There is an excellent selection of Brisbane backpackers hostels scattered around the city all providing cheap accommodation. Many have a range of rooms from doubles to 10 bed dorms. Some are real party places while others are much quieter. Some have pools, others have great cooking facilities and some have bars and cafes on site.
Here we’ll try to help you find which one will suit you best based on location, price and general atmosphere.
Many of these Brisbane backpackers hostels get full quickly so it is always a good idea to book in advance which you can do using the links we have provided below.
City Centre Backpackers Hostels
Roma Street Backpackers Hostels
West End Backpackers Hostels
Petrie Terrace Backpackers Hostels
Fortitude Valley Backpackers Hostels
Spring Hill Backpackers Hostels
New Farm Backpackers Hostels
City Centre Backpackers Hostels
These Brisbane backpackers hostels are in a great location near Queen Street Mall which is the main shopping area in the city and has good access to most of the tourist attractions.
Base Brisbane Central – corner of Ann and Edward Streets
Base Brisbane Central is right in Brisbane City Centre just opposite Central Station. It is housed in the old Palace Hotel which is a heritage building but is more modern inside than the outside suggests and has 4, 6, 8 and 10 bed dorms and single and double rooms. There is a kitchen and plenty of communal areas to relax and meet fellow travellers. It has balconies running all the way along the building and a roof top BBQ area. It is one of the more expensive Brisbane backpackers but the location is great if you want easy access to the city centre.
There is a bar and bistro right next door which serve food all day at reasonable prices and the Downunder bar is next door again. It is a party bar which opens till late every night and has live entertainment at weekends and backpacker competitions during the week.
Base Brisbane Embassy – corner of Edward and Elizabeth Streets
Base Brisbane Embassy is part of the same chain of backpackers as the one above and you get access to the facilities at both when you stay in either of them. The Embassy is in a great location in Brisbane CBD and has very good security. It has a range of dorms and double rooms, a TV lounge with surround sound, flat screen TV and a large well equipped kitchen. This is a more relaxed backpackers than some others and has the Embassy Hotel right next door which does good food offers.
Roma Street Backpackers Hostels
If you are arriving in Brisbane by bus or train you are likely to come in to the Roma Street Transit Centre. All of these Brisbane backpackers hostels are very close by saving you a walk.
Tinbilly Traveller’s Accommodation – corner of George and Herschel Streets
Located right opposite the Roma Street Station Tinbilly Travellers is the perfect spot for you if you want to be in the city centre and want to party. It is in a large, concrete building with little or no outdoor space but is right above the Tinbilly Pub which is a real party place for international travellers. Fortunately all the rooms are noise proof and the security is very good. It has a large kitchen and a TV lounge with Foxtel TV and there are computers with broadband in the reception area. It is a fairly expensive place but the location is great.
They have a travel desk where you can book transport and trips and they offer discount on train tickets.
Chill Backpackers – 328 Upper Roma Street
Chill Backpackers is a large, modern backpackers with modern facilities. It has an internet lounge on the ground floor with lots of computers and wireless access for people with laptops. The kitchen is quite small but is well equipped and has an outdoor dining area with plenty of space. There is a large flat screen TV in the lounge and lots of couches to lie around on. The roof top terrace is a great place to sunbathe during the day or relax in the evenings. They have underground parking for any of you who have your own transport and that is a big plus so near the city.
Cloud 9 Backpackers Resort – 350 Upper Roma Street
Cloud 9 Backpackers Resort is quite a small place with both dorm rooms and double rooms. It has a small kitchen with no eating area and a dingy TV lounge. It has an amazing roof deck with wonderful views of Brisbane City and the river. It is a fairly cheap place to stay and is near the Roma Street Station but for me there are better options.
Brisbane City Backpackers – 380 Upper Roma Street
Brisbane City Backpackers is a huge place with lots of rooms. They have single, double and 3 share rooms as well as 4, 6, 8, and 10 bed dorms. It has a a pool on the 2nd floor with loungers and picnic benches, a rooftop area which also has loungers and benches both of which have great views of the city. It has a large kitchen and a big lounge with computers and a TV. There are parking spaces available for those of you with your own transport.
The Fiddler’s Elbow pub is on the ground floor of this Brisbane Backpackers hostel and has a beer garden at the back sharing the city views mentioned above. It has nightly entertainment and is a great place to meet other travellers. There is also a cafe which does a variety of breakfast options and a BBQ in the evenings.
