Metropolis Hostel
by the TopOfHotel team
Metropolis is a small hostel that feels like staying in someone's home rather than a sprawling bunk hall.
Metropolis is a small hostel that feels like staying in someone's home rather than a sprawling bunk hall.
In-Depth Review
Rooms and decor
Metropolis Hostel is a small 9-room place in Pest, and the rooms match that scale: simple, clean, and unfussy rather than designed. You can pick a dorm with 4 to 8 beds or a private room for one or two people. Furniture is basic and the look is plain, but what guests keep writing about is the quiet. This is not a party hostel, so the people who land here tend to want a real night's sleep before heading out again.
Food and amenities
There is no buffet breakfast and no restaurant. Instead you get a shared kitchen, which is the more useful trade for budget travelers. You can cook simple meals, store leftovers, and skip paying cafe prices three times a day. Free Wi-Fi covers the place, and the owners and staff are the standout: reviewers mention them more than anything else, usually for being friendly and quick to hand over local tips. Just go in expecting a small, simple setup, not full hotel service.
Location and getting there
The hostel sits in Pest, about 600 metres from Keleti station — an 8-minute walk. That makes it an easy stop if you are arriving or leaving by train, which a lot of people are, since Budapest is a natural break between Prague and Vienna. Arena Plaza Mall is close for a supermarket run, and local Hungarian restaurants are within a short walk. For the airport, Liszt Ferenc is roughly 30 minutes out by car or the 200E bus.
Things to know before booking
The big one: there are only 9 rooms, so it books out fast. Reserve well ahead, especially in summer or over a weekend. If you want a private room over a dorm bed, lock that in early, because the few private rooms go first. This is also a quiet hostel by design, so it is the wrong pick if you want a social party scene, and it is not really set up for families. Do not expect a 24-hour front desk or daily housekeeping.
Our take
For solo backpackers and couples who care more about price and a calm night than about meeting a crowd, Metropolis is an easy yes. Rooms from about $40, a friendly host, a kitchen you can actually use, and an 8-minute walk to the trains add up to a smart base for a long European trip. Book ahead, bring groceries, and treat it as a comfortable place to sleep between days out, which is exactly what it is.
Score Breakdown
Assessed by our editorial team from data and real guest reviews
The Honest Verdict — pros & what to know
- Genuinely budget-friendly, with rooms from around $40 a night and dorm beds cheaper still, which is hard to beat this close to a major rail station.
- The vibe is homely and calm rather than a party hostel, so light sleepers and people who actually want to rest between sightseeing days do well here.
- Owners and staff are friendly and hands-on. Reviewers mention this again and again, often pointing to local tips and help with directions.
- A shared kitchen lets you cook simple meals and skip the cost of eating out for every breakfast, which adds up on a long trip.
- Close to Keleti station at about 600m, so arriving and leaving by train with luggage is an easy walk rather than a taxi hunt.
- With only 9 rooms, availability is tight. Book well ahead, especially in summer and over weekends, or you will likely find it full.
- If you are after a buzzing social scene and a crowd of new friends, this is the wrong place. The whole point here is quiet.
- It is a small, simple setup, so do not expect full hotel services like a 24-hour reception, daily housekeeping, or an on-site restaurant.
Who It’s For
Match Score by travel style
Amenities
Location & Nearby Spots
Things to do near Budapest
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Insider Tips
- Message the hosts your train arrival time in advance, since this is a small place without a round-the-clock front desk and check-in is arranged by hand.
- Stock the shared kitchen from the supermarket inside Arena Plaza Mall, a short walk away, and cook breakfast instead of paying cafe prices.
- If you want a private room rather than a dorm bed, book it first. The handful of private rooms go before the dorms do.