7 best hostels in Christchurch

Christchurch, the largest city on New Zealand’s South Island, is blessed with world-class attractions featuring dramatic vistas, impressive Gothic-revival architecture, and many gorgeous parks and gardens. It’s every traveler’s dream destination, offering visitors and locals something new to discover and explore.

With so many people visiting the city, it’s no surprise to find numerous cheap hostels in Christchurch that offer everyone a comfortable and affordable place to stay near the center of thrills and entertainment. Hotel rooms and vacation rentals are great but not for everyone. While they offer ultimate privacy and award-winning facilities, they can be a burden for budget vacationers and young tourists. Plus, hostels now provide additional services that make longer stays fun, including organized tours, social nights, and more.

Our collection of Christchurch hostels includes their features, services, price points, and what makes them special. If you’re worried about your valuables being lost or stolen in a room filled with strangers, why not use Bounce luggage storage service in Christchurch? We often partner with hostels and have storage lockers in multiple locations throughout the city.

Rucksacker Backpacker Hostel

Stay in a homely, century-old traditional Kiwi home at Rucksacker Backpacker Hostel. Located in the center of Christchurch, this budget traveler lodge is a nice alternative to cheap hostels. It is small but friendly, so you won’t feel intimidated and can feel at home instantly. It's a five-minute drive from Hagley Park, the city's largest urban open space, and a short walk from one of the country's most legendary casinos. Canterbury Museum and the Christchurch Art Gallery are only about 1.5 kilometers from the hostel.

This backpacker’s hostel has private double rooms, shared rooms, and dormitories for men and women with shared bathrooms and a kitchen. It’s only available for extended stays, suitable for international travelers and working visa holders.

What makes Rucksacker Backpacker Hostel unique

Guests love its spacious garden, where you can soak in the warm summer sunshine, read a book under the tree, or relax after a hectic day. If it’s too chilly to stay outside, you can hang out in the living room with others or cook a warm meal in the fully equipped kitchen.

Rucksacker Backpacker Hostel pricing

A short stay at Rucksacker Backpacker Hostel is unavailable at the moment, so you have to spend at least two weeks here. The cost of a private room is around NZ$280.00 per week.

YHA Christchurch

Whether you’re traveling alone, with a large group, or with your family, YHA Christchurch has a perfect hostel room for you. It is housed in a modernized 19th-century building, just a stone’s throw from museums, gardens, and art galleries. It’s also an easy walk to many eateries, bars, and live music venues in central Christchurch, making it the perfect base for exploring the city’s vibrant entertainment scene and nightlife.

You have plenty of room options at YHA Christchurch Hostel, from a mixed and shared dorm ensuite to private rooms with a double bed or two single beds for you and your travel companion. All rooms have their own bathroom facilities and access to communal spaces, free WiFi, a food storage area, and a fully equipped kitchen.

What makes YHA Christchurch unique

You won’t run out of things to do and places to explore when you stay at YHA Christchurch. You can tour around the Christchurch CBD and discover its inner-city restaurant scene. Visit the nearby art galleries and museums, walk to the Christchurch Botanic Gardens and the neighboring Canterbury Museum, or take a short trip to Christchurch Adventure Park for mountain biking, ziplining, or soaking up the breathtaking city views.

YHA Christchurch pricing

You can book a night in a four-bed mixed dorm for about NZ$37.00 from Sunday to Thursday and NZ$44.00 on Fridays and Saturdays. If you don’t mind spending more to have your own space, a private room with a double that sleeps two people costs NZ$102.50 a night.

Jailhouse Accommodation

Another backpacker’s favorite is the Jailhouse Accommodation, an award-winning Christchurch hostel near the Christchurch Railway Station. It gives you a quiet place to relax and hang out with fellow travelers but isn’t too far from all the noise and buzz of nightlife and the local social scene. It’s close to numerous Addington cafes, eateries, and bars and a short walk from the Christchurch Arena, the Court Theatre, Hagley Park, shopping centers, and more.

Voted Top Backpackers Hostel in Oceana by Hostelworld, this renovated heritage accommodation will impress you with its welcoming atmosphere and clean and affordable rooms. It features backpacker dorms, single and family rooms, and private areas with double beds for couples or anyone who need privacy.

What makes Jailhouse Accommodation unique

Everything you need for a convenient stay is right on the backpacker hostel’s doorstep, and if you want to see famous sights and landmarks, you’ll be able to reach them in no time. The City Centre buses stop in front of the Jailhouse and will take you to several points of interest. If you’re not wandering outside, you can take advantage of outstanding facilities, including free parking, unlimited and fast internet access, free Netflix on TV lounges, historical display rooms, and many more.

Jailhouse Accommodation pricing

Jailhouse Accommodation guarantees reasonable rates for its rooms. The standard rate for a backpacker dorm is approximately NZ$40.00 a night, while a private room with a double bed and shared facilities is NZ$90.00 nightly.

Urbanz Accommodation

Urbanz boasts the best value accommodation in Christchurch for business travelers, students, and working holiday visa holders. It is nestled in the hustling Christchurch Central City, so you’ll be around shops, arts, culture, restaurants, entertainment venues, and museums. A local bus station is also just an eight-minute walk, while Christchurch International Airport is only fifteen minutes’ drive from the hostel.

