It’s time to discover the best hostels in Sydney – are you ready?
Sydney is a stunning city, there’s no doubt about it. It offers a bit of everything; rocky coastline, beaches, vibrant city life, calm parks, and famous sights – you name it.
Your Shortcut:
- Sydney Harbour YHA – for Solo Travelers
- Wake up! Sydney Central – for Backpackers and Groups
- Wake Up! Bondi Beach – for beach-lovers
Money-saving tip: Compare hostel prices with Hostelz.com. They compare prices from Hostelworld, Booking.com and others with 1 click.
We condensed it all to the 3 coolest Sydney Australia hostels. We also share the best hostels in Bondi Beach! If you happen to be travelling around Oceania make sure you check out our collection of the best hostels in Australia and the best hostels in New Zealand.
Looking for something more wild? check out the coolest party hostels in Sydney.
- Introduction
- List of the 3 Best Hostels in Sydney
- Best hostels in Sydney for solo travellers?
- Coolest Party Hostels
- beach hostels in Sydney
- Quiet and small hostels in Sydney
- Quirky hostels
- Cheapest Hostels (and how to find them)
- Things you need to know BEFORE travelling to Sydney
- Promo Codes
- Map with all hostels and main sights
- FAQ
- Flights
Overview: Best Hostels by Traveler Type
| 🦸 Solo Traveler: | Sydney Harbour YHA |
| 🙎♀️ best for Female Solo Traveler: | Wake up! Sydney Central |
| 🥳 Party Hostel: | The Village Broadway |
| 👩❤️👨Couple Hostel: | Wake Up! Bondi Beach |
| 👨👩👦 Family Hostel: | Sydney Harbour YHA |
| 👩💻 For Digital Nomads: | Wake up! Sydney Central |
| 🧘 Cozy Hostel: | Wake Up! Bondi Beach |
1. Sydney Harbour YHA (incredible city views)
Sydney Harbour YHA is a beautiful mix of modern and colonial Sydney. Built above archaeological remnants, this modern hostel has combined heritage with state of the art facilities.
This is on top of our recommendations for best hostel to stay in Sydney for solo-travellers! Enjoy the views over Sydney Harbour, Opera House and Harbour Bridge from the comfort of your very own rooftop terrace!
Sydney Harbour offers both dorm and private rooms, including a family room.
The dorms come with handy lockers and can sleep up to 6 people. There is choice between mixed, female and male dorms.
All rooms – dorm and private – have their very own private bathroom.
Common amenities include bed linen, air conditioning, individual bed light (and power socket) and access to communal kitchen and terrace. If you happened to search for ‘places to stay in Sydney cheap’, you’re in luck!
Sydney Harbor YHA offers so much to help you save money.
Get seriously social at Sydney Harbour YHA and join one of their free tours. Relax on the rooftop or coffee bar, play some pool with your new friends or grab some snacks from their in-house food store and lounge in front of the TV.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
Location of Sydney Harbour YHA: The YHA Sydney is situated in The Rocks – the city’s historic harbour side precinct. Located in the heart of Sydney, you can expect to be in walking distance from all the main attractions.
There are numerous historical pubs and restaurants nearby. Experience live music at The Basement and don’t miss a trip to the Sydney Opera House.
Check out next door too: The Australian Heritage Hotel host the largest beer list in Sydney! The hostel is 600 meters from Circular Quay train station. This means easy access to greater Sydney and its beaches.
Who stays at Sydney Harbour YHA?
This hostel is loved by
- solo travellers
- groups
There is plenty of choice of rooms, and Sydney Harbour specifically offers a group rate. The location is perfect for exploration straight from the doorstep.
It’s a big place, not at all a small hostel – housing up to 110 people – so we definitely recommend it for social butterflies.
What to know beforehand?
There is a free Wi-Fi hotspot with an option to upgrade to Premium Wi-Fi Plus. Onsite there is a Tour Desk and the staff will be there to help you get the best of your time in Sydney. The hostel also offers daily activities.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
2. Wake Up! Sydney Central (the home of social vibes)
The name of this hostel – Wake up! Sydney Central – sums it up perfectly.
Slap bang in the centre of the CBD area, surrounded by amazing sights and built with space, light and comfort in mind: you won’t want to do much sleeping.
