A capsule hostel in DC’s Chinatown

I Street Capsule Hostel is at 512 I Street NW, in DC’s historic Chinatown under the Friendship Archway. Few places to stay are this central: the Metro is one block away, and the National Mall, the Smithsonian museums, the White House and Union Station are all walkable.

Walking distances

  • Gallery Place–Chinatown Metro: 1 block.
  • Capital One Arena: 1 block.
  • Walter E. Washington Convention Center: under 5 minutes.
  • National Portrait Gallery: 6 minutes.
  • National Mall and the Smithsonian museums: about 15 minutes.
  • The White House: about 15 minutes.
  • Union Station: about 15 minutes, or one stop on the Red Line.

Coming from the airport or the train

  • Reagan National (DCA): Blue Line to Metro Center, then the Red Line one stop to Gallery Place–Chinatown.
  • Dulles (IAD): Silver Line straight to Gallery Place–Chinatown.
  • Union Station and BWI: Red Line from Union Station to Gallery Place–Chinatown (from BWI, take Amtrak or MARC to Union Station first).

Full routes are on our directions page.

Your capsule

Every guest gets a private smart capsule with a locking door that opens with your Goki code: 4′ × 4′ × 6′4″ inside, a full-size mattress, fresh linens, ambient lighting you control, a universal outlet and USB-C at your pillow, and a personal smart locker.

  • Mixed capsule dorm: 8 capsules.
  • Women’s capsule dorm: 12 capsules.
  • Men’s capsule dorm: 8 capsules.
  • Private capsule rooms and full private rooms.

Save money downtown

Downtown hotels are expensive. Here you get a private capsule at hostel prices, a full kitchen (fridge, freezer, oven and all the cooking utensils) so you can cook instead of eating out, free fast WiFi, and no booking-site fees when you book direct.

Prefer the nightlife?

Our original U Street Capsule Hostel sits in DC’s music district, with its own café downstairs.

Questions travelers ask

Is I Street Capsule Hostel in Chinatown?

Yes, at 512 I Street NW, one block from the Gallery Place–Chinatown Metro and Capital One Arena.

Can I walk to the National Mall?

Yes. The National Mall and the Smithsonian museums are about 15 minutes on foot.

Is there a kitchen?

Yes. The guest kitchen has a fridge, a freezer, an oven and all the cooking utensils.

Is there a women-only dorm?

Yes. The women’s capsule dorm has 12 capsules.

What time is check-in and check-out?

Self check-in with the Goki app works 24/7; the front desk is staffed 9 AM–2 PM and 6–10 PM. Check-out is 11:00 AM.