Review of First Hostel Bucharest | Best Hostel in Bucharest, Romania

Backpacking Europe on a budget means staying in hostels from time to time so when I was researching hostels in Bucharest and saw some great feedback about First Hostel so I decided to go for it and book 3 nights from the off.

Following this, I extended the hostel stay to 3 nights and when I returned to Bucharest I stayed here again so you can trust that I’ve experienced this hostel enough to write an honest review. 

When deciding on if a hostel is going to be decent to sleep in or reminiscent of that horror film I think it helps to hear someone else’s experience of staying there so here is my review of First Hostel Bucharest.

Disclosure: This blog post may contain affiliate links, meaning, at no extra cost to you, I may earn commission if you click through and make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. When you see a link or banner, this could take you to that product/service website. For more information, see my Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions.

Jump to

Essential Info About First Hostel Bucharest

Address: Bulevardul Mărășești 86, București, 030167, Romania

Check in: 2pm 

Check out: 12pm

Cost minimum: £10 per bunk per night

Click here to book First Hostel as your Bucharest accommodation!

How to Get To The Hostel

The best instructions on how to reach the Bucharest hostel are given to you by the owner once you have booked where you get thorough directions about taking public transport, where to buy tickets and where to get off, etc.

After I booked, the owner sent me a detailed email divided into headings about how to reach the hostel, how much it should cost and how long it will take. I was already impressed with this level of communication and helpfulness.  

Uber is really cheap in Romania so I advise downloading the app and checking the prices from station/airport to First Hostel. We paid €15 from the airport to the hostel.

The public bus 783 will take you from the airport to First Hostel which runs all day/night and costs approx 2 euros per person.

From the train station, ride the subway’s yellow Line going to Pantelimon and a short walk to go directly to the hostel.

Read Later: How To Find Dracula’s Castle in Romania!

Why Is This The Best Hostel in Bucharest Romania?

I stayed here for a total of 5 nights in 2 different rooms. Overall I think this is a very thought-out place to stay from the funky, hand-made decor to the bedside plugs and was by far the easiest check-in I’ve ever had. 

28 Things I Like About First Hostel

Here are some of the best things about First Hostel from my honest experience to help you decide if you want to stay here too. When writing this I kept thinking of something else I liked so I’ve come up with 28 things in total that was a pro about this accommodation to make it one of the best hostels in Bucharest!

The Rooms

You can choose from a range of bedrooms to stay: Private Double Bedroom, 6 Mixed Dorm (I stayed in two of these), 8 Mixed Dorm, 4 Mixed Dorm or 10 Female-only Dorm. All share bathrooms throughout the hostel but some rooms have a private bathroom per dorm (check this upon booking).

Here are the best things about the rooms at First Hostel:

• Self check-in. This is amazing because our flight to Romania was delayed which meant we didn’t get to the hostel until 3am but as it’s self check-in this wasn’t a problem as we had the door code and bunk numbers. We just had to be super quiet! 
• There are lockers with keys in every room enough to fit valuables and a backpack in. Note: the locker numbers do not match the bunks which I think is actually quite clever in security-terms.
• You have a fair amount of space around and underneath your bunk bed to store luggage, go through your luggage, keep shoes, etc.
• I love it when there are shelves in the rooms especially if you’re on top bunk so you have somewhere to put water or your glasses for when you sleep. Bottom bunks have all the floor space!
• Every bed has a plug each (in Romania you need plug types C and F). There is also a USB port per bunk. 
• There is Air Con in every bedroom which is great for when there are up to 10 humans in one room during Summer.

The Owner

Adrian is the owner who, as I’ve previously mentioned, went above and beyond for his guests.

• Adrian is on call 24/7 via phone, email or through booking platform and his English is perfect.
• There is a phone on reception with 1 button to ring Adrian at anytime and he always answered!
• Adrian always wanted to solve problems and ensure all guests were comfortable. When we were extending our stay we requested the same bunk beds and he accommodated us with no problem.

