Let’s travel to the adventure capital of the world and discover the absolute best hostels in Queenstown New Zealand. If you’re not already buzzing with adrenaline, you’re about to be.
Is Queenstown worth visiting? Abso-frickin-lutely!
Here are the best hostels to stay in Queenstown. You’re welcome.
Our favorite hostels in Queenstown are:
- Adventure Queenstown Hostel - best for Backpackers
- Haka Lodge - best for Solo Travellers
- Absoloot Hostel Queenstown - best for Couples
Money-saving tip: Compare hostel prices with Hostelz.com. They compare prices from Hostelworld, Booking.com and others with 1 click.
1. Adventure Queenstown Hostel
2. Haka Lodge
3. Absoloot Hostel Queenstown
Nature lovers and adventure junkies will be at home in this stunningly located New Zealand town.
As for the hostels? Well, the ratings for all of the hostels mentioned in this article are crazy high, and for good reason! Expect great locations, double-bed dorms, and big social spaces.
NEW: Best Hostels in Wellington, New Zealand’s capital city
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
- Quick Introduction to Queenstown
- The 3 Best Hostels in Queenstown
If you have more time we highly suggest checking out our big guide to the best hostels in New Zealand.
Quick Introduction to Queenstown NZ
The average price for a bed: Hostels in Queenstown NZ cost 13€ – 18€ per night for a bed in a dorm. A private room starts from 44€ up to 82€ per night. This is a rough average just to give you an idea.
Prices always depend on the season and holidays. Please always check the exact rates on Hostelworld.com or Booking.com.
Check-In and Check-Out: The average check-in time is from 15:00 (3 pm), while the check-out time is before 11:00 (11 am). 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.
Things to do: This city is packed with beautiful things to do. Yet, be aware that is the most tourist spot in all of New Zealand. Some pre-planning is always a good idea. Enjoy the gondola ride to Bob’s Peak and do endless sports activities. One of my favorite blogs to check Things to do in Queenstown is Bailey from MyQueenstownDiary.
Budget: Check out our Queenstown budget travel guide.
🎁 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
The 3 Best Hostels in Queenstown are …
Let’s jump right into the coolest hostels in Queenstown.
- Adventure Queenstown Hostel – best for Backpackers
- Haka Lodge – best for Solo Travellers
- Absoloot Hostel Queenstown – best for Couples
These are our favorite hostels in Queenstown. 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. Adventure Queenstown Hostel
2. Haka Lodge
3. Absoloot Hostel Queenstown
Overview: Best Hostels by Traveler Type
| 🦸 Solo Traveler: | Haka Lodge |
| 🙎♀️ best for Female Solo Traveler: | Absoloot Hostel Queenstown |
| 🥳 Party Hostel: | Nomads Queenstown Hostel |
| 👩❤️👨 Couple Hostel: | Absoloot Hostel Queenstown |
| 👨👩👦 Family Hostel: | Adventure Queenstown Hostel |
| 👩💻 For Digital Nomads: | Haka Lodge |
| 🧘 Cozy Hostel: | Flaming Kiwi |
| 🎒 for Backpacker: | Adventure Queenstown Hostel |
| 👫 For Socializing: | Adventure Queenstown Hostel |
1. Adventure Queenstown Hostel
Here we have a superb option for travelers who enjoy in-house activities in a small setting – it’s the perfect recipe for making new friends.
Adventure Queenstown Hostel holds 49 wanderers at one time and they offer activities 5 nights a week including movie nights, trivia evenings, and AQ scavenger hunts.
There’s a bunch of free stuff inc. tea/coffee and unlimited internet. Other perks include:
- Spacious lounge room w/ fireplace
- Awesome balcony spaces
- High-speed, unlimited Wi-Fi
- Secure bike, ski + snowboard storage
The dorm rooms range from 4-6 beds mixed, and there is also a 5-bed female dorm. The bunks are sturdy and have a curtain and under-bed storage.
We love the large sociable dining area, the perfect place to share a meal rustled up in the shared kitchen.
The owner and staff are well-traveled and super friendly. Just ask if you have any queries or need help planning your next adventure!
This so happens to be the most central accommodation in Queenstown.
But don’t fret, it’s still a relaxed area so you won’t lose out on sleep. And reaching all the cool places is super easy from here.
