Updated: 3/8/2022 | March 8th, 2022
Hostels in Sydney are expensive.
Since I started going to the city, I’ve seen hostel prices skyrocket as just the cost of living in Australia has gone up. even when you element in the beneficial exchange rate best now, it’s just expensive to get a bed here, especially at some of the larger, much more upscale hostels.
However, with a little planning, you can make sure you’re getting the most bang for your buck.
The most affordable hostels in Sydney are found in the King’s cross area. An eight-bed dorm starts around 26 AUD, while a four-bed dorm starts around 33 AUD. private rooms range between 80-120 AUD per night, depending on things such as location and whether the restroom is shared or private.
(Pro Tip: avoid the Jolly Swagman! It’s a horrible place to stay.)
I’ve been going to Sydney for a decade and have stayed in dozens upon dozens of places. There are a lot of things to consider when selecting a hostel. The top four when picking the best hostel in Sydney are:
Location – Sydney is huge and it can take some time to get around. pick a place that is central to the sites and nightlife you want to see. All the hostels noted here are in central locations.
Price – In Sydney, you really get what you pay for, so if you choose a really cheap one, you’re probably going to get a hostel that is small, cramped, and doesn’t offer great service.
Amenities – Every hostel in the city provides totally free Wi-Fi, and many have a totally free breakfast, but if you want much more than that, be sure to do your research to find the hostel that best meets your needs!
Staff – All the hostels noted here have remarkable staff! They are very friendly and knowledgeable. even if you don’t end up staying at one of the places noted below, be sure to look up reviews to guarantee you end up somewhere where the staff is helpful and friendly! They can make or break a hostel!
To help you plan your trip, here is my list of the hostels in Sydney that I like the most. If you don’t want to read the longer list below, the following hostels are the best in each category:
Best Hostels in Sydney
Best Hostel for budget Travelers: Hump Backpackers
Best Hostel for Families: Sydney Harbor YHA
Best Hostel for Solo female Travelers: Wake Up! Sydney Central
Best Hostel for digital Nomads: big Hostel
Best Hostel for Partying: mad Monkey Bayswater
Best overall Hostel: Sydney Harbor YHA or mad Monkey Backpackers
Want the specifics of each hostel? Here’s my extensive list of the best hostels in Sydney:
Price legend (per night)
$ = Under 30 AUD
$$ = 30-40 AUD
$$$ = Over 40 AUD
1. Hump Backpackers
I like this hostel because it’s social. The staff hosts plenty of activities (beer pong, BBQs, pancake breakfasts). There’s totally free breakfast, all-day coffee and tea, and different activities every night. The beds are comfy and soft, showers are kept clean, and the room lockers are huge. Hump Backpackers is in the Kings cross area, surrounded by restaurants, shops, and bars so there’s a bunch of things to do in the area.
Hump Backpackers at a glance:
$
Great place to meet people
Organizes lots of activities (BBQs, beer pong)
Lots of totally free perks (free breakfast, totally free coffee/tea all day)
Beds from 22 AUD, private rooms from 78 AUD.
Book Hump Backpackers here!
2. Zen harmony House
The staff at this hostel are the absolute best! They are always the most friendly and helpful I encounter in the city. Zen harmony is close to Kings cross station, and it’s just a 30-minute walk to the Opera house and the Botanic Gardens. safety and security is first-rate, with two locked front doors and safety and security cameras. The dorms are huge (but with only 4 beds for a maximum of 8 people per room), each with its own en-suite bathroom. There are common areas inside and outside for socializing, and they also host daily meditation sessions and vegan nights too!
Zen harmony house at a glance:
$$
Lots of common areas make it easy to meet people
Super safe and secure
No alcohol allowed (so it’s good and quiet)
Beds from 33 AUD.
Book Zen harmony house here!
3. mad Monkey Bayswater
This is another fun hostel, with a very lively social scene! There’s a party every night, a film room, yoga classes, and a rooftop BBQ. Take the spiral staircase to the basement, and you’ll find a fully-equipped chill out zone with pool tables and even a PlayStation gaming area. You get a totally free breakfast at the mad Monkey restaurant (which is delicious) each morning. Honestly, there’s so much to do at this hostel you might find it challenging to leave — but just beyond the front door are some of Sydney’s best bars, clubs, and restaurants. (The hostel itself is on a quiet street, though.) You have to be 18 to 35 to stay here.
Mad Monkey Bayswater at a glance:
$
Party vibe makes it easy to meet people
Organizes lots of activities (movie nights, BBQs, yoga classes)
Lots of great bars and clubs nearby
Beds from 25 AUD, private rooms from 90 AUD.
Book mad Monkey Bayswater here!
4. Sydney Harbor YHA
This is the only hostel in city’s historic harborside area (The Rocks), with unreal rooftop panoramic views over the city and the well-known Opera House. Sydney Harbor Bridge, Sydney Harbor, and Luna Park are also within walking distance. The rooms are extremely spacious, and each bed comes with its own reading light. There’s also a large kitchen, several communal areas (including the outstanding rooftop terrace), and even a grocery store on-site. To me, this is the best hostel in Sydney!
Sydney Harbor YHA at a glance:
$$
Rooftop terrace makes it easy to meet people
Grocery store on-site
Close to the Opera house and Harbour Bridge
Beds from 37 AUD, private rooms from 149 AUD.
Book Sydney Harbor YHA here!
