---
title: "The Bug Backpackers vs YHA Nelson - Backpackers | StayVersus"
description: "Pick YHA Nelson - Backpackers. It leads in 2 of 3 categories. The Bug Backpackers or YHA Nelson - Backpackers in Nelson? Compare guest ratings, location…"
url: https://stayversus.com/en/compare/the-bug-backpackers-nelson-vs-yha-nelson-backpackers-nelson/
language: en
source: StayVersus (https://stayversus.com)
retrieved: 2026-10-12
---

# The Bug Backpackers vs YHA Nelson - Backpackers

Both are in Nelson, 1.6 km apart. Here is where each one is stronger.

Hostel · ★★★ · Toi Toi
## [The Bug Backpackers](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/the-bug-backpackers-nelson/)

- **Guest rating:** 8.2 ·  Very good

- **Location score:** 2.7

- **Score by category:** 1 of 3

[Check rates](https://stayversus.com/go/2191987/agoda/?lang=en)

Hostel · ★★★★ · Nelson
## [YHA Nelson - Backpackers](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/yha-nelson-backpackers-nelson/)

- **Guest rating:** 8.6 ·  Very good

- **Location score:** 5.4

- **Score by category:** 2 of 3

[Check rates](https://stayversus.com/go/2358962/agoda/?lang=en)

The short answer

## Pick YHA Nelson - Backpackers

It leads in 2 of 3 categories. 1.6 km apart.

### Choose The Bug Backpackers if you want

-   to walk to the sights
-   a smaller, quieter hotel

### Choose YHA Nelson - Backpackers if you want

-   the more consistently praised stay
-   more restaurants on the doorstep
-   a big hotel with more facilities

### Why is The Bug Backpackers better than YHA Nelson - Backpackers?

1.  340 m closer to the beach (1.6 km vs 1.9 km) (−340 m)
2.  910 m closer to the city centre (−910 m)

### Why is YHA Nelson - Backpackers better than The Bug Backpackers?

1.  Higher guest rating (8.6 vs 8.2) (+0.4)
2.  Higher star rating (4★ vs 3★) (+1★)
3.  101 more restaurants and cafés within 500 m (+101)
4.  More walkable surroundings (walk grade 74 vs 15) (+59)
5.  Earlier check-in (14:00 vs 15:00) (−1h)

## All compared facts

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

 

|  | The Bug Backpackers | YHA Nelson - Backpackers |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Score by category |
| Guest rating | 8.2 | 8.6  (+0.4) |
| Location | 2.7 | 5.4  (+2.7) |
| Facilities | – | 4.2 |
| Families | – | 0.0 |
| Spa & wellness | – | 1.5 |
| Beach access | 4.9  (+1.1) | 3.8 |
| Ratings & reviews |
| StayVersus score | 8.3 | 8.6  (+0.3) |
| Guest rating | 8.2 | 8.6  (+0.4) |
| Number of reviews | 188  (+27) | 161 |
| Google rating | 4.0/5  (+0.1) | 3.9/5 |
| Google reviews | 212 | 322  (+110) |
| Rank in Nelson | top 88% | top 74%  (+14%) |
| Location |
| Location score | 2.7 | 5.4  (+2.7) |
| Distance to the centre | 1.7 km  (−910 m) | 2.6 km |
| To the beach | 1.6 km  (−340 m) | 1.9 km |
| To the airport | 4.0 km  (−1.5 km) | 5.4 km |
| Restaurants within 500 m | 2 | 103  (+101) |
| Sights within 1 km | 0 | 2  (+2) |
| Rooms & building |
| Star rating | ★★★ | ★★★★  (+1★) |
| Rooms | 14 | 26 |
| Floors | 1 | 2 |
| Listed amenities | 11 | 15  (+4) |
| Policies |
| Check-in from | 15:00 | 14:00  (−1h) |
| Check-out until | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Amenities |
| Free Wi-Fi | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free parking | ✓ | ✓ |
| Breakfast | ✓ | ✓ |
| Terrace | ✓ | ✓ |
| Air conditioning | ✓ | – |
| Kitchen | ✓ | ✓ |
| Balcony | ✓ | ✓ |
| In-room safe | ✓ | – |
| Blackout curtains | ✓ | ✓ |
| Shuttle | – | ✓ |
| Laundry | – | ✓ |
| Luggage storage | – | ✓ |
| Sauna | – | ✓ |
| Smoke-free | – | ✓ |
| Coffee or tea maker | – | ✓ |
| Which hotel suits you |
| Families with children | ✓ | ✓ |
| Couples | – | ✓ |
| Beach holidays | ✓ | – |
| Sightseeing on foot | – | ✓ |
| Business trips | ✓ | ✓ |
| Spa & relaxation | – | ✓ |

[Swap sides](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/yha-nelson-backpackers-nelson-vs-the-bug-backpackers-nelson/)

## Location

1.6 km apart

## The Bug Backpackers or YHA Nelson - Backpackers: common questions

### Which is better, The Bug Backpackers or YHA Nelson - Backpackers?

YHA Nelson - Backpackers leads in 2 of 3 categories, including guest rating, location. The Bug Backpackers is stronger in beach access.

### Which is cheaper, The Bug Backpackers or YHA Nelson - Backpackers?

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

### Which hotel is closer to the centre?

The Bug Backpackers is closer: 1.7 km from the centre, against 2.6 km for YHA Nelson - Backpackers.

### Which hotel is closer to the beach?

The Bug Backpackers is 1.6 km from the nearest beach; YHA Nelson - Backpackers is 1.9 km.

### How far apart are The Bug Backpackers and YHA Nelson - Backpackers?

The two hotels are 1.6 km apart in a straight line.

## More match-ups

-   [The Bug Backpackers vs The Hotel Nelson](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/the-bug-backpackers-nelson-vs-the-hotel-nelson-nelson/)
-   [The Bug Backpackers vs Admirals Motor Inn](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/admirals-motor-inn-nelson-vs-the-bug-backpackers-nelson/)
-   [The Bug Backpackers vs Rutherford Hotel Nelson - A Heritage Hotel](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/rutherford-hotel-nelson-a-heritage-hotel-nelson-vs-the-bug-backpackers-nelson/)
-   [YHA Nelson - Backpackers vs Palms Motel](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/palms-motel-nelson-vs-yha-nelson-backpackers-nelson/)
-   [YHA Nelson - Backpackers vs Rutherford Hotel Nelson - A Heritage Hotel](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/rutherford-hotel-nelson-a-heritage-hotel-nelson-vs-yha-nelson-backpackers-nelson/)
-   [YHA Nelson - Backpackers vs Palazzo Motor Lodge](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/palazzo-motor-lodge-nelson-vs-yha-nelson-backpackers-nelson/)
-   [YHA Nelson - Backpackers vs Innbetween Lodge And Backpackers](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/innbetween-lodge-and-backpackers-nelson-vs-yha-nelson-backpackers-nelson/)

## 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/the-bug-backpackers-nelson-vs-yha-nelson-backpackers-nelson/. 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/