The Basics: Alessandro Downtown Hostel
Located near Termini Station and the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, the Alessandro Downtown Hostel—an off-shoot of the popular Alessandro Palace Hostel in Rome— is a central option with cheap dorms.

The Basics: Blue Hostel
The Blue Hostel is so close to Rome’s central Termini train station that the manager will come to meet you and walk you to the property  himself. The hostel, more like a cheap-and-chic B&B, is housed out of a former convent dating to the 17th-century.

Hostel Description: Located within a few minutes’ walk of Rome’s famous Trevi fountain, the central Chianti Hostel caters to a youngish crowd (guests must be between the ages of 18 and 35). The staff will even arrange a pasta party if you happen to be here on your birthday!

The Basics: Freedom Traveller
The Freedom Traveller is located about a ten-minute walk  north of Termini Station. Its location doesn’t boast much, but the hostel itself packs on the extras. From free croissants and coffee at breakfast to weekly pizza parties, this is a solid pick for backpackers visiting the Eternal City.

The Basics: Funny Palace Hostel
Located a few blocks north of the Termini train station in central Rome, the Funny Palace Hostel has a funny way of welcoming guests. You check-in via a kiosk in a busy laundromat before getting your room key. And while you’re there, you’re given a discount on laundry services!

Hostel Description: Located in central Rome and a quick walk from the main Termini station, the Hostel and Hotel Positano offers a wide variety of rooms—from private doubles to larger dorms.

The Basics: Hostel Beautiful
Situated just a hop, skip and a jump from Rome’s main Termini train station, the Hostel Beautiful might make the likes of Roberto Benigni (of “Life is Beautiful” fame) blush with satisfaction. Cheap rooms and free daily maid service? Check please!

The Basics: Hostel Beautiful 2
Located just a half block from Rome’s main Termini train station and about a fifteen-minute walk from the Colosseum, the Hostel Beautiful 2 offers cheap and appealing accommodations in the heart of the Eternal City.

Hostel Description: Conveniently located just across the street from Rome’s Termini Station, the Hostel Eden Rome is a central option with both private rooms and dorms on-the-cheap.

The Basics: Hostel Lella
Centrally located just north of Rome’s Termini station, the Hostel Lella is a good, reasonably priced base from which to explore the Eternal City. The busy Corso Italia is just a few blocks away.

The Basics: Ivanhoe Hostel
Located within easy walking distance of both the Colosseum and the Spanish Steps, the Ivanhoe Hostel is a larger-scale party hostel offering dorms with up to 12 beds in central Rome. In addition, there’s lots of common space here where you can kick up your heels after a day of sightseeing.

Hostel Description: Located just a few blocks from Rome’s Termini train station and within walking distance of many central sights, the MJ Place Hostel (sometimes called M&J Hostel) has a range of dorms and private rooms on tap.

Hostel Description: Situated just a few meters (literally!) from St. Peter’s Square and the Vatican in Rome, the Pensione Ottaviano has been providing bunks since 1956. As such, it’s oft-mentioned in guidebooks and raved about by recent guests.

The Basics: Pop Inn Hostel
Talk about door-to-door service: the Pop Inn's front door landing serves as the last stop on the shuttle from Rome’s Ciampino airport. In addition, it's located across the street from the main rail station, Termini, and rooms are cheap and well reviewed by recent guests. Prepare to pop in to the Pop Inn!

The Basics: Rome City Hostel
Located in a quiet, mostly residential area of Rome (it’s about a twenty-to-thirty minute walk to Termini rail station), but within a few minutes’ stroll of a metro stop, the Rome City Hostel deals in cozy, budget accommodations for families and backpackers.

Hostel Description: The Hostel Stargate boasts an international staff and a convenient location that’s just a ten-minute walk north of  Rome’s main Termini rail station.

The Basics: The Yellow
Just north of  the Piazza dell’Indipendenza and a few minutes’ walk from Termini train station, the Yellow hostel is a cheap and forward-thinking place (hey, you can rent an iPad here!) in central Rome. It’s a hoppin’ place too, with travelers living it up downstairs at the Yellow Bar.

Hostel Description: The Two Ducks Hostel, located steps from Termini Station, is one of many cheap options in this hood. Dorms accommodate four to