Choose between dorm rooms to stay in sleeping up to 10, or private rooms with an option of an en-suite.
Wake Up Hostel Sydney central also cater for solo-female travellers with their female-only dorms.
All rooms include secured lockers, bed-side lamp and power point. Large windows make for wonderful lighting. Check in is 24-hours. The Tour Desk is also open 24-hours and is the perfect place to book your next destination in Australia, and ask about potential work opportunities in the city.
Feel free to make use of the large shared kitchen as well as an onsite Cafe Bistro and bar, open 7 days a week.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
Location: you guessed it: it’s central! Modern, light, spacious and directly opposite the Sydney Central Railway station. It’s perfect walking distance to all the main attractions including Sydney Opera House and the CBD. Not forgetting the numerous shops and surrounded nightlife precincts.
Be sure to take a stroll and enjoy the nearby Darling Harbour.
Who stays at Wake Up! Sydney Central?
Perfect for people interested in:
- Shopping
- Nightlife
- Socialising
- Sightseeing
It’s also great for the foodies out there with a wide selection of restaurants in the CBD area. Wake Up! Sydney is perfect for travellers that like to be involved.
There are many daily activities to join (more info further down!) and tons to explore in the city.
What to know beforehand?
Wake Up! Sydney Central offers a handy airport shuttle for an additional charge, so be sure to contact them in advance about this. They have done well to avoid discrimination by including disabled facilities and lift in the hostel.
The staff at Wake Up! Sydney can speak 6 languages including Swedish and Dutch. Side Bar (located in the basement) is Sydney’s biggest and busiest backpacker bar. The perfect place for socialising.
Roy’s Cafe, located on the ground floor, is open from 7am and offers breakfast, lunch and dinner.
The hostel is incredibly social and offers many (ever-changing) daily activities. These include free pizza evenings, guided tours, trivia Tuesdays, yoga class and pub crawls.
Read: The perfect hostel packing list
Recommended for:
- Backpackers
- Groups
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
3. Wake Up! Bondi Beach
Our #3 on this list is the Wake Up! Bondi Beach, one of the great hostels in Bondi Sydney.
And here you go as promised: This is the best hostel in Bondi beach!
Our top choice for a beach hostel in Sydney is seriously only 2 minutes from the beach. Located seconds from the sand and surf, Wake Up! Bondi Beach boasts a rooftop terrace furnished with umbrellas and deck chairs and has panoramic views of Bondi Beach.
SUPER COOL!!
It doesn’t stop here. Wake Up! Bondi Beach plays host to a range of complimentary lifestyle activities. Join in for
- rooftop yoga classes
- personal training sessions and
- walking tours along the picturesque Bondi to Bronte coastline.
- wine and cheese nights
- BBQ nights
For guests looking to try their hand at Australia’s most famous past time, free surfboard hire is also on offer.
If you are just flying into and would LOVE to see the ocean, this is your best choice! Our tip would be to find a buddy in the hostel to explore the city center and obviously visit the Opera House.
Where is bondi beach?
Bondi Beach is a popular beach, around 7 km/ 4 miles east of the Sydney.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Hostelworld
Best Hostel in Sydney for solo travellers?
For those of you discovering Sydney alone, we recommend staying at Sydney Harbour YHA.
Why? Well in case you missed it before, YHA Sydney is a social hub for travellers.
Here you can join the many hostel activities, meet new friends on the rooftop and explore the city by foot.
Everything social is right on your doorstep!
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
What’s the best party hostel in Sydney?
Let us introduce The Village Broadway hostel as the number one party hostel in Sydney.
Located above a buzzing pub and live music venue, 10 minutes from the Central train station. It’s the perfect place to be if you’re looking for fun.
Start your night enjoying some live music, a cold beer and a boogie on the dance floor. Then continue into the city and experience the night life – perfect!
Read: 7 types of hostels around the globe + the best party hostels in the world
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
Fancy cool beach hostels in Sydney?
We covered this place already, yet here it goes again. Who wouldn’t want to wake up and see the beach, right?
Well, it’s possible to do so at Wake Up! Bondi Beach.
The rooftop terrace offers a perfect view over the famous Bondi Beach – you’ll literally be across the road!
