These are the basics:
Call us: 207-712-7062 | Email Us: info@blackelephanthostel.com
Check in & Check out times
Check-in begins at 3pm and the doors of hostel are opened
The lobby closes at 8PM M-Th and 9Pm Fri & Saturday (November thru May) and 9PM daily during the high season of June thru October
If you plan on arriving late YOU MUST NOTIFY US ahead of time. There is no additional charge for late arrivals if you have informed us ahead of time. However, there is a $10 "lack of Courtesy" fee for those that fail to communicate with us and come in late!
We lock our lobby between 11AM & 3PM so we can go about our business and get the rooms all clean and ready for you! Our lobby door is accessible by a code which will be sent to you 24 hours prior to your arrival - so you’re welcome to come in and drop of your bags before check-in.
Check-out is by 10:30am.
Parking
Parking for a vehicle is $10/night and is cash only
Friday & Saturday nights only (mid-March until December)
We offer limited parking a few steps away from the hostel on Friday and Saturday nights between April and December.
If you book for Friday night, you must be out of the spot by 1PM on Saturday.
If you book for both Friday and Saturday or Saturday only, you must be out of the spot by 5PM on Sunday.
Please contact the hostel directly to reserve a spot.
We are a city hostel, and with that comes city parking. The Black Elephant is in a great location, so we do have a good amount of free on-street parking available nearby. Keep an eye out for 1 or 2 hour limits on the spots*, but keep in mind that it’s only enforced between 9am-5pm (900-1700), so if you check in at 4 and find a one hour spot across the street, you won’t need to move it until 10am! If you don’t want to do the city parking shuffle, we’d be happy to refer you to some local parking garages – or see below for more info on the matter.
*Please note each side of the street around the hostel has a no parking night, look for that sign! We are not responsible for your tickets.
additional info and recommendations are at the bottom of this page
Hostel Etiquette
1) Please don't turn on the lights when others in your room are sleeping. Use your reading lamp or cellphone flashlight.
2) Don’t slam doors. If you are coming and going, especially at night, gently close the door.
3) Be quiet. If you want to chat in the middle of the night, leave the room and let others sleep.
4) Pack bags the night before so you are ready to leave effortlessly and quietly in the morning.
5) Don't unpack your backpack on the floor or take up the majority of the common space.
6) Please don’t talk on your cell phone in the room, it is best to find somewhere private to talk
7) Having sex in a shared dorm is not acceptable. Other guests don’t want to be present for it.
8) Eat your food, not the food other people are saving for themselves.
9) Clean up after yourself. Wash your dishes & keep the kitchen and dining areas free of mess.
10) Internet – Just because wifi is free, you really shouldn’t be on your devices for extended periods of time, especially if you don’t know others in your room. You’re in a hostel, have fun, talk to people!
Here we are!
33 Hampshire St.
Portland, Maine 04101
Feel free to contact us with any questions about rooms, reservations, or transportation!
Call us: 207-712-7062 | Email Us: info@blackelephanthostel.com
Directions
By bus from the Portland transportation center
Take METRO Route 1 local bus from outside the Portland Transportation Center. At the intersection of Congress Street and Hampshire Street, depart the bus. Take a right on Hampshire Street, our hostel is located 2 blocks ahead on the left at 33 Hampshire St. Please note the bus terminal and train terminal are located together in the same building. Those arriving by Amtrak, as well as those arriving via bus will be able to meet the METRO local buses here. The METRO local bus costs $1.50 per ride (you do not need to pay when transferring between buses, just ask for FREE transfer slip). If you arrive via Amtrak, ask at the Amtrak desk about your FREE one-way METRO bus ticket.
On foot from
the portland
transportation center
Our hostel is 2.4 miles and about a 50 minute walk from the Portland Transportation Center, or 4 miles and a 1.5 hour walk from the Portland International Jetport. We recommend not walking, as traffic and luggage can make your arrival a bit difficult!
By bus from Portland international jetport/airport
**Please note: this route involves 2 different bus routes and you will need to transfer buses halfway through the ride**
Take the METRO Route 5 local bus in the INBOUND direction from outside Portland International Jetport's ground transportation booth. When you board the bus ask for a transfer. Ride Route 5 to the intersection of Congress Street and St. Frederic Street. Depart and wait here for the Route 1 INBOUND: Munjoy Hill Bus. Ride Route 1 local bus to the intersection of Congress Street and Hampshire Street. Was .1 mile to our hostel, which is located on the left at 33 Hampshire Street. (The route is approximately 40 minutes total)
METRO Route 5 also runs to downtown Portland and connects to other METRO routes, Amtrak, South Portland Bus (Maine Mall), and ZOOM (with further connections to Biddefod, Saco, and Old Orchard Beach)
By bus from Brunswick, Yarmouth, Freeport, or Monument Square
Take METRO BREEZ EXPRESS bus in the SOUTHBOUND direction, to the intersection of Congress Street and India Street. (Some bus drivers will allow you to depart at Congress Street and Hampshire Street if you ask in advance, if so turn right on Hampshire and walk 2 blocks to 33 Hampshire). If you depart the bus at Congress and India Street, walk down India Street 2 blocks and turn right on Newbury. We are on the corner of Newbury and Hampshire (our front door is located on Hampshire St.) The METRO EXPRESS bus costs $3 per ride.
By taxi
A taxi from the Portland Transportation Center should cost around $8 and takes about 15 minutes.
