7 best hostels in Sydney 2024
With pristine beaches, breathtaking views, great food, diverse cultures, and iconic attractions, Sydney has it all. It’s a vibrant urban hotspot with everything for heart-pumping adventures and a fun and relaxing vacation. And when it comes to accommodation, the capital of New South Wales has plenty of options, from luxury hotels and Airbnb vacation rentals to cheap hostels with modern amenities.
For couples and families, hotels and vacation homes are an excellent option. But if you want to keep your accommodation budget cost down throughout your trip, hostels in Sydney are ideal. You can choose from private rooms or dorm-like settings to meet like-minded travelers. Furthermore, they usually provide kitchen facilities, allowing you to cook and save on food.
However, not all Sydney hostels are the same, and their prices vary significantly. To help you make an informed choice, we’ll feature some of the best hostels in Sydney, their benefits, and what makes them stand out. If you’re carrying too many bags or items and are reluctant to leave them in a shared environment, Bounce luggage storage service in Sydney has got you covered. Bounce partners with hostels and other businesses, giving you a safe place to store your belongings while exploring the city.
Big Backpackers Hostel
Located in the heart of Sydney CBD, Big Hostel is a cozy, friendly, and clean hostel for solo travelers, backpackers, and holidaymakers. It’s conveniently located, just a short walk to Central Station and several city attractions, including Darling Harbour, Chinatown, cafes, fish markets, and nightlife.
It’s easy to feel at home in one of the rooms at Big Backpackers Hostel Sydney. You can choose from singles, twins, doubles, and family rooms if you want privacy, or check in one of the mixed and gendered dormitories that can fit four, six, and eight occupants. All rooms are spacious with clean linen, comfy beds, and air conditioning for a restful sleep.
Business travelers can remain productive or stay connected with colleagues and friends with unlimited free WiFi throughout the property. You can also rely on friendly staff available for 24 hours. Other features include laundry facilities and a fully equipped kitchen with utensils and cooking tools.
What makes Big Backpackers Hostel unique
Guests love the rooftop terrace, offering an open-air setting where you can enjoy the warm summer and meet new friends. It’s also a fantastic spot to chill after a long day of touring. If it’s too cold to stay outside in winter, you can watch your favorite Netflix show or movie in the lounge room with an extra-large flat-screen TV.
Big Backpackers Hostel pricing
The standard rate of a bed in a shared mixed dorm is about $24.00, whereas a family ensuite room for four guests costs around $123.00 a night. For solo travelers who want to have their own space, you can rent a single room for approximately $72.50 per night.
The Pod Sydney
For a unique and unforgettable stay in this marvelous coastal city, try The Pod Sydney, one of the newest lodging options in Sydney CBD. It features an industrial interior design inspired by the concept of minimalistic and modern living. It’s a walking distance from three train stations, such as Central Train Station, Museum Train Station, and Town Hall Train Station, making it an ideal pod hostel for backpackers and active travelers.
Couples and friends traveling together can stay in one of the mixed or female domes, which can be configured in twin or double settings. There’s also a space for a family of four and six or small groups that come with a shared bathroom. All guests are given fresh linen, keycard access to their rooms, and free WiFi access.
What makes The Pod Sydney unique
The unique setting of this capsule pod hostel is what makes The Pod Sydney stand out. There are also common rooms where you can socialize and make new friends, such as the spacious TV lounge, stylish lobby, and dining room to have your favorite meals. Since it’s set on level six of a building, you can admire the street and city view from several rooms.
The Pod Sydney pricing
Book a room early, as this place fills up fast. Like in most hostels in Sydney or other areas, renting a bed in a dormitory will allow you to save more than opting for a private room. At The Pod, occupying a bed in mixed dorm costs about $39.00 per night, while a night’s sleep in a quadruple room will cost about $85.25.
Original Backpackers Sydney
King’s Cross is one of the liveliest eclectic districts in Sydney, where you can find many shopping, dining, and entertainment options. It’s even said to be the best location to experience the culture and nightlife of the city. Located here in this famed district is Original Backpackers Sydney, just a couple of minutes from Kings Cross railway station and close to all the fun.
Original Backpackers Sydney offers private accommodation for one to three guests in each room, with a private or shared bathroom. Dormitories, with mixed and female-only options, are also available. Some rooms have balcony access, overlooking the picturesque district while having a relaxing time outside.
What makes Original Backpackers Sydney unique
While Original Backpackers Sydney’s strength is its location, it has other unique qualities. One of which is its warm and friendly atmosphere. This is thanks to this Sydney hostel’s many communal areas to encourage social interaction. Some of these are the outdoor Aussie barbecue area, a table tennis room, and Sunny Courtyard and Gardens to soak in the warm sunshine. It also has tons of freebies, from fast Wi-Fi, Netflix, and sports equipment to tea and coffee all day.
Original Backpackers Sydney pricing
You typically must book at least two nights to secure a spot in one of the Original Backpackers Sydney Hostel’s rooms and pay a one-night deposit. Two nights in a female dorm cost about $56.00, and $186.55 for a double room with a private bathroom.
