Your backpacking travel planner

Samesun Backpacker Hostels, in Vancouver, Kelowna, Silverstar, Banff and Revelstoke!

From the Samesun website: "[Samesun's] mandate is to create a total yet unique hostelling accommodation experience in Alberta and British Columbia (BC) that’s both affordable and economical for the backpacker traveling in Canada. We aim to provide the opportunity to share your traveling experience and good times with like minded individuals in a fun and casual Canadian accommodation hostel atmosphere. We also provide numerous hostelling accommodation resources to assist any backpacker who requires information regarding hostel accommodations and attractions in Alberta and British Columbia (BC) Canada."

Samesun's motto, "We all live under the same sun!"

Pete at the Samesun Vancouver submitted this video to us, showcasing a lot of fun at Samesun.



Hostel of the week, January 13th to 20th 2011
submitted by Kennedy Jones
Backpackers Hostels Canada

Hamilton Guesthouse is conveniently located in downtown Hamilton, close to all the major attractions this gorgeous though underrated city has to offer. Hamilton itself is ideally situated midway between Niagara Falls and Toronto in Ontario's famous Golden Horseshoe region.

Hamilton Guest House has incredible rates for nightly stay and offers clean, comfortable and affordable accommodations for backpackers, budget travelers, and students. Facilities include use of the full kitchen, free parking, linens and towels, secure lockers, free tea and coffee, cable tv, free internet and WIFI.

As well, helpful and knowledgeable staff are always ready to offer the best advice on the local scene.
Hostel of the Week, September 22nd to September 28th 2010
submitted by Kennedy Jones
Backpackers Hostels Canada

The Hostel Bear, Canmore Alberta

Stay with us at Canmore's Newsest Hostel! Located one block from downtown Canmore!

Be prepared to be pleasantly surprised with the standard of The Hostel Bear. We're here to bring you the best quality stay possible.

The Hostel Bear is a truly outstanding hostel style accommodation.

Our lodge provides an elegant, affordable and secure environment.

We feature a large fully functional kitchen, free wireless access, full in-room bathrooms & showers, secure in-room lockers and more...

Our friendly, helpful, outgoing staff are here 24 hours a day to ensure your stay exceeds expectations.

• Ideal for business and tourist
• 45 minutes from Calgary
• Close to town center & nightlife
• Clean environment
• Large communal kitchen
• FREE Parking & Wireless Internet
• Large common area with games room

Hostel of the Week, March 8th to March 14th 2010
submitted by Kennedy Jones
Backpackers Hostels Canada

Backpackers International Hostel, Niagara Falls

Operated by a warm and friendly Francophone family, this elegant Victorian home turned youth hostel is only 5 minutes walk to the bus depot and is open 24-7. Dorm rates are $25.00 per night. Private rooms are also available. Facilities include a fully equipped kitchen and a free light breakfast.

The hostel is only one block to the Niagara River and Parkway, and 15-20 minute walk to Falls and attractions. It is also close to the Greyhound and train stations.

When you are planning your travels, remember that Niagara Falls is more than a one-day trip destination!

Hostel of the Week February 1st to February 7th 2010
submitted by Kennedy Jones
Backpackers Hostels Canada

Backpackers on Dundas

Backpackers on Dundas is in downtown Toronto, very near the Chinatown district. It is central to everything downtown Toronto has to offer. It is a very friendly hostel and is very clean. Over 150 dvd-library, free internet, hot showers, laundry and kitchen facilities are only some of the amenities offered. Take a video tour through the hostel (link below), taken during a quiet time by Michael Scott, the owner/host. You'll see why Backpackers on Dundas makes a great place to spend your nights while you visit Toronto.

Watch the video!

Hostel of the Week, January 3rd to 10th 2010
submitted by Kennedy Jones
Backpackers Hostels Canada

Ottawa Backpackers Inn

Just recently, on December 12th, the Olympic Torch was carried past the newly refurbished Ottawa Backpackers Inn, at 203 York Street Ottawa. Behind the runners, staff and guests of the Ottawa Backpackers Inn can be seen waving with Olympic fervour.

Ottawa Backpackers Inn will soon be celebrating its 10th Anniversary. Congratulations to Martin Jones, owner and operator of the OBI!

Hostel of the week, December 20th to January 3rd 2009
submitted by Kennedy Jones
Backpackers Hostels Canada

Pioneer Hostel, Prince Rupert BC

Ever dreamed of having your own hostel? Now you can have a turnkey business operating in the beautiful north-coastal rainforest of BC!

The Pioneer Hostel is located in Prince Rupert, a small town with a brand new container port shipping directly to/from China. This town is poised for an influx of new ventures and has explosive real estate potential. As the main Gateway to the magical Queen Charlotte Islands, and Alaska, Prince Rupert receives thousands of travelers making their way north, west, south and east via 3 main ferry systems, and the VIA Rail experience.

Check out our 'For Sale' page for more information.

Hostel of the week, March 23rd to March 30, 2009
submitted by Kennedy Jones
Backpackers Hostels Canada

Yarmouth Backpackers Association

Yarmouth is an historic port town known for its lobster! Venture out of the city and see what the real Nova Scotia can offer ..... visit a lobster pound, choose your own lobster and eat at the beach, cycle to the lighthouse for a picnic and a dip in the Atlantic if you dare, join a walking tour to learn about our historic sea captains’ homes & our Acadian heritage. Enjoy local seafood at a price that won’t break the bank, lots of day cycling trips on relatively flat terrain and an 18 hole golf course (we have bikes you can rent and clubs you can borrow).