Join in one or more of the complimentary lifestyle activities including rooftop yoga, personal training and a walking tour along Bondi.
Bondi’s vibrant nightlife is also very close to Wake Up! Bondi Beach.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
Quiet and small hostel in Sydney?
If you’re looking to enjoy a more peaceful, intimate hostel experience without missing out on a central location; these quiet and small hostels in Sydney are for you.
These two are highly recommended by us: The Pod Sydney and Space Q Capsule Hotel.
Both accommodations offer contained sleeping spaces for perfect privacy.
Can you guess what theme Space Q Capsule is..?
What about unique, quirky hostels?
So, unique and quirky hostel design is more your thing. We’ve got you covered. We already mentioned Space Q Capsule Hotel, but let us mention it here again.
The out-of-space design is certainly quirky, and it is a wonderful blend of solo and social. Enjoy the privacy of your pod or head to the spacious lounge area and enjoy a game of foosball.
Another unique hostel with a super cool design is Railway Square YHA.
Spend the night in a funky railway carriage on ground zero of Central Station!
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
Quick Introduction to Sydney Hostels
Average price for a bed: A bed in a dorm can be as cheap as 16€ ($20) up to 35€ ($42). This is a rough average just to give you an idea. In this guide we will also show you how to find the cheaper places for backpackers.
Prices always depend on season and holidays. Please always check exact rates on Hostelworld.com or Booking.com.
Location: Sydney is big and you might want to see a lot of it. Make sure you know what you want. A beach hostel is best for relaxing, a central located hostel is better for sightseeing. Our map at the end of the article helps you to get a better understanding of all location on sights and hostels.
🎁 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
What about where to stay in Sydney CHEAP?
Are there any cheap hostels in Sydney? There can be cheaper hostels and more budget Sydney accommodation than the ones mentioned above.
It can be tempting to opt for the cheap places to stay in and only look for a Sydney cheap stay.
In our opinion, it’s not worth it to go with the cheapest hostel out there.
Why?
The difference is usually 1-2€ ($1-2), and a lot of amenities are not included. This can be breakfast or linen. Keep also in mind a bad location – or seemingly cheap areas to stay in – far away from the city centre costs you more in transport. This can be pricey in a big city like Sydney.
However, if you are traveling on a shoe-string budget and you wanna save every penny, there are ways to find the cheapest places in Sydney.
- Open Hostelworld with full list of cheap accommodation Sydney could offer.
- Order the listing by price
Make sure you then filter for the best ratings. Keep an eye on the “extreme” reviews, meaning the best and worst. These kind of comments are a great resource to see what you can expect – and what not!
Read: 15 tips for booking hostels – booking like a pro without wasting time and money
For saving even more money on museums and sights, go for the Sydney iVenture attraction pass.
Save over 40% with this pass and have access to over 30 of Sydney’s top attractions. This includes the 24-hour hop-on hop-off bus tour.
Things you need to know BEFORE travelling to Sydney:
Sydney is a big city with plenty to see and do. Here are a few tips to help you prepare beforehand:
Renting a car: If you’re planning on renting a car in Sydney, be aware of the toll charges.
The toll roads in the city are ‘cashless’ so you’ll need an electronic pass to pay.
No doubt your rental company will help you with this, but it’s an extra expense to be prepared for.
Public transport: The public transport is a little tricky. Sydney is wide-spread and there is no metro.
Avoid the CBD area during rush hour and catch the ferry whenever possible
– it’s reliable and affordable if you..
Important: Grab yourself an Opal Card.
It’s a simple top-up card and can be used on all public transport within Sydney. The daily cap for an adult is around $15 so you can essentially travel around as much as you like in one day for that price. Grab one at the airport, train station or any convenience store.
Alternative beaches: Bondi is not the only good beach! Sydney is actually divided between 10 distinct villages and there is no official city centre.
Have a look at Manly and Palm Beach. Become familiar with their locations and save time once you’ve reached the city.
Other Australia hostels worth a mention
Excited going on Sydney? Well, hostel is a major thing that you should consider. Australia hostels are all over but we only want the best for you so here are additional hostels that you might want to consider when travelling in Sydney.
