slothis · English

Kangaroo Hostel in Moscow, Russia

2016-07-01 · Updated: 2026-08-11 · Original (Korean)

This article was translated from the original Korean post with AI assistance. Read the original Korean post →

My girlfriend took an evening flight back to work. She had scheduled this weeks in advance just to spend three days together, and even worried about getting a seat on the flight here, but I feel like I just dragged her around exhaustingly before sending her back. Unlike previous times we've parted at the airport, I felt incredibly empty walking out today. Even the Aeroexpress train heading back to downtown Moscow somehow felt colder and less welcoming than usual. I've been left alone countless times while traveling, walking down unfamiliar streets by myself, but I don't think I've ever felt this drained of energy. To match my mood, the sky is dark and looks like it's about to pour.

Exterior entrance of a cafe and bar with an illuminated Russian neon sign.
A staff member walking inside a restaurant featuring a bar counter and a television.
This is a cafe and bar near Novodevichy Convent. The exterior looks a bit shabby, but the owner speaks good English and the food was fantastic. Unfortunately, I couldn't figure out the exact location. All I know is that it's near Sportivnaya Station.

I was planning to leave Moscow for St. Petersburg today, but only the expensive train tickets were left. I decided it would be better to sleep at a hostel for a night and head out feeling refreshed. So, I hastily found Kangaroo Hostel near the Izmailovo Hotel. (I say "near," but you actually have to walk about 2km.)

The dark sky eventually started pouring rain. I barely made it after walking for about an hour in the rain, carrying a 20kg backpack. I can't really complain about the rain, the long walk, or the heavy bag since those were my choices, but the location of this hostel is hidden in a place where you feel like you're on a hidden treasure hunt that just makes you want to swear. Still, my mood improved thanks to the hostel staff who, despite speaking very little English, tried their best to help, and my roommates who warmly welcomed the random foreigner. There were especially a lot of people from Siberia, and one of them wanted to practice his English, offering me a beer and asking to chat. We talked for about 15 minutes, but I was so exhausted from the day that I just wanted to lie down. He seemed like a fun guy, but I couldn't talk for long; I just had one drink, washed up, and went to bed. My battery must have been completely drained.


A small sign with the International Taekwon-Do Federation logo attached to a corrugated metal wall.
I took a picture of this Taekwondo sign because it was funny. If you turn right at this sign, you'll find the hostel. There's a construction site before the hostel, but don't be intimidated—just ask the guard and they'll point the way.
A small building surrounded by trees and a vehicle entrance at the end of a wet paved road.
The guardhouse.
Cars driving on a wide wet road in rainy and cloudy weather.
It takes about a 1km to 2km walk from the station. The road on the opposite side has a sidewalk, so the walk itself is fine. You have to weigh the pros and cons between the price and the distance.
Exterior of a white building with a Kangaroo Hostel sign, a hanging Russian flag, and a parked car.
The sign is visible during the day, but you can't see it at night. If it's your first time, I recommend finding it during daylight.
Wooden bunk beds with blankets in a room.
Even with the main lights off, each bed has its own lamp and outlet, so you can read a book or use your laptop.

To talk a bit more in detail about Kangaroo Hostel, the facilities are decent for the price. It's not bad, but it's not great either. Friendly people look out for you, and it has everything you need: Wi-Fi, electricity, and laundry. There's also a mart slightly bigger than a Korean convenience store just a short walk away, making it a great place for travelers. However, the location is so poor that it turns a hostel with strong advantages into just an average one. It's hard to recommend because of the location, but if you don't have a lot of luggage, I'd say go for it.

Expenses

Total Expenses 5325

Total Trip Expenses 525,936 KRW + 35,883 RUB + $152.26