Last updated: October 6, 2023
Where to find affordable accommodation in Sydney? This guide explores the best cheap hotel options in the Sydney CBD, based on amenities, location, comfort, price, and more.
Staying in the Sydney CBD keeps you close to all the action and to the city’s most popular tourist attractions and landmarks. It also offers plenty of options for restaurants, shopping malls, and theatres.
But staying overnight in Sydney is expensive, especially in hotels in or near the CBD. However, if you spend a bit of time researching accommodation options, you will find that there are still great budget hotels available.
They may not always provide the luxury we all desire, but the following budget hotels are of very decent quality, are well-presented, have good reviews, and are in great locations.
Top 8 Affordable Sydney Hotels:
| Hotel | Location | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mercure Sydney Martin Place | Sydney CBD | Reviews |
| 2 | YHA Sydney Harbour | The Rocks | Reviews |
| 3 | Song Hotel Sydney | Sydney CBD | Reviews |
| 4 | Ibis Styles Sydney Central | Sydney CBD | Reviews |
| 5 | Wake Up! Sydney | Sydney Central | Reviews |
| 6 | YEHS Hotel Sydney CBD | Sydney CBD | Reviews |
| 7 | YHA Sydney Central | Sydney Central | Reviews |
| 8 | Australian Heritage Hotel | The Rocks | Reviews |
Top 8 Affordable Sydney Hotels
Here is our list of quality budget places to stay in the centre of Sydney, close to all the major tourist highlights and also public transport.
Prices generally vary from around $80 up to $220, which is considered reasonably affordable by Sydney standards.
Looking for affordable hostel accommodation instead? Check out our guide to the best hostels in Sydney.
1. Mercure Sydney Martin Place
Located on a quiet street close to Martin Place and St James train station, Mercure Sydney offers comfortable budget accommodation at very reasonable prices.
All major tourist attractions, such as the Opera House and Harbour Bridge in the north and Darling Harbour in the west, are within walking distance.
Facilities include high-speed WiFi, parking, laundry, luggage storage and an airport shuttle. Note that there is no onsite restaurant or cafe, but with tons of great restaurants in the area, that shouldn’t be a problem.
This is a no-nonsense, comfortable budget accommodation option in a great location close to public transport, restaurants, and shops.
| Address: | 165 Phillip St, Sydney (map) |
| Nearby train station: | Martin Place, St James |
2. YHA Sydney Harbour
Opened in 2009, the modern YHA Sydney Harbour in The Rocks exceeds all general expectations most people would have from a hostel.
Built above archaeological remnants of colonial Sydney (which are visible), this award-winning hostel combines premium facilities with an authentic heritage experience.
YHA Sydney Harbour has shared, private and family rooms available, all with free linen, WiFi, and access to the fully equipped communal kitchen and rooftop terrace.
There is also the option to upgrade to a premium room with a widescreen TV and partial city and Harbour views.
Facilities throughout the hostel include air-conditioning, an onsite ATM, a barbecue, laundry, a food store, fast WiFi, a TV room, and a tour desk.
| Address: | 110 Cumberland St, The Rocks (map) |
| Nearby train station: | Circular Quay |
3. Song Hotel Sydney
Situated just south of famous Hyde Park close to Pitt Street Mall, Song Hotel Sydney offers standard budget accommodation, with facilities and amenities such as WiFi, baggage storage and complimentary breakfast.
Staying at Song Hotel Sydney is affordable and clean, but it’s also very basic without bells and whistles, which is perfectly fine if that’s exactly what you’re looking for.
This is a great budget option if you wish to stay in the southern part of the Sydney CBD, close to Oxford Street, Surry Hills, and Central and Museum train station, without hurting the wallet.
| Address: | 5/11 Wentworth Ave, Sydney (map) |
| Nearby train station: | Museum |
4. Ibis Styles Sydney Central
The relatively new Ibis Styles Sydney Central is located just down the road from Song Hotel and a bit closer to Central Station.
This pleasant and modern-looking hotel offers spacious, comfortable rooms with air conditioning, a kitchenette with microwave and fridge, ironing equipment, a TV, and a safe.