Yellow Submarine – 66 Quay Street
Yellow Submarine is quite a small backpackers with 3, 6, 8, and 9 bed dorms and some double rooms. It is located in a large house in a small quiet street right next to the train line and has no views at all. It has a small pool and a lovely outside area with pools tables and some wooden benches. The kitchen is small but the outdoor dining area is nice and is a great place to get chatting with fellow travellers. There is no TV lounge as such but there is a DVD player off the kitchen. For me there are better options.
Brisbane City YHA – 392 Upper Roma Street
The Brisbane City YHA is located in a large, modern building and has a light and clean feel to it. The dorms sleep 3 or 4 people and they have lots of double rooms. The kitchen is big and very well equipped and has a lovely dining area off of it. The reception has plenty of space to lounge around and relax and there are a few computers in this area. At the front of the YHA is a lovely outdoor area which is very spacious and has lots of seating. This is probably not the place to stay if you want to party but if you are looking for a quiet and relaxing stay it is the perfect Brisbane backpackers hostel. YHA members get discounted prices for the rooms.
There is a tour booking agency next to the reception which can help you book tours and accommodation for your onward journey.
Roma Street Backpacker Hostel – 390 Roma Street
This hostel has no information booklet, doesn’t take telephone or internet bookings and has the rudest lady on reception that I have ever met. Personally I wouldn’t touch it with a barge pole.
West End Backpackers Hostels
The West End is a very relaxed area and is great for young people. It is a short bus ride from the city centre and there are very regular bus services.
Brisbane Backpackers Resort – 110 Vulture Street, West End
Brisbane Backpackers Resort is a huge place in a motel style building with 4 and 6 bed dorms and double rooms. It has a small pool, a tennis court and a bar and restaurant with long wooden tables. They run a free courtesy bus hourly to the Roma Street Station and to the city centre and will pick you up when you arrive. There are lots of computers available and a wireless connection for those of you with your own laptop. The common areas are spacious making this a great place to relax.
The bar has a happy hour, nightly competitions and offer shooters specials each night. The restaurant does a wide range of cheap but good quality food. I would definitely recommend this as one of the best Brisbane backpackers hostels.
Brisbane Backpackers Resort are linked with Peter Pan travel company and have a travel desk where you can get information and book tours throughout Queensland and Australia.
Somewhere to Stay – corner of Brighton and Franklon Streets, West End
Somewhere to Stay is set in a large Queenslander house and has 4, 6 and 8 bed dorms and double rooms all at very good prices. It has a small pool and garden, a large kitchen and TV lounge and a few computers with broadband. It is a bit crammed and lacking in areas to relax but this is made up for by the cheap room prices.
They offer free transfers to the city every hour and free pickup from the train or bus station on arrival.
Petrie Terrace Backpackers Hostels
Petrie Terrace is located just behind Roma Street Transit Centre which is where you’ll probably arrive in Brisbane if you are coming by train or bus. It is also very near Suncorp Stadium where many sporting events and concerts take place.
Banana Benders Backpackers – 118 Petrie Terrace
Banana Benders Backpackers is a small backpackers with mainly 4 bed dorms but it also has some 3 and 6 bed dorms, a few double rooms and some self contained one bedroom apartments which are excellent value. It has a small kitchen which has a lovely covered dining area off of it and a small TV lounge. It is located in a quiet, residential area but is near Caxton Street which is a great area to go out at weekends. They have internet access, a pool table and do regular party nights.
For me one of the drawbacks of this place is the lack of outdoor space and pool.
Aussie Way Hostel – 34 Cricket Street, Petrie Terrace
Aussie Way Hostel is a small backpackers housed in a lovely, queenslander style colonial building. It has a small pool, a small kitchen behind it and a TV lounge with a pool table. There is a covered outdoor area with a couple of tables and chairs. It is located in a quiet residential area and has a strict no noise policy so is great if you are looking for a quiet stay but not if you want to party. I would definitely recommend this as one of the best Brisbane backpackers hostels for couples. It is family run, has a friendly atmosphere and has free parking if you have your own transport.
Fortitude Valley Backpackers Hostels
Fortitude Valley is the main nightlife area of Brisbane and is right next door to Chinatown. If you are looking to party you should choose from one of these Brisbane backpackers hostels.
Bunk Backpackers – corner of Ann and Gipps Streets, Fortitude Valley
Bunk Backpackers is a large backpackers with 4, 6 and 8 bed dorms and single and double rooms. It has excellent, modern facilities with a big, well equipped kitchen with lots of tables, a really comfy TV lounge with a big screen and plenty of space to lounge and relax in and lots of computers in the internet lounge. It has a small pool and spa next to the bar area and more comfy seating in the reception area.
