Sydney Central YHA

Sydney Central YHA on Rawson Place

Let me begin with a disclaimer: Although I love its magnificent waterfront and its warm-hearted people, I think that over the years Sydney has become over-crowded, over-priced, and over-rated.

That having been said, I think that the Sydney Central YHA on Rawson Place (not to be confused with the Sydney Central Hostel on Pitt Street) is a great way to beat the high cost of hotel rooms in Sydney.

Keep in mind that the SC-YHA is a hostel (mostly dorm rooms with bunk beds and communal bathrooms, with a few en suite double rooms), not a hotel. Star ratings of the two are not comparable.

For the solo traveler of any age who knows the difference, I recommend the SC-YHA highly. It is probably the best, although possibly the most expensive, hostel you will ever stay in.

Offsetting the lack of privacy in a hostel is the opportunity to meet interesting fellow travelers. During my two stays at the SC-YHA in May, 2010, I shared a four bunk dorm room six different people, all well-educated, well-traveled, and considerate of others.

The SC-YHA is exceptionally friendly and well-maintained, and it offers a variety of amenities. I especially liked the large kitchen and dining room, with multiple work and food storage areas so that I could prepare healthful meals for myself when I did not want to eat in their café or nearby restaurants.

I did not use their indoor swimming pool, sauna, movie theater, or laundry room, although other guests enjoyed them.

The SC-YHA is ideally located near the northwest corner of the Sydney Central train and coach station. Chinatown, supermarkets, and shopping malls are a few minutes walk away.

The free (9:30am to 3:30pm weekdays, to 6:30pm weekends) green shuttle bus that makes a loop between the train station and ferry docks (Circular Quay) stops nearby in both directions.

The airport train ($15 each way for the 12 minute ride) conveniently stops in the southeast corner of the central station.

In summary, if you have enjoyed hostels in the past, you will certainly enjoy the SC-YHA. That is quite a compliment from someone whose stays this year have been at four star hotels -- Marriott, Wyndham, Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, and Marriott respectively.

Directions: Near NW corner of central train/coach station, not far from airport shuttle train stop in SE corner.

I stayed in the coach room. Why not? I worried it would be loud from the trains but no problem there. Staff was very friendly and helpful--even talked aged traveler like me into buying a YHA card (guess age does not matter yipee). The location was perfect being right by the train station I could hop a train and go anywhere. But....I like walking and this location was also perfect for doing just that--lots of walking. And it was exceptionally clean. My only complaint was the automatic closing doors being a bit loud.

Unique Quality: Pool--he he he, it is so tiny, don't bother. Just hop a ferry and go to the beach in Manly.

My 1st stop on my grand adventure, very pleasant staff and great atmosphere, always something on the go,
The hostel has great views of the city from rooftop and outdoor area, heated pool, sauna. Self-catering kitchens, laundries, games and TV rooms, locker hire, limited parking, group facilities, meeting rooms, disabled access, 24 hour security access, YHA Travel desk, internet, bistro, convenience store. Regular activities: pub crawls, sporting events, free market tours, movie nights with free popcorn and BBQs..(Highly recommended!)

Unique Quality: Location, cost, pool, views, staff,,

Directions: Opposite central station

I stayed here when I first came to Australia, it was included in my package. Everything is well organised, clean and bloody expensive.

Unique Quality: Pool, sauna, bbq, kitchen, laundry, tv room, game room, dining room, internet, bar, travel desk, bistro and mini supermarket.

Directions: Corner of Pitt St and Rawson Place, opposite Central Station

Out of the five or six times I went to Sydney, I only stayed somewhere else once. The rooms are comfortable and clean, and the staff are ultra friendly. I've stayed in a double room with your own toilet and shower, which was wonderful, and also shared with others in a dorm of 8.

