Trying to decide on the Best Hostels in Sydney is no easy task. There are more than 85 backpacker hostels to choose from why wade through endless lists when we have done the hard work for you. As a Sydney local who has worked with backpacking travellers for almost two decades, I have a pretty good idea of the landscape, so I have put together a list of hostels that I would recommend for different types of travellers.

All the hostels I have listed here do a great job of providing a friendly, welcoming, clean and secure environment. Read on and find out which one is perfect for you.

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Things to consider when choosing your Sydney hostel

Is the hostel well located?

Location is the most important factor in my view. Is it close to transport? Not located on top of a loud venue if you like to sleep early? Will you feel safe in the area at night?

Does the hostel allow long-term residents?

When hostels allow long-term residents, we think the dynamic can change. The core group bond and can make it feel less welcoming for new arrivals; however, if you are coming over on a working or extended holiday, you might want somewhere you are welcome to stay for a month or more.

Do the hostel rules suit you?

It’s an excellent idea to check out any rules the hostel may have. If these are not published on their website, you can usually find them referred to in reviews. Not all travellers want the same things, so make sure the environment suits your needs is important.

Don’t just choose the cheapest hostel

A warning, youth hostels here are not super cheap; a hostel in Sydney offers a $25 room comes at a huge price; noisy, dirty and often very crowded. Most of the better hostels here change from $35-50 a night.

Does the hostel have a minimum booking period?

Almost all Sydney Hostels have a minimum booking period over Christmas and New Year. Each year lots of travellers contact me looking for a bed one or two months out. Finding a good hostel this late in the year is all but impossible, and you will pay dearly for it.

It would be best to look at booking a NYE hostel by August, yes August. Be sure to check the cancellation policy before you commit too much money.

Hostels in the Sydney CBD (Centre of town)

YHA Sydney Harbour

Guest Rating: 8.5/10 | Location: The Rocks | View on Booking.com

The Best Hostel in Sydney for couples or families

Located in Sydney’s oldest area Sydney Harbour YHA, also known as YHA The Rocks, is my favourite hostel in the city. Stay here, and you are just minutes from the waterfront with modern facilities that make it seem more like a budget hotel than a backpackers hostel.

The only harbourside hostel and the only hostel to offer a sun-deck overlooking the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House, this 106 room property is perfect for couples or families exploring the city.

This hostel is quieter than many other Sydney hostels, with its excellent facilities and friendly staff, most people find the slightly higher prices worth it.

You need to book this hostel early to get the best prices and for peak season, particularly NYE

When I say quieter, I do not mean that it is boring. The hostel puts on BBQs, guided walks of the area and pub tours, and there are special dinners a couple of nights for under $10. Just a few minutes walk from the hostel are two great pubs, the Australian Hotel and The Glenmore Hotel.

Pros: 

• Lockers with power in shared rooms
• Family rooms and twin rooms with ensuites
• Quieter atmosphere than other hostels in Sydney
• Daily hostel activity to help you get to meet other guests.
• Rooftop terrace with harbour views
• Large communal kitchen
• Free Internet in public areas
• Wheelchair-accessible rooms

Cons

• Stairs in the surrounding area might be too much for those with prams or mobility issues
• Terrace closed late at night

Best for: Families, groups and quieter travellers
Tip: Try to get up early one day and watch the sunrise over the harbour from the terrace.

Address: 110 Cumberland Street The Rocks, Sydney
Phone: (+612) 8272 0900
Nearest Station: Wynyard (flat walk) and Circular Quay are approx 600m away.

Check interior photos and current prices of the Sydney Harbour YHA

YHA Central Sydney – Rawson Place

Guest Rating: 7.7/10 | Location: Central Station | View on Booking.com

Best hostel in Sydney for digital nomads.

Perhaps the largest hostel in Sydney and flagship of the Youth Hostel Association (YHA), the Rawson Place Central YHA is a heritage-listed building about a 3-minute walk from Sydney Central Station. It’s

With its rooftop pool, on-site café and spacious public areas, YHA Sydney Central offers excellent value for money for any traveller regardless of age. It is also located close to some of the cities most popular backpacker bars and the cheap dining options in Chinatown.

Pros:

• Location – right next to Central Station and a short walk to cheap eats in China Town and Paddy’s Market
• 24 hour reception
• Heated rooftop pool and sauna
• Large Kitchen areas open till 10.30pm
• Free luggage storage
• Some rooms have balconies
• Spotless – great recycling program
• Cafe inside the hostel & a small supermarket next door.
• Some undercover parking available
• No long-term guests

Cons:

• Some say it lacks atmosphere and friendliness of a smaller hostel
• Can be busy with school groups at certain times of the year
• No TV in twin rooms
• No power outlet in lockers
• Rooms on lower floors may experience noise from the bar

Address: 11 Rawson Place, Corner of Pitt St and Rawson Place Sydney
Nearest Train Station: Central
Check interior photos read reviews of the YHA Central Sydney

Wake Up! Hostel Sydney

Guest Rating: 8.2/10 | Location: Central Station | View on Booking.com

Best hostel in Sydney to meet people

Wake up sits virtually behind the YHA Central hostel reviewed above. Originally a department store, Wake up is hard to miss sitting on the main intersection of George Street and Railway Square.

