Where to stay in Sydney: The best areas for hostels, hotels + airbnbs

Sydney is my favourite city. I know that’s a big claim, but once you see it for yourself, you might understand why.

It’s a big city with beach town vibes. It’s historic, but also modern. It’s beautiful, and diverse, and has some of the best food in the world. The weather is generally pleasant, and the people are pretty damn nice. I really can’t get enough of it.

In the 2.5 years that I’ve spent living in Sydney, many of my friends and family members have asked me where they should stay when they come to visit. To answer this, it really does depend on the type of accommodation you want and how you’ll be getting around.

I’ve always been an advocate of travelling on a budget, so I’m going to break it down into the best areas for hostels, basic hotels, and Airbnbs in Sydney. No luxury accommodation will be included in this list!

Here’s a few things to note before we get started on my recommendations for where to stay in Sydney:

• Sydney is not a cheap city. Generally speaking, the closer your accommodation is to the area around Circular Quay, the Opera House, and The Rocks, the more expensive it will be. This is especially the case during New Year’s Eve in Sydney.
• If you’re renting a car, keep in mind that parking downtown is fairly difficult. If you think you’ll need parking, I’d suggest staying in one of the Airbnb areas as the local streets will have more space for cars.
• If you plan to use public transport, then staying in or near downtown is probably going to be the best option for you. The easiest way to get around is via the trains that go around the city center in a loop.

Hostels in Sydney:

Central – The area around Central Station has some of the best hostels in Sydney. It’s a great spot for backpackers looking for cheap but nice accommodation. Not only is it fairly affordable, it’s also super easy to get around from there as the train station has links to everywhere in the city.

• Sydney Central YHA
• Wake Up! Sydney

World Square – World Square is a shopping district in downtown, and the streets surrounding it have a few basic hostels that are ultra cheap. This area is very close to Chinatown which is a great place for cheap eats, so you’ll save money on both accommodation and food if you stay around here!

• Maze Backpackers
• Base Sydney Hostel

Hotels in Sydney:

Darling Harbour – Darling Harbour is on the west side of downtown and is a popular place for tourists who want a mid-range hotel. There’s plenty to see and do around Darling Harbour in the daytime, and at night there are loads of restaurants and bars that keep the area feeling lively.

• Holiday Inn Darling Harbour
• Ibis Darling Harbour

Hyde Park – Hyde Park sits beside downtown on the east side. The north end is fairly pricey, but the south end has some affordable hotels. This area is a little quieter than Darling Harbour, but it’s just as central with nearby train stations (St James and Museum) to take you around the city.

• Oaks Hyde Park Plaza
• Hyde Park Inn

Circular Quay and The Rocks are the places to be if you want to go ultra fancy! Check out these Sydney 5 star hotels to splurge on.

Airbnbs in Sydney:

Surry Hills – Surry Hills currently takes the title of the bougiest spot in Sydney. It’s where you’ll find a bunch of fancy coffee shops and restaurants that you’ll love but will probably burn a hole in your pocket. Still, it’s a great choice for Airbnbs as it’s super close to downtown without actually being inside it. Stay somewhere around Crown Street or Foveaux Street.

Newtown – Newtown is the heart of Sydney’s Inner West area which is pretty much the most hipster part of the city. This area has been my hood ever since I first moved to Sydney in 2012! King Street is the main strip through Newtown, but there are plenty of cute apartments for rent in nearby suburbs (Enmore, Erskineville, and Camperdown) as well. Staying around here should be much cheaper than anything in the city center.

Bondi Beach – Many people who come to Sydney want to stay near the beach, which is totally understandable. Bondi is the most popular beach in Sydney, and it’s fairly easy to get to from the city via bus. The Airbnbs around here will usually be small houses or apartments, and they get more expensive the closer you are to the beach.

If you haven’t used Airbnb before, I definitely recommend trying it out. The places available for rent on Airbnb are often cheaper than a hotel, but you’ll probably get more space and a more genuine experience of what it’s like to live in the city!