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The capital of New Zealand isn’t a huge tourist draw in and of itself, but it’s an important part of the country’s vast travel network so it’s not surprising that they are quite a few hostels in Wellington there to keep the budget traveler happy. The city has a very dense Central Business District so staying at a Wellington hostel in the center is idea for single travelers and those on foot. But if you’ve got a car or campervan there are a few hostels in Wellington located nearer the outskirts so parking is possible.

Wellington isn’t a guaranteed stop on everyone’s New Zealand itineraries, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t stop there. It’s true that most people traveling around New Zealand are going from one outdoor adventure to the next, and having a big city mixed in the middle is a bit of a jolt. But travelers going between the Wellington port and Picton on the South Island often have a day to kill before they can get a ferry so this city gets its fair share of traffic, even from the adventure types.

It’s also important to note to people who haven’t yet traveled through New Zealand or Australia that hostels in this part of the world are almost always called “backpackers” instead. Otherwise they are exactly the same, and they are welcoming of anyone, not just the young backpacking set.

Most hostels in Wellington have the traditional dorm beds, and most of them also offer private rooms for small groups and sometimes even singles. These private rooms tend to be less expensive than rooms in nearby hotels, plus you get all the social aspects of staying at a hostel as well. Being able to buy and make your own food is a nice way to save money, but the lounges and game rooms found in most hostels are also a great way to meet other travelers in a casual setting. Even if you aren’t looking for new friends it can be great to get advice and tips from travelers going the opposite direction from you in a country like New Zealand.

The YHA Wellington City is one of the cheapest Wellington hostels and also often the highest rated. It’s a big place, but this combination of low prices and high ratings means it sells out before any of the others so early booking is highly recommended here. Their location is right in the center of the nightlife part of town, so the city is at your front door. Their cheapest dorm beds start around $NZ22 per night in their 6-bunk rooms, and beds in their 4-bunk en suite rooms are only a bit higher. They’ve also got private double and twin rooms starting around $NZ32 per person.

Downtown Backpackers is another popular place, and they are located right across from the main train station. They’ve got a restaurant, bar, lounge, and a game room in addition to the normal hostel facilities. Their dorm beds start around $NZ24 per night, and their private twin rooms start around $NZ34, which is a good price for a private room in this neighborhood.

Hostels in Wellington