YHA Sydney Central

Excellent location right by the central train and bus station. There were lots of people around and I always felt very safe. Great food options nearby if you don’t want to cook yourself. Rooms and bathrooms were clean, and the kitchen and laundry facilities were also clean and functional. There are a lot of nice amenities (pool, co-working spaces, book exchange, vending machines) and the staff were all very helpful. Probably my only complaint is that the digital room key in the YHA app did not work, so you do have to remember your physical key card.

My second time staying here as this hostel is amazing. Really good location, 5 minutes from Central Station and tram stop right in front of the hostel. Staff were really friendly and helpful, with 24/7 reception, large communal kitchen/dining area and free luggage storage. I even got a day pass when I checked out so I could still use the place. I requested a bottom bunk in advance and when I checked in and went to my room (5 bed room) they had reserved a bottom bunk for me. Thank you! Only negative is the room gets quite warm at night with no air flow, as there was no air con in the room and windows closed. Also, the only shower available on the floor was closed for cleaning for 1 hour from 4pm on Saturday, although nobody actually cleaned the bathroom until 4.50pm.

I wish I can rate a 0 for this place… My husband and I found out later that this was a dormitory. Absolutely overrated! We had booked a private room with a shower and toilet through an app, so didn't realize that the room was kinda special for this hotel. So now we’re a kind of understand their hospitality level, but were kicked out by a staff called Ali at 9pm because batteries of our room door lock died and it wouldn't open, but they blamed us for it, and we had to move to a different hotel that night. The hospitality was terrible indeed.

Top notch hostel. Focused on sustainability. Separate bins everywhere, including for organic waste and a water fountain that has a plastic water bottle count. So clean throughout and the beds are comfy with full curtains on each bunk bed for added privacy. Very big lockers in rooms with ventilation. Excellent wifi and kitchen facilities. The only negatives are that they don’t make up the beds with a bottom sheet due to health and safety rules for house keeping and there’s too much 90’s music played everywhere. Some quiet spaces would be appreciated.

Despite Harbour having a much nicer roof terrace, I chose Central for the pool and location. Stayed for a week and the pool has been and top floor has been closed every day. Locker in the room was broken and does not have plugs inside so devices can be locked away and charging. First night all I could hear was thudding from nearby bars, although this was the only night this happened. The location was great though with most of central Sydney being walkable and easy links to bondi on the bus. Being able to use my iPhone wallet express mode to unlock days was a huge bonus.

It was the worst experience ever I arrived around 12 PM and understood that early check-in might not be available. I was told to come back at 2 PM and that I could leave my luggage. However, the locker room required carrying luggage up many stairs. My suitcase weighs about 30 kg, and no staff offered help, so I waited for two hours. When I returned at 2 PM, the room was still not ready and I was asked to wait about another hour — with no apology, even though they knew I had already been waiting. I tried to be understanding and clearly said I didn’t mind if the room wasn’t fully cleaned. I wasn’t asking for early check-in — I just wanted to leave my heavy luggage in the room and go out. Only then was I told there was a luggage storage area without stairs. This option was never explained earlier. While taking out important items like my passport, I politely asked for a moment, but the female manager with long straight hair told me to hurry because she had other things to do. After such a long wait, this response felt dismissive and inconsiderate. If the room had been ready at 2 PM as originally indicated, none of this would have happened. The room also had a noticeable unpleasant smell and poor ventilation, just like other reviews mentioned. The kitchen lacked even basic items like salt. Very disappointing service and poor communication. I would not stay here again and would not recommend this place.

Modern hostel with great facilities. Amazing location right across the road from Central Station. My bed still had dirty bedding upon arrival but when I informed reception, they rectified it straight away. Could do with more showers and toilets on each floor. A singular shower had no hooks or a bench to place your towel etc. Curtains on each bunk for privacy and lockers in the room. A light and plug points on each bunk. Friendly staff.

Not just a place for backpackers & people on working holidays, this was easily the most affordable place to stay on a busy weekend. We are a family of 5 and got a Queen + 4 with ensuite for a great price, and meant we weren’t all crammed in 1 room. It’s central to everything, especially with the light rail right out the front which made things nice and accessible.