This is one of the best hostels in Queenstown for
- Backpackers
- Friends
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
2. Haka Lodge
Our second recommendation is perfect for budget backpackers who like more of an upmarket hostel.
At Haka Lodge you’ll enjoy hotel-style private rooms and dorms with custom-built bunks and privacy curtains included.
It’s easy to feel at home here when the place only holds a maximum of 50 travelers. It’s definitely a must if you’re looking to chill and meet other like-minded people.
There’s not one but two kitchens here and you can help yourself with herbs, spices, and tea & coffee. Win!
Staff here care for the environment recycle everything possible and use food waste to create compost for the garden.
Forget bottled water – the tap water here is delicious!
Throughout the 3-levelled building is unlimited free wifi so make the most of it.
You needn’t walk far – one block in fact! – before you’re in the center of town.
That being said, Haka Lodge is situated in a nice quiet, and safe area.
Honestly? The vibe here is so much more like a home-share than a hostel so expect to settle in enough that you might need to extend your stay.
Top choice for:
- Solo travellers
- Couples
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
3. Absoloot Hostel Queenstown
Are you a light sleeper and need a quiet place to stay? Absoloot Hostel Queenstown makes a lot of effort just to make sure that you sleep well.
All of their windows are double-glazed, all doors are solid-core and they provide free earplugs if you need them. Indeed, a quiet hostel in Queenstown has to offer.
This hostel is designed by travelers for travelers. The place is refreshing and the view is astonishing. The staff can help you with the tours and adventures that you want to try.
Perks at Absoloot value accommodation:
- Non-smoking rooms
- Free WiFi
- Beachfront
- 24 Hour Security
- Laundry Facilities
- Luggage Storage
Location: Located on the lakefront in the center of Queenstown. Transport to the ski resorts and adventure activities are just a 2-minute walk from the hostel. The Gondola is a 5-minute walk from Absoloot Hostel Queenstown. It is a 2-minute walk to Base Backpackers Queenstown.
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
What about the cheapest hostels in Queenstown?
If you are traveling on a shoestring budget and you wanna save every penny, there are ways to find the cheapest places in Queenstown.
- Open Hostelworld with a full list of budget places to stay in Queenstown
- Order the listing by price
Simple as that. Make sure you use then the other filters and rank per price.
Also keep a close eye on the ratings, especially the “extreme ratings”. Meaning, the best and worst.
These ratings can give great insight on what to expect.
Here’s our guide on how to book hostels with Hostelworld.
Best Hostels in Queenstown for Solo Travellers?
What is the serious, best hostel in Queenstown for solo travellers?
Without doubt, we have to say Haka Lodge is the best option for solo travellers who desire a laid-back, intimate setting.
It’s the perfect home-from-home accommodation very close to town so making travelers and local friends comes easily.
Best Party Hostels in Queenstown
Update: Our below recommendation has sadly closed its doors. Keep scrolling to discover Nomads Queenstown instead.
If you’re looking for a little sleep and an awesome party, Base Queenstown is the hostel for you!
The on-site bar Loco Cantina offers backpackers $6 drinks every night alongside affordable meals. All that’s left to do is play games, dance, and enjoy cool live DJs.
Note: the bar is noisy and can be heard from some of the rooms, so stay here if you’re really keen to join in the fun and not worry too much about getting a solid 8 hours of sleep.
Base Queenstown just so happens to be located on the most popular street in town.
More Hostels Worth a Mention
Backpackers in Queenstown NZ, are you ready for more?
We were pretty impressed with the collection of hostels in such a small town. Queensland knows the hostel scene for Hostelgeeks readers, for sure!
Well, we want to show you more. We couldn’t resist including a couple more options in case our top 3 weren’t what you’re looking for. We are telling you that Queenstown New Zealand hostels won’t fail you.
- The Flaming Kiwi Backpackers Queenstown
- Hippo Lodge Backpackers
- Black Sheep Backpackers
- JUCY Snooze Queenstown
- Southern Laughter Backpackers
- Nomads Queenstown Hostel
- Adventure Q2 Hostel
The Flaming Kiwi Backpackers
Sometimes it’s nice to feel at home when you’re travelling somewhere new, and at the Flaming Kiwi you’ll feel just that.
