---
title: "Freemans Backpackers vs Quest Ponsonby: which hotel is better?"
description: "Freemans Backpackers or Quest Ponsonby in Auckland? Compare guest ratings, location, amenities, rooms and prices side by side."
url: https://stayversus.com/en/compare/freemans-backpackers-auckland-vs-quest-ponsonby-auckland/
language: en
source: StayVersus (https://stayversus.com)
retrieved: 2026-11-07
---

# Freemans Backpackers vs Quest Ponsonby

Both are in Auckland, 730 m apart. Here is where each one is stronger.

Hostel · Freemans Bay
## [Freemans Backpackers](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/freemans-backpackers-auckland/)

- **Guest rating:** 6.7 ·  Okay

- **Location score:** 5.8

- **Score by category:** 0 of 5

[Check rates](https://stayversus.com/go/1425312/agoda/?lang=en)

Apartment · Freemans Bay
## [Quest Ponsonby](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/quest-ponsonby-auckland/)

- **Guest rating:** 8.5 ·  Very good

- **Location score:** 6.1

- **Score by category:** 2 of 5

[Check rates](https://stayversus.com/go/2000790/agoda/?lang=en)

The short answer

## Pick Quest Ponsonby

It leads in 2 of 5 categories. 730 m apart.

### Choose Freemans Backpackers if you want

-   free parking

### Choose Quest Ponsonby if you want

-   the more consistently praised stay (8.5 / 6.7)
-   more restaurants on the doorstep (119 / 34)

### Why is Freemans Backpackers better than Quest Ponsonby?

1.  Offers an airport transfer
2.  Has free parking
3.  Earlier check-in (12:00 vs 14:00) (−2h)

### Why is Quest Ponsonby better than Freemans Backpackers?

1.  Higher guest rating (8.5 vs 6.7) (+1.8)
2.  More guest reviews (262 vs 61), so the rating is more reliable (×4.3)
3.  85 more restaurants and cafés within 500 m (+85)
4.  More walkable surroundings (walk grade 78 vs 64) (+14)
5.  4 more listed amenities (16 vs 12) (+4)

## All compared facts

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

 

|  | Freemans Backpackers | Quest Ponsonby |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Score by category |
| Guest rating | 6.7 | 8.5  (+1.8) |
| Location | 5.8 | 6.1 |
| Facilities | 3.3 | 3.3 |
| Spa & wellness | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Public transport | 2.5 | 3.5  (+1.0) |
| Ratings & reviews |
| StayVersus score | 7.3 | 8.5  (+1.2) |
| Guest rating | 6.7 | 8.5  (+1.8) |
| Number of reviews | 61 | 262  (+201) |
| Google rating | – | 3.5/5 |
| Google reviews | – | 242 |
| Rank in Auckland | bottom 6% | top 50%  (+44%) |
| Location |
| Location score | 5.8 | 6.1  (+0.3) |
| Distance to Freemans Bay centre | 310 m  (−270 m) | 590 m |
| To public transport | 1.5 km | 1.4 km  (−180 m) |
| To the airport | 18 km | 17 km |
| Restaurants within 500 m | 34 | 119  (+85) |
| To the nearest food shop | 460 m | 90 m  (−380 m) |
| Shops within 500 m | 5 | 3 |
| Sights within 1 km | 5  (+2) | 3 |
| Rooms & building |
| Rooms | – | 38 |
| Listed amenities | 12 | 16  (+4) |
| Policies |
| Check-in from | 12:00  (−2h) | 14:00 |
| Check-out until | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Amenities |
| Free Wi-Fi | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free parking | ✓ | – |
| Airport transfer | ✓ | – |
| Shuttle | ✓ | ✓ |
| Car hire | ✓ | ✓ |
| Laundry | ✓ | ✓ |
| Luggage storage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Kitchen | ✓ | ✓ |
| In-room safe | ✓ | ✓ |
| Coffee or tea maker | ✓ | – |
| Concierge | – | ✓ |
| Room service | – | ✓ |
| Terrace | – | ✓ |
| Wheelchair accessible | – | ✓ |
| Smoke-free | – | ✓ |
| Air conditioning | – | ✓ |
| Balcony | – | ✓ |
| Which hotel suits you |
| Couples | – | ✓ |
| Sightseeing on foot | – | ✓ |
| Business trips | – | ✓ |

## Live prices around both hotels

Real nightly rates from booking partners for the dates you picked above. Tap a price for the offer.

## Location

730 m apart

Freemans Backpackers: city centre: 1.0 km, nearest station Britomart Transport Centre: 1.5 km, Auckland International Airport (AKL): 18 km, 34 places to eat within 500 m, 5 sights within 1 km.

Quest Ponsonby: city centre: 1.4 km, nearest station Mt Eden Station: 1.4 km, Auckland International Airport (AKL): 17 km, 119 places to eat within 500 m, 3 sights within 1 km.

## Weather in Auckland

[Auckland weather: 15-day forecast](https://atlasofseasons.com/en/new-zealand/auckland/auckland/weather)

## Freemans Backpackers or Quest Ponsonby: common questions

### Which is better, Freemans Backpackers or Quest Ponsonby?

Quest Ponsonby leads in 2 of 5 categories, including guest rating, public transport.

### Which is cheaper, Freemans Backpackers or Quest Ponsonby?

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

### Which hotel is closer to the centre?

Freemans Backpackers is closer: 310 m from the centre, against 590 m for Quest Ponsonby.

### How far apart are Freemans Backpackers and Quest Ponsonby?

The two hotels are 730 m apart in a straight line.

## 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/)

---
Source: https://stayversus.com/en/compare/freemans-backpackers-auckland-vs-quest-ponsonby-auckland/. 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/