Sydney is nothing short of an incredible destination. Be that as it may, spending time in Australia can be on the expensive side of the fence, which is why you want to do everything in your power to save while you are there. Even if you look at Airbnb’s, you may find prices that simply throw you for a loop. When that happens, what are you expected to do?
Well, that’s why I’m here! I happen to be a traveler just like you, and I think you’ll find my hostel reviews from Sydney to be very informative.
What Should You Expect from Hostels in Sydney?
Even if you were to find the best Sydney hostels and choose from those options, are these places you really want to stay at? That’s a fair question considering that many people would choose to go for a hotel or an Airbnb.
As you know, hostels are meant to provide a form of cheap accommodation, which is great for people like me who prefer to do my backpacking thing and maintain as tight a budget as possible.
Maybe savings aren’t enough to convince you, which I totally get, so let me do you one better. There is nothing, and I mean nothing, like the kind of social vibe that you’ll get if you hop on the hostel train.
I cannot tell you the sheer number of stories I’ve heard and useful tips I’ve gotten. Here I am, trying to ensure that you have the same experience while optimizing things since I want to give you the tidbits needed to choose the best hostel in Sydney for your needs.
1. Top Picks for Solo Travelers
Three options come to mind here, and I’ll tell you why:
- Mad Monkey – If the word “social” was a hostel in Sydney, this would be the one. Located in Kings Cross, you’ll be within walking distance of shops, restaurants, bars, and more! Enjoy private rooms with huge lockers, alongside free breakfast, and various nighttime activities!
- Wake Up! Sydney Central – You could look at this one as being a hotel for backpackers. It’s next to Central Station meaning getting to and from the airport is a breeze. The building is a beautiful eight-floor structure, and it has an overall clean and trendy feel. Of course, being as large as it is means you’ll need to journey to areas such as the bar/nightclub to socialize.
- Sydney Harbour YHA – There’ll be more about this one below, so I won’t say too much here. That being said, the vibe is superb, combining elements of Sydney’s heritage with state-of-the-art facilities to enjoy such as a self-catering kitchen and air-conditioned rooms.
I also want to give a special mention to Big Hostel. One of my favorite things is how centrally located it is, and it has a simple, yet comfortable vibe about it, which the name unironically tells you. It’s not the fanciest name ever, but you know exactly what you’re getting. The views are great, the rooms are big, and there are even private rooms for older travelers.
2. Unveiling Sydney’s Best Hostel
Friends, let me take a moment to formally introduce you to the cream of the crop. You simply cannot beat Sydney Harbour YHA. It is the only one you’ll find in The Rocks, and the views are to die for. Your eyes will be treated to the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House, Luna Park, and more. By the way, if you can visit what is a very famous opera house, go for it!
I’m always for the backpacker hostels with spacious rooms, and this one hits it out of the park. The self-catering kitchen mentioned above is incredibly large, and common areas, such as the rooftop terrace, are nothing short of impressive.
Getting accommodation at hostel prices with a more than satisfying experience is not always easy to achieve but this one knocks it out of the park!
3. Party Central: Sydney’s Ultimate Hostel Experience
My pick here is none other than Mad Monkey Bayswater, and that’s for more reason than its undeniably great name. If party hostels are your thing, it gets no better. The place is just super lively, and the activities are great. You can enjoy movie night, yoga classes, a rooftop BBQ, and even a PlayStation gaming area.
As for my partygoers out there, one happens at the hostel every night! Don’t be surprised if you end up just never leaving the place because there’s just that much to do. However, if you want to dabble in the external party scene, that can be arranged too since you’ll be very close to clubs, bars, and more!
4. A Local’s Take: Sydney’s Best Accommodation
As I sit and think about what the best hostel in Sydney, Australia is meant to represent as a local, I find myself again being unable to think of anything on the level of Sydney Harbour YHA.
The price is perfect and the location is nothing short of best in class. Of course, as backpackers, we’ll want to move around to see sights, but the views by default are awesome. There’s also the onsite grocery store that compliments the kitchen unbelievably well.
Don’t forget about activities such as pool or foosball to get in some fun. Of course, the jobs board and laundry facilities complete the package as they help you keep things in order.
5. Unraveling the Hostel Scene in Sydney
There’s a lot to look forward to if you want to live the hostel life in Sydney. I would say that it doesn’t hurt to ask a few questions about the offerings to get some more details. For example, some options will have free breakfast or laundry services. I’m not skipping the chance to start the day right!
Additionally, you’ll find that you will usually be close to some cool locations such as the Central Business District, Sydney CBD, Kings Cross, or Bondi Beach, which are all great places to check out!
6. Ultimate Guide: Finding the Perfect Sydney Hostel
The perfect hostel in Sydney will depend on what appeals to you specifically. For example, we didn’t mention Summer House Backpackers or Mad Monkey Backpackers. The latter has a tremendous rooftop, local gym access, a gaming area, and even a pool table!
My advice is to get out there and ask the real questions, so you won’t be disappointed.
7. Sydney’s Hostel Haven: Insider Reviews and Recommendations
It’s time for you to get packing and get going! Enjoy a rooftop terrace or relax in the comfort of the Sydney Harbour YHA. No matter how you choose to enjoy Australia, these hostels allow you to do so on a budget, and we love that here!
About Peter C.
Peter is a digital nomad who largely writes from Asia, Europe, and South America. Always following the "vibe," he sets up shop in hostels and AirBNB's and continues to entertain us with wild stories from life abroad. Ask him anything in our community forum.
