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.
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?
- Jackaroo Hostel Sydney is a wonderful Kings Cross backpackers hostel.
- The Jolly Swagman Backpackers is also a fun option.
- The Village Kings Cross is the CHEAPEST hostel in Sydney.
- Summer House Backpackers and Asylum Sydney Backpackers Hostel are in a quiet area nearby to Kings Cross (if you like to party but also enjoy a quiet night's sleep).
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.
