You’re probably deep into your working holiday planning and wondering which hostels in Auckland to stay in as you start on the trip of your lifetime exploring New Zealand.
I’ve been there.
When I made plans to head to New Zealand in 2022 for my working holiday, it had just opened up post-pandemic. Many of the hostels in Auckland I knew from my previous trip there had closed so I remember frantically searching for a place to stay.
I also lived on Waiheke Island during my working holiday in New Zealand from 2022 to 2023, so whenever I had to run errands or attend events in Auckland, I’d stay a night or two at hostels in Auckland CBD.
So trust me when I say I’ve done my research and stayed in my fair share of cheap hostels in Auckland.
So if you’re a backpacker in Auckland, looking for a spot to crash at, here are my top picks of 8 of the best hostels in Auckland!
1. Lylo Auckland
2. Haka Lodge Auckland
3. Verandahs Parkside Lodge
4. Haka House Auckland City
5. Attic Backpackers
6. Choice Backpackers
7. HIT Hostel
8. United Auckland
Disclaimer: This article may contain affiliate links and I may get a small commission if you purchase through my links below, at no additional cost to you.
8 Best Hostels In Auckland For Backpackers
1. Lylo Auckland
54 Cook Street, Auckland CBD
Lylo Auckland opened in December 2022 and is one of the newest backpacker hostels in Auckland. For those of you who find the location familiar, this is where the old Jucy Snooze once stood. Given that it’s so new, the facilities are pristine.
But what I really love about Lylo is more than just its cleanliness. It has individual private sleeping pods which are great for those of us who value our privacy. Best part? The pods have their own lighting, ventilation, and charging points. If you’re travelling as a couple, the hostel also has reasonably priced private rooms.
Those who stay in hostels for the social element will love that Lylo has spacious areas for socialising — The Hub, Miss Lucy (its in-house restaurant bar), and a sun-lit space called The Outlook where yoga classes happen sometimes.
Price range: NZ$60.80 for a single pod in a 10-pod room to NZ$173 for a Super King with an ensuite bathroom
What’s great:
- Self-check-in — perfect for introverts!
- Private sleeping pods with personal lights, ventilation, and charging points
- Huge toilets with picture-worthy make-up counters
What’s not as great:
- Communal toilets are clean but due to the large number of people using them, they can get dirty quickly
- The kitchen is located on the first floor next to reception and is quite small
2. Haka Lodge Auckland
373 Karangahape Road, Auckland City Centre
Located on the bustling Karangahape Road, or K-Road as the locals call it, Haka Lodge Auckland is a quaint hostel that’s still in the city centre but extremely homely. The Haka Lodge brand is a well-known New Zealand backpacker label and with that comes the knowledge that you’re booking something reliable, safe, and affordable.
I first stayed at Haka Lodge when I landed in Auckland to begin my working holiday and a bunch of four of us shared a dorm room for four with an ensuite bathroom. For a hostel, it was clean, relatively quiet, and had everything we needed.
Price range: NZ$41 for a single bed in a mixed-dorm
What’s great:
- Vibrant streets and lots of food options along the same stretch as the hostel
- Cozy communal spaces which allow for interactions if you’re a sociable solo traveller
What’s not as great:
- K-Road is a bit sketchy and it can feel unsafe if you’re a solo female traveller. It can also be noisy due to the presence of late-night venues nearby.
- No lifts so we had to hand-carry our luggage up the narrow staircase to our third-floor room
Book a bed at Haka Lodge Auckland.
3. Verandahs Parkside Lodge
6 Hopetoun Street, Freemans Bay, Auckland
Located relatively close to Haka Lodge Auckland is Verandahs Parkside Lodge, which is arguably safer and very cosy. It is a self-proclaimed family business, owned by three Kiwi brothers and their families. One look at the place and you’ll be struck by how homely it looks — it’s a place you’ll feel right at home at right away.
