Backpacker Hostels in Sydney, Australia

66 Hostels for Backpackers available. Prices start from $12.00 for a dorm bed.

Hostels in Sydney

Nate's Place Backpackers

Darlinghurst
Free Breakfast
Party Hostel Solo Traveller Youth Hostel
"…A further problem, also present in the smaller and slightly cleaner rooms, is the humidity, leaving blankets, pillows, and mattresses forever damp. Arriving in the room, we are warned by one of … More
Family-Friendly Hostel Quiet Rest Solo Traveller

Fancy a city escape? Pittwater YHA is located 30km north of Sydney city centre, surrounded by nature. It’s a cosy stay with just 8 bedrooms. This includes a family room, double/twin and … More

Digital Nomads Family-Friendly Hostel Solo Traveller

Budget accommodation overlooking Sydney Harbour, anyone? A huge rooftop terrace offers the best view in the city. All rooms are ensuite, there’s a coffee bar, on-site grocery store and … More

The Pacific House

Woolloomooloo
Free Breakfast Privacy Curtains
Couples Digital Nomads Female Solo Traveller Groups (10+ people) Solo Traveller
"…We believe that a traveller needs to feel secure, at ease, inspired and instantly at home to have the best possible experience. With all this in mind, we set out to create the new frontier of … More
Female Solo Traveller Party Hostel Solo Traveller Boutique Hostel

Bright, buzzing and bang in the middle of town!” - there’s always something happening, from yoga and fitness classes, to pizza nights and parties at the Side Bar. There’s also … More

Stoke Beach House

Manly Beach
Free Breakfast
Adventure Hostels Beach Lovers Retreat Female Solo Traveller Party Hostel Solo Traveller Youth Hostel

Stoke Beach House is about “escaping the mundane everyday and reigniting your sense of belonging, adventure and curiosity.” Start the day with a yoga class, finish it with drinks at … More

Wake Up! Bondi Beach

Bondi Beach
Free Breakfast
Female Solo Traveller Solo Traveller

Just seconds from the famous Bondi Beach, this over 18’s hostel has one of the best views of this iconic destination. The rooftop is the place to be! Enjoy panoramic views of the beach, … More

Zen Harmony House

Woolloomooloo
Free Breakfast
Solo Traveller Youth Hostel

This rare concept hostel aims to provide a peaceful, respectful and healthy environment. It’s strictly a NON-alcoholic hostel, promoting instead free weekly vegan night, pancake morning, … More

Manly Bunkhouse

Manly Beach
Quiet Rest

A friendly, relaxed and quiet hostel awaits in the heart of Sydney’s Northern Beaches. In fact, the closest beach is just 250 metres away. Each room (a range of shared and private) comes … More

Party Hostel Solo Traveller Youth Hostel
"Tequila Sunrise hostel arrives in Sydney offering the most innovative accommodation for young travelers like you. We invite you to relax, explore, socialize, and make new friends in the best … More

Big Hostel

Surry Hills
Free Breakfast
Couples Digital Nomads Family-Friendly Hostel Female Solo Traveller Groups (10+ people) Older travelers (+50) Quiet Rest Solo Traveller

Aptly named, this hostel is BIG! A wonderful choice for a wide range of travellers. It promotes eco-friendly practises with an emphasis on sustainable energy. Make the most of the big rooftop … More

The Pod

Sydney CBD
Female Solo Traveller Quiet Rest Boutique Hostel

The Pod Sydney offers luxurious privacy pod beds for solo travellers and stylish private rooms for couple and families. It’s inspired by “modern and minimalistic living concept with … More

Groups (10+ people) Party Hostel Solo Traveller

Get ready for a rooftop pool, sauna and panoramic views of the city from a sunny outdoor area! Not only that, there’s a cinema, 2 large 24-hour kitchens, fast WiFi and an awesome Vault Bar … More