It’s a friendly, cozy hostel just 5 minutes from the town center and 3 minutes from the supermarket.
There are bikes for use (free of charge) which is a perfect way to explore Lake Wakatipu. Either that or try your hand at frisbee golf!
After a big day exploring, make use of the three fully-equipped kitchens, unlimited wifi, and a selection of games.
We think this is a top choice for anyone looking to escape the party scene and enjoy a small, quiet time.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
Hippo Lodge Backpackers
If you want a good night’s rest, and peace and tranquility rather than the manic noise of youth in Queenstown- come here! Hippo Lodge Backpackers is on the side of a hill so it is a bit steep.
They offer a mix of shared and private accommodation and all the rooms have a mountain, lake or garden view. Interesting, isn’t it?
Fabulous, friendly hostel with comfy beds and spacious rooms. It is a home away from home.
Perks at Hippo Lodge Backpackers:
- Non-smoking rooms
- Free Parking
- Free WiFi
- Family rooms
- Luggage Storage
- Book Exchange
- Security Lockers
- Outdoor Terrace
Location: Located in Queenstown on the side of a hill, just 500 m from Skyline Gondola and Luge. The popular bars and restaurants of Queenstown are within a 10-minute walk. Coronet Peak is a 20-minute drive away and The Remarkables ski area is a 40-minute drive.
Shotover River is 900 m from Hippo Lodge Backpackers, while AJ Hackett Bungy Jumping – Kawarau Bridge is 6 km away. The nearest airport is Queenstown Airport, 6 km from Hippo Lodge Backpackers.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
Black Sheep Backpackers, Queenstown
Is it just me who sings Baa baa baa Black Sheep as I read Black Sheep Backpackers?
Anyway, Black Sheep Backpackers is another backpackers hostel and they are proud of having a hot tub and ski storage space.
The place is clean and the atmosphere is very relaxing. The rooms all had large windows to allow for good airflow and views of the mountains. They have different outdoor patio areas to chill.
Perks at Black Sheep Backpackers:
- Non-smoking rooms
- Free WiFi
- Family rooms
- Laundry
- Outdoor Terrace
- Shuttle Bus
- Luggage Storage
- Tour desk
Location: Situated in Queenstown, 700 m from Skyline Gondola and Luge. Shotover River is 1.6 km from The Black Sheep Backpackers, while AJ Hackett Bungy Jumping – Kawarau Bridge is 6 km away. Queenstown Airport is 6 km from the property. It is 700 m from Base Queenstown Hostel.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
JUCY Snooze Queenstown
JUCY Snooze Queenstown is a 5 star hostel so it feels like a hotel.
The bathrooms are always getting cleaned and the pods have everything you could need! Really comfortable and spacious pods with lots of privacy. The rooftop bar is a plus. You can also store your bags for a small extra fee if you need it.
Perks at JUCY Snooze Queenstown:
- Non-smoking rooms
- Free WiFi
- Family rooms
- Restaurant
- Facilities for disabled guests
- Bar
Location: Jucy Snooze Queenstown is located in the heart of Queenstown. Shotover River is 1.1 km from Jucy Snooze Queenstown, while AJ Hackett Bungy Jumping – Kawarau Bridge is 6 km from the property. The nearest airport is Queenstown Airport, 6 km from the property. It is 2-hour drive to South Island.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
Southern Laughter Backpackers
Southern Laughter Backpackers is located in a quiet part of town. The rooms are spacious and comfortable.
If you want to cook and prepare your own meal, their kitchen is surprisingly clean all the time. It is spacious and fully equipped.
The staff are very accommodating and helpful.
Perks at Southern Laughter Backpackers:
- Non-smoking rooms
- Free Parking
- Free WiFi
- Laundry
- Luggage Storage
- Tours/Travel Desk
Location: Located centrally in Queenstown, 500 m from the city center. Sir Cedric’s Southern Laughter Backpackers is 650 m from the lakefront and a 13-minute drive from Queenstown International Airport. It is a 25-minute drive from Coronet Peak and a 37-minute drive from The Remarkables Ski Area.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
Nomads Queenstown Hostel
Are you up for a fun and friendly vibe? Well, you should stay here!
