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12 BEST Hostels in Sydney (2023)

There’s no doubt if you go backpacking around Australia, you will eventually visit Sydney. It’s the biggest city and the first place that springs to mind when you think of the country!

The only problem is that it’s so big, it’s hard to know where to stay in Sydney. That’s why I have compiled a list of the best hostels in Sydney.

I trawled through pages of hostel reviews before I booked my hostel.

It was not fun.

It’s true that more choices can be paralysing. I can get overwhelmed if there are a lot of choices. It’s hard to know which ones are good and which ones are bad.

This list of backpackers in Sydney aims to identify the best places to stay, so you can book your accommodation without stressing about whether it’s any good!

Whether you’re in Sydney for 3 days or longer, these hostels will suit you regardless!

Without further ado, let’s get into it!

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Best Hostels in Sydney

Quick Best Hostels in Sydney

Overall Best Hostel in SydneySydney Harbour YHA
Best Hostel in Sydney for solo travellersBounce Sydney
Best Cheap Hostel in SydneyJolly Swagman Backpackers
Best Hostel for Couples in Sydney – Sydney Central YHA
Best Party Hostel in SydneyWake Up

What to Consider When Booking a Hostel in Sydney

The majority of the hostels in Sydney were reviewed highly already, which made the job of choosing them a bit tricky.

However, there were a few other factors that were taken into consideration when compiling this list. These not only apply to Sydney hostels but any hostel you stay at!

  • Check out time – The standard time for check out in hostels is 10:00 am. This is almost universally true in Australia. Sometimes, you can negotiate with the hostel if you would like to check out later, but it’s best to check before you book.
  • Free breakfast – This is always a factor when I book a hostel, no matter where it is. Getting a free breakfast makes a massive difference, especially if you’re a penny-pinching backpacker. Staying at hostels that offer a free breakfast will save you a lot of money during your time in Australia. It’s always worth checking if the hostel offers this before you book.
  • Free wifi – A lot of hostels in Australia charge you to use their wifi. Finding a hostel that offers free wifi can be tricky, but it will also save you a lot of money! Double-check what the deal with wifi is before you book. Otherwise, you could be lumped with a large bill just to get online!
  • Laundry services – It’s rare to find a hostel that offers free laundry, I’ve not come across one yet. However, going to a hostel that does have laundry facilities is hugely beneficial and will save you trekking around Sydney trying to find somewhere to wash your clothes!
  • Kitchen – Staying at a hostel that has a kitchen is a necessity when you are on your working holiday in Australia. Without one, you will be paying a shedload of money to feed yourself. Virtually every hostel in Australia has a kitchen, but some are better than others.

Compare Our Top Hostels in Sydney

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Mad Monkey Coogee Beach

Mad Monkey Hostel
Image Credit: © Mad Monkey Coogee Beach

If you’re after a modern and vibrant hostel in Sydney, Mad Monkey Coogee Beach is a great place to stay!

As the name suggests, the hostel is located away from the city at Coogee Beach. If you want to stay by the beach in Sydney, this makes Mad Monkey an ideal place to stay.

The hostel has a range of accommodation to suit your needs. You can stay in dorms, or you can stay in apartment-style lodgings with facilities that include en-suite bathrooms and a kitchenette.

The main attractions of Sydney are only a short distance, and with regular buses into the city, you won’t miss out on anything!

Mad Monkey Coogee Beach is undoubtedly one of the top hostels in Sydney if you want to have fun and relax in the city!

Blue Parrot Backpackers

Prices: Dorms from $40


Blue Parrot Backpackers
Image Credit: © Blue Parrot Backpackers

Located in the trendy Potts Point area of Sydney, Blue Parrot Backpackers is a brilliant hostel to stay at.

It’s slightly outside of the centre, but it’s only a short walk to Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House. There are also a number of excellent bars, cafes and restaurants on your doorstep as well!

It’s a very sociable hostel. There is a very relaxed atmosphere at the hostel, which is due to the small number of guests staying. Around 50 people can stay at any one time, which makes it easier to get to know your fellow travellers.

The owners are lovely and can book any local trips and tours that you want. Blue Parrot is undoubtedly one of Sydney’s best backpackers! I’d highly recommend spending a night or three here!

Bondi Backpackers

Prices: Dorms from $42; Privates from $104


Bondi Backpackers
Image Credit: © Bondi Backpackers

If you’re looking for budget accommodation in Sydney, by the beach, Bondi Backpackers is one of the best places you can stay!

The hostel is located seconds away from the world-famous Bondi Beach. If you fancy hopping over to the beach whenever you want, then you can!

It’s a great place to experience the culture of Bondi, which is distinct from the centre of Sydney.

Bondi Backpackers has a rooftop terrace, with a range of rooms, from privates to 4 to 6-bed dorms. The hostel also has a lot of activities such as yoga classes and walking tours.

These are great opportunities to meet fellow travellers. Accommodation in Bondi doesn’t get much better!

Bounce Sydney

Prices: Dorms from $40; Privates from $159


Bounce Sydney Hostel
Image Credit: © Bounce Sydney Hostel

When considering where to stay in Sydney, Bounce Hostel is a fabulous choice. Its location near Central Station makes it ideal for anyone looking to stay in the centre of Sydney.

The hostel is very sociable with events organised every night. If you’re backpacking Australia alone, you would definitely meet like-minded people at Bounce!

Bounce is a modern hostel with large rooms. There is more than enough space without it feeling cramped, and there are large lockers for you to keep your travel backpack safe.

An outdoor terrace, Cable TV, and a large kitchen are also available for you to use!

Coogee Beach House

Prices: Dorms from $40


Coogee Beachhouse
Image Credit: © Coogee Beach House

Coogee Beach House is an ideal place to stay in Sydney if you’re looking for accommodation by the beach.

It’s located 30 metres away from Coogee Beach! It may be away from the centre, but it’s right next to one of Sydney’s best beaches!

The hostel has some great facilities. There is a large kitchen, an outdoor terrace to relax in, and a common room to chill in as well.

This hostel is a great choice for backpackers looking to remove themselves from the hustle and bustle of Sydney CBD!

Jolly Swagman Backpackers

Prices: Dorms from $40; Privates from $94


Jolly Swagman Backpackers
Image Credit: © Jolly Swagman Backpackers

If you’re looking for a hostel outside of central Sydney, Jolly Swagman Backpackers is a good choice. It’s located in King’s Cross, which is 1 to 2km outside of the centre.

The hostel has a lot of perks including free breakfast, and free airport pickup, which is not something every hostel does! The facilities are of good quality, with a spacious kitchen and lounge area with cable TV.

The rooms are decently sized and have lockers to store your valuables. The hostel also has discounts for local bars and restaurants, which will definitely come in handy.

If you’re looking for cheap accommodation in Sydney, away from the centre, Jolly Swagman Backpackers is a great choice!

Manly Bunkhouse

Prices: Dorms from $40; Privates from $92


Manly Bunkhouse
Image Credit: © Manly Bunkhouse

This hostel is located near Manly Beach, which is in Northern Sydney. If you want to stay near the centre, this may not be the place for you. Sydney CBD is over 11 km away.

However, if you want a hostel by the beach, then it’s a brilliant choice! The rooms are spacious and contain their own shower. There is a kitchen for guests to use and a common room for you to relax in after a stressful day at the beach!

Manly Bunkhouse also has an outdoor courtyard with BBQ facilities should you wish to have a barbecue in the Australian sun!

This hostel is a fantastic choice for backpackers who want to be removed from the hustle and bustle of Sydney, and relax next to the beach!

This hostel is a fantastic choice for backpackers who want to be removed from the hustle and bustle of Sydney, and relax next to the beach!

Railway Square YHA

Prices: Dorms from $37; Privates from $117


Railway Square YHA
Image Credit: © Railway Square YHA

As the name suggests, this hostel is based in a railway station! It’s the only such hostel in Australia and is based at Central Station!

The location is handy, as you’re in the middle of the city. As well as being conveniently located, Railway Square YHA has a number of great facilities.

There is a big lounge to use and a cafe at the hostel. There is also an outside deck area, pool table and a free wifi hotspot for you to use!

If you want to stay in a cheap hostel in Sydney, this is the place for you!

Sydney Central YHA

Prices: Dorms from $37; Privates from $117


Sydney Central yha
Image Credit: © Sydney Central YHA

Sydney Central YHA is one of the best hostels that I stayed in during my working holiday in Australia. It has fantastic locations and, as the name suggests, is located right in the heart of the city!

The facilities here are more like what you would find in a hotel, as opposed to a hostel. There is a rooftop pool, sauna, and an outdoor area that has brilliant views of Sydney!

As well as all that, there are two well-equipped kitchens, a cinema and big dining and lounge areas.

The rooms were big and had excellent bedding and lockers to safely store your backpack. It’s not the cheapest hostel in Sydney, but you do get what you pay for.

If you’re happy to pay a little extra, for the added benefits, I can’t recommend Sydney Central YHA enough!

Sydney Harbour YHA

Prices: Dorms from $45; Privates from $149


Sydney Harbour YHA
Image Credit: © Sydney Harbour YHA The Rocks

The Sydney Harbour YHA is arguably the hostel in Australia with the best views. Situated in Darling Harbour, you have views of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House on your doorstep!

There’s no doubt it’s one of Sydney’s best hostels!

It may be one of the more expensive the most hostels in Sydney, but if you want to stay in the Harbour, it’s a price worth paying!

The facilities here are top-notch! There is a large kitchen, an amazing rooftop terrace, and even an on-site grocery store!

If you’re on a budget, I would avoid staying here. Otherwise, this is a great place to stay in Sydney, with some of the most iconic places in the world in the background!

The Pod Sydney

Prices: Dorms from $42; Privates from $129


The Pod Sydney
Image Credit: © The Pod Sydney

The Pod Sydney is slightly different to the other hostels in Sydney. The reason? The beds aren’t traditional bunk beds, instead, they are pods. Hence the name.

The hostel has capsule bedding with a privacy curtain and a reading light in every pod. There is free wifi throughout the property, which can be rare in hostels.

Often, there is a wifi hotspot, which does extend across the whole property.

The Pod Sydney has some great facilities. There is a big kitchen, a lounge in the lobby, and a bigger communal lounge which has Cable TV. The hostel is located in an ideal position in the centre of Sydney.

The Pod is a modern and vibrant hostel, with a few quirks that make it one of the best backpackers in Sydney!

Wake Up! Sydney Central

Prices: Dorms from $38; Privates from $104


Wake Up! Sydney Central
Image Credit: © Wake Up! Sydney Central

Wake Up Sydney Central was recently voted as the most popular hostel in Sydney in the 2017 Hoscars. I would highly recommend this place if you want a hostel with excellent facilities near the centre of Sydney!

The hostel is right next to Central Station and within walking distance of Paddy’s Markets and Chinatown. The hostel has spacious rooms, which are either mixed or all-female, with a mix of private rooms too!

Wake Up even has its own cafe and bar. The cafe is open from 7 am and the bar is open from 4 pm till late. There are also a number of activities throughout the week you can do as well!

If you want to meet fellow backpackers, Wake Up is one of the best places to stay in Sydney!

Concluding Thoughts

There is a lot of budget accommodation in Sydney. Hopefully, my list has helped ease any worries you had over choosing a hostel to book in Sydney!

Have you been to Sydney? Did you stay in any of the above hostels? Did you stay in any that I’ve not listed? Leave me a comment below, I’d love to hear your thoughts!

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