Surf 'n' Snow Backpackers vs YMCA Hostel
Both are in Auckland, 900 m apart. Here is where each one is stronger.
HostelAuckland Central
Surf 'n' Snow Backpackers
- Guest rating
- 6.8 Okay
- Location score
- 7.8
- Score by category
- 2 of 3
HostelFreemans Bay
YMCA Hostel
- Guest rating
- 8.3 Very good
- Location score
- 6.7
- Score by category
- 1 of 3
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?
- 1790 m closer to public transport−790 m
- 2Newer or more recently renovated (2005 vs 1966)+39y
- 3A smaller, more intimate hotel (38 vs 115 rooms)−77
Why is YMCA Hostel better than Surf 'n' Snow Backpackers?
- 1Higher guest rating (8.3 vs 6.8)+1.5
- 2A 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 vs YMCA Hostel: which hotel is better? | 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 | – | ✓ |
Price for your dates
Prices come from booking partners and can change. The final price is shown before you book.
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
All months
| Month | Surf 'n' Snow Backpackers | YMCA Hostel |
|---|---|---|
| December | €22 | €61 |
| January | €28 | €62 |
| February | €28 | €62 |
| March | €38 | €62 |
| April | €21 | €54 |
| May | €21 | €41 |
| June | €21 | €41 |
| July | €21 | €41 |
| August | €21 | €41 |
| September | €21 | €41 |
| October | €21 | €62 |
| November | €24 | €51 |
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 monthYMCA Hostel prices by month
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
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.
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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