This hostel is perfect for those of you who are in town to have a fun time with its on-site bar and a great range of activities that include trivia nights, beach walks and parties. Consistently good reviews show they must be doing lots of things right.

Pros:

• Centrally located within 20 mins walk of the harbour
• Clean rooms with lots of natural light
• Café and bar/nightclub (Sidebar) onsite
• Girls only floor
• Bathrooms have hairdryers
• Private rooms have TVs
• Free beach and city tour
• A great co-working space for digital nomads
• Accessible rooms

Cons:

• Can be noisy
• No free internet
• Not available to under 18s
• Small kitchen relative to the size of the hostel

Best for Young travellers, a bit of a party atmosphere and a great place to meet other young travellers
Tip: Plan to cook early if you want to use the kitchen

Address: 509 Pitt St, Sydney 2000, Australia
Nearest train station: Central
Check out lots of photos of the rooms and read reviews of Wake Up Sydney

The Pacific House

Guest Rating: 8.5/10 | Location: Woolloomooloo | View on Booking.com

Located just outside the CBD on the other side of the Domain The Pacific House is within walking distance of the city centre. The heritage-listed building (1892) has a range of room sizes including private doubles,

There is an onsite licenced cafe open from 7am-10pm daily.

Pros:

• Clean rooms with lots of natural light
• 24 hour reception
• Great view of the city from the rooftop terrace
• Kitchen open 24 hours and lockers for dry food
• Accessible rooms and bathrooms
• Bedside personal USB powerpoints 

Cons:

• Private rooms do not have an ensuite
• Kitchen while modern can be too crowded in peak times
• There is no airconditioning

Address: 50 Sir John Young Crescent, Woolloomooloo
Nearest train station:
Check out lots of photos of the rooms and read reviews of Pacific House

Hostels in Sydney by the beach

Wake Up Bondi Beach

Guest Rating: 8.5/10 | Location: Beachfront | View on Booking.com

The best beachfront hostel in Sydney, Wake Up Bondi with prime position on Campbell Parade opposite the world-famous Bondi Beach, is for me the pick of Sydney’s beach hostels. Along with an amazing location, the hostel has a fantastic rooftop area where they host free yoga, enjoy wine and cheese nights, join in the Friday BBQs or just relax on a deckchair.

Pros:

• Located opposite the beach
• Clean rooms with lots of natural light
• Great rooftop area
• Generously sized lockers to fit large bags and backpacks
• Free surfboard hire
• Ocean views from some dorms

Cons:

• No airconditioning
• No free internet
• No under 18 years (some consider this a plus)
• Small kitchen that closes at 10 pm

Best for sun worshippers and surfers
Tip: Lots of fun activities – this is a great place to meet people, Wake Up Bondi, previously known as Bondi Backpackers.

Check out our Insiders Guide to Bondi if you decide to stay here.

Address: 110 Campbell Parade Bondi Beach
Nearest train station: Bondi Junction – Also express bus 333 to Circular Quay and city.
Read the latest reviews and check the current prices

Stoke Beach House

Guest Rating: 8.4/10 | Location: Manly | View on Booking.com

Best for beach people who like to party

If you are looking for a fun beach stay then Stoke Beach House is a great choice. The modern rooms are painted in calm colours and feel fresh, if perhaps a little too minimalistic. The commual living areas are also quite stylish.

The hostel offers free use of surfboards, snorkels, bicycles, and skateboards. They also free offer on site yoga and have a small cinema style room for movie nights.

Pros:

• Comfortable beds
• Rooftop bar area
• excellent free continental breakfast

Cons:

• rooms are not air-conditioned
• no ensuite rooms
• Power outlets in the room are not conveniently located
• Some guests find the weekends a little too loud

Address: 24 Raglan St, Manly
Nearest transport: Manly Wharf – 20-30 minute trip to Circular Quay
Read the latest reviews and check the current prices

If you are travelling with a few friends, you might find a short term rental cheaper. Check out this guide to the best neighbourhoods in Sydney for holiday rentals.

We have also reviewed a range of budget hotels that you might want to check out.

Got a question about hostels in Sydney or your trip generally? Join our Sydney Expert Facebook Group, where you can ask questions about your plans and find out what’s happening in Sydney.