Nomads Queenstown Hostel is a 5-star hostel and a great value for money. Modern and fresh are the right words to describe it.
It is designed for budget travellers so this is really a nice place to stay. The price of the rooms is very reasonable considering the location.
The atmosphere is amazing! The common areas look really good and they are perfect for meeting new people. Oh, don’t forget to try their sauna when staying here.
Perks at Nomads Queenstown Hostel:
- Non-smoking rooms
- Facilities for disabled guests
- Free WiFi
- 24-hour front desk
- Laundry
- Luggage Storage
- Tours/Travel Desk
Location: Nomad’s Queenstown Backpackers is ideally located in the heart of Queenstown.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
Adventure Q2 Hostel
The last hostel Queenstown NZ on our list. Adventure Q2 Hostel has plenty of activities lined up for you. They have wine tasting, rock climbing, bungee jumping, and more.
If you want to just stay in the hostel, you can watch movies or just hang out on the terrace. You will definitely meet new friends with all the activities they have for you.
The rooms are very comfortable and have everything you need. The beds are comfy and perfect for tiring adventures in Queenstown.
Perks at Adventure Hostel Queenstown:
- Non-smoking rooms
- Free WiFi
- Laundry
- Tours/Travel Desk
- Luggage Storage
- Bicycle Hire
- Outdoor Terrace
- Security Lockers
Location: Set in Queenstown and with Skyline Gondola and Luge reachable within 700 meters. The hostel is close to several noted attractions, around 300 m from Queenstown Chamber Of Commerce, 300 m from Queenstown Resort College, and 400 m from Queenstown Lakes District Library.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
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 Queenstown 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!
Our Favorite Hostels in Queenstown put on a map + sights
Let us have a look at the map. Below we list all three best Queenstown hostels on a map.
We also included the main tourist attractions you need to know in this list:
- Milford Sound
- Lake Wakatipu
- Routeburn Track
- Coronet Peak Ski Area
- Queenstown Gardens
- Skyline Queenstown
- AJ Hackett Bungy
Whilst you’re in the adventure capital of the world, why not try skydiving near The Remarkables?
Any questions about hostels in Queenstown? 🤔
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Ask all your questions and connect with like-minded wanderers 🔥
FAQ
Alright, you should have found your accommodation already. Below we list all the frequently asked questions. Have a look.
Flights to Queenstown?
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.
More guides
Alright, this is your answer to where to stay in Queenstown.
Don’t forget to check out all of the best hostels in New Zealand if you’re backpacking the country.
We did the leg work for you and bring you more hostel guides to destinations:
- best hostels in Auckland
- best hostels in Christchurch
- best hostels in Nelson
- best hostels in Taupo
- best hostels in Wanaka
- best hostels in Paihia
- best hostels in Wellington
- Best Hostels in Australia – a backpackers guide with map
- Best Hostels in Fiji
You can find all our new and updated articles for Best Hostels here.
We also created a huge guide to hostels. Here we cover how to build lifetime friendships in hostels, the perfect packing list, and more.
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 Queenstown 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
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pin it for later
CLOSED: Tahuna Pod Hostel
Update: This hostel has permanently closed. We’ve kept this content here for your information.
Come on then, we’re dying to introduce you to the gorgeous Tahuna Pod Hostel.
It’s without doubt the best hostel in Queenstown!
Why?
Well for one thing it is the very first pod-style hostel in New Zealand and they have gone as far as introducing double beds in their shared dorms. Pretty cool, right?
The rooms (dorms and privates) are just plain gorgeous in design and comfort. Dorm beds have been built with sustainable materials and have that all important privacy curtain.
But of course there is more to Tahuna.
Enjoy great views over Queenstown from the BBQ/balcony area on a good day, and relax in the TV lounge when it’s bleaker.
What else…
- Large kitchen + dining area
- Free breakfast
- Free entry to the iconic Queenstown Ice Bar
This is also a Queenstown hostel with parking available..for free!
Another little inclusion we think is wonderful is the offer of free homemade soup every evening.
Sir Cedrics is located in the heart of Queenstown, yet far enough away from the hustle and bustle so you can enjoy a great nights sleep. It’s easily one of the best hostels in central Queenstown.
This is one of the best hostels in Queenstown for
- Sociable couples
- Female solo travellers