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5. big Hostel
A budget, “boutique” spot in Surry Hills, big Hostel is a great centrally located hostel. I love the roofing system terrace with its superb views over the city, as well as the sundeck with a beautiful garden. You can BBQ up there as well. The large kitchen has lots of space for your groceries, and there’s 24/7 totally free coffee and tea. The rooms are huge and the pillows are very comfortable but the metal frames creak a bit. They do have lockers though.
Big Hostel at a glance:
$$
Rooftop terrace provides remarkable views of the city
Fully equipped kitchen (with totally free coffee/tea)
Great place to meet people
Beds from 34 AUD, private rooms from 99 AUD.
Book big Hostel here!
6. mad Monkey Backpackers on Broadway
Soft beds, clean showers with great water pressure, and totally free breakfasts make mad Monkey Backpackers awesome. I also like the yoga classes and access to a local gym that comes included in your stay. The staff organizes activities and nights out (including a conventional Australian BBQ). one of the downsides is that the common areas and kitchen are small. It’s nearly impossible to cook while others are around. but the central location, friendly staff, and awesome amenities make this one of my favorite places to stay. Note: only guests ages 18-35 are allowed.
Mad Monkey Backpackers on Broadway at a glance:
$
Free access to the nearby gym
Organizes lots of activities (BBQs, yoga, trivia nights)
Free breakfast
Beds from 26 AUD, privates from 70 AUD.
Book mad Monkey Backpackers on Broadway here!
7. Wake Up! Sydney Central
Wake Up! is in numerous ways a hotel, but for backpackers. With its eight floors, hyper-trendy and clean look, and small common areas, you might think it would be hard to meet people. The large size does make it sort of hard to meet people outside the common areas or your room, but the big bar/nightclub downstairs gives ample opportunity to meet all the people you see coming and going.
I really liked my time here, and I especially delighted in the high water pressure in the showers and un-creaky beds. The hostel is located just next to the central station so it’s easy to get to and from the airport. book directly to save some money as they often have deals.
Wake Up! Sydney at a glance:
$$
Bar on-site makes it easy to meet people
Convenient location near the central station
Discounts for booking direct
Beds from 38 AUD, privates from 99 AUD.
Book Wake Up! Sydney here!
8. Wake Up! Bondi Beach
If you love the beach, you can’t beat this place — it is just seconds from the sand! There’s an awesome rooftop space overlooking Bondi Beach, and the hostel provides totally free surfboards. There are also totally free yoga classes, walking tours, and other fitness activities. They also host BBQ parties and pizza nights! The rooms are comfy and the showers just fine.
Wake Up! Bondi at a glance:
$$$
Amazing location on the beach
Tons of totally free perks (yoga, surfboards, totally free tours)
Awesome rooftop lounge with great views
Beds from 40 AUD, private rooms from 109 AUD.
Book Wake Up! Bondi here!
9. 790 on George
790 on George, is (unsurprisingly) located best on George Street, Sydney’s main thoroughfare. The hostel is just steps away from the central train station as well as Chinatown (perfect for those late night, tasty cheap eats). There’s also a tram stop best out front for traveling around the city.
Thehostel itself has everything you need, from a fully stocked kitchen and totally free breakfast, to two common rooms (a games room and a TV room) and social events. another good perk is that checkout isn’t until 11 am, so you can sleep in a bit even on your last morning here.
790 on George at a glance:
$
Stocked communal kitchen
Organized social events and two common rooms
Free breakfast
Beds from 26 AUD, private rooms from 90 AUD.
Book 790 on George here!
10. summer house Backpackers Kings cross
Summer house Backpackers is part of an Australian hostel group providing accommodations around the country. Their Sydney location is a laid-back hostel located near the city’s beautiful Hyde Park. The hostel has a massive communal kitchen, totally free breakfast every day, and on Sundays, a totally free pancake breakfast.
Summer house also makes it easy to meet other travelers, with tons of social events like totally free sangria nights, totally free Friday BBQs, and film nights (with totally free popcorn). There’s a comfy indoor common area as well as an outdoor courtyard that’s also partially covered so you can hang out outside even when it’s raining!
Summer house Backpackers at a glance:
$
Free breakfast
Lots of social events
Many common spaces (including an outdoor courtyard)
Beds from 25 AUD.
Book summer house Backpackers Kings cross here!
***
There are a lot of remarkable hostels in Sydney, but to me, the places above are the best hostels in the city. They offer all the things that I think are essential when picking a great hostel. If you stay in any of these hostels while in Sydney, you won’t go wrong!
Book Your trip to Sydney: Logistical suggestions and Tricks
Book Your Flight
Use Skyscanner to find a cheap flight. They are my favorite search engine because they search sites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned!
Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the most significant inventory and best deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the most affordable rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels. Here’s a list of the best neighborhoods in Sydney too so you can pick the best area for your visit.
Don’t forget travel Insurance
Travel insurance will safeguard you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s extensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it numerous times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:
Safety Wing (for everyone below 70)
Insure My trip (for those over 70)
Medjet (for additional repatriation coverage)
Looking for the best companies to save money With?
Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use to save money when I’m on the road. They will save you money when you travel too.
Want much more information on Sydney?
Be sure to visit our robust destination guide on Sydney for even much more planning tips!
Photo credits: 2 – Hump Backpackers, 3 – Zen harmony House, 4 – mad Monkey Bayswater, 5 – Sydney Harbor YHA, 6 – big Hostel, 7 – mad Monkey Backpackers on Broadway, 8 – Wake Up! Sydney Central, 9 – Wake Up! Bondi Beach, 10 – 790 on George, 11 – summer house Backpackers Kings Cross