Top 5 Sydney Hostels - List of the Best Sydney Backpackers

1. Wake Up Sydney

Wake Up Sydney is a ginormous joint very close to the city's Central train station and part of a mega hostel triangle -- YHA has two "backpackers" in the neighborhood, too. A Global Gossip communication shop and several backpacker travel businesses nearby make this neck of the city a good hang for backpackers -- you're bound to meet some folks. This Australian Wake Up is clean, comfy, good value and a mirror in many ways of the Wake Up London. Check out some photos or read more.

Wake Up Sydney details:

• Address - 509 Pitt Street, Sydney, NSW Australia
• Phone - (02) 9281 9111
• Map

2. YHA Central Backpackers

A sweet swimming pool and decks rule from the roof, travel desks abound, and lots o' comfy common areas, a real dining room and a real smoking area (indoors) round out this giant backpacker's. Check out some photos or read more about the YHA Sydney Central.

Sydney Central YHA details:

• Address - 11 Rawson Place (corner of Pitt Street), Sydney, NSW Australia
• Phone - (02) 9281 9111

3. YHA Railway Square

YHA's Railroad Square, one of three YHA Sydney hostels, is the place for quiet nights in the Central district, which is backpacker's central. This YHA is modern and secure, though partially in a historic building, and the city's Sydney Central train station is next door, so the big bar scene or the Blue Mountains are a five minute walk to the train, basically. Cool little pool, too. Check out photos or read more.

YHA Railway Square details:

• Address - 8-10 Lee Street (look up Upper Carriage Lane at Lee St or enter via the Henry Deane Plaza), Sydney, NSW Australia
• Phone - (02) 9281 9666

4. Base Backpackers Hostel

Australians call Sydney hostels "Backpackers" as in possessive, descriptive and just a noun for backpackers' lodging. The Base Backpackers is one of a jillion Sydney hostels, but it's got a good location and owners will soon be pumping a jillion bucks into it. In the meantime, it could stand a hosing down -- however, it's a safe and friendly spot with a decent bar and tons of backpackers in and out. Check out some photos from the Base Backpackers or go to their website.

Sydney Base Backpackers:

• Address - 477 Kent Street, Sydney, NSW Australia
• Phone - (02) 9267 7718

5. Asylum Sydney

Free wifi in-room. Love it. Add rooftop barbeques and a perfect location in party hearty King's Cross, and you'll have what you need for a long-term, full time fun stay in one of the loonier Sydney hostels, where the craziness recipe was imported from the Asylum mothership in devil-may-care Cairns.

Asylum Sydney details:

• 201-203 Brougham Street, Kings Cross, Sydney, NSW Australia
• Phone - (02) 9368 1822