- Mad Monkey Coogee Hostel
- Summer House Kings Cross Backpackers
- Sydney Backpackers
- Asylum Sydney Backpackers Hostel
- Mad Monkey Potts Point
Mad Monkey Coogee Hostel
Planning to go to Sydney for its beach? Well, this is the one for you. Mad Monkey Coogee Hostel is moment away from the monkey Coogee beach.
Try tons of great restaurants and bars including FNKY MNKY located below the hostel.
You will experience true Aussie experience by staying in this hostel because it is a bit far to downtown.
Hostel Highlights:
- Beachfront
- Restaurant
- Laundry
- Bar
- Free parking
- Free WiFi
- Free Breakfast
The common area and the pub make it easy for anyone to meet new people. Each dormitory has secure key access and they have shared bathrooms. Some rooms feature a balcony offering sea views. Each morning guests enjoy free cereal, coffee and tea. It’s the best way to kick off a good morning.
Location: Mad Monkey Backpackers is located next to The Coogee Beach Cricket Oval. Moore Park, Centennial Park and the Australian Golf Club are a 15-minute drive away, while Latham Park Tennis Centre is a 8-minute drive away.
Important: You can purchase a so-called Golden Ticket by Mad Monkey. Stay 30, 60 or 90 days in their hostels at a super low rate and one-time payment. Check more info about Golden Ticket here.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
Summer House Backpackers
Summer House Backpackers is a youth hostel that offers affordable accommodation. They have a good housekeeping services, round-the-clock security, airport transfers, and top-notch services and facilities.
Hostel Highlights:
- Free WiFi
- Laundry
- Terrace
- BBQ facilities
Summer House Kings Cross Backpackers has a dedicated entertainment manager who organises daily events to bring everyone in the hostel together. These include great nights out with free entry and drink, free BBQs, day trips to the Blue Mountains, whale watching, movie nights and heaps more!
Location: Summer House Backpackers Sydney is just 1 km from Kings Cross Station and Hyde Park. It is also less than 5 minutes’ drive from Sydney Opera House and the Royal Botanical Gardens.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
Sydney Backpackers
Sydney Backpackers is one of the best hostels to stay in Sydney for solo travellers.
It is a newly renovated hostel located in the heart of Sydney CBD.
This is good for couples and solo travellers because they offer a variety of private and dormitory rooms. Each comes with a free sanitized linen pack, and free use of an individual locker with a padlock.
It is also amazing that they have a fridge is fitted in all rooms and the serve continental breakfast is provided daily.
Hostel Highlights:
- Free WiFi
- Rooftop Terrace
- Coin-operated Laundry
- Lift
- Air conditioning
- BBQ facilities
Location: Sydney Backpackers is a 30-minute drive from Sydney Airport. Just a short walk away you’ll find Westfield Tower and shopping centre, Darling Harbour, Hyde Park and an array of other city attractions.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
Asylum Sydney Backpackers Hostel
Asylum Sydney Backpackers Hostel has a clean, homely, friendly vibe.
This hostel is good for the rate offered. The staff were friendly and accommodating. Common areas were excellent for setting up conversations.
What makes them interesting is that they have rescue dogs that you can take for a walk, feed or anything you want.
Hostel Highlights:
- Parking
- Free WiFi
- Airport shuttle
- Non-smoking rooms
- Laundry
- Terrace
Location: Asylum Sydney Backpackers Hostel is close to Kings Cross station, and it’s just a 30-minute walk to the Opera House and the Botanic Gardens and 10 minutes’ walk from stunning views of Sydney harbour and skyline.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
Mad Monkey Potts Point
You want a secure environment with 24 hour reception? This is the place for you.
Mad Monkey Potts Point features large common areas including a TV room and an outdoor terrace. Every day there is a welcome meeting for new guests with social activities.
They are operating the best backpackers Sydney Hostel for over 20 years.
Hostel Highlights:
- Parking
- Free WiFi
- Airport shuttle (free)
- 24-hour front desk
- Laundry
- Free Breakfast
This hostel has a lively, energetic atmosphere. They maintain a reputation for the friendliest staff, the cleanest beds and the best rates.
Location: Located in a quiet street in Potts Point, we are right next to the heart of Sydney’s Backpacker Mecca – Kings Cross!
