The 6 Best Hostels in Auckland (Updated 2023)

Published: 01/05/2023 | January 5, 2023

Auckland is the largest city in New Zealand. With over a hundred beaches within an hour’s drive, Auckland is a great starting point for day trips.

While I wouldn’t spend much time here (a couple of days should be enough), there’s plenty to do during your visit, from bungee jumping to lounging on the beach to visiting the nearby Hobbiton (from Lord of the Rings movies).

And while Auckland can be pricey, there are plenty of hostels here to help keep your costs down.

To help you save money and plan your trip, here is my list of the best hostels in Auckland.

But before we dive in, I want to share four things you need to keep in mind before choosing a hostel:

1. Location – Auckland is stretched, keep this in mind when looking for a hostel. Choose an area near what you want to see and do.
2. Price Like everywhere else, you get what you pay for. If you choose a really cheap hostel, you will probably end up with a small, cramped, and not great service.
3. Facilities – Every hostel in the city has free Wi-Fi and most of them have their own kitchen so you can cook your own meals. Many, but not all, include free breakfast, so be sure to research to find the one that best suits your needs.
4. Staff – All the hostels listed here have wonderful staff, very friendly and knowledgeable. Even if you don’t stay at any of the places listed below, be sure to look for reviews so that you have helpful and friendly staff. They can make or break a hostel!

Below is my list of the best hostels in Auckland. If you don’t want to read the long list below, below are the top ones in each category:

Best hostel for budget travelers: Fat Cat Travel Community
Best hostel for solo female travelers: Attic Backpackers
Best hostel for couples: Hekerua Lodge Backpackers
Best Party Hostel: Haka Lodge
Best hostel for solo travelers: Fat Cat Travel Community
Best hostel overall: Verandas Parkside Lodge

Want the specifics of each hostel? Here is my list of the best hostels in Auckland and why I recommend them:

Price legend (per night)

• $ = less than 40 New Zealand dollars
• $$ = 41-46 New Zealand dollars
• $$$ = over NZ$47

1. Fat Cat Travel Community

Set in an old farmhouse in the suburbs of Sunnyvale, Fat Cat is the perfect place to go if you’re traveling alone. In addition to a complimentary breakfast each morning, complimentary (vegetarian) dinners are offered each evening, as well as a pizza night on Sundays. Employees also regularly build a bonfire at night.

The hostel also emphasizes sustainability, with organic gardens and chickens (and cats!). The staff also runs workshops on baking, crafts, gardening and more.

The beds are simple but cozy and feel more like you’re staying at a friend’s house than a hostel.

A quick look at the Fat Cat travel community:

• $
• Free breakfast and dinner every day
• Lots of organized social events
• Focused on sustainability and community

Beds from 27 NZD per night.

2. Haka Lodge

There are haka lodges scattered all over New Zealand and they are always a reliable place to stay for a few days. This hostel is next to K Road where there is always a party, concert or festival. If you come to Auckland to have fun, this is the place to do it. The Haka features a lively common room with frequent movies on TV, a fully equipped kitchen and laundry facilities.

Comfortable beds in dormitories with separate sockets and curtains so you can get a good night’s sleep. The showers are a bit small but overall the bathrooms are kept clean.

Haka Lodge at a glance:

• $$
• Ideal location in the center of the parties
• Very friendly and welcoming staff
• Lots of movies and games in the common room

Bed from NZ$47 per night, private rooms from NZ$142.

3. Hekerua Lodge Backpackers

Hekerua Lodge is located on Waiheke Island, about 32 kilometers (20 miles) from downtown Auckland. This is the perfect getaway from the hustle and bustle of New Zealand’s largest city. The lodge is laid-back and rustic and feels like a home you share with a bunch of (soon-to-be) friends.

If you feel like socializing, the hostel offers plenty of social activities, including group dinners. There is also a communal barbecue area, roaming chickens, a vegetable garden and a swimming pool.

Private rooms have shared bathrooms but are also comfortable and have plenty of natural light. There is also a 4-bed and 6-bed dormitory with a private sun terrace.

Hekerua Lodge at a glance:

• $
• Good location on Waiheke Island close to the beach
• Organizes social events to make it easy to get to know people
• Pool

Bed from NZ$39 per night, private rooms from NZ$60.

4 Verandas Parkside Lodge

Located just off the always busy K Road, Verandahs Hotel is housed in two 120 year old villas with just about every room imaginable for a hostel. There are various common rooms that range from three to five beds. Single beds – not bunks are comfortable and come with a beautiful duvet. The dorms are small so you will never be crowded.

The bathrooms (and the hostel in general) are clean and the showers have really good water pressure. There’s a common room that feels like a living room in a home away from home, and a huge kitchen perfect for cooking.

Verandahs Parkside Lodge at a glance:

• $$$
• Great location in downtown Auckland
• Family run business with warm and friendly service
• Very large common room and kitchen

Bed from NZ$49 per night, private rooms from NZ$130.

5. Waiheke Backpackers Hostel

If you’re looking for a less urban experience in Auckland, head to Waiheke Backpackers Hostel, located 40 minutes from the city center on Waiheke Island (ferries run regularly).

The hostel is located on top of a hill that offers stunning views of the surrounding sea, so you can wake up in the morning to the sound of water splashing on the shore and the chirping of seagulls. Facilities include a large kitchen, outdoor BBQ and dining area (with great views) and an entire island to explore.

The dorm beds are not very comfortable (they are cheap metal bunks without thick mattresses or curtains) but the price, amenities and location more than make up for it.

Waiheke Backpackers Hostel at a glance:

• $
• Peaceful place on a beautiful island
• Outdoor seating and cooking opportunities
• Cozy common room with board games and book exchange

Bed from NZ$40 per night, private rooms from NZ$120.

6. The Attic Backpackers Hostel

Located on Wellesley Street in the city centre, The Attic is a top-floor hotel and first-class hostel (voted Auckland’s Best Hostel for four consecutive years). The location is great, just a stone’s throw from the famous Sky Tower, a short walk from the main bus station and right next door to a reasonably priced food court.

There is a covered roof terrace where you can take in the views and meet people. And while the dorm beds are regular metal bunks with no curtains, the mattresses are thick, so you’ll still get a good night’s sleep.

Attic at a glance:

• $$
• Great location
• Kitchen
• Rooftop terrace for great views and people-to-people meetings

Bed from NZ$45 per night, private rooms from NZ$120.

From village hostels on Waihek to party hostels right in the middle of it all, there is a wide variety of hostels to choose from in the city. The hostel scene here is pretty strong, and since everyone has to land when they enter the country, you’ll find plenty of travelers here – and potential friends to travel the country with!