🇺🇸 Washington, United States
U Street Hostel
📍 1931, 13th Street Northwest, Washington, 20009-4432
Photo: official website
Your stay — U Street Hostel
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Washington.
The Property — U Street Hostel
U Street Hostel sits in a converted row house – think exposed brick, industrial light fittings and a common room that hums with backpacker chatter. The vibe is budget-conscious but social, aimed at solo travellers and groups who want a no-frills base near DC’s nightlife. Standing in the lobby you’ll hear a mix of English and Spanish, see a notice board for free walking tours, and probably catch the smell of someone’s instant noodles from the shared kitchen. Good for anyone who sleeps fine in a dorm bed and wants to spend money on food and museums, not the room.
Chronicles of Washington
Washington DC was founded in 1790 as a purpose-built capital, designed by Pierre L’Enfant on a grid of broad avenues and ceremonial spaces. Its architecture spans neoclassical monuments like the Capitol and White House to the brutalist FBI building and the modern glass of CityCenterDC. Culturally, the city has shifted from a staid government town to a vibrant, majority Black metropolis with deep ties to jazz, go-go music and civil rights history – the U Street corridor itself was once known as Black Broadway. Today it remains a political powerhouse but also a foodie destination, with a young, transient population of interns and lobbyists.
Best Time to Visit
Full Washington guide →Best months
April and October. April brings cherry blossoms and mild weather (around 15-22°C) before the summer humidity hits. October has crisp autumn air, leaf colour in the parks, and smaller crowds than spring.
Peak / festival surge
July and August. The weather is hot (32°C with high humidity) and sticky, but it’s also the height of tourist season. Independence Day (4 July) draws huge crowds for fireworks on the National Mall. Prices for rooms like those at U Street Hostel can spike 20-30% over a regular summer weekend. The Smithsonian Folklife Festival and outdoor concerts add to the buzz.
Budget shoulder season
May and September. May is warm but not yet uncomfortable, and September sees summer break crowds thin out. Both months offer slightly lower hostel rates and you can still enjoy outdoor dining and rooftop bars without the sweat.
Weather & packing
Washington’s summer climate is a paradox: it’s often both fiercely hot and thunderstorm-prone, with sudden downpours that clear as fast as they arrive. Pack a lightweight rain jacket or compact umbrella, and bring breathable cotton clothes – avoid synthetic tops that trap sweat in the humidity.
Live City Briefing — Washington
- The U Street metro station (Green Line) is undergoing weekend escalator repairs through July 2026, which may affect access to the platform; check WMATA alerts before travelling.
- The Kennedy Center is hosting a free outdoor jazz series on the REACH plaza every Thursday evening in July, with sets starting at 6pm – a low-cost evening option near the hostel.
- As of summer 2026, DC’s Circulator bus service has reduced frequencies on the U Street-Georgetown route due to driver shortages, so rely on Metro or ride-share for cross-town trips.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to U Street Hostel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room at the back of the building (south side, facing away from 13th Street NW) on floors 4 or 5. This gets you off the street and away from the lobby foot traffic and any bar noise on the ground floor.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid any room facing 13th Street NW (the front), especially on floors 1–3. This is a busy one-way street with bars and restaurants until late, and the hostel entrance is at street level—noise from revellers and traffic will carry up.
Best views
There's no real view worth a premium. Back rooms overlook an alley or neighbouring buildings. Front rooms look onto 13th Street NW—interesting if you like watching city life, but loud.
Quietest floors
Floors 4 and 5 are the quietest—above street hubbub but below any rooftop or service areas (if present). Most hostels in row buildings like this have 5 floors max, so top-floor rooms also avoid overhead footfall.
🔊 Noise notes
13th Street NW is a main drag with bars, restaurants, and late-night foot traffic. Expect sirens, bass from nearby venues (e.g., U Street Music Hall), and general city hum until 2–3am on weekends. The hostel entrance is street-level, so lobby noise carries to rooms 1 and 2. No lift noise as such—just a small elevator that clunks.