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
Any Discounts?
Currently, we have no special hostel discounts in Sydney. I know, it’s a pity. We do not have any valid promotions for Bondi Beach or any promo code for Wake Up hostel in Sydney. You can subscribe to our newsletter to receive our newest hostel discounts always to your inbox.
We are always trying to get Wake Up Sydney Promo Codes and others.
You can find all our hostel discounts worldwide here.
Need an eSIM Card for Sydney ?
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Our Favorite Hostels in Sydney put on a map + sights
So here you go, here’s our map of all the coolest hostels in Sydney and main sights. The three main hostels are highlighted in blue. The quirky and unique hostels are found in orange, and all the sights in green.
Don’t leave Sydney without visiting the Opera House!
Any questions about hostels in Sydney ? 🤔
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FAQ
Alright, you should have found your accommodation already. Below we list all the frequently asked questions. Have a look.
Flights to Sydney ?
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 Hostels in Australia
OKay, by now you have the answer to your question where to stay in Melbourne on a budget.
Here are some more awesome guides in Australia:
- best hostels in Australia
- best hostels in Brisbane
- best hostels in Cairns
- best hostels in Alice Springs
- best hostels in Byron Bay
- best Hostels in Adelaide
- best hostels in Perth
- best hostels in Airlie Beach
- best hostels in Darwin
- best hostels in Noosa
- best hostels in Bondi Beach
- best hostels in Surfers Paradise
- best hostels in Hobart
Party hostels:
Backpacker hostels:
- backpacker hostels in Sydney
- backpacker hostels in Melbourne
- backpacker hostels in Brisbane
- backpacker hostels in Cairns
Heading over to Fiji? check out our guide to the best hostels in Fiji.
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 Sydney 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
– – –
Pin it for later
Update: The BOUNCE Hostel closed its doors for good. It is no longer possible to book this hostel. Below you find our now out-dated description of Bounce Sydney. We will keep this article updated!
old #3: Bounce Sydney (terrace heaven)
Bounce Sydney is central, quirky and fun. Designed around communal areas and top-notch security to ensure you have a wonderful time in the buzzing CBD of Sydney.
Dorm rooms housing 4-8 people, including female only dorms, are available.
The 4 bed dorm also has a private bathroom.
Read: overview of the different hostel room types
Quad deluxe, triple and queen rooms are also at Bounce Sydney. Included is an en-suite bathroom, flat-screen TV, fluffy pillows and 5 Star Hotel-quality mattresses.
All rooms have air conditioning. All linen is provided at no extra cost.
Bounce Sydney uses the latest in key card technology. Your key card will give you access to your room, elevator and communal areas.
Every guest has access to a large lockable storage with power socket inside. No more leaving your valuables charging on show!
Make use of the 3 large communal lounge rooms and TV room.
There is also a fully-equipped kitchen with 8 fridges – plenty of room for storage.
Location of Bounce Sydney
You’ll find Bounce located directly opposite Sydney Central Station, a 15 minute train ride from the airport – easy.
It’s located in Sydney’s artistic quarter with several restaurants and chic bars practically on the doorstep.
The popular Oxford Street is a 10-min walk from the hostel.
Who stays at Bounce Sydney?
For those travelling on a budget but who also want to be close to the sights.
Bounce is the best hostel Sydney Australia for
- Solo-travellers (a bit more luxury)
- Couples
If you’re looking to save energy on getting to the hotspots, and want plenty of room to chillax; Bounce Sydney is the place for you.
What to know beforehand?
Bounce Sydney has wonderful communal areas including a dining area and rooftop terrace with BBQ area.
More about the terrace; you truly won’t find a better view over Sydney skyline.
Relax in a hammock and party in style with sun lounges and sunset BBQ’s. Know the best backpacker bars in Sydney.
Weekly socials are also held here. Don’t miss the hot dog Thursdays!
There is high speed Wi-Fi throughout the hostel, as well as networked internet kiosks on various levels of the building.
Need to make an important phone call?
There is a free phone for calls within Australia, as well as Skype.
Reception is open 24hrs a day. In the lobby you will also find Bounce Travel.
Friendly staff will be more than happy to help you organise your ongoing travel in Australia.
Find all hostels on Hostelworld.