The Birdee Num Num Bar and Nightclub are attached to the backpackers making this a great place to stay if you want to party. There are nightly competitions in the bar and on Sundays they have their famous BBQ next to the pool with a live DJ and plenty of beer. I would recommend this as one the best Brisbane backpackers hostels for those looking to enjoy the nightclubs in the Fortitude Valley area.
There is a Peter Pan Travel attached to Bunk Backpackers where you can arrange travel and accommodation for the next leg of your trip.
Prince Consort Backpackers – 230 Wickham Street, Fortitude Valley
Located in an old hotel building the Prince Consort Backpackers has been recently refurbished. It has a wide range of dorm rooms ranging from 4, 6, 8 and 10 beds to one that sleeps 22 people and they also have double rooms all at very reasonable rates. There is a huge lounge area with a TV and a pool table, quite a small kitchen but with lots of fridges and an internet lounge with lots of computers. The security is good and there are plenty of lockers available.
It is right above the famous Elephant and Wheelbarrow pub which serves good, cheap food and has a wide range of beers on tap. If you are looking for Chinese food this Brisbane backpackers hostel is a great choice as it is right opposite Chinatown.
Brisbane Manor Hotel – 555 Gregory Terrace, Fortitude Valley
Brisbane Manor Hotel is a lot more upmarket than the standard backpackers and has mainly double rooms and a few dorms. The rooms are light and spacious with a TV, fridge and sink and many have balconies. It has a great kitchen with lots of cooking facilities and dining space and there are lots of tables on the sundeck at the front of the hotel where you can sit and have a beer from the bar and chat with fellow travellers.
It is located in Bowen Hills, which is on the edge of Fortitude Valley, next to the RNA Exhibition Grounds and is an excellent choice if you are in Brisbane to visit the Ekka or Oktober Fest. You can walk to the bars and clubs in the Valley but it is a bit of a hike.
Blue Tongue Backpackers – 515 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley
Blue Tongue Backpackers is located in an old queenslander on the main road between Newfarm and Fortitude Valley It is a small place and claims to be one of the cheapest Brisbane backpackers hostels.
Spring Hill Backpackers Hostels
Spring Hill is a peaceful area just a short distance from the CBD and within walking distance of Fortitude Valley.
Kookaburra Inn – 41 Phillips Street, Spring Hill
The Kookaburra Inn is in a large house in a very quiet residential area near Brisbane CBD. It is a small backpackers with only 18 rooms which are all single and double rooms but none of them are en suite. It has a small kitchen and a small TV room but has a nice outdoor area with picnic benches and BBQs. All of the rooms have fridges. Run by a friendly couple, the Kookaburra Inn is definitely not a party place and is much more suited to older backpackers and couples.
It has wireless internet access if you have your own laptop and free tea and coffee.
Valley Verandas – 26 Kennigo Street, Spring Hill
Valley Verandas is located in a lovely old queenslander building and as its name suggests it has lovely verandas where you can sit and relax. It is a very small place with only 12 rooms ranging from singles and doubles to 10 bed dorms. There is a kitchen with a nice dining area, a BBQ area in the front garden, a large TV lounge and off street parking. They provide a free breakfast every morning and free pick up and drop off at the train stations. The clientele in this Brisbane backpackers hostel is mainly Asian.
Valley Verandas is in a quiet residential area right on the edge of the Valley so allows you to stay in a peaceful place while having plenty of bars and clubs right on your doorstep.
New Farm Backpackers Hostels
Brisbane’s Homestead – 57 Anne Street, New Farm
Brisbane’s Homestead is an ill-maintained place in an out of the way location about 15 minutes from the New Farm City Cat stop and about 25 minutes from the heart of Fortitude Valley. It has a small kitchen, a nice TV room and 1 computer. There is an outdoor area with picnic benches, a garden at the back which is very messy and an empty pool.
It has off street parking which is a bonus if you have your own transport but I wouldn’t really recommend this place.
Globetrekkers – 167 Harcourt Street, New Farm
Globetrekkers is one of the cheapest backpackers in Brisbane but it is very run down and messy. When we visited it during the day there was a lot of alcohol being consumed in the front garden and wasn’t really too appealing.
If none of these are quite what you are looking for check out our Brisbane hotels.
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