A taxi from the Portland International Jetport will cost around $15 and takes about 21 minutes.
By car
From all points outside of Portland: Follow directions to I-295. Take I-295 Exit 7 (U.S. 1 Alternate/Franklin St.). Continue onto Franklin Street and drive approximately .6 miles. Turn Left onto Congress Street. Turn right onto Hampshire Street. The Hostel will be about .1 mile down Hampshire Street, on the left.
Parking
You may not park in the lot behind our building on Newbury Street. YOU WILL BE TOWED.
We are a city hostel with city parking. You can typically find street parking nearby and we offer some spots on Friday and Saturday nights (between the months of April and November).
To reserve a spot please contact us directly. Keep in mind- this is a city! Parking is not guaranteed and city parking laws apply!
See below for additional information on nearby parking garages and lots. Our favorites is the Ocean Gateway lot ( it is too new to be on the map) located at 2 Commercial Street at the base of India St. on the water. This lot costs $15 per day. You can pay through the Parking Passport app or at a kiosk in the lot. - Sadly though, this lot closes for the season on November 15th
During the off and snow season we recommend #18 - The County Courthouse Garage - they charge a max of $18 in a 24 hour period - on snow ban parking days, it is a flat rate of $10
House Rules
Payment & Arrival
The Black Elephant Hostel may pre-authorize your credit card before your arrival. We take payment for your first night's stay at time of booking and payment for the remainder of your stay is due at check-in. We accept credit card payments only. A valid passport, government-issued photo ID or driver's license, as well as a credit card (in the name of the reservation) is required for check-in. The Black Elephant Hostel is a traveler’s hostel. It is meant for those that are passing through or here for a short visit – not for those that find themselves without a home. There are length of stay restrictions. We reserve the right to ask for proof of onward travel. No third party reservations! No outside guests are allowed in the hostel. If you bring someone into a dorm room to share your bed, you will be fined the cost to book the entire dorm room and expelled from the hostel. You must be 18 or older to stay at the hostel.
Lobby Hours & Check-in/Check-out
Front Desk open from 7:30 to 11 AM Check out is at 10:30 and Check-in is between 3 and 9 PM
We offer free luggage storage for our guests.
Please be sure to check your email 24 hours prior to your arrival for helpful information.
We have the right to limit lengths of stay.
**Please let us know if you will be a late arrival ahead of time! We will send out late arrival instructions on the day you are due to arrive. arrive. We strongly discourage late arrivals to dorm rooms, as it is disruptive to other guests in the room. There is a $10 "Lack of Courtesy" fee for those that show up late without informing us ahead of time! **
Cancellations
We have a 48 hour cancellation policy. You must cancel your reservation by 3 PM 48 hours prior to your arrival. You will be charged for one night of your reservation in the event you do not show and the remainder of your reservation will be cancelled. Group cancellations rules are outlined below.
Group Bookings
We do not accept online group bookings of 4 or more people unless you are booking a private room. You must contact the hostel directly if you want to make a booking for a group. Group reservations may be asked for payment in full prior to arrival. In the event of a cancellation less than 14 days before your arrival, we reserve the right to charge 50% of your overall reservation total due to loss of opportunity. Any reservations made for a group without first contacting the hostel may be cancelled without a refund of your deposit.
Service Animals
You must notify the hostel at the time of booking that you will be traveling with a service animal. We do not allow service animals in training, emotional or therapy support animals. We prefer that you book a private room for you and your service dog, as others in a shared space may have issues with dogs. Your service animal must be under your control and with you at all times.
Bicycles
We have a walled garden space with a bike rack. The space is only accessible to guests. You may store your bicycle here. You may not bring your bicycle into the hostel.
Deposits & Fees
We take payment for your first night's stay at time of booking - which will be refunded in the event of cancellation within the 48 hour cancellation policy. If you have made a group booking you must cancel 14 days in advance to receive a refund on your deposit.
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$5 unreturned room key fee, if the room key is not returned upon check out.
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$25 unreturned locker key fee, if the locker key is not returned to the locker at check out.
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$10 wrong bunk fee - $5 failure to strip bed fee
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We have a minimum $50 cleaning fee for spills,vomit etc..
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$10 "Lack of Courtesy" fee for those arriving late without informing us
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Any damage done by a service animal will result in a fine that will cover the cost of repairs.
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We have a late check-out fee of $25 per person.
If you book using a promo code you agree to any changes in fees necessary in accordance with the terms and the conditions as described in the offer.
Discretion
All bookings are subject to availability and Black Elephant Hostel reserves the right to decline any booking at its discretion.
**please note, if you make a reservation and are visibly ill upon arrival - or have a temperature - we will not allow you to stay. We will refund you for your stay and will not be liable to find you alternate accommodations **
Alcohol Consumption
No person under the age of 21 may consume alcohol, and it is illegal to contribute to them. Alcohol is not permitted to be consumed within the dorm rooms, please relocate to the common area. We reserve the right to remove any guest for public intoxication at any time.
Conduct
As a guest of The Black Elephant Hostel you must respect and comply with the requests of our staff and treat hostel property with courtesy. You may not jeopardize the health or safety of our staff or other guests, nor interrupt their enjoyment of the property. We do not allow weapons, drugs, or smoking inside the building and the hostel is not a place for poor conduct such as drunken or aggressive behavior. Failure to comply with these rules will result in dismissal from the hostel property without refund.