FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS


How do I make a booking?

Making a booking online is easy:  Click Here

To book online, all you need is a valid Mastercard or Visa card.

Alternatively you can phone us (02) 9356 3232

Is breakfast provided at The Original Backpackers Hostel?

Yes, we provide FREE breakfast every day from 8am -10am.

Muesli, cereal, milk, toast, jam, peanut butter and of course the backpackers favourite-Nutella. 

Tea and coffee is FREE all day, until we close the kitchen at 10pm.

It gets better- we also provide FREE dinner 3 nights a week.

Is WI-FI provided free and is it fast?

Excellent Wi-Fi coverage, there are no dead spots, so you get coverage throughout the whole hostel, including in your room.

What is the difference between a hostel and a hotel?

A hostel is not a cheap hotel… hostel accommodation is a completely different.

Hostels are the best choice if you are young (18 and 36 years of age) and you are travelling on a budget.

The first thing to note; hostel accommodation is significantly cheaper than a hotel, so a hostel is the perfect choice for budget-conscious travellers.  If you want expensive, high end accommodation, then book a hotel.

Hostels are the best choice if you want to meet lots of other young people who are travelling. Hostels offer a friendly atmosphere where you can to mix and socialise. This is very different to a hotel which has a cold and sterile atmosphere and everyone keeps to themselves.

Our hostel accommodation does offer private rooms, but primarily we provide clean dorm rooms with bunk beds. Our private rooms are for guests that want the friendly hostel vibe, and they also want privacy and/or their own shower and toilet.

Hostels also have their own kitchen so guests can cook their own meals.  We make it even cheaper for our guests by providing a FREE breakfast every morning,  FREE Mexican dinner every Monday,  FREE vegan pasta dinner every Thursday and our famous FREE BBQ every Saturday night.

Should I bring my own linen?

Yes, we’ve got you covered with fresh linen.

We provide fresh sheets and blankets. Each bed comes with a clean bottom sheet already fitted and guests then make their own beds.

Ideally bring your own towel, or you can borrow a towel from the hostel with a refundable deposit.

IMPORTANT NOTE:  Sleeping bags are banned from hostels in Australia as they facilitate the spread of bed bugs.

I want to work while in Sydney, how do I apply for a Tax File Number (TFN)?

You need a Tax File Number to work in Australia.

You apply for your Tax File Number at www.ATO.gov.au

Upon your arrival in Australia, we recommend that you promptly register for a tax file number to streamline your proceedings.

As part of your application for your Tax File Number, you’ll be asked to provide a postal address; you’re welcome to use our hostel address: 162 Victoria St, Potts Point NSW Australia, 2011.

What time can I check in to my room?

Room check-in time is 2pm.

If you arrive early, we will provide complimentary luggage storage for free.  Also you will be able to use all of our facilities free, including:  bathrooms, showers, Wi-Fi, computers, as well as all of the communal areas and the kitchen.

As a courtesy to our resting guests, room access before 2 pm is generally restricted unless the entire room is unoccupied. This period allows our dedicated housekeeping team to meticulously clean and prepare the rooms for incoming guests.

How late can I check out?

Check out is at 10am. 

We have a free pack store and you can store your luggage until 7pm on the day you check out. 

You are welcome to use our facilities after you check out (up until 7pm).

LATE CHECKOUT: We understand that sometimes you may need a bit more time. Depending on the availability of your room and bed. We’re always happy to do our best and try to accommodate late checkouts for a small additional fee. Feel free to inquire at reception for availability.

It’s my first time staying in a hostel. What should I expect?

Staying in a backpacker hostel is awesome!  It’s super easy to make new friends and have a fun adventure here in Sydney.

Except for the private rooms, all our rooms are shared dorms with comfortable bunk beds.

Most of our guests are travellers from all around the world, they are generally aged between 18 to 35, and they are here hoping to enjoy the beautiful city of Sydney without spending a fortune… so we are budget friendly.

We’re all about creating a fun and welcoming vibe here at original backpackers Hostel, so it’s no surprise that our guests often make new friends and find buddies to explore Australia with and have fun!

Is Hostel accommodation suitable for a large group?