This renovated loft-style building features a wide range of rooms, from a single room to an eight-bed shared dorm room with bunk beds. It boasts spacious and clean common areas, a coin-operated laundry service, a huge kitchen with self-catering facilities, and a housekeeping service.

What makes Urbanz Accommodation unique

Urbanz Accommodation has a lot of shared spaces, but one of our favorites is the casual lounge bar. It’s a chill and funky bar you’ll see on the ground floor serving alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. So come down, grab your favorite drink, mingle with others, and make new friends. You can challenge someone to a game of pool or try a board game.

Urbanz Accommodation pricing

Unlike other hostels in Christchurch, with rates that increase significantly on Fridays and Saturdays, the daily rate for rooms at Urbanz remains the same throughout the week. The shared rooms are typically the cheapest at a standard full rate of about NZ$45.00 a night. A family room that accommodates five people costs around NZ$199.00 per night.

Around the World Backpackers & Hostel

Welcoming backpackers and international tourists worldwide, the Around the World Backpackers & Hostel is a lovely alternative to loud and large party hostels in Christchurch. Although centrally located in the middle of Christchurch City, it guarantees a relaxing and memorable stay near many famous landmarks and tourist attractions, including the Botanical Gardens and Canterbury Museum. The Riverside Market and Turanga Library are also a short walking distance from the hostel.

Around the World Backpackers has 36 beds, including twins, doubles, and dormitory-style lodging. It boasts an outdoor area with picnic tables, hammocks, and a garden. It has limited off-street parking, free WiFi throughout the garden area and hostel as well as laundry facilities.

What makes Around the World Backpackers unique

Though a small hostel, the Around the World Backpackers does its best to give you exciting social experiences. It partners with EventFinda, a place to discover events happening in the area. It highlights the top concerts, shows, workshops, performances, and exhibitions nearby, so you don’t miss out on anything.

Around the World Backpackers pricing

This is one of the cheapest backpackers hostels in Christchurch, with a private room costing only about NZ$80.00 a night and NZ$31.00 for a bed in a mixed and female-only dorm per night.

Chester Street Backpackers

Tucked away in a quiet tree-lined street, Chester Street Backpackers is a cozy hostel where you can rejuvenate and escape the city crowds. You’ll appreciate its laid-back and warm atmosphere, especially after a long day of travel. It’s only a ten-minute walk from the city center, so anytime you want to get back to all the entertainment and activities, everything is just within your reach.

Share a room with like-minded travelers in one of the dormitories, or enjoy your private space with your partner in one of the twin and double rooms. Whatever bedroom you pick, your bed will be made up and equipped with an electric blanket.

What makes Chester Street Backpackers unique

Chester Street Backpackers wants to maintain its shared-house environment, so you won’t find ensuite rooms or large dormitories. You can use the fully equipped self-catering anytime, complete with fresh herbs at your disposal.

Chester Street Backpackers pricing

The price per room at Chester Street Backpackers changes throughout the season, but the starting price for a single or double room is NZ$50.00 a night, making it one of the cheap hostels in Christchurch. A shared room is half the price of a private room at NZ$25.00 per night.

The Bealey Quarter

Centrally located near the central city, The Bealey Quarter is another fantastic starting point for a walking tour and sightseeing. It has something for every traveler, whether you’re looking for entertainment, relaxation, or a way to stay connected with friends and loved ones back home.

The Bealey Quarter offers new additions to the hospitality industry dedicated to providing quality yet affordable accommodation for business and leisure travelers in Christchurch. Cultural groups, sports teams, and students looking for different accommodation spaces can also benefit from staying here, boasting rooms at classy studios, lodge-style settings, and sunny facilities with easy outdoor access.

What makes The Bealey Quarter unique

Besides the different styles of accommodations in one site, the Bealey Quarter boasts a pub where you can order tasty meals and drinks, have a casual or romantic date, or meet up with friends. If you’re celebrating a special occasion or hosting a meeting, you can use the separate private function room for events like birthday parties, anniversary celebrations, group dinners, seminars, and corporate functions. It is equipped with an AV system, separate bathrooms, a large screen, and a courtyard for a one-of-a-kind gathering. It’s a beloved space for travelers, event organizers, and food lovers.

The Bealey Quarter pricing

Ready to make The Bealey Quarter your home base? For a cheap overnight stay, it’s best to book a night at one of the bed dorms that accommodate eight guests for about NZ$40.00 per night.

Discover the hostels in New Zealand’s South Island

Known as the gateway to the Canterbury region, Christchurch offers amazing experiences and must-visit spots, whether you’re a first-time visitor or a frequent guest. With its allure to students and international tourists, private property owners and businesses have opened their doors to welcome guests, giving them an inviting home away from home. While many hostels in Christchurch have ceased operation over the years, new ones still emerge, and existing facilities expand their services to meet everyone’s needs.

There’s still a lot to learn about the city, no matter how many times you’ve been or lived here. Plan a fun filled itinerary and make the most of your visit.