Unique Quality: It is so close to the central railway station, you just walk 100metres and you can get to the YHA, dump your stuff and away you go to enjoy fabulous Sydney. There are always things happening, organised by the YHA, such as BBQ with genuine Aussie "Shrimp-on-the Barbie". There is also a pool and a sauna upstairs, although it is probably better just to go to the beach.

Directions: 100 metres to the left as you're coming out of the Central Train Station and cross a road

Definitely try this hostel out. This is one of the best hostels in the city because of its location, price, and quality. It's less than a 5 minute walk from Central Station, so if you can't (or don't want to) walk to something, it's easy enough to catch a train to get to wherever you want! The building is listed as a heritage site, and it's beautiful inside and out. Everything is clean, and a lot of the interior has been renovated recently. The staff is so nice and very helpful. This price is a little high for typical hostels (A$33-35 for dorm rooms), but worth it for the location and the amenities.

Unique Quality: Other than the typical kitchen and common rooms (lounges, tv room, etc) that you find in all youth hostels, there is also a pool, a sauna, a bbq, and a cafe. The dorm rooms are large. Some have bay windows -- ask to be put in one of those! If you don't want to cook for yourself in the kitchen, there are heaps of cheap takeaways, cafes, and nicer sit-down restaurants within walking distance. There is an internet cafe next door, money-exchanges around Central Station (or go to one of the many banks on George Street). The most unusual part of this hostel is the nightclub underneath it -- you don't even have to leave the building - just take the elevator down.

Directions: On the corner of Pitt and Rawson Streets

This is one of the best (and most expensive) hostels in the city. It has all the facilities you might want. The rooms are clean and the beds very good. Toilets and shower areas are very clean, though they seem a bit to small for the size of the hostel. Because of its size the hostel can feel a bit impersonal. It is nice for a few nights, but if you intend to stay in Sydney for a longer time I would suggest to stay at another more personal hostel, like Harbour City mentioned in another tip.

Unique Quality: The hostel has a pool at the rooftop, a bar in the basement, lockers, that are NOT free, a restaurant, very well equiped kitchen and large and clean fridges and gas stoves, thank god no hotplates! There is also a sauna. I stayed in a room at the fifth floor and the room had a balcony with great views of the train station and a part of the city!

Directions: Corner of Pitt and Rawson Place, opposite Central Station

Right in the centre of town opposite the central station. price about A $ 30 a night with clean airconditioned rooms. Excellent facilitity and staff. I would recommend this place to whoever wants to stay in sydney. Please book ahead.

Unique Quality: Clean, airconidtioned, Central, Pool

Directions: Junction of Pitt St. and Rawsons Place

I would definitely recommend this hostel to anyone and everyone. It is a heritage-listed building and it is beautiful. The inside decor is fresh and new and everything is clean looked after. The staff are very friendly and helpful.

It is a good position in Sydney, close to everything and is inexpensive!

Unique Quality: There is a pool on the top floor, Sauna, BBQ area, T.V rooms, lounge room, cafe. The Bedrooms are large, try and get one with a bayview window - it's cool to sit at the window and watch the city streets below!

There is also a mini-supermarket and internet cafe just next door. There is also a nightclub beneath the hostel. (People staying at the hostel can just take the lift straight to the bottom!)

Directions: Central Sydney, one minute from Central Station.

Sydney Central YHA is a short walk to Darling Harbour, Chinatown, Sydney Casino, Fish Markets, Sydney Entertainment Centre, shops, pubs, cafes, clubs and cinemas.
Close to all the major attractions like the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Rocks Area and Centrepoint Tower.
Located city central, opposite Central Railway Station, hostel facilities include rooftop pool, sauna, BBQ, self catering kitchens, laundry, games room, dining room, TV rooms, coin-operated lockers and 24-hour security access.

Unique Quality: $25-31 multi-share adult
$78 per twin room
$88 per double/twin room with ensuite

Directions: 11 Rawson Place, Corner of Pitt and Rawson Place (opposite Central Station)
Sydney.