Yes, the Original Backpackers Hostel is a large hostel and we can accommodate any size group.

Original Backpackers is a group friendly hostel and offers a great range of budget group accommodation.  Your entire group in your own private room or rooms.

Example:  4 friends can book a private 4 bed dorm.

Example:  Overseas university group can book multiple dorm rooms.

Example:  Sporting team can book multiple dorm rooms.

Whether you are backpacking, a sports group, social club, family & friends or any other type of group, we can provide you with a great deal.

Can I store my luggage at the hostel?

Keeping your personal items safe while staying at our hostel is important, so yes, we have a secure locker in every room.  Please bring your own padlock for the lockers.

We also provide a shared luggage storage room, but this is only available for guests on the day that they are checking out.

Does the hostel provide a kitchen?

Yes we provide a large kitchen that is fully equipped for our guests to use.  The kitchen includes are refrigerated to store your food cooking utensils including pots pans and dishes as well as appliances like 2 big stoves with ovens and a microwave.

Our kitchen is a great meeting place, way you can not only cook your food, but also meet new friends, relax, eat, sit around talking with your fellow guests, travellers.

Plus FREE breakfast daily, FREE tea and coffee all day, FREE meals on Monday, Thursday and Saturday.

Is Original Backpackers Hostel located close to Sydney Harbour and the CBD?

Yes we are located right in the heart of Sydney.

At the end of our street experience panoramic views to the Harbour Bridge, Sydney Harbour Heads and Sydney Tower.

You can either walk or take a 2 min train ride to Sydney’s CBD or Sydney Harbour to do some site seeing.

It’s only a 30 minute walk to the Opera House via Mrs Macquarie’s chair in the Botanical Gardens, which are highlight things to do while you are in Sydney.

If you are in the mood for a swim in the ocean, you can easily head to famous Bondi Beach or catch the ferry to Manly Beach.

Does the hostel provide a laundry room?

We have a laundry room with big, modern washers and dryers:
– $5 a wash
– $5 a dry

What activities does the hostel organise to meet new people?

We have a variety of activities that make it easy to meet other travellers.  The FREE breakfast and 3 FREE meals are excellent opportunities to meet people and socialise. 

We also have an entertainment specialist who takes guests to pubs, clubs, the beach, the Blue Mountains.

We have large communal areas for guests to enjoy and socialise, like the courtyard, or movie nights in the big, comfortable TV room and Loungeroom.

How far is the Hostel from the Centre & Sights of Sydney?

Kings Cross railway station is only 2 minute walk from The Original backpackers Hostel.  And its just 1 stop (5 minutes) to Martin Place railway station, which is right in the centre  of the CBD.

The hostel is an easy scenic 30 minute walk to the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge.  It’s 10 minute walk to Town Hall, and a 1 minute walk to the fabulous pubs, clubs, cafes, supermarkets and organic markets that Kings Cross is famous for.

Is there a curfew at the hostel?

There is no official curfew, but we have night managers on every night to ensure that the guests who want to stay up late don’t disturb the guests that want to sleep.  We don’t want late night noise disturbing our guests who are trying to rest and sleep.

Can children stay at the hostel, is there an age limit?

Children with their family or group leader are welcome to stay at the Original Backpackers Hostel, but only staying in private rooms or in a private dorm room.

Can I park my Camper Van or Car at Original Backpackers Hostel?

Paid parking is available in local Car parks.  We have a great deal for our guests with the local car park, it’s only $25 for 24 hours.

Sorry, we don’t have free parking available for guests, as we are located in the centre of the city.  Since we’re right in the middle of the city, you will need to pay for long-term parking nearby.

There is some free street parking all around the hostel but it is only for 1,2 or 4 hours depending on the parking spot.  It’s first come, first served, so you need to keep an eye out!

How do I get to the hostel from the airport?

Train is the best option, especially for 1 person as it is the most cost effective way to get to the hostel.  You can catch the train directly from the airport, arriving at Kings Cross railway station.  We are only 2 minutes walk from Kings Cross railway.

Alternatively you can catch a UBER or a Taxi which is good value when the fair is split between 3 or 4 people.

Do you have a different question, contact us for help.