Insider tips
1) Check in online if offered—the hostel’s front desk can form a queue on busy Friday/Saturday nights. 2) Bring earplugs and an eye mask regardless of room; this is a budget 3-star in U Street's party corridor, and silence is never guaranteed.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — U Street Hostel
Free basic Wi-Fi throughout (5 Mbps typical); no paid upgrade. Single device login — ask desk for second code.
No lift. Building is a historic 3-storey rowhouse with stairs only — no ground-floor guest rooms.
No newspaper or digital newsstand. Building is a restored 1910s Victorian rowhouse retaining original fireplaces and wooden staircases.
Standard check-in 15:00 to midnight. Early bag drop allowed (no charge) from 10:00 if room not ready. Late check-out until 14:00 for $20 when available.
Free for same-day after check-out until 20:00; overnight not permitted.
No step-free access — two steps at entrance. No ground-floor rooms; all rooms upstairs via narrow staircase. No adapted bathroom or grab bars. Not suitable for wheelchair users.
No on-site or valet parking. Nearest public parking: PMI Parking at 2011 14th Street NW (5-min walk), $22 per 24h. No EV charging on property.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: 14.95% of room rate per night added to bill; no separate resort fee.
Deposit & card hold: Advance payment of first night required at booking; $50 incidental cash or card hold at check-in for damages.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: The Greater First Baptist Church (370 m · ~5 min walk)
- Place of worship: All Souls Church Unitarian (624 m · ~8 min walk)
- Church: Harvest Life Fellowship (690 m · ~9 min walk)
- Church: Washington Family Church (715 m · ~9 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
DC USA — 951 m · ~12 min walk
14th and Girard Park — 333 m · ~4 min walk
Howard University Museum — 1.4 km · ~17 min walk
Lincoln Theatre — 896 m · ~11 min walk
H.D. Cooke Playground — 721 m · ~9 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 562 m · ~7 min walk
CVS Pharmacy — 622 m · ~8 min walk
Quick Shop — 138 m · ~2 min walk
Columbia Heights — 798 m · ~10 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →US Dollar, USD
Use ATMs from major banks; avoid airport currency exchanges and tourist-area bureaux which charge poor rates and fees.
Visa/Mastercard accepted almost everywhere; contactless and Apple Pay/Google Pay common; smaller shops and some taxis may be cash-only.
Restaurants 15–20% before tax; taxis 10–15%; hotel porters $1–2 per bag; housekeeping $2–5 per night.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Drip coffee from a counter-service cafe — around $2.50.
Pizza by the slice or a banh mi from a walk-up spot — about $8–10.
Ethnic takeaway (Indian, Ethiopian, Salvadoran) main dish — roughly $12–15.
Columbia Heights and U Street area have food trucks and vendor carts, especially around lunchtime and evenings.
Aldi, Lidl, and Trader Joe's are nearby budget options; Giant and Safeway are full-service supermarkets.
Target and Marshalls for basics; thrift stores like Value Village along Georgia Avenue.
Metro day pass $13 (unlimited rides); bus single fare $2. From airport: take Metrorail from Reagan ($2–6) or Dulles via Silver Line Express bus + rail ($5–6).
Buy groceries for breakfast and snacks; eat lunch specials instead of dinner; use free museum and monument access to fill afternoons.
Good to know — Washington
Type A/B · 120V
safe
USD ($)
Emergency Contacts
WashingtonWhere to Eat
Book a table →💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Washington, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at U Street Hostel
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 562 m · ~7 min walk — pharmacy · CVS Pharmacy — 622 m · ~8 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Dulles International Airport (IAD) → Wiehle-Reston East Metro Station
💡 Buy a SmarTrip card at the airport kiosk before boarding; you'll need it for the transfer to the Silver Line metro into the city.
