If you’re looking for a Queenstown Hostel to stay in, there are many options to choose from.
But what are the best hostels in Queenstown you ask? You can see this answer coming…it depends.
If you were to choose based on the ratings at Booking.com, you’d go to Adventure Hostel and Adventure Q2. But Adventure Hostel tends to be a party hostel…so maybe you won’t want to stay there.
So trying to deduce what the best hostel in Queenstown isn’t easy. That said, I’ve stayed at the majority of backpacker hostels in Queenstown so can give my two cents on these (in no particular order).
My favorite hostel in Queenstown? Haka Lodge.
Note: Both YHA hostels in Queenstown and Base Backpackers have closed.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. FAQ About Queenstown Hostels
2. Haka Lodge Queenstown
3. Aspen Lodge Queenstown
4. Pinewood Lodge
5. Adventure Q2 Hostel
6. Nomads Queenstown
7. Alpine Lodge Backpackers
8. Tahuna Pod Hostel
9. Jucy Snooze Queenstown
10. Flaming Kiwi Backpackers
11. Other Queenstown Hostels
1. FAQ ABOUT THE BEST HOSTELS IN QUEENSTOWN
Where are the hostels in Queenstown?
If you’re not sure where to stay in Queenstown on your hostel search, location isn’t a big deal. The hostel that’s furthest away, Pinewood Lodge, is less than a 15-minute walk from the middle of town.
If you click on the map below, it’ll open in a new window.
How much do hostels in Queenstown cost?
For the majority of the hostels in Queenstown, a dorm room (anywhere from 4-12 beds) will cost $20-$30 per night. The exceptions are super busy times like New Year when everything gets booked out in advance, and those that do have a room left will often be charging $40+ for a dorm.
What’s the cheapest site to book hostels in Queenstown?
The majority of the time I was using Booking.com to book hostels in Queenstown. But there were a few times where I found Agoda.com had cheaper rates, particularly when booking Jucy Snooze.
What about Hostel World? In my experience, Hostel World tends to be more expensive than both Booking and Agoda.
Can you book with the hostels direct?
Most of the time, yes, and they’ll match the price you show online. But there was a couple of hostels where this wasn’t the rule and they still made me book online (I can’t remember which ones they were).
What are the best hostels in Queenstown for solo travellers?
Assuming you’re wanting to meet other people, Adventure Q2 and/or Haka (I wouldn’t recommend Jucy Snooze).
What are the best hostels in Queenstown for couples?
Haka Lodge has a few nice private rooms, and Tahuna Pod Hostel has some awesome double pods. Jucy Snooze has nice cheap private dorms too.
What are the best hostels in Queenstown for partying?
Nomads and/or Adventure Q2 (Keep in mind Nomads is a ‘dry hostel’)
What are the best cheap hostels in Queenstown?
Nomads and Jucy Snooze are usually the two cheapest hostels in Queenstown. But if there are events on and capacity is near 100%, they can all increase their prices dramatically!
What are the best hostels in Queenstown for digital nomads?
In my experience, I’d opt for Haka Lodge and Alpine Lodge (the Wifi at Nomads is poor). The common areas at Pinewood Lodge can be handy too.
What are the best family hostels in Queenstown?
I haven’t experienced hostels in Queenstown as a family so can’t recommend any in particular. But my instincts say Pinewood would be nice. Or Black Sheep.
Are there hostels in Queenstown with car parking?
Yes, there is but the space is often limited. There is onsite parking at both Tahuna and Haka Lodge, but it’s first in first serve and depending on what the time is, you might need to park a 10 – 15 minute walk away which can be annoying.
Another option is Pinewood Lodge which is further out of town. But the perks are, there are more parks available and if not, there’s usually free street parking nearby.
THE BEST HOSTELS IN QUEENSTOWN
2. HAKA LODGE QUEENSTOWN
This is the hostel I’ve stayed at the most in Queenstown, totaling over 6 months. What kept me there are the friends I made, the relaxing lounge area, and overall comfort. There are two kitchens so there’s usually always space to make your own food…although sometimes it feels cramped.
Haka has good-sized bunk beds although overall the rooms are on the smaller side (they have good-sized lockers). During the winter the rooms were never cold, with good heating throughout.