The breakfast that they provide is the most ridiculous thing I've ever purchased. $12 for toast and cereal. They don't even have the decency to make eggs or something warm. It's the same everyday and it's embarrassing for the company. Do not recommend.

The facilities and rooms are really nice here. The beds have individual outlets and lights, along with lockers. There's also a nice pool area on the rooftop. The location is unbeatable because it is so close to the Central Station and you can walk to tons of bars and restaurants.

This was the first hostel that I stayed out when coming to Australia and it was definitely a great experience. I really liked the common area which was quite spacious and had lots of power outlets for plugs. The cafe next door (In Cafe) had great food and drinks at affordable prices. The main negative thing I have to say about Sydney Central YHA is that it's very hard to meet people here since there are a lot of people that stay here. Now I understand that they organize activities for people to get to know each other, but the amount of people can seem overwhelming...

Im for the 3rd time here and it is still one of the top hostels in australia (and even further!). The rooms are nice (some windows cant be open), it's literally around the corner of central station and got very good facilities. The only negative thing: the prices went up every time i returned. We are talking now of mid30 bucks for a 6dorm, an 8dorm is over 30 AU$, so imho quite expensive! Nevertheless, this place is highly recommended! (although for my probable next stay I will check other hostels too)

Australia knows how to do hostels better than anywhere else I've traveled. The hostel is a large one but well run with adequate public areas There was a great kitchen, the rooms have lockers, enough bathrooms, individual lights for the bunks good location, rooftop pool. What more could you ask for. I never heard a thing from the bar, so this might depend on where your dorm is located.

Stayed here for quite a bit, and although it was some time ago, I would recommend it again. It's central, safe and close to any number of amenities. The staff were friendly and the rooms comfortable. My food was always stolen by other travellers though, that was the only downside.

Good rooms, great kitchen, amazing spa and rooftop terrace. i must have been a bit unlucky to be staying on the same floor as a group of teenage boys who were incredibly noisy. I guess it happens.

Great desk staff. Friendly. Amazing location. Right of airport train and in the heart of the city. Accommodations are decent. They have day lockers for anyone who is looking to continue exploring the city after you check out. Free wifi in the lobby. Definitely recommend to anyone on a budget!

Loud music starting 9pm till 3am. Was not told it was going to be a DJ party when i checked in. And i specifically requested a quiet room because I am here for work. Reception was empathetic but couldn't do anything at 2AM except assure me I would be forced to be awake for only another 30 min until the club closes.

Great location, price good. Hallways smell of mold or dead carpet and rooms are small but has lock in room that fits a good size laugage. Staff very friendly. I still recommend just don't be surprised.

It was clean and safe. However, bathrooms are communal. There is no furniture aside from the bunk beds, so there's no real comfortable space in the rooms. I'll go back, but only as a very temporary option.

Stayed here for 3 nights and was very happy with both the staff and the rooms in the YHA. The staff were very helpful and smiley and made any anxious feeling of staying in a hostel disappear. There were loads of activities to sign your self up to and random nights to look forward around the hostel and the city. Attached to this YHA is a travel desk so you can book any forward travel, trips or excursions. The room was pleasant - it was bare but I wasn't expecting too much and wasn't disappointed. It had bed, desk, 2 chairs and a couple of hooks on the wall. The kitchen was large and clean, and the pool/relaxation area was always busy with people to talk to. The only minor was that there were not enough computers which meant there was a always a queue - but this wasn't major as you learnt when to go off peak. It was close proximity to the tube to get to all the major sites.

I wasn't sure what to expect from youth hostels in austraila. Most in britian are quite poor. However this place is clean, modern and has all the facilities of most 3 star hotels. The only thing that this place lacks is a little character. YHA's Railroad Square hostel around the corner is better for that if you want to meet like minded people. Also some of the rooms there are actual old railway carriages

We stayed here when we first arrived in Sydney from the UK and to be honest it wasn't a good idea as we couldn't get a good night's sleep for days as there is a night club underneath it, but looking at it objectively it was a great place. It's cheap (naturally) and very clean and secure and has everything you'd want from a hostel. There's also a lots to do and good opportunites to try new things and meet people. The location is great - only a few mins from the most beautiful harbour in the world!