It’s also quite a large hotel, with over 400 rooms across 18 floors. Hotel amenities include luggage storage, free Wi-Fi, a restaurant, and a 24-hour front desk.
This hotel will suit single and couple travellers, young families, and business travellers looking for easy-to-access and highly efficient accommodation close to public transport.
| Address: | 27 Wentworth Ave, Sydney (map) |
| Nearby train station: | Museum, Central Station |
5. Wake Up! Sydney
Conveniently located right next to Central Station in an eight-story heritage building, Wake Up! Sydney is a purpose-built hostel with more than 500 beds.
This multi-award-winning accommodation complex is also home to a bar, restaurant, café and travel agency, with public transport right at your doorstep.
Wake Up! Sydney is an excellent option for those looking for cheap, clean and friendly accommodation in a super central location.
Facilities include free WiFi, 24-hour check-in, and a range of different rooms to choose from, private as well as shared.
| Address: | 509 Pitt St, Haymarket (map) |
| Nearby train station: | Central Station |
6. YEHS Hotel Sydney CBD
If you wish to stay close to Chinatown, Darling Harbour, World Square Shopping Centre, and Town Hall Station, the YEHS Hotel Sydney CBD is worth considering as an affordable budget accommodation option.
This is another no-frills, basic hotel that offers friendly and comfortable Sydney accommodation, close to public transport, nightlife, and major tourist attractions.
The hotel offers basic but good amenities, such as instant coffee, WiFi, baggage storage, and a shared lounge area, and the rooms are pretty spacious and well-presented.
Do note though that this part of the Sydney CBD can be quite busy and noisy throughout the day and night, but the hotel is a decent and affordable place to stay if you want to be close to Chinatown.
| Address: | 88 Liverpool St, Sydney (map) |
| Nearby train station: | Museum, Town Hall |
7. YHA Sydney Central
Another hostel that deserves a spot on this list of budget Sydney hotels is the popular YHA Sydney Central, located only moments away from Central Station.
This world-class budget venue is housed in a recognisable heritage-listed building between Central Station and Sydney’s bustling Chinatown.
YHA Sydney Central is one of Sydney’s most popular budget hotels, so it’s best to book early to take advantage of the perfect location and excellent facilities.
Besides shared rooms, YHA Sydney Central also offers private rooms. And with facilities such as a heated pool, a sauna, a communal kitchen, a cafe and a restaurant, you will undoubtedly enjoy your stay there.
| Address: | 11 Rawson Pl, Haymarket (map) |
| Nearby train station: | Central Station |
8. Australian Heritage Hotel
Established in 1914, the iconic Australian Heritage Hotel is one of the most prominent buildings in the historic precinct of The Rocks.
The Australian Heritage Hotel is also a pub, but not just any pub. It’s one of the oldest pubs in The Rocks. Staying there means you will get to enjoy a wide range of Australian craft beers as well as a great selection of gourmet pizzas.
This unique hotel has double, queen and twin rooms available, as well as family suites, all located on the first floor, right above the pub.
Facilities include traditional bathrooms with shared facilities, complimentary continental breakfast, a guest room with TV, video, tea and coffee-making facilities, free WiFi, and complimentary luggage storage.
| Address: | 100 Cumberland St, The Rocks (map) |
| Nearby train station: | Circular Quay |
Conclusion
As you can see from the list above, staying overnight in Sydney can still be reasonably affordable, with various budget hotels to choose from, as long as you set the right expectations.
The most important thing is to have a room in a clean and safe environment, close to public transport, as most of your time in Sydney will be spent outside exploring.
If we had to pick a favourite from this list of cheap Sydney CBD hotels, it would be the YHA Sydney Harbour. It suits young travellers looking to sleep in shared accommodation, as well as couple travellers and small families in need of an affordable private room.
A close second is the Ibis Styles Sydney Central, located on the other side of the CBD, close to Central Station. This hotel offers basic, to-the-point, and affordable rooms, close to public transport.
Guide to the best things to do in Sydney.
