Having the opportunity to travel to a different country is always exciting, but travelling does come with a cost, and you definitely can’t skip out on accommodation expenses. There are numerous hostels located all over Sydney with extensive reviews you need to filter through, but we’ve done the work for you.
Here is a list of Sydney’s 10 best hostels for budget travellers based on location and quality for you to find one that will best suit your needs.
Having accrued a large number of commendations and awards (a list too long to include in this post), Sydney Harbour YHA outshines its competitors due to its location in the city’s historic harbourside precinct of The Rocks. Paying as little as $46 AUD per person and being rewarded with stunning views of Sydney Harbour is a huge incentive for backpackers to stay for a few nights.
Sydney Harbour YHA is in the heart of Sydney; hence all the major attractions are within the hostel’s vicinity. Guests are spoilt for choice when it comes to restaurants, bars, and nightlife! Blu Bar on 36, Rockpool, and Sake Restaurant & Bar are within walking distance if you feel like treating yourself to a great dining experience.
Book a stay at Sydney Harbour YHA.
Price Range: From AUD$46.50 per person
Address: 110 Cumberland St, The Rocks, Sydney NSW 2000
Website: here
Located in the inner-city suburb of Potts Points, you can expect to be surrounded by trendy cafés, bars, restaurants and vibrant nightlife. This hostel is also a convenient 30min from Sydney’s main attractions such as the Royal Botanic Gardens, Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge, and the bustling CBD. Kings Cross Station is also only a 10min walk away, and Blue Parrot’s on-site tour desk can arrange day trips to the Blue Mountains, or fun activities such as surfing lessons, skydiving, whale watching and wine tasting.
Blue Parrot is also known for their friendly and helpful staff, hence it is no wonder they received multiple awards for their service including the 2014 Award for Excellence for Best Atmosphere and 2013 Award for Excellence for Best Staff awarded by HostelBookers.com. On top of that, they also received the 2012 Certificate of Excellence by the highly acclaimed travel review site Tripadvisor. The staff at Blue Parrot Backpackers strive to ensure their guests receive the highest degree of satisfaction during, and even prior to their stay. For more information, do check out their website linked below.
Price Range: From AUD$34 per person
Address: 87 Macleay St, Potts Point, Sydney NSW 2011
Website: here
Convenience is a key factor for many backpackers and Bounce Sydney definitely falls under the ‘convenient’ category as it is located opposite Central Station and Airport Link (Platform 23) in Surry Hills. Sydney’s main bus and coach terminal is also located at Central Station on Eddy Ave, just around the corner from Bounce. For $37 AUD per person, you can share a spacious dorm room with 8 people in total. And when I say spacious, I mean it!
Bounce focuses on establishing an environment that is fun and friendly, aiming to foster a more sociable environment, hence Wi-Fi is not complimentary. However, daily social activities such as movie night with free popcorn, pizza night, $1 hot dogs, and $2 burgers to name a few, are readily available. Most of these activities occur at the Rooftop terrace on the 4th floor, overlooking Sydney’s city skyline. Hence, it is not questionable that Bounce has received awards such as Best Hostel in Australia, and Most Popular Hostel in Sydney two years in a row, leaving guests satisfied with the service and their overall stay.
Price Range: From AUD$35 per person
Address: 28 Chalmers St, Surry Hills, Sydney NSW 2010
Website: here
You won’t run out of things to do or places to go as Wake Up! is situated just next to Central Station, a few minutes from Paddy’s Market and Chinatown, a short 15min walk to Darling Harbour, 20mins from Sydney Sky Tower, and a 30min walk from the Sydney Opera House, Harbour Bridge, and Circular Quay. Even within the hostel space, Wake Up! has plenty of activities for their guests which goes to show that they offer more than just accommodation.
The activities include free guided city tours, trivia night with a $100 cash prize up for grabs and free BBQ! 10 person dormitories start from as low as $37 AUD per person and 8 person dormitories from $39 AUD per person.
Note: 4 ($43) and 6 ($41) person dormitories are female only dormitories.
Price Range: From AUD$37 per person
Address: 509 Pitt St, Haymarket, Sydney NSW 2000
Website: here
If you’re not looking for a fancy budget hostel (as ironic as it sounds), Big Hostel meets all your basic requirements, and maybe even more! Located right in the heart of the Central Business District, Big Hostel is only 300m from Central Station and Chinatown, 5mins walk to Oxford St (pubs, restaurants), and 10mins walk to Darling Harbour. Big Hostel offers beautifully designed accommodation at reasonable prices including private rooms such as twins, doubles, and family rooms in addition to the budget friendly dormitories which go as low as $32 AUD per person.
Big Hostel provides a well-equipped kitchen for you to use as well as a self-service laundry facility. Guests are welcomed to relax on the large roof terrace with beautiful views of central station, and can utilize the sun deck and BBQ facilities whenever they fancy.
