--- title: "Surf 'n' Snow Backpackers vs YMCA Hostel: which hotel is better?" description: "Surf 'n' Snow Backpackers or YMCA Hostel in Auckland? Compare guest ratings, location, amenities, rooms and prices side by side." url: https://stayversus.com/en/compare/surf-n-snow-backpackers-auckland-vs-ymca-hostel-auckland/ language: en source: StayVersus (https://stayversus.com) retrieved: 2026-11-15 --- # Surf 'n' Snow Backpackers vs YMCA Hostel Both are in Auckland, 900 m apart. Here is where each one is stronger. Hostel · Auckland Central ## [Surf 'n' Snow Backpackers](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/surf-n-snow-backpackers-auckland/) - **Guest rating:** 6.8 · Okay - **Location score:** 7.8 - **Score by category:** 2 of 3 [Check rates](https://stayversus.com/go/2168044/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:** 1 of 3 [Check rates](https://stayversus.com/go/2368762/agoda/?lang=en) The short answer ## Pick Surf 'n' Snow Backpackers It leads in 2 of 3 categories. 900 m apart. ### Choose Surf 'n' Snow Backpackers if you want - a smaller, quieter hotel (Rooms: 38 / 115) - a newer or recently renovated building (2005 / 1966) ### Choose YMCA Hostel if you want - the more consistently praised stay (8.3 / 6.8) - a big hotel with more facilities (Rooms: 115 / 38) ### Why is Surf 'n' Snow Backpackers better than YMCA Hostel? 1. 790 m closer to public transport (−790 m) 2. Newer or more recently renovated (2005 vs 1966) (+39y) 3. A smaller, more intimate hotel (38 vs 115 rooms) (−77) ### Why is YMCA Hostel better than Surf 'n' Snow Backpackers? 1. Higher guest rating (8.3 vs 6.8) (+1.5) 2. A larger hotel with more facilities (115 vs 38 rooms) (×3.0) ## All compared facts Every category is scored from 0 to 10 with the same formula for every hotel. | | Surf 'n' Snow Backpackers | YMCA Hostel | | --- | --- | --- | | Score by category | | Guest rating | 6.8 | 8.3 (+1.5) | | Location | 7.8 (+1.1) | 6.7 | | Public transport | 7.7 (+4.3) | 3.4 | | Ratings & reviews | | StayVersus score | 6.8 | 8.3 (+1.5) | | Guest rating | 6.8 | 8.3 (+1.5) | | Number of reviews | 1,526 (+238) | 1,288 | | Rank in Auckland | bottom 1% | bottom 36% (+35%) | | Location | | Location score | 7.8 (+1.1) | 6.7 | | Distance to the centre | 720 m | 540 m (−190 m) | | To public transport | 580 m (−790 m) | 1.4 km | | To the airport | 18 km | 18 km | | Restaurants within 500 m | 150 | 150 | | To the nearest food shop | 90 m | 140 m | | Shops within 500 m | 17 (+6) | 11 | | Sights within 1 km | 6 | 5 | | Rooms & building | | Rooms | 38 | 115 | | Floors | 5 | 5 | | Newest building or renovation | 2005 (+39y) | 1966 | | Listed amenities | 6 | 11 (+5) | | Policies | | Check-in from | 13:30 (−1h) | 14:00 | | Check-out until | 10:00 | 10:00 | | Amenities | | Car hire | ✓ | – | | Luggage storage | ✓ | ✓ | | Air conditioning | ✓ | – | | Kitchen | ✓ | ✓ | | In-room safe | ✓ | ✓ | | Free Wi-Fi | – | ✓ | | Parking | – | ✓ | | Concierge | – | ✓ | | Free breakfast | – | ✓ | | Gym | – | ✓ | | Blackout curtains | – | ✓ | | 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. ## Nightly price by month Surf 'n' Snow BackpackersYMCA Hostel - Surf 'n' Snow Backpackers is cheaper in 12 of 12 months - Surf 'n' Snow Backpackers: €24 a night on average · YMCA Hostel: €52 a night on average Pick a month to check today's price for its cheapest date. [Hotel prices in Auckland by month](https://stayversus.com/en/new-zealand/auckland/prices/) Averages of real one-night prices for two adults on Agoda, a Tuesday and a Saturday in each month, last checked 11 November 2026. In euros; the final price is shown before you book. [Surf 'n' Snow Backpackers prices by month](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/surf-n-snow-backpackers-auckland/prices/)[YMCA Hostel prices by month](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/ymca-hostel-auckland/prices/) ## Location 900 m apart Surf 'n' Snow Backpackers: city centre: 720 m, nearest station Britomart Transport Centre: 580 m, Auckland International Airport (AKL): 18 km, 150+ places to eat within 500 m, 6 sights within 1 km. YMCA Hostel: city centre: 540 m, nearest station Mt Eden Station: 1.4 km, Auckland International Airport (AKL): 18 km, 150+ places to eat within 500 m, 5 sights within 1 km. ## Weather in Auckland [Auckland weather: 15-day forecast](https://atlasofseasons.com/en/new-zealand/auckland/auckland/weather) ## Surf 'n' Snow Backpackers or YMCA Hostel: common questions ### Which is better, Surf 'n' Snow Backpackers or YMCA Hostel? Surf 'n' Snow Backpackers leads in 2 of 3 categories, including location, public transport. YMCA Hostel is stronger in guest rating. ### Which is cheaper, Surf 'n' Snow Backpackers or YMCA Hostel? Over the year Surf 'n' Snow Backpackers costs about €24 a night on average against €52 at YMCA Hostel, and it is cheaper in 12 of the 12 months we checked. Pick your dates above for today's prices. ### Which hotel is closer to the centre? YMCA Hostel is closer: 540 m from the centre, against 720 m for Surf 'n' Snow Backpackers. ### How far apart are Surf 'n' Snow Backpackers and YMCA Hostel? The two hotels are 900 m apart in a straight line. ## More match-ups - [YMCA Hostel vs Haka House Auckland K' Road](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/haka-house-auckland-k-road-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/surf-n-snow-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/