Digital Nomads Female Solo Traveller Solo Traveller Boutique Hostel

Both plush and budget friendly, Mad Monkey has a strong wellness vibe. Join yoga classes and enjoy free access to a local gym. There are also bikes for rent, and a swimming pool across the road. … More

Solo Traveller

Located in the heart of Sydney, Downing is a social, small and friendly place. The lovely rooftop is ideal for enjoying a meal, tanning and sharing some drinks with other travellers. It’s … More

Solo Traveller Youth Hostel

The highlight of Secret Garden is (you guessed it) the...garden! It’s a clean, simple and affordable hostel just a few minutes walk from Sydney’s Central station and bus terminal. … More

Coogee Beach House

Coogee Beach
Free Breakfast
Adventure Hostels Beach Lovers Retreat Solo Traveller Youth Hostel
"Cockroach-infested cesspit - Don't stay here unless the gutter is too cold for you. Attracts scum, the place is scum. I once stayed in a place in Europe and there were blood splatters on the wall … More

Cambridge Lodge Budget Hostel

Stanmore
Free Breakfast
Couples Family-Friendly Hostel

If you’re looking for a quiet, simple and relaxed hostel, choose Cambridge Lodge. The staff are organised and friendly, and the hostel is clean and in a handy location (10 minutes from … More

790 on George Backpackers

Haymarket
Free Breakfast
Solo Traveller Youth Hostel

Consider staying with the 790 family if you want to sleep a stone’s throw from Central Station. Every room has air conditioning, WiFi flows throughout the building and individual reading … More

Mad Monkey Downtown

Kings Cross
Free Breakfast
Digital Nomads Party Hostel Solo Traveller
"…- The guest will be responsible for any loss or damage caused at the hostel by guests or visitors of guests. - $20 fee will be charged for the loss or non-return of any keys to reception upon … More

Backpacker Hostels in Sydney, Australia

66 Hostels for Backpackers available. Prices start from $25.00 for a dorm bed.
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Get to know Sydney (no more "I wish I knew this before")

This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel. We share our insider knowledge of tips, tricks and important things to look out for in Sydney.

Guess what? Sydney is also named and spelled Sydney Bondi Beach, Sydney Manly - It is the same destination. Goodbye confusion.
 Just across the street from bondi Beach

Ah yes, wonderful Sydney; located on the East coast of New South Wales, Australia. It's an excellent destination for all traveller types.

Surf, sun, and fun are high on the agendas of most visitors to Sydney, so it's a great place to visit and an even better place to stay. Friendly locals, beautiful beaches, great culture, and fabulous night-life combine to make this a must-see location.

The main areas that host the best hostels Sydney has to offer, include:

  • Central Business District (CBD)
  • Sydney Central / City Centre
  • Bondi Beach
  • Kings Cross

Best Hostels in Sydney

There is plenty of hostel accommodation in Sydney, although expect Australian prices plus a bit more — it is a major city after all. Depending on what experience you're after there's a choice between two types of areas — city or beach.

Where are the best hostels in Sydney located?

The majority of the city hostels are based in the Kings Cross district, a thriving backpacker's haven with bars and clubs galore. Best hostels in this area?

Potts point is also amazing for neon-lit clubs and bars. Consider staying at Blue Parrot Backpackers in this area.

For those more interested in topping up their tans, Bondi Beach offers a range of hostels in prime beachside locations, where you can join the bronzed and the beautiful flaunting themselves day after day. The best Bondi Beach hostel? It has to be Wake Up! Bondi Beach and Mad Monkey Coogee Beach.

What about a backpackers in Sydney CBD? Sydney Central YHA Hostel is great for solo travellers and big groups. It's also super close to Central Station.

If you're after something a bit quieter, Coogee, just down the road from Bondi, is a smaller but still great beach option with a number of well-located hostels. You'll find independent hostels scattered all over the city, so wherever you want to be based, you can probably find a hostel there. We recommend Coogee Beach House.

Newtown is a cool area to stay if you prefer a Bohemian feel full of musicians and artists. Solo travellers will love Summer House Newtown.

