---
title: "Big Backpackers Hostel vs Pad Hostel: which hotel is better?"
description: "Pick Big Backpackers Hostel. It leads in 2 of 4 categories. Big Backpackers Hostel or Pad Hostel in Sydney? Compare guest ratings, location, amenities, rooms…"
url: https://stayversus.com/en/compare/big-backpackers-hostel-sydney-vs-pad-hostel-sydney/
language: en
source: StayVersus (https://stayversus.com)
retrieved: 2026-10-13
---

# Big Backpackers Hostel vs Pad Hostel

Both are in Sydney, 1.1 km apart. Here is where each one is stronger.

Hostel · ★★ · Thai Town
## [Big Backpackers Hostel](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/big-backpackers-hostel-sydney/)

- **Guest rating:** 8.3 ·  Very good

- **Location score:** 9.3

- **Score by category:** 2 of 4

[Check rates](https://stayversus.com/go/1208934/agoda/?lang=en)

Hostel · ★★★ · Paddington
## [Pad Hostel](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/pad-hostel-sydney/)

- **Guest rating:** 8.9 ·  Excellent

- **Location score:** 7.0

- **Score by category:** 1 of 4

[Check rates](https://stayversus.com/go/1933776/agoda/?lang=en)

The short answer

## Pick Big Backpackers Hostel

It leads in 2 of 4 categories. 1.1 km apart.

### Choose Big Backpackers Hostel if you want

-   to walk to the sights

### Why is Big Backpackers Hostel better than Pad Hostel?

1.  1.1 km closer to the city centre (−1.1 km)
2.  580 m closer to public transport (−580 m)
3.  More guest reviews (1,730 vs 10), so the rating is more reliable (×173)
4.  48 more restaurants and cafés within 500 m (+48)
5.  More walkable surroundings (walk grade 97 vs 81) (+16)
6.  19 more sights within 1 km (+19)
7.  Earlier check-in (14:00 vs 15:00) (−1h)

### Why is Pad Hostel better than Big Backpackers Hostel?

1.  Higher guest rating (8.9 vs 8.3) (+0.6)
2.  Higher star rating (3★ vs 2★) (+1★)

## All compared facts

Every category is scored from 0 to 10 with the same formula for every hotel.

 

|  | Big Backpackers Hostel | Pad Hostel |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Score by category |
| Guest rating | 8.3 | 8.9  (+0.6) |
| Location | 9.3  (+2.3) | 7.0 |
| Beach access | 1.7 | 1.5 |
| Public transport | 9.4  (+3.1) | 6.3 |
| Ratings & reviews |
| StayVersus score | 8.3 | 8.5  (+0.1) |
| Guest rating | 8.3 | 8.9  (+0.6) |
| Number of reviews | 1,730  (+1,720) | 10 |
| Google rating | 3.1/5 | 4.6/5  (+1.5) |
| Google reviews | 222  (+38) | 184 |
| Rank in Sydney | top 56% | top 43%  (+13%) |
| Location |
| Location score | 9.3  (+2.3) | 7.0 |
| Distance to the centre | 790 m  (−1.1 km) | 1.9 km |
| To the beach | 2.5 km | 2.6 km |
| To public transport | 260 m  (−580 m) | 840 m |
| To the airport | 7.9 km | 7.7 km |
| Restaurants within 500 m | 150  (+48) | 102 |
| Sights within 1 km | 26  (+19) | 7 |
| Rooms & building |
| Star rating | ★★ | ★★★  (+1★) |
| Rooms | 37 | – |
| Floors | 4 | 3 |
| Listed amenities | 8  (+2) | 6 |
| Policies |
| Check-in from | 14:00  (−1h) | 15:00 |
| Check-out until | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Amenities |
| Free Wi-Fi | ✓ | ✓ |
| Luggage storage | ✓ | – |
| Free breakfast | ✓ | ✓ |
| Air conditioning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Kitchen | ✓ | – |
| Blackout curtains | ✓ | – |
| Restaurant | – | ✓ |
| Bar | – | ✓ |
| Which hotel suits you |
| Families with children | ✓ | ✓ |
| Couples | ✓ | ✓ |
| Beach holidays | ✓ | ✓ |
| Sightseeing on foot | ✓ | – |
| Business trips | ✓ | – |
| Spa & relaxation | ✓ | ✓ |

[Swap sides](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/pad-hostel-sydney-vs-big-backpackers-hostel-sydney/)

## Location

1.1 km apart

## Big Backpackers Hostel or Pad Hostel: common questions

### Which is better, Big Backpackers Hostel or Pad Hostel?

Big Backpackers Hostel leads in 2 of 4 categories, including location, public transport. Pad Hostel is stronger in guest rating.

### Which is cheaper, Big Backpackers Hostel or Pad Hostel?

Prices change by date. Pick your dates above to see both nightly prices side by side.

### Which hotel is closer to the centre?

Big Backpackers Hostel is closer: 790 m from the centre, against 1.9 km for Pad Hostel.

### How far apart are Big Backpackers Hostel and Pad Hostel?

The two hotels are 1.1 km apart in a straight line.

## More match-ups

-   [Big Backpackers Hostel vs The Pod Sydney](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/big-backpackers-hostel-sydney-vs-the-pod-sydney-sydney/)
-   [Big Backpackers Hostel vs Maze Backpackers](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/big-backpackers-hostel-sydney-vs-maze-backpackers-sydney/)
-   [Big Backpackers Hostel vs Caption by Hyatt Central Sydney](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/big-backpackers-hostel-sydney-vs-caption-by-hyatt-central-sydney-sydney/)
-   [Big Backpackers Hostel vs Space Q Capsule Hotel](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/big-backpackers-hostel-sydney-vs-space-q-capsule-hotel-sydney/)
-   [Pad Hostel vs Shakespeare Hotel](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/pad-hostel-sydney-vs-shakespeare-hotel-sydney/)
-   [Pad Hostel vs City Budget Hotel](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/city-budget-hotel-sydney-vs-pad-hostel-sydney/)
-   [Pad Hostel vs Mrs Banks Hotel](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/mrs-banks-hotel-sydney-vs-pad-hostel-sydney/)
-   [Pad Hostel vs Crown Hotel Surry Hills](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/crown-hotel-surry-hills-sydney-vs-pad-hostel-sydney/)

## Compare now

Updated 6 Oct 2026. Data: Agoda, Overture Maps, OpenStreetMap, OurAirports and hotels' own websites. We may earn a commission from partner links; it never changes the comparison. [How we score](https://stayversus.com/en/about/)

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Source: https://stayversus.com/en/compare/big-backpackers-hostel-sydney-vs-pad-hostel-sydney/. Facts are compiled by StayVersus from partner data (Agoda), Overture Maps, OpenStreetMap, OurAirports, public Google Maps listings and hotels' own websites. Scores use one formula for every hotel. Methodology: https://stayversus.com/en/about/