There are a few spaces for cars on the property, but you can’t reserve them. There’s free parking available a 5-10 minute walk away (or 2-hour parking right next to the entrance).
PROS
- Two kitchens
- Comfortable common rooms
- Cleaned (well) daily
- Outdoor clothes line
- Big balcony
CONS
- Small showers
- Some bunk beds can be super noisy
CHECK OUT HAKA LODGE
3. ASPEN LODGE BACKPACKERS
Aspen Lodge is a low-key hostel in Queenstown. It’s located close to other hostels, and the two-story building sits back from the street which is nice. And allows for some on-site parking. What I don’t like is the rooms are all pretty messy, with some flimsy beds. But I do like how many of the rooms have external access.
The common rooms are pretty large, but the layout can be awkward. This is a place you’ll either love or hate I think…I tend to be the latter but know a few who love it. The balcony area is cool, but is shared between a few rooms and can mean you’ll get minimal sleep if others are drinking.
PROS
- Onsite Parking
- Some rooms have an ensuite
- Two common room spaces
CONS
- On a popular road
- Strange layout
- Flimsy beds
CHECK OUT ASPEN LODGE BACKPACKERS
4. PINEWOOD LODGE
My first night at Pinewood Lodge was a disaster. The Mardi Gras Festival had been cancelled at the last minute, meaning the fully booked hostel became a massive party. When I returned later in the evening, the room was a bombsite. That was a one-off I’d like to think (it was fine the few other nights I was there).
The cool thing about Pinewood Lodge is there are lots of individual units with a couple of bunk rooms in each, attached to a common room space.
If you’ve got a few friends and can fill up a room, this would be an awesome hostel in Queenstown. I was on my own and it was kind of awkward when I entered a room a couple of times…it felt like I was entering their house. That may have just been me!
The location is a little out of town with a walk up the hill but it’s not the end of the world, and the separation might work for some.
PROS
- Separate units
- Plenty of common room space
- Spa Pool
CONS
- Not purely a hostel
- A little outside of town (and at the top of a hill)
CHECK OUT PINEWOOD LODGE
5. ADVENTURE Q2 HOSTEL
Adventure Q2 Hostel is one of those hostels that try and do all the small things well, and execute! It’s the second adventure hostel, and they’ve improved on the reportedly great Adventure Hostel.
The owner Brett is a big traveller, and I get the feeling he wanted to create his dream hostel with features like:
- free GoPros to use
- activities every night of the week
- the team show you through the hostel when you check in
- ability to book tours/activities
PROS
- Really clean
- GoPros use
- Friendly, personable staff
CONS
- Small kitchen
- You can’t park nearby
CHECK OUT ADVENTURE Q2
6. NOMADS QUEENSTOWN
Nomads hostels don’t have the best reputation, but if you’re looking to find some mates for a couple of days and head out to party, Nomads is a good bet. I do find it weird that this is a dry hostel, when I was there I definitely saw some beers and people were getting ready to party (granted this was across the New Year Period).
Other people who I have talked to have said that it’s fine for a couple of nights (don’t expect great Wi-Fi), but the consistency of the cleanliness is lacking.
PROS
- Consistently, one of the cheapest hostels in Queenstown
- You can get into your room with an app (a downside for some)
- Right in the middle of town
CONS
- It’s a party hostel (yes, this is a party hostel)
- Located right above a couple of bars/clubs which don’t close until late
CHECK OUT NOMADS QUEENSTOWN
7. ALPINE LODGE BACKPACKERS
Alpine Lodge Backpackers is one of the smallest hostels in Queenstown (14 guests maximum) and that’s part of the charm. I stayed here towards the end of winter for a couple of nights, and the staff had created a real home-like feeling, which the fireplace did assist with. Although the bathrooms could use a little love.
This is a very low-key hostel, I’d walked past it dozens of times and never noticed it right next to Aspen Lodge. It’s the kind of hostel that once you’ve stayed there, you’ll likely return because it feels cozy.
You’re not likely to find people here who are big on partying, but if you’re looking to find someone to go for a hike/snow adventure…this could be what you’re looking for.
PROS
- 14 guests maximum
- Open fireplace
- You get to know the staff well if you want
CONS
- Hard to book a room due to the small size
- Bathrooms are a bit tacky
CHECK OUT ALPINE LODGE BACKPACKERS
8. TAHUNA POD HOSTEL
Tahuna Pod Hostel is going to be one of the best hostels in Queenstown for couples looking for something on the cheaper end (check out the Double Pods).