Looking for a boutique hostel perfect for female solo travellers? Mad Monkey Backpackers on Broadway is simply beautiful.

Hostel prices

How much are hostels in Sydney?

Sydney hostel prices are expensive all year, but around Christmas and New Year's Eve they skyrocket, with many hostels also requiring a minimum stay, payment at the time of booking, and no cancellation refund. If you plan to visit during these weeks, book as far ahead as you can. The rest of the year, it shouldn't be a problem booking a room if you do it at least a little in advance.

Read our helpful guide: When to book hostels?

Scroll back up to our FAQ section if your burning question is "how much do hostels costs in Sydney?".

Hostel standards

Alright, so what can you typically expect from Sydney hostels? Whilst the overall design is nothing special with most of them, they do make up for it with great amenities and perks, such as:

  • Free breakfast
  • Cheap laundry facilities
  • Free Wi-Fi (not all offer this, so always double check)
  • Clean & good value rooms
  • Free luggage storage
  • Happy staff, caring service

When comparing hostels in Sydney, Australia to other hot Australian destinations, you may notice that reviews sit in the 'good' bracket. In other words, there aren't many hostels that hit 9 or above for their overall score.

What to see and do in Sydney

This part is easy, and we're sure you already know what the highlights of Sydney are.

A quick overview for those that don't. The absolute MUST-SEE places in Sydney include:

  • Sydney Opera House
  • Sydney Harbour Bridge
  • Royal Botanic Gardens

Luckily for you, all three of these things are within easy walking distance from each other. In fact, it will take you less than a minute walk to reach the Botanic Gardens from the Opera House.

If you want to be close to these sights, without doubt the best hostel to stay in is Sydney Harbour YHA Hostel. You can marvel at all of these sights from the rooftop terrace!

Where to meet backpackers in Sydney?

Honestly, staying in a hostel will always work in your favour when it comes to meeting other like-minded travellers.

Here are 17 tips for sleeping and staying in hostels to help you on your way.

Sydney Hostel Cheatsheet

Above we list every single hostel there is in the city. Let us take a broader look at what you can expect - and what not. We created this cheatsheet for you to get a more complete picture of the hostel quality in Sydney, average prices and types of hostels to choose from.
Total number of hostels 66
Average dorm price $42
Average private room price $141
Cheapest hostel in Sydney Rozelle Hostel with $24.5
Party hostels in Sydney Nate's Place Backpackers (17 in total)
Most Sydney hostels are located in Sydney CBD, Kings Cross, Potts Point
Average rating of all hostels 7.2

FAQ about Sydney Hostels

We've collected the most common questions for hostels in Sydney. The more you know, the better you can plan with confidence and ease, right?

Find your Perfect Hostel Match

We've created more special guides for you:

Family Hostels in Sydney

Youth Hostels in Sydney

11 Best Hostels with Private Rooms in Sydney

11 Best Hostels with Private Rooms in Sydney

14 Cheapest Hostels in Sydney

14 Cheapest Hostels in Sydney

11 Best Hostels in Sydney

11 Best Hostels in Sydney

6 Party Hostels in Sydney

6 Party Hostels in Sydney

Other Nearby Cities

Potts Point (1 Km / 0.9 mi.)
Hornsby (21 Km / 13 mi.)
Wentworthville (23 Km / 14 mi.)
Campbelltown (42 Km / 26 mi.)
Windsor (46 Km / 29 mi.)
Penrith (49 Km / 30 mi.)
Gosford (51 Km / 32 mi.)

Travel Tips for Sydney - from the Community

Hey fam! Here are a few more tips from the community, from them to you, and you to them. This space is dedicated for travellers to share their best tips on backpacking Sydney. Have a closer look - the Hostelz community share real hidden gems, insider knowledge and overall impressions of Sydney. Everyone is welcome to add something useful, funny, unexpected and the "absolutely necessary to know before you go" - share, share and then share a little more!

Sydney comments only. Don't discuss the hostels here, post a review on the hostel's page instead.

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