Yarmouth Backpackers is a small, friendly hostel, located right in town and just a short walk from the Trius bus drop off and the US ferry terminal. Close to the waterfront, museums, shops and restaurants and a short drive or bike ride to beaches & lakes for swimming. We offer clean and comfortable beds, kitchen facilities and BBQ, book swap, internet, outdoor deck and a large garden.

Hostel of the Week, May 3rd to May 10th 2009
submitted by Kennedy Jones
Backpackers Hostels Canada

University of Ottawa Residences

"The University of Ottawa is proud to promote Canada's Capital in partnership with Ottawa Tourism.

Located in downtown Ottawa along the historic Rideau Canal, the University of Ottawa Residences offer backpackers another economical choice for accommodations in Canada's Capital. We are within walking distance of the Parliament buildings, the National Arts Centre, the Rideau Centre, the ByWard Market, and more.

Choose between our conventional-style rooms with shared washrooms and our air-conditioned two-bedroom suite-style units with kitchenette and private washroom. All guest rooms at the University of Ottawa Residences are equipped with free high-speed internet access (bring your own ethernet cable) and a telephone with free local calling.

Rates: Our conventional-style rooms have either one or two single beds. Student pay only $30 per night (single room) or $50 per night (double room). Adults pay $42 or $63, respectively. Our suite-style units have two separate bedrooms, each with a double bed, desk and chair, and cable television. Share a unit with your friends and pay $28.75 each when sharing between four people!

Planning an extended visit to the Capital? We also offer more economical weekly and monthly rates. We look forward to the opportunity to welcome you to Ottawa!"

Hostel of the week, April 13th to April 19th, 2009
submitted by Kennedy Jones
Backpackers Hostels Canada

Le Jazz St. Denis, Montreal

Located on rue Ontario at the corner of rue Saint Denis, we are located in the heart of the Latin Quarter that is known best for its cafes, bars, theatres, boutiques, and artistic atmosphere. Just outside and surrounding the hostel are a wide variety of restaurants and bars, frequented by travelers as well as students from the many colleges and universities in the area. Everything is in walking distance including the Red Light District, the Gay Village, McGill University, and Sherbrook, St. Laurent, and St. Catharine Streets.

The hostel itself is a charming building with antique décor and an intimate feel. Half of the building is still operating as the VIP Loft Hotel, a well-known 3-star boutique hotel. Now under new management, Jazz Hostels has opened some of the VIP rooms to travelers seeking the hostel experience – clean and inexpensive accommodations, in the center of town, with a terrific staff to make your stay the best it can be.

Hostel of the week, Oct. 26th to Nov. 2nd, 2008

submitted by Kennedy Jones

Backpackers Hostels Canada

Jasper National Park is a four-season destination, revered as the largest tract of wilderness in the Canadian Rockies. Due to its lesser developed nature; it’s a haven for wildlife. Nestled in the midst of Jasper National Park's vast unspoiled grandeur lies the picturesque town of Jasper, Jasper offers a charming small town atmosphere with high quality accommodations for all budgets and styles. Our member hostel, The Seldom In Guesthouse is one of these.

Adventure and Pristine Beauty Await at Jasper National Park’s Maligne Lake (see the photo below). The shadows of vast, nowcapped peaks cast themselves brilliantly over a glacial blue sea deep in the interior of Jasper National Park . Maligne Lake, along with pristine natural beauty Spirit Island, is not only the oldest attraction in Jasper Park but also the largest lake in the Canadian Rocky Mountains. This legendary destination offers myriad Jasper Park adventures—from Spirit Island scenic cruises and fishing trips to canoeing and hiking.

"Wonderful By Nature"

Feature of the Week, Feb. 24th to March 9th, 2008
submitted by Kennedy Jones
Backpackers Hostels Canada

Backpackers Hostels Canada is a network of over 140 backpacker hostels (also called youth hostels) across Canada. There are over 85 cities across Canada that include hostels in the Backpackers Hostels Canada network. There are several hostels in Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver particularly.

What is a backpackers hostel? There are varying definitions, but we include accommodations that are friendly, warm, healthy and safe places for budget travellers. Usually hostels have dorm beds available in a room that they share with other travellers. This gives hostels the opportunity to give guests cheaper prices than they would at a hotel or B&B, but best of all gives the traveller further chance to meet other fell0w-travellers. A hostel is a great place to meet young men and women from other countries that have come to Canada in search of adventure. One great feature in every hostel is a comfortable common room, which gives the hostel a home-away-from-home or in any case, a comfortable and welcoming atmosphere. Common rooms in hostels usually include tv, dvds, Wifi Internet (or internet terminals), games, and big comfy couches and chairs allowing for socializing and relaxing.

Hostels are great places to stay while visiting a particular city, or while on the move across Canada. Each week for the last couple of years we've been featuring on our website (www.backpackers.ca), a different hostel, or adventure company catering to the adventurous budget traveller. We've decided its time to blog our feature each week, and redo some of the features from the past as blogs to give more permanent stay to the feature on the web. In this way, travellers will be able to get a good sense about what a particular hostel is about, and what the network, Backpackers Hostels Canada, as a whole, has to offer.

If you have an interest in starting a hostel in Canada, or if you have any questions for us, please email us at info@backpackers.ca.

Happy trails to you!

-Ken Jones
Backpackers Hostels Canada
(807)-344-1384
info@backpackers.ca