Wiehle-Reston East Station → Farragut West Station (closest to hotel)
💡 Avoid peak hours (7:30-9:00 AM, 4:30-6:00 PM) if possible — train carriages get stuffed. Stand near the centre of the platform for quicker exit at Farragut West.
Dulles International Airport (IAD) → Corporate Suites Of Washington
💡 Flat rate to DC zones available, but ask the driver to take the Dulles Toll Road to avoid backups on the main highway.
Union Station → Benning Road
💡 This only runs on a limited 2.2-mile loop in Northeast DC, so it's useless for airport transfers. Skip unless you're sightseeing near the Capitol and want a quick hop to the H Street corridor.
About Washington
Wikipedia ↗Washington most commonly refers to: George Washington (1732–1799), the first president of the United States Washington (state), a state in the Pacific Northwest of the United States Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States A metonym for the federal government of the United States Washingt...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at U Street Hostel?
Request a room at the back of the building (south side, facing away from 13th Street NW) on floors 4 or 5. This gets you off the street and away from the lobby foot traffic and any bar noise on the ground floor.
Which rooms should I avoid at U Street Hostel?
Avoid any room facing 13th Street NW (the front), especially on floors 1–3. This is a busy one-way street with bars and restaurants until late, and the hostel entrance is at street level—noise from revellers and traffic will carry up.
Is U Street Hostel noisy?
13th Street NW is a main drag with bars, restaurants, and late-night foot traffic. Expect sirens, bass from nearby venues (e.g., U Street Music Hall), and general city hum until 2–3am on weekends. The hostel entrance is street-level, so lobby noise carries to rooms 1 and 2. No lift noise as such—just a small elevator that clunks.
Which rooms have the best views at U Street Hostel?
There's no real view worth a premium. Back rooms overlook an alley or neighbouring buildings. Front rooms look onto 13th Street NW—interesting if you like watching city life, but loud.
What are insider tips for staying at U Street Hostel?
1) Check in online if offered—the hostel’s front desk can form a queue on busy Friday/Saturday nights. 2) Bring earplugs and an eye mask regardless of room; this is a budget 3-star in U Street's party corridor, and silence is never guaranteed.
What time is check-in at U Street Hostel?
Check-in at U Street Hostel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does U Street Hostel have Wi-Fi?
Free basic Wi-Fi throughout (5 Mbps typical); no paid upgrade. Single device login — ask desk for second code.
Is there a city or tourist tax at U Street Hostel?
14.95% of room rate per night added to bill; no separate resort fee.
Where can I eat cheaply near U Street Hostel?
Pizza by the slice or a banh mi from a walk-up spot — about $8–10.
What is the cheapest way to get around from U Street Hostel?
Metro day pass $13 (unlimited rides); bus single fare $2. From airport: take Metrorail from Reagan ($2–6) or Dulles via Silver Line Express bus + rail ($5–6).
When is the best time to visit Washington?
April and October. April brings cherry blossoms and mild weather (around 15-22°C) before the summer humidity hits. October has crisp autumn air, leaf colour in the parks, and smaller crowds than spring.
Top Attractions in Washington
💡 Visit in late winter for the orchid display — it’s spectacular. The indoor jungle is warm and humid year-round, so bring a light jacket you can take off.
💡 Start at the Lincoln Memorial at sunrise or sunset for the best light and fewer crowds. Avoid midday in summer — it’s exposed and gets brutal heat.
💡 Go on a weekday and head straight to the Hall of Fossils on the first floor — it’s less crowded than the ground-floor gems. Enter from the Constitution Avenue side to dodge the queue.
💡 Come at night — the monument is lit up and far quieter. You can stand in the same spot Martin Luther King Jr. gave his 'I Have a Dream' speech. On a clear night, the view south to the Jefferson Memorial is good too.
💡 Park at the Nature Center on Glover Road for the best trail access. The Western Ridge Trail is less crowded than the main path. Bring cash for the parking meter — cards don’t always work.