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I'm asking about the cheapest bunk-bed or similar in a hostel in the world if only one traveller arrives to the hostel.

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  • You might have to define a hostel, as there exist places that offer accomodation for free (e.g. shelters for homeless people), but are not open to anybody, particularly not to tourists.
    – gerrit
    Commented Oct 9, 2012 at 21:27
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    The cheapest guest house I stayed in was cheaper than the cheapest hostel. Does it have to be a hostel? Commented Oct 9, 2012 at 21:27
  • Well, I'm asking about younth hostels only, it is, a place where travellers can spend a night in a bed for some money. I don't consider places that offers accomodation for free because these places are not tourism-oriented or require a friendship relationship (not just an economic transaction).
    – Ivan
    Commented Oct 10, 2012 at 7:18
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    @ Peter Hahndorf - Me too, the cheapest was, I believe 50 rupees, which is just under one US dollar. It wasn't just one place but several which I can all list with corresponding prices (if needed). (EDIT: will change my comment to answer when I get some free time since these guest houses are cheaper then the one in Mark Mayo's answer.)
    – rlab
    Commented Oct 10, 2012 at 17:50

3 Answers 3

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Well one website did an investigation into this, and found:

Garden Village Guesthouse in Siem Reap, Cambodia

Which has beds for US$1 per night.

To quote:

But, there’s a catch…

The $1 dorm beds are in a thatched-roof hut that is partially open to the elements. It appears that you do get a mattress, pillow, towel, and even a mosquito net, but that’s it. There’s also no proper locker system out there so you have to leave your valuables at reception when you are away.

Nighttime average low temperatures are steady, ranging from 79F/26C in March to 68F/20C in January, and it’s always humid, so it might not be too comfortable on the warmest nights, but at least you’ll never be cold.

Also, the dorm beds are right next to the kitchen, so you need to be prepared for some noise and smells while you are saving all that money.

On the other hand, the Garden Village offers:

  • Free pickup from the airport or bus terminal
  • Free (slow) Wi-Fi in the public areas
  • A volleyball court
  • Laundry service
  • Cheap bicycle rental
  • Affordable Khmer restaurant
  • Rooftop bar with cheap beer

So you really do get most of the normal benefits of staying at a hostel, even for this ridiculously low price. Want something better, Mr. Moneybags?

If you can afford US$6 per night you can get a “standard single” room of your own, ranging up to a “deluxe triple” room for US$13.

You can’t book the $1 dorms online, but you can book all the other private rooms from their website. I’m told you can reserve the $1 dorms by emailing them, so you won’t have to just roll the dice and hope one is open.

Lest you think the Garden Village is just trying to get people stuck in some remote place to sell them food and drinks, it is actually very well located, only a few blocks from Pub Street and the main tourist district of Siem Reap. Also, they have a good and cheap restaurant, plus 50-cent Angkor draft beers available all day at their sunset rooftop terrace.

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    There is no trace of "research" in this article, just a statement that you have to blindly accept.
    – fkraiem
    Commented Feb 28, 2017 at 19:43
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Cheapest I've come across anywhere in my travels was Utopia Guesthouse in Sihanookville, Cambodia. There you can stay in their dorm room for FREE (yup, costs nothing), or I think i paid $4 for a private room there.

Don't get much cheaper than that! it's a pretty fun place to stay too, if you're into the party-type vibe.

Actually, just looked them up, seems they charge $1 for a dorm bed these days. Inflation huh.

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  • So close! ;) I bet there's some catch we can find for a free guesthouse / hostel somewhere :)
    – Mark Mayo
    Commented Oct 11, 2012 at 19:31
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    Inflation?! Why, that's a bazillion percent!
    – Mawg
    Commented Sep 5, 2016 at 11:45
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Many hotels in Japan, especially in large cities, will let you stay for JPY 1 (USD <0.01) under some conditions; typically if it's your birthday and you are over a certain age. For example this one in Osaka if you are at least 70.

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