YHA Sydney Harbour
Sydney has one too many picturesque neighborhoods, one of which is The Rocks. If you want to look at its sights for a long time, you may want to consider booking a room in Sydney Harbour YHA. From here, you can also see the breathtaking views of the Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge, and the sparkling waters of Sydney Harbour. It’s a scenic, modern, and vibrant property for couples, families, and first-time travelers who want to be close to all major city attractions. Digital nomads and business travelers can also benefit from its meeting room, fast, free Wi-Fi, and quiet work areas.
You can book a standard or Opera Harbour view room for the private rooms. Alternatively, you can reserve a bed in one of the dormitories or co-living rooms. All guests are given access to the communal areas, including the terrace, where you can enjoy the best view.
What makes YHA Sydney Harbour unique
This Sydney hostel is an excellent accommodation for tourists and those who appreciate Sydney's views. You can’t find other hostels in Sydney with such stunning sights. The hostel also offers a Sydney Opera House Behind The Scenes Tour to those who want to explore this UNESCO World Heritage-listed site in more depth. There’s also a Kayak Sydney Harbour activity to kayak your way into some of the most well-known places in the city.
YHA Sydney Harbour pricing
Sydney Harbour YHA deserves a spot in the list of the best Sydney hostels, but don’t get intimidated thinking that staying here will cost you a fortune. You can share a space with fellow travelers in a shared mixed room for four people at about $38.60 per bed a night.
Sydney Backpackers
Sydney Backpackers is a budget-friendly backpacker’s hostel in the heart of Sydney Central Business District. While staying here, you can view the district and its tall buildings and quickly get to several city attractions, such as the Darling Harbour, Hyde Park, and the Westfield Tower and Shopping Centre.
As long as you don’t mind sharing a room with others, you can comfortably stay in one of Sydney Backpackers’ clean and cozy dormitories for four to sixteen occupants. Otherwise, you can go for a single or double private room. Regardless, expect some of the best deals for accommodation in the city, specifically in this area.
What makes Sydney Backpackers unique
Rest comfortably and socialize with others at Sydney Backpackers Hostel. It often hosts regular activities, such as barbecue parties, movie nights, and other events on the rooftop terrace. Occasionally, day trips to the beach are also held for interested guests to participate in.
Sydney Backpackers pricing
The standard rate of a shared room at Sydney Backpackers Hostel starts at $26.50 a night. If you enjoy your private space, you can book your own room for about $91.45.
Bondi Beach Backpackers
The famous Bondi Beach is one of the most recognized beaches, not only in Sydney but in the entire Australia. While in the city, stopping by this renowned tourist destination is a must, and if you want to be just meters from it, book your accommodation at Bondi Beach Backpackers and enjoy the beach views from your room. It’s only a short drive to Sydney Central Business District, half an hour from Sydney Airport, and seconds from 24/7 public transportation.
In this hostel in Sydney, you can reserve a space in a private or bunk room. All accommodations come with modern amenities and access to communal areas, including its open indoor area and courtyard for barbecue. This makes it perfect for people who want to chat and spend time with like-minded travelers.
What makes Bondi Beach Backpackers unique
This is undoubtedly one of the best hostels in Sydney for guests who want to make the most of their time in Bondi Beach. Besides its ideal location, it offers free services and water sports equipment. You can use the snorkels, surfboards, bodyboards, and other instruments you may need for a great time on the beach. You can also enjoy live music, karaoke, pool parties, and other fun activities every night.
Bondi Beach Backpackers pricing
You must book early if you plan to visit Sydney and the beach in the peak summer, as this backpacker’s hostel gets booked up quickly. The rate for a bed in mixed and female-only dorms that sleep eight people starts at $36.40.
Wake Up! Sydney
Located in many areas around Australia are the modern and budget-friendly Wake Up! Hostels, one of which is in Sydney. Specifically, it’s in a central location near many bus, tram, and train stations, providing easy access to some of the most renowned Sydney attractions.
Wake Up! Sydney offers the best accommodation in the city, as it has been recognized as Australia's Best Hostel 2020 and TripAdvisor’s 2021 Travelers’ Choice. You can book private rooms with either ensuite or shared bathrooms. There are also shared mixed dormitories and dorm rooms exclusively for female travelers. All rooms are designed for today’s active travelers, focusing on superior cleanliness, outstanding furnishings, and refreshing open spaces so you can admire the stunning view of Sydney.
What makes Wake Up! Sydney unique
When talking about quality service, Wake Up! Sydney is undoubtedly on top of the list. Besides the convenient accommodation, it has facilities to enhance every guest’s experience. For instance, it has an on-site open-air café called Roy’s Café, which serves Australian breakfast, lunch, and barista-made coffee. There’s also the Side Bar, which offers live DJs, great food, and nightly entertainment.
Wake Up! Sydney pricing
The mixed dormitories can be booked for about $34.00 a bed per night, while the rate of a double room for couples starts at $83.00 a night.
Explore the top hostels in Sydney
No matter your budget, travel needs, and reason for visiting, you won’t run out of places to stay in Sydney. Many hostels here are around Sydney City Centre, but you’ll also find excellent lodging options near beaches and tucked away in small streets and suburbs. They are perfect for budget-conscious travelers, families, groups, and young travelers visiting the capital of New South Wales for the first time.
To learn more about the city, check out our guides Best Time to Visit Sydney: The Ultimate Guide and 3 Days in Sydney: Everything You Should Know. We’ve covered everything from the best places to see and activities to do every season to some wonderful adventures to add to your itinerary.
