Flow Spaces Budapest Review 2023 (Personally Tested)

Are you planning to stay in Budapest and looking for a great hostel but need help deciding which one you should choose?

You're lucky because I've stayed at least one night in 8 hostels in Budapest in December 2023, including Flow Spaces.

In this article, you can read about my review of Flow Spaces based on personal experience, which made #4 on my best hostels list.

TL;DR Summary

Who is this hostel for? — Flow Spaces is a mix between hotel-type impersonal and social-party atmosphere hostel. I'd venture as far as saying it has college dorm vibes. It's great for budget travellers who don't want either extreme, but a beautiful mix between the two. If you want extremes try Hostel One (social-party) or Maverick Urban Lodge (hotel-type).

‍What was the best part of staying here? — I loved the lounge where I could chat up other guests and the quiet digital nomad workspace. I also liked my bed, which was huge, had a privacy curtain and a storage box. The receptionist girls were also top-notch.

‍What was the worst part of staying here? — To me the communal co-ed bath was underwhelming. There wasn't a private place to get dressed. The room had also little space to move around.

Did I enjoy my stay here? Would I return? —  It was great to be here, but I probably won't return. I prefer Maverick Urban Lodge over Flow Spaces, which is similarly cheap, but has better quality of life. Or Hostel One if I wanted a social-party hostel.

‍How much does it cost? Is it good value for money? — Prices start from 9€ per night, making Flow Spaces an extremely affordable hostel. If you want to maximize value at the expense of some comfort, I recommend Avenue Hostel which includes 2 free meals and has a similar price range.

Price

This hostel is great value for money. Bunk beds start at 13€/night in the off-season and private rooms from 32€/night, with prices at least 2-3x higher in high season (May-October).

Vibe

I love the social vibe of this hostel. The streets of Budapest can be harsh from the outside, but I felt like entering an oasis in a desert after setting foot in Flow Spaces! It's so welcoming! The staff was very friendly and helpful. Most guests were in their low twenties, but I saw people of all ages.

Location

Flow Spaces is in the city center, but in a quiet district, not where the nightlife is, but it’s easy to get there by public transport or even by foot. It’s a few minutes walk away from the Central Market Hall and the 100E airport shuttle bus stop. Public transport options are also nearby naturally.

Reception/Check-in

The receptionists were helpful, friendly, and efficient. They have 2-3 receptions available 24/7 - checking in was a breeze. The bad news is that you do have to climb three flights of stairs, as there is no elevator in the building. They have free luggage storage (before check-in and after check-out) and secure lockers (for an additional charge).

Room/bed/locker

The rooms are small and don't have too much space. There is a stash under the bed and the padlock is included.

My bed was perfect - it had a privacy curtain, item box, light, socket. The item box was in the way when climbing up, though. I did find some stray female hair on my bedsheet. The bed was made of wood and was squeaky.

Noise levels are low to medium - you get the normal hostel noises, but traffic is light in the small street where the hostel is.

Bathroom

The rooms don't have a private bathroom, at least mine didn’t. Instead, you have to use communal bathrooms. I was missing a proper place to get dressed (you either have a wet shower or a toilet). The hygiene was acceptable in the bathroom and the entire hostel.

Kitchen

The kitchen is fully equipped, spacious, and complete with kitchenware, including an oven. You can use the free food others have left and there's also free coffee. The fridges were a mess though. But all in all, possibly the best kitchen out of all the hostels I tried in terms of facilities and size.

Facilities

The main lounge is a great spot to eat, cook and socialize with other travelers. There is also a quiet laptop workspace, a balcony for smoking, and two communal showers on each level. There are two levels in total.

Building

The bad news is that you do have to climb three flights of stairs, as there is no elevator in the building. They have free luggage storage (before check-in and after check-out) and secure lockers (for an additional charge).