Location of First Hostel Bucharest Romania

• Within 2 streets of First Hostel there is a tram stop, supermarkets, some pretty churches, restaurants for excellent Romanian food, kebab houses, bakery, casino and street art. 
• It is a 10/15 minute walk into Old Town Bucharest from First Hostel making it a good explorers hostel Bucharest has to offer!
• The hostel is 15 minute walk to the wolf statue which is the meeting point for many Bucharest Tours!
• First Hostel is a 20 minute walk to Bucharest Mall.
• It’s 21km from the airport. Book transfers from the airport here, use Uber on arrival or follow Adrian’s instructions to get public transport to the hostel. Note: An Uber cost €15 from airport.
• It’s 4.5km from Gara Nord Train Station. Book your trains in Romania here. Note: An Uber cost €4 from the North Train Station.
• The hostel is 9.5km from Flixbus station. Book your Flixbus to Romania here.

The Hostel Facilities 

Here are some good things about the hostel in general, the bathrooms and WiFi!

• There is an outside space with lots of chairs and tables.
• The hostel has 2 kitchens, one primarily for rooms A, B, C and the other for D, E, F but both are open for all with sitting space. Both kitchens have ovens, cooker space, fridges, freezers, sink with washing-up liquid and sponges, bins, toasters, kettle, cutlery and utensils. 
• Near to rooms A, B and C there is a living area in the conservatory with a TV, Netflix, chairs and sofa.
• Reception is open 24/7 with lots of information about tours, etc.
• The hostel have own tours they run and info about these are in the welcome email.
• There’s lots of desk space and computers dotted around the hostel which are free for guests to use.

• You’re allowed to leave luggage here after check out.
• Amazing check out time of 12pm!!
• WiFi is the fastest I’ve had in any hostel in Europe!
• There are enough bathrooms. Room B has a private one. On the floor with Rooms D and E there are two bathrooms with lots of space, big shower, soap on sink, window, rails and I never had to queue or wait to use them.
• I felt safe and secure with a code for the front door, cameras around the hostel and the owner on call 24/7.
• There is always toilet rolls in the bathrooms!
• Cool decor throughout the building.

Affordability

• I have Genius Level 3 on my booking account so I get discounts on thousands of properties so I paid just £8 for a bunk bed in First Hostel via booking.com. But for £10 per bunk per night minimum for general customers, you cannot fault this price especially with the brilliant facilities throughout!!

What Would Make This Even Better?

I love this hostel and would stay here every time I’m in Bucharest but if I could add just tiny touches (but really don’t make a huge difference), I would add the following.

• Mosquito lights out the back area 
• Curtains on the hostel beds for ultimate privacy 
• Shower gel dispenser in the shower
• Mats to stand on out the shower in bathroom (which is changed daily)

Read Next: Things You Learn On A Bucharest Food Tour!

Always A Story

I never leave a hostel without having some sort of story so thought I’d share it here. It’s nothing major but a good note to remember no matter which hostel you stay in!

This is in no way a reflection of First Hostel but when you stay with other humans, things like this tend to happen.

Someone stole both our pillows from both bunks. Our flights were majorly delayed so we didn’t get to the hostel until 3am so the person thought we weren’t coming in fairness but grr we had to sleep on our jeans and towels haha.

Someone also stole my bottle of beer that I left in the fridge. Thieves are among the worst types of guests at hostels along with: the ones who don’t pack the night before leaving for an early bus, the ones who eat durian in the hostel room and the ones who blow dry their hair at 6am (the last two examples were from the same person in Thailand)!!

Things to Note

• This is not a party hostel but if you’re in a group be sure to book early so if there are 6 of you, you can guarantee a room to yourself.
• It can be classed as a youth hostel Bucharest because it’s standard, budget and youth-friendly although there were people of all ages when I stayed.
• While there are communal spaces to hang out, it isn’t huge but Bucharest has hundreds of places you can go if you meet people.
• If you book through booking you can choose which room you want and can leave a note for Adrian.
• You must self check-in online first which is just adding your personal info including passport details on a web form.
• You’ll receive all the info you need like the front door code, room number and bunk number by email.
• See some First Hostel Bucharest Tripadvisor reviews here.

Final Thoughts

This hostel was a fantastic place and I highly recommend staying here if you’re visiting Bucharest or elsewhere in Romania to use this place as a fantastic base. Enjoy!

Ready to get your Bucharest accommodation? Click here for the latest prices and availability. 

Thanks for reading my review about the best hostel Bucharest has!

Like it? Please Pin it!