New Zealand Hostels

Hostelworld.com. Compare hostels, B&Bs and budget accommodations across New Zealand, and book your stay in advance at Hostelworld.com.

Many hostels (“backpackers” in New Zealand) are laid out dorm-style, often with large single-sex rooms and bunk beds, although private rooms that sleep two to four are becoming more common. They sometimes have kitchens and utensils for your use, bike or moped rentals, storage areas, transportation to airports, breakfast and other meals, laundry facilities, and Internet access. There can be drawbacks: some hostels close during certain daytime “lockout” hours, have a curfew, don’t accept reservations, impose a maximum stay, or, less frequently, require that you do chores. In New Zealand, a dorm bed in a hostel will average around NZ$15-25, and a private room around NZ$40-60.

A Hosteler’S Bill Of Rights. There are certain standard features that we do not include in our hostel listings. Unless we state otherwise, you can expect that every hostel has no lockout, no curfew, free hot showers, some system of secure luggage storage, and no key deposit. Laundry and Internet are available in most hostels for a fee: usually around $5 for wash and dry, $2 per 20min. Internet, except when otherwise noted. Central heating is rare in New Zealand and is listed wherever found.

By far, the most common hosteling organization in New Zealand is Budget Backpacker Hostels (BBH; ☎03 379 3014; www.bbh.co.nz), offering many of the same services as YHA. Membership costs NZ$40 and can be purchased on the BBH website. Another option is VIP Backpackers Resorts International (VIP; ☎09 816 8903; www.vip.co.nz). Membership costs NZ$39 and can be purchased at any VIP hostel. NOMADS World (www.nomadsworld.com) has increased its Kiwi hostels . For an annual fee of AUS$34, the NOMADS Card entitles the cardholder to discounts on accommodations and transport. Membership can be purchased on the website.

Joining the youth hostel association in your own country (listed below) automatically grants you membership privileges in Hostelling International (HI), a federation of national hosteling associations affiliated with Youth Hostels Association of New Zealand (YHANZ; ☎03 379 9970; www.yha.org.nz). Non-HI members cannot stay at HI hostels in New Zealand. HI hostels are not the most prevalent type in New Zealand, but you will likely find them in larger cities.

Australian Youth Hostels Association (AYHA), 422 Kent St., Sydney, NSW 200 (☎02 9261 1111; www.yha.com.au). AUS$52, under 18 AUS$19.
Hostelling International-Canada (HI-C), 205 Catherine St. #400, Ottawa, ON K2P 1C3 (☎613-237-7884; www.hihostels.ca). CDN$35, under 18 free.
An Óige (Irish Youth Hostel Association), 61 Mountjoy St., Dublin 7 (☎830 4555; www.irelandyha.org). EUR€20, under 18 EUR€10.
Hostelling International Northern Ireland (HINI), 22 Donegall Rd., Belfast BT12 5JN (☎02890 31 54 35; www.hini.org.uk). UK£15, under 25 UK£10.
Youth Hostels Association of New Zealand (YHANZ), Level 1, Moorhouse City, 166 Moorhouse Ave., P.O. Box 436, Christchurch (NZ only ☎0800 278 299 or 03 379 9970; www.yha.org.nz). NZ$40, under 18 free.
Scottish Youth Hostels Association (SYHA), 7 Glebe Cres., Stirling FK8 2JA (☎01786 89 14 00; www.syha.org.uk). UK£8, under 17 free.
Youth Hostels Association (England and Wales), Trevelyan House, Dimple Rd., Matlock, Derbyshire DE4 3YH (☎0870 770 8868; www.yha.org.uk). UK£16, under 26 UK£10.
Hostelling International-USA, 8401 Colesville Rd., Ste. 600, Silver Spring, MD 20910 (☎301-495-1240; www.hiayh.org). US$28, under 18 free.