To top it off, Big Hostel provides a free breakfast service 7 days a week including a basic continental breakfast and cereal. In addition, 24 hour free Wi-Fi AND tea and coffee are available for those who want or need a quick fix of caffeine in their day! The reception is open 24 hours a day and also provides a travel service so you can book any tours, attractions, activities, or shuttle buses directly with the staff present.
Price Range: From AUD$32 per person
Address: 212 Elizabeth St, Surry Hills, Sydney NSW 2010
Website: here
For as little as $36 a night, you can stay in the only 5-star hostel in Sydney. Sydney Central YHA offers backpack accommodation at its finest – with a rooftop pool, sauna, and an inviting outdoor area boasting panoramic views of the city.
Offering activities such as movie nights with free popcorn, pizza nights, walking tours, and traditional Aussie BBQ’s, it is no doubt that the environment inside of Sydney Central YHA is fun and bustling. The hostel is 100m from Central Station and a short walk to Darling Harbour, Chinatown, Star Casino, Sydney Fish Markets, Sydney Entertainment Centre, shops, backpacker pubs (check out their very own bar, Scubar), trendy cafes (especially in Surry Hills), clubs, and cinemas.
This budget backpacker accommodation is also close to all the major attractions like the Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge, Rocks area and Sydney Tower. You can catch the light rail (tram) to Sydney’s Star City Casino, Darling Harbour, and Fish Markets from opposite the hostel.
Price Range: From AUD$36 per person
Address: 11 Rawson Place (Corner of Pitt St & Rawson Place), Sydney NSW 2000
Website: here
Glenferrie Lodge is a pleasant getaway, escaping the loud and bustling city life and located in Kirribilli, just on the north side of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. This beautiful harbour side locality, ferry services are within walking distance, where you can enter the CBD within a few minutes.
For breakfast lovers out there, you will love this quaint and charming budget accommodation. Offering FREE hot buffet breakfast every morning, there isn’t a reason why you will not love this budget hostel!
For solo travellers who want to treat themselves, you could get a luxurious room for $60 AUD per night. For those travelling with friends, you could get a double room for $78 AUD per night, split between maximum 3 people ($26 AUD per person). Remember, these prices include breakfasts every morning so you can cut down on your food expenses!
Price Range: From AUD$79 per person
Address: 12A Carabella St, Kirribilli, Sydney NSW 2061
Website: here
Nate’s Place isn’t as well known as the top backpackers accommodation, however, it is a hostel that is buzzing with potential! This is perfect for solo travellers, or young adults who are looking for a good party environment. Being recently refurbished, the rooms are comfortable, clean, and spacious with a great atmosphere. Nate’s Place offers free Wi-Fi, free breakfast, and a great location, all for ridiculously low rates! Room sizes range from 4 bed dorms all the way 14 bed dorms for those on a tight budget.
To keep up with its competitors, Nate’s Place offers daily activities that will ensure their guests have a fun and memorable time. Activities include silent discos, karaoke, bbq and pub crawl!
Price Range: From AUD$21 per person
Address: 141 William St, Darlinghurst Sydney NSW 2011
Website: here
If you are looking for something away from the city then this quaint budget accommodation is suitable for you. Manly Bunkhouse is situated right in the heart of Manly on Sydney’s Northern Beaches. If you are interested in marine life, there is a lot to see when snorkelling or diving at Shelly Beach or Cabbage Tree Reserve situated near the hostel. Manly Bunkhouse is only a 20-30min ferry ride away from Circular Quay, enabling you to enjoy the harbour scenery and clear waters whilst en route to the Sydney Harbour.
Apart from the rooms and dormitories, the hostel offers a large common room, study and reading room, commercial kitchen, and an outdoor courtyard with BBQ facilities. International travellers get the cheapest rates – $36 AUD per person will get you a mixed dormitory of 4-6 beds with own bathroom, kitchenette, lockers and free Wi-Fi.
Note: minimum of 2 nights booking for standard rate.
Price Range: From AUD$36 per person
Address: 35 Pine St, Manly Sydney NSW 2095
Website: here
Casa Central offers a more ‘private’ feel for budget travellerswith a maximum of 4 beds per room – hence if you are a solo traveller, you won’t be sharing with tons of people like majority of the dorms listed in this post. This is perfect if you want a good night’s sleep without much disturbance and having to queue for showers and toilets, whilst paying as low as $30 AUD a night! This deal can’t get any better, especially if you want a cosy and personal space away from the partying atmosphere.
Price Range: From AUD$30 per person
Address: 11 Regent St, Chippendale, Sydney NSW 2008
Website: here
These accommodations are tailored to suit your preferences, lifestyle, and needs; however, the one thing that they all have in common is their low price! All obtaining great reviews, these 10 hostels show that budget accommodation does not always have to mean low quality service and experience. Convenience, nightlife, attractions, fun activities (just to name a few) are all readily available for only a fraction of the cost of one night at a normal hotel!
Have a hostel experience to share? Let us know in the comments below!
A portion of this content may contain referral links to products. Our opinions remain our own.
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