--- title: "Freemans Backpackers vs YMCA Hostel: which hotel is better?" description: "Pick YMCA Hostel. It leads in 3 of 4 categories. Freemans Backpackers or YMCA Hostel in Auckland? Compare guest ratings, location, amenities, rooms and…" url: https://stayversus.com/en/compare/freemans-backpackers-auckland-vs-ymca-hostel-auckland/ language: en source: StayVersus (https://stayversus.com) retrieved: 2026-10-15 --- # Freemans Backpackers vs YMCA Hostel Both are in Auckland, 560 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:** 1 of 4 [Check rates](https://stayversus.com/go/1425312/agoda/?lang=en) Hostel · ★★★★★ · Freemans Bay ## [YMCA Hostel](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/ymca-hostel-auckland/) - **Guest rating:** 8.3 · Very good - **Location score:** 6.7 - **Score by category:** 3 of 4 [Check rates](https://stayversus.com/go/2368762/agoda/?lang=en) The short answer ## Pick YMCA Hostel It leads in 3 of 4 categories. 560 m apart. ### Choose Freemans Backpackers if you want - to be closer to the beach ### Choose YMCA Hostel if you want - the more consistently praised stay - to walk to the sights - more restaurants on the doorstep - breakfast included ### Why is Freemans Backpackers better than YMCA Hostel? 1. 520 m closer to the beach (1.4 km vs 2.0 km) (−520 m) 2. 500 m closer to the area centre (−500 m) 3. Earlier check-in (12:00 vs 14:00) (−2h) ### Why is YMCA Hostel better than Freemans Backpackers? 1. Higher guest rating (8.3 vs 6.7) (+1.6) 2. Includes free breakfast 3. Higher star rating (4.5★ vs 3.5★) (+1★) 4. More guest reviews (1,288 vs 61), so the rating is more reliable (×21) 5. 116 more restaurants and cafés within 500 m (+116) 6. More walkable surroundings (walk grade 84 vs 64) (+20) 7. Has a gym ## All compared facts Every category is scored from 0 to 10 with the same formula for every hotel. | | Freemans Backpackers | YMCA Hostel | | --- | --- | --- | | Score by category | | Guest rating | 6.7 | 8.3 (+1.6) | | Location | 5.8 | 6.7 (+0.9) | | Facilities | 3.3 | – | | Families | 0.0 | – | | Spa & wellness | 0.0 | – | | Beach access | 5.4 (+1.8) | 3.6 | | Public transport | 2.5 | 3.4 (+0.9) | | Ratings & reviews | | StayVersus score | 7.3 | 8.3 (+1.0) | | Guest rating | 6.7 | 8.3 (+1.6) | | Number of reviews | 61 | 1,288 (+1,227) | | Rank in Auckland | top 95% | top 68% (+27%) | | Location | | Location score | 5.8 | 6.7 (+0.9) | | Distance to Freemans Bay centre | 310 m (−500 m) | 820 m | | To the beach | 1.4 km (−520 m) | 2.0 km | | To public transport | 1.5 km | 1.4 km (−160 m) | | To the airport | 18 km | 18 km | | Restaurants within 500 m | 34 | 150 (+116) | | Sights within 1 km | 5 | 5 | | Rooms & building | | Star rating | ★★★★ | ★★★★★ (+1★) | | Rooms | – | 115 | | Floors | – | 5 | | Newest building or renovation | – | 1966 | | Listed amenities | 12 | 11 | | 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 | – | ✓ | | Free breakfast | – | ✓ | | Gym | – | ✓ | | Blackout curtains | – | ✓ | | Which hotel suits you | | Families with children | ✓ | ✓ | | Couples | – | ✓ | | Beach holidays | ✓ | – | | Sightseeing on foot | – | ✓ | | Business trips | – | ✓ | | Spa & relaxation | ✓ | ✓ | [Swap sides](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/ymca-hostel-auckland-vs-freemans-backpackers-auckland/) ## Location 560 m apart ## Freemans Backpackers or YMCA Hostel: common questions ### Which is better, Freemans Backpackers or YMCA Hostel? YMCA Hostel leads in 3 of 4 categories, including guest rating, location, public transport. Freemans Backpackers is stronger in beach access. ### Which is cheaper, Freemans Backpackers or YMCA Hostel? 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 820 m for YMCA Hostel. ### Which hotel is closer to the beach? Freemans Backpackers is 1.4 km from the nearest beach; YMCA Hostel is 2.0 km. ### How far apart are Freemans Backpackers and YMCA Hostel? The two hotels are 560 m apart in a straight line. ## More match-ups - [Freemans Backpackers vs Silverfern Backpackers](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/freemans-backpackers-auckland-vs-silverfern-backpackers-auckland/) - [Freemans Backpackers vs Hobson - Lodge](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/freemans-backpackers-auckland-vs-hobson-lodge-auckland/) - [Freemans Backpackers vs Swiss-Belsuites Victoria Park Auckland](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/freemans-backpackers-auckland-vs-swiss-belsuites-victoria-park-auckland-auckland/) - [Freemans Backpackers vs VR Auckland City](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/freemans-backpackers-auckland-vs-vr-auckland-city-auckland/) - [YMCA Hostel vs Parkside Hotel & Apartments](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/parkside-hotel-apartments-auckland-vs-ymca-hostel-auckland/) - [YMCA Hostel vs Hobson - Lodge](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/hobson-lodge-auckland-vs-ymca-hostel-auckland/) - [YMCA Hostel vs Greet Hotel Auckland Off Queen](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/greet-hotel-auckland-off-queen-auckland-vs-ymca-hostel-auckland/) - [YMCA Hostel vs VR Queen Street Hotel & Suites](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/vr-queen-street-hotel-suites-auckland-vs-ymca-hostel-auckland/) ## 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-ymca-hostel-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/