I’ve not gotten the chance to live here during my time in Auckland, but friends who have stayed there waxed lyrical about the coziness, how kind everyone was, and how quickly they made friends.
The property has a good variety of rooms, from a simple single room to family rooms, and of course, dorm rooms of up to 5 sharing. Best part? No bunk beds!
Price range: Single rooms go for NZ$88, while a queen ensuite costs NZ$129. For those who prefer budget dorm beds — prices start at NZ$46 for a bed in a 5-bed dorm.
What’s great:
- Cozy socialising areas great for any sociable traveller
- Spacious, fully-equipped kitchen so you can whip up budget-friendly meals
- The hostel is environmentally friendly and uses technology such as solar hot water and energy-efficient sensor lights
What’s not as great:
- 20-minute walk to the city centre that has its fair share of slopes
- No lockers to store valuables — bring a lock if you need to, or take your valuables with you!
Book a room or bed at Verandahs Parkside Lodge.
4. Haka House Auckland City
5 Turner Street, Auckland
Haka House is a relatively new hostel in central Auckland, located just 10 minutes from the city centre, and the newer of the Haka spots in Auckland so if you’re a fan of new hostels, you know where to look.
It’s also located more centrally compared to the other Haka Lodge hostel, right in Queen’s Street, which is where all the main action in central Auckland is.
Price range: NZ$43 for a bed in an 8-bed dorm to NZ$129 (early bird pricing) for a twin room with an ensuite bathroom.
What’s great:
- Lockers come with power outlets so you can lock up your items while charging them.
- Near Queen’s Street, which houses a lot of great food and entertainment options.
- Large, communal kitchen space — great if you want to meet people.
What’s not as great:
- Bring your towels, though. You’re unlikely to get a towel unless you’re booking a private room.
- Due to high traffic, common spaces can get dirty.
- Limited toilet and shower facilities.
Book Haka House Auckland City.
5. Attic Backpackers
Level 4, 31 Wellesley Street West, Auckland
Located squarely on Queen’s Street, Attic Backpackers is probably the most central and most affordable hostel in Auckland you can stay at. It’s great for those on a limited budget and in need of a no-frills accommodation for a night or two.
It’s located on the top floor of a heritage building with lift facilities, fret not. The staff are all young, hospitable and very helpful.
Price range:
What’s great:
- Big, spacious and clean toilet and shower facilities.
- Plenty of communal spaces for you to meet other travellers.
- Unbeatable central location with plenty of amentities right at your doorstep.
What’s not as great:
- Rooms can get a bit warm in the summer. (The dorm room I stayed in only had one fan in the thick of summer and the bottom bunkers monopolised the fan, so needless to say it was a very, very warm evening for me.)
- Compared to others on the list, Attic is a little older, but it also just means it’s a well-oiled machine and its staff are accustomed to dealing with backpackers of all cultures.
Book Attic Backpackers in Auckland.
6. Choice Backpackers
10 Wellesley Street East, Auckland
Choice Backpackers is a no-frills, affordable hostel located very centrally within Auckland’s CBD. It’s the choice (pun intended) when you just need a roof over your head and nothing more.
Its 24-hour reception also means it’s great for late or extremely early flights — and given its size, it’s most likely to have a last-minute vacancy if you’re in a pinch!
Price range: NZ$25 for a bed in an 8-bed dorm, or just NZ$65 for a twin or double room.
What’s great:
- Awesome, central location at an extremely affordable price point.
- Has a cinema room with Netflix and Amazon Prime, and a lounge area with billard, table soccer and darts
- Has a 24-hour reception (not super common in Auckland hostels!)
What’s not as great:
- No side table so it can be quite inconvenient if you’re the type that needs that.
- Toilet and shower facilities can get dirty given the number of guests that check in and out of the hostel.
- The hostel uses white blind curtains, so it can get super bright once the sun rises — if you’re someone who likes to sleep in like me, you may need to get an eye mask!
