty parking lot.
  • Gikomba Market on Gikomba Road is one of the largest secondhand markets in East Africa and worth the trip even if you are not buying. Go before 9am to avoid the worst of the heat and the crowds.

When to go

April and May (the long rains) are the cheapest months to find a bed. July through August and the late-December to mid-January window fill up fast as safari travelers use Nairobi as a transit point.

Frequently asked questions

How much do hostels in Nairobi cost?

On a typical date, the cheapest available dorm bed is around $10. Dorm beds currently range from $10 to $52/night across the next 3 months of availability.

How many hostels does HostelHound track in Nairobi?

HostelHound currently tracks 12 hostels in Nairobi, Kenya.

Where do backpackers stay in Nairobi?

Most budget hostels cluster in Westlands, around Woodvale Grove and the Sarit Centre area, or in Kilimani along Argwings Kodhek Road. Both neighborhoods put you close to matatu routes and decent food options without the pickpocket risk that comes with cheap rooms near River Road in the CBD.

What is the best time of year to visit Nairobi?

April and May (the long rains) are the cheapest months to find a bed. July through August and the late-December to mid-January window fill up fast as safari travelers use Nairobi as a transit point.