I was reluctant to stay at Tahuna Pod Hostel for a while as it’s more or less across the road from Haka Lodge where I usually stayed and saw them as ‘the other guy’. But I did stay here for a few nights in the end.
The exterior of the hostel is super fancy! But don’t let that fool you…they’re not quite so nice inside. But still decent. The kitchen/common room space is huge with a nice balcony that gets awesome afternoon sun…even a little bit in the winter!
The rooms are a big variety, but the pods are pretty big and a lot more sturdy than the likes of Jucys pods. I know a couple of the staff who work here (Well did), and they’re super friendly.
PROS
- Pod beds are well built
- Awesome common room space
CONS
- The layout is a bit funky
CHECK OUT TAHUNA POD HOSTEL
9. JUCY SNOOZE QUEENSTOWN
Jucy Snooze is the best of cheap hostels in Queenstown…cheap being beds are almost always available for less than $25. But that’s for a certain type of person.
It’s a bit of a tricky hostel to make friends, as the common areas don’t really exist. You can hang out in the reception area but that’s awkward, and the kitchen for some reason isn’t a place I feel like you gravitate towards. There is a little section where you can sit outside which s nice, but it’s not a place you’d hang out long. And there’s the restaurant on the rooftop (Miss Lucy’s), but again, it’s not a place you can feel like it’s easy to hang out for a long time in.
That said, I do really like Jucy Snooze when I want a chill evening and don’t feel the need to be social…even though the location is perfect if that’s your thing. The pod beds are really big, with charging ports and lights always working (the Wifi was good too). The staff is friendly as well which I appreciate and for such a large hostel I found the bathrooms were kept clean.
That said, the pods can be really loud as the covers are some kind of plastic so if you kick them or whatever, you’ll wake up the rest of your roommates.
If you’re staying in Queenstown for a night or two, and just looking to rest after one of the big Queenstown hikes and want to stay low key without feeling like you have to be social, Jucy Snooze is great.
PROS
- Great location
- The pod beds are really big
CONS
- If the hostel is super busy, getting a shower could be tough (and the kitchen is small)
- No great space to socialise with others
- Pods can be noisy
CHECK OUT JUCY SNOOZE QUEENSTOWN
10. FLAMING KIWI BACKPACKERS
I’m undecided about Flaming Kiwi, or as my friend always calls it ‘Kiwi Flaming’. I stayed here for a couple of nights, but didn’t spend enough time in the hostel itself to get a real feel for it. The bed in the dorm I stayed in was kind of awkward in the middle of the room. It was kind of weird how people could walk on both sides of my bed.
But the common room seemed popular, and a lot of people were there to watch a movie. This hostel is close to Fresh Choice and Raewards, so if you’re planning to buy your food from supermarkets, it’s definitely got that going for it. So yea, I’m not really sure how I feel about recommending Flaming Kiwi for now.
PROS
- Close to the supermarket
- Comfortable couches
CONS
- Small dorms
- The ensuite bathrooms are nice, but for 8 bed dorms you have to wait a while in the evenings
CHECK OUT FLAMING KIWI BACKPACKERS
11. OTHER HOSTELS IN QUEENSTOWN
Other hostels in Queenstown that are usually open but I haven’t stayed at include:
- Adventure Hostel Queenstown
- The Black Sheep Backpackers
- Absoloot Hostel Queenstown
- Hippo Lodge Backpackers
What do you think are the best hostels in Queenstown?
I’ll always be a little biased towards Haka Lodge with so many memories there. But it’s not for everyone! If you’ve got any questions about which hostel you should stay at in Queenstown, comment below or you can email jub@churnewzealand.com
WHAT TO READ NEXT ABOUT QUEENSTOWN
- Amazing Queenstown restaurants
- How to get around Queenstown
- Where to drink craft beer in Queenstown
- Vegan in Queenstown: A Quick Guide
Hey, it’s Jub here. I’m the guy behind Chur New Zealand, helping you have the best time hiking, trekking, walking…whatever you want to call it…in NZ. I’m based in Queenstown and am always out and about exploring trails, old & new. If you have any questions, reach out.