Star Hostel Taipei Main Station — the Taipei hostel almost nobody complains about
If you had to pick a single hostel in Taipei that you "should make sure to book", Star Hostel Taipei Main Station is usually the first name backpackers think of. This isn't just budget accommodation — it's a hostel that sets out to feel like "home" from the moment you walk in: plant-filled common areas, a kitchen you can actually use, free breakfast and fresh coffee every morning, and a location right by Taipei Main Station that makes onward travel effortless.
Star Hostel Taipei Main Station sits on Huayin Street in the Datong District, just a few minutes' walk from Taipei Main Station — and that location is the first reason this hostel ranks among the city's best. Taipei Main Station isn't an ordinary metro stop; it's the transport hub of the whole city. Whether you want to take the MRT to another district, ride the High Speed Rail (HSR) south, or catch the Airport MRT to Taoyuan Airport, you can do it all from one place. You arrive, roll your luggage straight to the hostel, and skip the exhausting multi-transfer journey that comes with staying down some back alley.
"Clean rooms, comfy beds, big lockers, friendly and genuinely helpful staff — so many guests say they want to come back and stay again."
What sets Star Hostel apart from the average hostel — and what gets talked about most — is the atmosphere of its common areas. This isn't designed as just a lobby where you check in and leave; it's a space made for people to actually want to spend time in. Greenery is dotted throughout, there are comfortable sofas, long wooden tables for working or eating, and a quiet reading corner. The overall mood is warm and relaxed — unlike party hostels built around noise, this place suits travellers who want easygoing friendliness.
Another thing guests praise endlessly is the free breakfast and fresh coffee served every morning. It's a simple but freshly made meal, and it becomes the moment when guests from many countries sit at the same table, swap travel plans, and often pick up a travel companion or two. The shared kitchen is well equipped, so anyone wanting to save money by cooking can do so easily — great for long-stay travellers who don't want to eat out every meal.
On the rooms — Star Hostel's dorms are clean and bright, the beds are soft and comfortable, and crucially there are large lockers to store luggage and valuables securely. The air-conditioning is just cool enough, and the bathrooms and showers are spotless — three things travellers care about most when choosing a hostel. Beyond dorms there are private rooms too, ideal for couples or anyone wanting more privacy while still enjoying the great vibe here.
Another key strength is a team that looks after guests with real care. Staff communicate well in English, are friendly, and are happy to help — from recommending local restaurants and explaining how to get to Jiufen or Yehliu, to holding your bags on check-out day. Service of this level at hostel prices is exactly why the reviews here stay consistently high.
Worth knowing before you book — Star Hostel is a popular hostel that fills up fast, especially during long weekends and high season. If you have your eye on it, book several weeks ahead and don't wait until close to your trip. And since it's a multi-storey building, travellers arriving with lots of luggage may want to check on the lift and luggage handling — but overall these are minor quibbles next to what you get.
In summary, Star Hostel Taipei Main Station is the safest and most impressive choice for anyone travelling Taipei solo, or for backpackers who want it all — great location, cleanliness and a warm atmosphere on a friendly budget, starting at around NT$750/night. It's a hostel that isn't merely "good enough" — it's the kind of place many people deliberately come back to on their next Taipei trip.
Summary from Booking & Agoda
- ✓ Warm atmosphere with plant-filled common areas
- ✓ Clean dorms, comfy beds, large lockers
- ✓ Free breakfast and fresh coffee every morning
- ✓ Near Taipei Main Station — very easy onward travel
- ! Fills up fast in high season — book ahead
- ! Dorm-focused — those wanting full privacy should pick a private room
- ! Multi-storey building — check the lift if you have lots of luggage
- ✓ Friendly staff who help out brilliantly
- ✓ Well-equipped shared kitchen — you can cook your own meals
- ✓ Clean bathrooms and showers
- ✓ Great for solo travellers who want to meet new friends
- ! Quiet, relaxed vibe — not a party hostel
- ! Dorms have several beds — you may hear roommates at times
- ! Check-in is 15:00 — arrive earlier and you'll need to store bags
- 💡If you need full privacy — this place is dorm-focused → book one of the hostel's private rooms, or look at capsule options with fully enclosed curtains.
- 💡If you're coming during a long weekend / high season — Star Hostel is very popular and fills fast → book several weeks ahead, don't leave it until close to your travel date.
- 💡If you're arriving with several pieces of luggage — it's a multi-storey building → ask the hostel about the lift / luggage handling beforehand, and plan a little extra time.