Backpackers, Hostels & Budget Accommodation in Queenstown

Booking cheap accommodation in Queenstown city centre means you can make the most of the walkable town centre, the great food, and the buzzy nightlife. Queenstown’s compact size means you’re never more than a ten-minute walk from nature and there are outdoor adventures everywhere you turn, not to mention those world-famous views.

What to Look For in Budget Queenstown Accommodation

The best cheap accommodation in Queenstown is centrally located so you’re walking distance to all the lakeside happenings. You’re also near the central bus hub so you can explore the region or hop on a bus to the airport for that early flight. Plus, you’re near to bike hire places, taxis and shuttles, including ski buses to the slopes.

When you’re choosing where to stay, look out for a place that suits your needs. Are you a social creature who loves a dorm and social events, or someone who needs to recharge in a private room? This guide has options for every type of traveller, from bunks to private pods.

Many budget accommodation options in Queenstown have great social spaces with lounges, rooftop decks, and games to play with your fellow guests. Check out the calibre of the kitchen facilities if you’re a foodie on a budget who likes to cook up a feast. There are often co-working areas for digital nomads, and free Wi-Fi, and safe gear storage is a must.

Queenstown’s Best Budget Friendly Places to Stay

Here’s our round up of backpackers, hostels, and great budget accommodation in central Queenstown. For instant friends and proximity to all the fun, you can’t beat Queenstown’s great range of affordable places to stay.

Lylo Queenstown

47 Camp Street, Queenstown

Perfect for people who want to make the most of all Queenstown has to offer, Lylo Queenstown is friendly, clean, and modern with helpful staff. Super centrally located, a few minutes’ walk from the lakefront, there’s a great shared hangout space on the rooftop with mountain views, an outdoor fire, pool table, board games, plenty of plugs for recharging devices, and free Wi-Fi. The Lylo kitchen is a bit on the small side, but with all of Queenstown’s delicious food options on your doorstep, you may not mind.

Lylo has shared rooms with snug, private pods for a budget experience that’s a notch above a shared dorm. The comfortable pods are equipped with charging points, a fan, mirror, storage net, and personal locker. Simply draw a curtain, pop in your ear plugs and drift off to sleep. You can also book private rooms with an ensuite.

Adventure Queenstown Hostel

36 Camp Street, Queenstown

Ideal for solo travellers and people who love to make new friends, this small, super welcoming hostel is in the epicentre of town. The Adventure Queenstown Hostel crew organise regular evening activities like pub crawls, scavenger hunts, and quiz nights to help their guests connect with each other and explore Queenstown. 

The team here really go for attention to detail. Thoughtful touches include bottle openers on keyrings, and individual reading lamps, charging points, and privacy curtains for each bed. You can borrow bikes, Go-Pros, padlocks, and hairdryers. There’s also a large well-equipped kitchen – although it’ll be hard not to eat in Fergburger every night.

Most of the accommodation is in shared rooms with curtained bunks, and there are a few private rooms with ensuites. Reviews rave about the comfortable beds. The north facing balconies are a great place to drink a cold local ale in the sun and swap stories of your day.

Absoloot Hostel QT

50 Beach Street, Queenstown

You can’t beat the million-dollar views on a budget at Absoloot Hostel QT. You’re right in the centre of Queenstown, surrounded by bustling bars, restaurants, and boutiques, overlooking Lake Whakatipu and The Remarkables. The Absoloot crew host social activities to help you meet new people and make the most of Queenstown.

The hostel was recently refurbished, with a nice focus on sustainability. The comfortable lounge has bean bags, books, and a large TV screen for movie nights. The well-equipped, clean kitchen has free coffee, tea, and hot choc and a full-length window bench so you can enjoy the views of the lake. This is a great hostel for digital nomads with super-fast Wi-Fi and plenty of quiet places to work during the day.

Choose from light airy private rooms with mini fridges and ensuites, and multi-person dorm rooms with curtained beds. The unisex bathrooms are kept clean and tidy and the whole hostel is clean, comfortable, welcoming, and well-priced.

Nomads Queenstown

5/11 Church Street, Queenstown

Great for groups and party people, Nomads Queenstown is on Church Street, a one-minute stroll from the lakefront and right next to Queenstown’s best cafes and bars. Nomads is known for fantastic, friendly staff and it has a travel desk to help you organise your stay.

There’s a large communal area with a fireplace and pool tables where you can meet other guests and make new friends. A sauna is a nice luxurious touch and very welcome after a big day walking, whether around town or in the hills.

Choose from small and large dorms with storage lockers and bedside reading lights or private ensuite rooms with wide screen TVs, fridges, tea, and coffee. Many rooms have balconies with views of the lake and the mountains. Ask for a room on the Church Street side if you prefer it quiet at night, as the bars in Searle Street party until late.

The Black Sheep Backpackers

13 Frankton Road, Queenstown

Expect home-away-from-home vibes at Black Sheep Backpackers, a two-minute walk to Queenstown’s CBD in a quieter area near the Queenstown Gardens. Nothing is ever a problem for the friendly staff (or the hostel cat) who go above and beyond to make people feel welcome. There’s even a free homecooked meal on Wednesday night.

Your relaxing post-adventure base, Black Sheep’s great facilities include a sauna and spa pool, sunny gardens, a deck with a BBQ, a cosy lounge with free Netflix where they host movie nights with free popcorn, and free bike hire.

Accommodation is affordable with dorms and private rooms. The second-storey family rooms have fantastic views of the Remarkables, comfy beds, plenty of storage, and a fridge.

Aspen Lodge Backpackers

11 Gorge Road, Queenstown

Ideal for self-catering foodies on a budget, the well-equipped kitchen at Aspen Lodge has free tea and coffee and you’re handily located near to a big supermarket if you need fresh ingredients to cook. After your meal, relax in the cozy living area with a fire and a huge collection of DVDs. The helpful, knowledgeable staff will help you organise activities, and give you tips for their favourite places to eat and explore.

This is great value, clean, comfortable accommodation five minutes stroll from central Queenstown. Choose from shared dorms and private rooms where you share a bathroom with another room. There’s also a family room with an ensuite. If you want more privacy, book a room in the back building, which has its own lounge and kitchen.

Pinewood Lodge

48 Hamilton Road, Queenstown

If you like it quiet and peaceful with amazing views, Pinewood Lodge is just 10 minutes’ walk from central Queenstown, nestled into the mountainside and surrounded by tall pines. You’re far enough away from the buzz of the centre to get a great night's sleep.

Pinewood is like a little village set on three acres of land. There are chalet style villas with ensuite bathrooms secluded from the main building, and apartments for larger groups, as well as dorms, and small budget rooms. Facilities are basic but clean and the staff are friendly and helpful. This is affordable, no-frills accommodation for folks on a budget.

Haka House Queenstown Lakefront

88-90 Lake Esplanade, Queenstown

Good for digital nomads, Haka House Queenstown is a great spot to experience Queenstown at a slightly more relaxed pace. A 10-minute walk from Queenstown along Lake Esplanade you’re close to all the action, but far enough away to be quiet at night.

There is a co-working space and free Wi-Fi, although you can park up and work anywhere on the outdoor terrace, or in the shared lounge which also has plenty of books, movies, and games, and a chalkboard with suggestions for things to do in Queenstown. The friendly Haka team keep the hostel clean and tidy, and it’s a very affordable place to stay.

Private apartments are spacious with their own balcony and scenic views over the lake. Dorm beds have a privacy curtain, personal light and little shelf.