7. HIT Hostel
145 Karangahape Road, Auckland
HIT Hostel might be situated a little further from the CBD, but it’s located along the vibrant K-Road, which can be quite a vibe.
The hostel has a shared lounge, garden, and a patio, as well as clean and spacious private rooms, making it an ideal spot for those wanting a bit of peace, privacy, and serenity, even.
Price range: NZ$40 a night for a 6-bed dorm or NZ$70 for a private double room with a shared bathroom.
What’s great:
- Well-equipped kitchen, great for those who love to stay in to cook.
- Located very centrally on K-Road so it’s great if you love to party and love being in the middle of everything.
What’s not as great:
- When I last tried to book, the hostel required me to stay at least two nights, which can be annoying when you just need a night’s stay.
- No windows in rooms so it can feel a bit stuffy and claustrophobic.
- The noise from neighbouring establishments can be bothersome for some.
Reserve a room at HIT Hostel here.
8. United Auckland
18 Liverpool Street, Auckland
Newly reopened in 2024, United Auckland is a clean, budget-friendly hostel in Auckland that’s relatively central and clean. Given that it’s relatively new, its facilities are pristine and modern.
Price range: From NZ$53.10 for a bed in a 6-bed form and NZ$83.70 for a single room with a shared bathroom, to a whooping NZ$256 for a family room with a bathroom.
What’s great:
- Everything’s new and clean!
- The staff are extremely friendly and helpful.
- There’s a sun terrace and table tennis facilities — perfect for those who love sun and sweat.
What’s not as great:
- The hostel appears to charge a bond at check-in, which can be annoying if you’re not carrying too much cash with you.
- The route to the hostel can be quite arduous — make sure you’re not carrying too much luggage if you book this hostel or be prepared for a trek.
- Rooms are not soundproof so you can hear your neighbours as well as the surrounding traffic
Book a dorm at United Auckland here.
FAQs On Hostels In Auckland
What Is The Cost Of Hostels In Auckland?
The cost of hostels in Auckland varies but it’s possible to get a bed for NZ$40 a night in a hostel in Auckland.
The prices for hostels in Auckland can go higher depending on how new a hostel is, whether there is an ensuite bathroom, and if you’re opting for a bigger, more private room.
While the costs of hostels in Auckland have risen over the years, the prices remain quite competitive and budget backpacker-friendly.
Are Hostels Expensive In New Zealand?
No, hostels are not expensive in New Zealand. Depending on where you stay at, you can even get a dorm bed for three days at a hostel for under NZ$70 in total.
Of course, this might mean that the room you’re staying in has more beds (the more people you are sharing the dorm with, the lower the price), or that the hostel is a tad older or more out of the way.
But it’s for sure that hostels in New Zealand are not expensive.
Be warned, however, prices do rise during peak summer travel season — so book early to get your hostel and price of choice.
How Much Are Hostels In New Zealand?
Hostels in New Zealand can cost anywhere from NZ$30 for a dorm bed, to NZ$200 if you’re opting for a private, double room with an ensuite.
Yes, you read that right, there are private rooms in hostels with ensuite bathrooms.
However, if you’re just a budget backpacker in search of the most cost-friendly room then you’ll do well to budget around NZ$40 to 50 a night for your accommodation if you’re travelling outside of the main cities such as Auckland and Wellington.
As you can see, there are more than enough hostels in Auckland to choose from, across all budgets and all travel styles.
I found that it’s best to speak with other backpackers to get a sense of what backpacker hostels in Auckland they’d recommend.
I also advise you to always go with your gut feel — sometimes we might opt to stay in a cheaper hostel to save money, but cheaper isn’t always better.
Likewise, some of the best evenings have come out of the most unassuming of hostels when I travelled around New Zealand.
Whichever hostel you pick, I hope you have an amazing time in Auckland and the rest of New Zealand!
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