Safari Hostel
by the TopOfHotel team
Safari Hostel is a budget hostel with a 9.1/10 Agoda score in a central, local-feeling part of Moscow.
Safari Hostel is a budget hostel with a 9.1/10 Agoda score in a central, local-feeling part of Moscow.
In-Depth Review
Rooms and decor
The rooms are clean and well kept, both the dorms and the private rooms. Each dorm bed gets its own locker and a bedside power outlet, and the linens are fresh and changed regularly. Reviews single out the cleanliness and the staff's attitude in particular. The feel is warm and easygoing rather than the cold, crammed-in kind of hostel, and the common areas are roomy and comfortable — a good place to meet other travelers.
Food and amenities
The Wi-Fi is free and fast, and the shared kitchen comes fully equipped with a fridge and a microwave. There's no restaurant, spa or pool, but the Trubnaya area hands you so many places to eat and drink that it more than makes up for it — arguably better than a run-of-the-mill hotel dining room. The staff are happy to point you toward the good coffee shops, independent bars and local restaurants nearby that you won't find in a guidebook.
Location and getting there
Trubnaya metro is a 300 m walk, and the subway connects you to Red Square in just 2-3 stops — not far at all. The area feels more local than the tourist quarters, which suits travelers who want a lived-in Moscow rather than history alone. Independent coffee shops, bookshops and craft-beer bars fill the streets here, with a vibe closer to Shoreditch in London or Prenzlauer Berg in Berlin.
Things to know before booking
This is a hostel, so the dorms come with the usual trade-off: no real privacy. It also sits further from Red Square than the other picks, meaning a 2-3 stop subway ride rather than a walk. And there's no restaurant, spa or pool on site, so you'll be eating and relaxing out in the neighborhood rather than in the building. For the right traveler none of that is a dealbreaker — it's simply what comes with a rate this low in a central spot.
Our take
Safari Hostel is best for backpackers and solo travelers who want to spend as little as possible, soak up a genuinely local Moscow neighborhood, and don't need hotel facilities — and for anyone who wants to meet people from around the world in an easygoing setting. As one Booking.com review put it, the team is the main reason to come back: friendly, helpful with everything from trip plans to off-the-guidebook restaurant tips. The 9.1/10 Agoda score says the rest. From about $29 a night, this is more than a place to crash — it's part of the trip.
Score Breakdown
Assessed by our editorial team from data and real guest reviews
The Honest Verdict — pros & what to know
- Scores 9.1/10 on Agoda, a very high mark for a hostel, with reviews calling out how clean the rooms are and how helpful the staff is.
- From about $29 a night, it's the cheapest pick in this group by a wide margin.
- Central location, just 300 m from Trubnaya metro, with Red Square only 2-3 subway stops away.
- Dorms come with a locker and a bedside power outlet at every bed, and the linens are clean and changed regularly.
- Sits in the Trubnaya area, full of independent coffee shops, craft bars and local restaurants most tourists never find.
- The dorms offer no privacy, which is the usual hostel trade-off rather than a flaw specific to this place.
- It's further from Red Square than the other picks — you'll ride the subway 2-3 stops to get there.
- No restaurant, spa or pool on site, so you eat and unwind out in the neighborhood rather than in the building.
Who It’s For
Match Score by travel style
Amenities
Location & Nearby Spots
Things to do near Moscow
Day tours, attraction tickets and experiences around Moscow — book ahead on Klook with mobile e-tickets.
See activities in MoscowAffiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Insider Tips
- The Trubnaya area is one of Moscow's fashion-and-independent-coffee districts, so set aside time to just wander and explore it on foot.
- Red Square is only 2-3 subway stops from here, so it's an easy half-day trip rather than a long haul.
- Ask the staff for their coffee-shop, craft-bar and local-restaurant picks — they're good at naming spots that aren't in any guidebook.