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YHA Nelson - Backpackers vs The Bug Backpackers

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

Hostel★★★★Nelson

YHA Nelson - Backpackers

Guest rating
8.6 Very good
Location score
5.4
Score by category
2 of 3
Check rates

Hostel★★★Toi Toi

The Bug Backpackers

Guest rating
8.2 Very good
Location score
2.7
Score by category
1 of 3
Check rates

The short answer

Pick YHA Nelson - Backpackers

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

Choose YHA Nelson - