Are you itching to begin your Auckland adventure? Trust us when we say; you’ll be running for the airport once you’ve seen our chosen 3 best hostels in Auckland.
The north island is calling your name!
Our favorite hostels in Auckland are:
- Haka Lodge Auckland - best for Solo Travellers
- LyLo Auckland - best for Backpackers
- The Attic Backpackers - best for Female Solo Travellers
Money-saving tip: Compare hostel prices with Hostelz.com. They compare prices from Hostelworld, Booking.com and others with 1 click.
1. Haka Lodge Auckland
2. LyLo Auckland
3. The Attic Backpackers
We at Hostelgeeks think it’s a pretty awesome city, which is why we’ve strived to find you the greatest hostels in Auckland.
Hoping to find work and a great long-term hostel? Looking for cheap accommodation Auckland has to offer? No worries, it’s all covered here.
This guide is perfect for YOU, when you…
- are tired of crappy hostels!
- want a social Hostel to actually meet people
- are happy to spend $1 to $2 more for a much better experience
We condensed it all to the 3 coolest hostels in Auckland.
It’s a shame there is currently no 5 Star Hostel in Auckland, New Zealand. But! There are 34 awesome hostels in New Zealand worth checking out.
- Quick Introduction to Auckland Hostels
- A quick introduction to the 3 Best Hostels in Auckland
Well, what are you waiting for? Go ahead and check hostels Auckland New Zealand has to offer!
More hostels in New Zealand are:
Quick Introduction to Auckland Hostels
Average price for a bed: A bed in a dorm can be as cheap as 12€ up to 15€ per night. A private room in a hostel in Auckland starts from 21€ up to 60€ per night.
This is a rough average to give you an idea. Prices always depend on season and holidays.
Please always check exact rates on Hostelworld.com or Booking.com.
Check-In and Check Out: The average check-in time is from 15:00 (3pm), while the Check Out time is before 11:00 (11am). Hostels usually offer luggage storage in case you arrive earlier or leave later. Make sure you check if luggage storage is free or if there is an extra cost.
AT HOP card: It’s in your best interests to get one of these whilst visiting Auckland. Most retailers will sell them for $10 with a minimum top up of $5. It can be used on buses, trains and ferries around Auckland and helps you save coins. For example, a 15-minute bus journey will cost $3.50 in cash, but only $1.95 with use of an AT HOP card. Totally worth it!
Unique Experience: Support a local and see Auckland’s Secret Glow Worms. We did this and it was amazing. Kate takes a maximum of 3 people to a secret forest location not too far outside of the city. To help protect the glow worm population, phones are turned off and you’re sworn to secrecy. It’s just you, knowledgeable Kate and a beautiful glow worm lit walkway through the forest. Truly unique!
🎁 New to Hostels? Read our guide to staying in a Hostel for the First Time here. We especially recommend reading:
- How to book hostels? (and websites to save $)
- 23 clever items: the hostel packing list to download
- How does the Hostelworld App work exactly? Our Advanced Guide
A quick introduction to the 3 Best Hostels in Auckland
Shall we cut to the chase? Alright then!
Once you’ve found your perfect hostel, be sure to find the location on our handy map.
The 3 Best Hostels in Auckland are …
Let’s jump right into the coolest hostels in Auckland.
- Haka Lodge Auckland – best for Solo Travellers
- LyLo Auckland – best for Backpackers
- The Attic Backpackers – best for Female Solo Travellers
These are our favorite hostels in Auckland. We want to make your life even easier, so we put all accommodations on a map for you. We even added our own tips for favorite restaurants, things to see, and more.
1. Haka Lodge Auckland
2. LyLo Auckland
3. The Attic Backpackers
Overview: Best Hostels by Traveler Type
| 🦸 Solo Traveler: | Haka Lodge Auckland |
| 🙎♀️ best for Female Solo Traveler: | The Attic Backpackers |
| 👩❤️👨Couple Hostel: | The Attic Backpackers |
| 👫 For Socializing: | LyLo Auckland |
| 👨👩👦 Family Hostel: | Haka Lodge Auckland |
| 👩💻 For Digital Nomads: | Haka Lodge Auckland |
| 🧘 Cozy Hostel: | Verandahs Backpackers Lodge |
| 🎒 for Backpacker: | LyLo Auckland |
1. Haka Lodge Auckland (award-winning bunk beds)
Haka Lodge Auckland is a homely hostel, with an amazing inner city rustic feel.
We guess you would call it a “flashpackers” – where luxury meets budget.
At 92 beds the Haka Lodge is one of the biggest hostels in New Zealand.
However, don’t let that fool you into thinking that you’re not in for a warm, personalised welcome when arriving.
Located on Karangahape Road – known by locals as the K-road – Hakalodge is just a 5 minute walk from Queen Street (the heart of the Central Business District). It’s safe to say you’re in the thick of it when staying at The Hakalodge.
K-road is dotted with cafes, bars, restaurants and convenient stores (most of them open till late) all within easy reach of the hostel.
Now let’s address what’s on your mind, 92 beds, that’s a lot of noise.
The Hostel takes guests quiet time seriously with the kitchen closing at 23:00 and the TV room closing at midnight, all this to helps to ensure that guests are comfortable and relaxed after a long days’ travel or city wondering.
For those of you are arriving on the red eyed flights, the Hakalodge is easy to get to either by public transport, shuttle bus services and taxis. When you arrive, you will be handed your welcome pack and room key.
The beds are comfortable, the linen is fresh, the pillows are fluffy, the décor is warm all this provides a homely feeling to this historic building. The exposure brick, with a splash of bright colour on the feature walls, high ceilings and the abundance of natural light from the large windows makes this place feel more like a trendy city pad, rather than a hostel.
Huge windows, great lighting, warm decor and bold furniture – we seriously like the Haka style. It’s definitely suited to a mix of traveller types.
Why I hear you ask?
Sleeping options tick every possible box. From 4-bed to 20-bed dorms, en-suite privates to 4-person rooms.
All beds come with a personal power point, light and curtain for that bit of privacy we all need at times. Not forgetting the under bed storage!
The bunks are solid wood, so forget about rocking and squeaking in the night.
Read: Netflix and Chill – The 10 Do’s and Dont’s
The mattresses are also hotel quality, ready made for your arrival.
Good to know: this is an over-18’s hostel. You are allowed to drink alcohol in the common areas, but not to the bed rooms. Having a drink is no problem at all, yet remember this is not a party hostel!
When you’re not snoozing or making use of the free WiFi:
- Kick up a storm in the big, fully fitted kitchen
- Hang out in the open plan lounge room
- Book a tour with sister company Haka Tours
- Take advantage of the free tea and coffee
And if you’re feeling sociable but also kinda lazy…
Kick back and relax in the cinema room!
Haka Lodge Auckland is situated on the wonderful K’Road, a funky area known for boutique shops and numerous cafes.
It’s just a few minutes by bus to the centre or 15-minutes on foot. Easy.
Haka Lodge is the best hostel in Auckland for
- Solo travellers
- Small groups
- Digital Nomads (unlimited Free WiFi)
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
Here’s a video so you get a better impression of the accommodation.
2. LyLo Auckland
LyLo Auckland is one of the most popular hostels in Auckland. All their rooms share facilities including large male and female bathrooms, an onsite laundry, large kitchen / dining area, common areas and popular covered rooftop terrace.
They have a great kitchen and bathroom facilities that are kept clean. We liked the free food shelf in the kitchen and roof terrace which is a good space to meet other travellers.
Actually, you can have a look at what the Attic provides:
- Fully equipped kitchen and dining area
- 24hr free wifi
- Separate male and female bathrooms, female bathrooms are complete with hairdryer and hair straighteners!
- All rooms are non-smoking
- TV lounge with SKY TV
- Separate chill out common areas
- Locker room
- Travel desk, tour bookings and advice from our knowledgeable staff
- Spacious open deck area
- Free linen and covers
- Luggage storage
This is really nice and sociable place without being a party hostel. This is one of the best budget accommodations in central Auckland City
Location: This hostel is located in the heart of Auckland City. Just one street over from the iconic Skytower and a minute walk from the hustle and bustle of Queen street.
A great choice for
- Backpackers
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
3. The Attic Backpackers (TOP location)
The Attic Backpackers is a sleek, fresh, modern hostel with a cosmopolitan look.
The staff members pride themselves on exceptional service, spotless space and a welcoming environment.
Calling all female solo travellers – this is the best hostel in Auckland for you!
That’s right; a female-only dorm is available.
Read: All pros and cons of female-only dorms
Choose also between small and big mixed dorms, private single and twin rooms.
To top it off, groups can now book entire private dorms from 4 to 12 beds so that the entire party can stay together. Facilities such as a bathroom is still shared with the rest of the hostel.
All linen is included. Locker rooms are also on-site. Bathrooms are separated for men and women. Female bathrooms come with hair dryer and straighteners. Who says you can’t look good on a backpacking trip?!
What else is there…
- 24hr free WiFi
- Luggage storage
- Fully equipped kitchen
- TV lounge with Sky TV
- A spacious open deck area
- Common areas
For the musicians out there: locate the piano and treat other guests to a tune!
The Attic Backpackers recently introduced a Travel and Tour Desk. You can plan your NZ trip easily here, without paying booking fees or deadly hidden charges.
As for location; it couldn’t be more central. Just a hop, skip and a jump from the iconic sky tower, and minutes from popular Queen Street.
The Attic Backpackers is a top pick for:
- Female solo-travellers
- Small groups
BTW, Ponsonby Backpackers has moved to Attic Backpackers. So if you are looking for Ponsonby, you should book at Attic Backpackers or have a look at other hostels.
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
What about the cheapest hostels in Auckland?
Of course, there are always cheap hostels. But how do you actually find them? When you are traveling on a shoe-string budget and you want to save every dollar, there are ways to find the cheapest places in Auckland.
- Open Hostelz.com with a full list of all hostels in Auckland
- add your dates
- Order the listings by price
Simple as that.
Hostelz.com is a price comparison site for hostels. They list every single one in the world and tells you exactly which website is cheaper to use.
Another smart Tip: Check what is actually included, and what is excluded. Take a closer look at the location, too. A further location might mean more costs in transport.
Any Discounts?
You can find all our hostel discounts worldwide here. Subscribe to our newsletter to receive the freshest hostel discounts directly in your inbox. We even have special discount codes we only share in the newsletter.
It is completely free to join!
How to book?
The most popular booking platforms are Booking.com and Hostelworld.com. On both platforms, your credit card is 100% protected and the booking 100% confirmed.
We included some handy links to each of the recommended hostel. Just click on the hostel name. The link will lead you to check prices and availability.
Read: Step-by-Step guide on how to book with Hostelworld
We recommend booking your hostel as early as possible! All of Auckland best hostels are popular; especially in high-season. To make sure you end up in those stylish and good hostels, secure your room/bed as soon as you have your travel dates fix.
The coolest Hostel App you need comes as well from Hostelworld. It gives you super cool features like you can contact your hostel mates beforehand, ask questions, and make plans together. Find more details in our review of the app.
Scan the QR Code with your Smartphone to download the Hostelworld App from the App Store - like a real Hostel Geek!
Auckland hostels near Airport?
Alright, so you want to stay close to the Airport to catch an early flight. First of all, it is a good idea.
Here is a list of hostels near the Airport in Auckland:
- Kiwi Airport Backpackers Hostel (not really a hostel, and not solid quality. It does the job of accommodation, nothing more)
- ibis Budget Auckland Airport (A bit more pricey, yet decent quality)
Here you can find all hotels and hostels near Auckland Airport.
If I were you, I would stay at Kaha Lodge and then take the Skybus to the Airport.
The nearest Skybus stop is near the top of Queens Street, just after the junction with City road. It is a 10 minute walk from the hostel.
From the hostel you can also get a taxi. A cab to the airport would be around $NZ40. Please ask the hostel staff for updated prices. They will be happy to help you.
More Auckland Hostels worth to mention
We always focus on bringing you the coolest hostels. After all, you only need one kick-ass hostel and not 18 options, right?!
Nevertheless, to have this list complete, here is a bunch of more Auckland New Zealand hostels.
- Verandahs Backpackers Lodge
- Waiheke Backpackers Hostel
- City Garden Lodge
Verandahs Backpackers Lodge
Verandahs Backpackers Lodge operates from two stylish 1900s villas nestled in the heart of Auckland between the city centre, K Road and Ponsonby Road, Auckland’s hippest boutique shopping, restaurant and bar area.
Offering double ensuite, double, twin, single, dorms and three- and four-person share rooms, it is suited to almost any kind of traveller.
Hostel Highlights:
- Parking
- Free WiFi
- Airport shuttle
- Non-smoking rooms
- Facilities for disabled guests
- Laundry
Location: Located next to Western park, Verandahs Backpackers is located on Auckland’s famous Ponsonby Road, with cafes and restaurants on the doorstep. Britomart Transport Centre is only 5 minutes’ drive away. This hostel is 16.7 km away from Auckland Airport.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
Waiheke Backpackers Hostel
How about a hostel on an island near Auckland?
This hostel is perfect for some island vibes, but obviously not when you want to explore Auckland city.
Waiheke Backpackers Hostel provides an amazing location and great value for money; just 40 minutes from downtown Auckland, New Zealand.
It’s your very own piece of paradise – located on Waiheke Island above Onetangi Beach with stunning sea views.
Wake up to the sound of the seagulls or tui and head down the hill for a walk or run along Onetangi Beach. End up at a local beachside café, restaurant or shop for refreshments or a meal. Enjoy a stroll to a number of Waiheke Island vineyards.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking | Hostelworld
City Garden Lodge
City Garden Lodge is a 4 star hostel! It is a beautiful old house near a nice street full of cafes and shops!
They have a fully equipped kitchen with lots of free herbs, spices that is perfect if you want to prepare your own meal.
The staffs are very helpful and friendly. Their customer service is way too much. Private rooms and dorm rooms are available.
Hostel Highlights:
- Non-smoking rooms
- Airport shuttle
- Free parking
- Free WiFi
Location: City Garden Lodge is only a 3-minute walk from the Link Bus to Auckland’s city centre with Parnell’s restaurants, cafes and art galleries on the doorstep. It is a 20-minute walk to Vector Arena.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
Things to know about Auckland before visiting
Named the most livable city in the world, one third of NZ’s inhabitants call Auckland home, once you get here it’s easy to see why.
Whether you’re the vibrant café culture type or an adrenaline junkie looking to bungee jump or Skywalk, from New Zealand’s highest building – there is something for everyone in this metropolis.
On top of this, the numerous art exhibitions, live concerts, boutique shops and opportunities to put on your hiking boots – there is something for everyone.
Food is a big part of life and Auckland is no exception, within a 10 minute walk of the hostel, Ponsonby Central offers a chic selection of mini-mall of eateries with a bold art display taking centre stage.
This place is all about independence, no bar, shop or café is the same, it is filled with unique establishments. It’s hipster without the price tag. The main district of Ponsonby echoes the originality of Ponsonby Central, so there’s no need to look online for advice on where to eat; if it’s in Ponsonby, you cannot go wrong.
If you are looking for generic brands, fast food restaurants and cafes then Queen Street is great for you, it is the heart of the Business District.
This is corporate central, where most Aucklanders work.
Looking for something more alternative things to do in Auckland? Then the High Street could be for you.
What makes this street so special I hear you ask?
It’s the Laneways, these capillaries run off the High Street and are full of little surprises such as tapas bars, pubs, cafés and breweries with outdoor areas perfect for ‘people watching’ whilst having a cheeky beer or two.
The High Street runs parallel with Queen Street, this makes it really-handy if you’ve forgotten any travel essentials. Just off the Hight Street is Vulcan Lane (the home of Vultures’ Lane) which has a vast array of craft beers and a lovely outdoor area.
A local-recommended bar is Brothers Beer.
This is a working brewery, that has 18 beers on tap and more than 200 bottle beers available. Their thin crusted pizza is also pretty-phenomenal. It is approximately a 15 minute walk from the High Street, and a great place to stop and quench your thirst before heading onto the Waterfront.
It is impossible to mention the City of Sails without talking about the beauty of Auckland’s waterfront.
There are literally hundreds of boats in the harbor, it’s a never-ending sea of sails.
The Viaduct and Wynyard Quarter are both along the waterfront and are two fantastic areas to dine and watch the world go by.
There are a variety of restaurants and cafés to cater for all budgets and is an absolute must for any traveler coming to the city of sails.
There are multiple activities to do on the waterfront from museums and fish markets to catching the cheap commuter ferry over to the lovely seaside town of Devonport, to name a few.
There are Whale and Dolphin safaris that depart directly from the Viaduct Harbor (season dependent) and New Zealanders are mindful of wildlife so no need to worry about the ethics.
Please note that Hostelgeeks does not support animal tours.
Day Trips from Auckland
There are two islands that are less than one hour ferry journey from Auckland’s main ferry terminal, Waiheke Island and Rangitoto Island.
Day Trip to Waiheke Island
Waiheke Island is a known for its wineries, the landscape is a mix of beaches, vineyards and green hills.
There is a hop on hop off bus available as part of a day tour and with Auckland’s ferry and great public transport.
Day Trip to Rangitoto Island
Rangitoto Island is a favourite spot for independent travelers and hikers as this is New Zealand’s youngest volcano (a baby at just 600 years old).
It provides great hiking for both unguided and guided walks and is a perfect place to go for your first bush walk in New Zealand, remembering that unlike their neighbour Australia, New Zealand is not home to any scary creatures that are possible life-threating!
Once the summit of Rangitoto has been reached, the reward is a spectacular view of Auckland and The Gulf of Hauraki.
Maori culture is an enormous part of New Zealand heritage is most evident in the North Island.
There are multiple culture shows and even villages that travelers can visit within easy reach of Auckland. At the Auckland Museum, there is an entire section dedicated to Maori and Pacific history and their people, visitors can experience first hand a Haka and see all different types of artifacts and even artworks, the museum is open daily and is within one of Auckland’s best parks.
Thrill Seekers – Adventure Things to do in Auckland
New Zealand is an adrenaline junkie’s playground, if it sounds fun, slightly crazy and is at high speed than you’ll be able to do it in the island of the long white cloud.
For those adrenaline junkies visiting Auckland there’s
- Skydiving
- Bungee jumping from the Auckland harbor
- Shark swimming
- and the one and only haunted theme park in New Zealand is in, yes, you guested, Auckland.
Useful Apps for Auckland and NZ
As a visitor to a new city it’s always handy to know if there are any good apps to help you get around and discover a city and Auckland has three great apps to help you get around on your new adventure.
It also has an interactive map and a section specifically for visitors.
Hello Auckland
This a great app for upcoming events from sporting activities to live concerts to art exhibitions.
It also recommends restaurants, bars, shops, nightlife and sightseeing spots.
Download the app for Android | iPhone
Where Next
This app is superb if you get overwhelmed with where to eat, there’s loads of suggestions from where to eat to what activity to do next. This cool app will tell you what’s nearby, what’s happening in the area and is jampacked with a great mix of ideas.
Download the app for iPhone
At Metro Track My Bus
For those travelers who with be experiencing New Zealand by public transport, you don’t have to worry about a thing, you’ll never miss a bus again. This is a fantastic app keeps you up-to-date with times, delays and bus services in general. It allows the user to “favourite” your preferred route or bus stop. Great practical app, ideal for any traveler.
Auckland Trains
This app is so great, if you don’t believe me check out these reviews.
Download the app for Android | iPhone
All the apps mentioned are available on both IOS and Android. This app is easy, quick and its simple layout make it easy to navigate. It’s colour coded highlighting where your changes are making planning ahead easy and simple.
Our Favorite Hostels in Auckland put on a map + sights
If you’re anything like me, you like to pinpoint your hostel Auckland NZ on a map.
We’ve gone one step further and included some of the top sights in Auckland, too.
To top it off, here are some groovy ideas for you to try during your stay:
- Get in touch with nature on a half-day Whale and Dolphin Cruise
- Visit the Hobbiton movie set!
- Be prepared and buy your Sky Tower ticket
- For the adventurous – try the Waiheke Island Zipline
DON’T MISS! Support a local and see Auckland’s Secret Glow Worms. We did this and it was amazing. Kate takes a maximum of 3 people to a secret forest location not too far outside of the city. To help protect the glow worm population, phones are turned off and you’re sworn to secrecy. It’s just you, knowledgeable Kate and a beautiful glow worm lit walkway through the forest. Truly unique!
Sights to visit in Auckland are:
- One Tree Hill
- Auckland Domain
- Mount Victoria
- Queen Street
- Sky Tower
- Rangitoto Island
- Waiheke Island
Any questions about hostels in Auckland? 🤔
Join our Facebook Group!
Ask all your questions and connect with like-minded wanderers 🔥
Flights to Auckland?
We use Skyscanner and Omio.com to find cheap flights and good connections all over the globe.
Skyscanner has a bunch of cool features like Multi-City Trip. Instead of doing this research step-by-step, Skyscanner offers this flight planning tool.
FAQ
Alright, you should have found your accommodation already. Below we list all the frequently asked questions. Have a look.
More (incredible) Hostels in New Zealand and Australia
This guide covers all your top hostels in Auckland NZ.
We have also travelled extensively around the country, and found more incredible awesome places to stay in New Zealand.
Read the full list of all the best hostels in New Zealand here.
It includes best hostels in NZ for couples, for solo-travellers, and the party travelers around us.
Here are all more handwritten guides:
- best hostels in Queenstown + Queenstown Budget Travel Guide
- best hostels in Christchurch
- best hostels in Wellington
- best hostels in Wanaka
- best hostels in Nelson
- best hostels in Napier
- best hostels in Paihia
- best hostels in Taupo
- best hostels in Australia
- best hostels in Fiji
- Montacute Boutique Bunkhouse, Tasmania
Over to you
Do you have any questions left, maybe doubts? Then please leave it in the comment below. We are very keen to help you - and actually you would even do us a favor!
Your question will help us to improve this Auckland guide.
Last note: Our commitment
This is a genuine article to help you travel a bit smarter, and find the best place on a budget! We will never recommend you any place we haven’t evaluated or are not convinced by. We are constantly updating all our guides to keep them as fresh and accurate as possible.
Safe travels,
The Hostelgeeks
Have fun!
– – –
pin it for later
NOW CLOSED: Bamber House (old #3)
We really believe it when Bamber House say they are “more than just a hostel”.
Family owned and operated for 20 years, this backpacker hostel Auckland is situated in the heart of Mt.Eden.
It might be hard at times to remember you’re in a hostel. This colonial building is so homely! And what does every good home need?
You got it: pets!
Meet Clyde, the condescending cat, and Mars, the most handsome dog in the world.
Dorm rooms come with 3-8 beds. There is also a 6-bed en-suite dorm. All of which are mixed.
There is also the option of double and twin rooms, with or without an en-suite.
Important: anyone over the age of 10 years is welcome at Bamber House. This makes one of the family-friendly backpacker hostels Auckland has to offer.
What to expect:
- Free WiFi
- Lockers – bring your own padlock!
- Hotel quality mattresses
- Poly-cotton sheets (included)
- Netflix and Wii
- Well equipped kitchen
- Board games + book exchange
- Free car parking
The Bamber family have put a lot of thought into social spaces. Chill in front of the log fire, in the beautiful garden or spacious communal areas.
Activities are also frequently arranged. Join a trip to the city, ten pin bowling or catching the latest movie at the cinema.
It’s like being a part of a big family!
Popular cafes, shops, bars and a handy supermarket are only minutes away from the house.
The town is either a short bus ride away or a 30-minute walk.
CLOSED: Fat Cat Backpackers Community
Fat Cat Backpackers Community Auckland has a wonderful sense of community and the staff and volunteers are unbelievably welcoming and kind.
If you appreciate sustainability, community, interesting surroundings, and lovely humans you will love it! Fat Cat Travellers Community Auckland is worth a try.
This hostel is vibrant, diverse and friendly travellers’ community running a sustainable homestead with organic gardens, cats and chickens.
You can have a look at their old farm house in which you will feel home away from home.
Hostel Highlights:
- Free parking
- Free WiFi
- Airport shuttle
- Non-smoking rooms
- Laundry
Location: Situated in Auckland, within 13 km of Waitakere Ranges and 16 km of Aotea Centre. The property is around 17 km from One Tree Hill, 18 km from Auckland Town Hall and 18 km from The Civic.
CLOSED: Oaklands Lodge (home-away-from-home)
Update: This hostel has permanently closed. We’ve kept this content here for your information.
Looking for cheap hostel Auckland has to offer? Coming in at (very) close second is the warm and homely Oaklands Lodge.
This is an obvious choice if you want a smaller place (50 beds) and to be made to feel a part of the family.
Important update: Oaklands is now a long-term stay hostel, offering a minimum of 2 week stay paid weekly. This is a great, affordable opportunity for Working Holiday backpackers that would like to find work in the city.
The managers live on-site and have obviously put serious time and effort in to making this hostel a home-away-from-home. They’re friendly, genuine and helpful – what more do you need?
The building itself, which is 100 years old, boasts great character.
Yet that doesn’t mean it’s run down, oh no! Walk around barefoot enjoying soft carpet and appreciate modern, double glazed windows and high ceilings.
When we stayed here we loved the following:
- Large open garden w/ benches & hammocks
- Lounge room w/ DVDs, Mario Cart & sofas
- Dedicated work space
- Large fully fitted kitchen
- Super fast, reliable Wi-fi
More about the kitchen for a second. This certainly stands out from many hostel shared kitchens we’ve seen!
For one thing, there is an oven (that works!). Secondly, there are little separated cupboards for each room and so many spices it’s impossible not to create a delicious meal.
Make sure you check out the whiteboard in the dining area for upcoming events.
There’s often a family BBQ at the weekend, plus movie nights and quizzes throughout the month. What a great way to meet other travellers.
Though socialising is encouraged, this is by no means a party hostel. After 10pm guests are expected to respect others and keep it quiet.
As for the rooms?
A wide range of options from mixed dorms to twin, double and single privates means almost all traveller types are covered.
Each bed is sturdy and ready-made. Big lockers can be found in the dorms and also in the dining room.
Note: reception hours are from 8am-1pm and 2pm-8pm.
To top if off Oaklands goes to great effort with recycling and food waste compost!
Location: Oaklands Lodge is in a quiet neighborhood called Mount Eden Village. You’ll find restaurants, cafes and a supermarket all close-by. It’s an easy 15-minute bus ride to the city. Mount Eden itself is well worth a visit for sunset and offers great views over the city and beyond.
This is one of the best hostels in Auckland for:
- Backpackers
- Couples
CLOSED: Fat Camel Hostel
Probably the funniest hostel name on this list, the Fat Camel Hostel is a hostel with a low rating on major booking portals.
There is karaoke nights and such in this hostel New Zealand Auckland.
Staff are very friendly and helpful, big plus for the storage room where you can keep your luggage for a few hours after check out. Kitchens on every floor, so you can cook your own meal.
This is great for couples and solo travellers.
Hostel Highlights:
- Free WiFi
- 24-hour front desk
- Laundry
- Lift
- Bar
Location: Fat Camel Hostel is very near to Viaduct Harbour and 17.8km away from Auckland Airport. Closest landmarks and attractions are Queens Wharf, Sky Tower, Auckland District Court, Auckland High Court, KYCITY Entertainment Group, Auckland Art Gallery, Viaduct Harbour, National Maritime Museum, and Central City Library.
CLOSED: Queen Street Backpackers
Update: This hostel has permanently closed. We’ve kept this content here for your information.
Queenstreet Backpackers Auckland comes with an average rating and a simple and easy hostel. One of the hostels Auckland CBD has to offer.
Nothing more, nothing less. A solid option when the other 3 choices on the top are fully booked.
Accommodation options include private rooms and dormitories. They have co-ed and female only dormitories.
Hostel Highlights:
- Free WiFi
- Non-smoking rooms
- 24-hour front desk
- Laundry
- Bar
Location: Queenstreet Backpackers is near Queen’s Wharf in the city centre. Britomart train station is just 4 minutes’ walk away, and Customs Street bus station is less than 3 minutes away. Auckland Airport is under 50 minutes away on the Sky Bus. Sky Tower is10 minutes on foot and Auckland Domain park is 28 minutes’ walk away.
