Kars Hostel & Backpackers is located on İnönü Caddesi in the city centre of Kars, within walking distance of the train station, the Kars Museum, and the covered bazaar. Kars is a frontier city in northeastern Turkey whose grid-pattern streets and stone buildings reflect decades of Russian administrative control (1878–1920), and the hostel is housed in one of the more modest structures from that era — a three-storey building with high ceilings and thick walls that retain warmth through the province's severe winters.
Accommodation options span 4-bed dormitories, 6-bed dormitories, and a private double room. Dormitory beds are fitted with individual reading lights, power sockets, and personal lockers; mattresses are standard hostel grade and linen is provided. The private double is a self-contained room on the upper floor with a small window overlooking İnönü Caddesi. All guests share bathrooms on each floor, which are cleaned twice daily.
The communal kitchen is fully equipped with a gas hob, refrigerator, kettle, and basic utensils — useful for self-catering given that Kars has a good fresh produce market within a 10-minute walk. A common room with cushioned seating and a map wall serves as a gathering point; the notice board tracks current dolmuş timetables to Ani and Sarıkamış, which management updates seasonally.
Heating is central and reliable, a practical priority given that Kars temperatures routinely fall below −15 °C in mid-winter. The hostel attracts solo travellers, cyclists crossing the Turkey–Georgia border route (Kars is on a popular Caucasus circuit), and budget hikers heading to the nearby Çıldır Lake plateau. Staff speak basic English and are familiar with independent travel logistics in this part of eastern Anatolia.
Room types
- 6-bed dormitory
- 4-bed dormitory
- Private Double
Amenities
- Free Wi-Fi
- Communal kitchen
- Lockers
- Common room
- Heating
Location
İnönü Caddesi No:3, Kars 36000
40.6060, 43.0945 View on map
Highlights
- Central location on İnönü Caddesi — walking distance from Kars Museum, train station, and bazaar
- Communal kitchen with full equipment for self-catering
- Notice board with current dolmuş timetables to Ani ruins and Sarıkamış ski area
- Individual lockers and power sockets in all dormitory beds
- Popular staging point for cyclists on the Turkey–Georgia Caucasus border route
Tips for visiting
- Book the private double at least a week ahead in summer (July–August) when the Trans-Caucasus cycling circuit brings long-haul cyclists through Kars.
- The fresh produce market on Faikbey Caddesi is a 10-minute walk and has local cheeses, honey, and vegetables — well worth a morning visit if you're self-catering.
- Temperatures in January and February can drop to −25 °C; bring a sleeping bag liner for the dormitories even though central heating is available.
- The notice board at reception lists licensed guides for Ani day trips — cheaper to arrange here than through agencies in Erzurum.
- Lockers require a padlock; bring your own or purchase one at the bazaar nearby, as the hostel does not supply them.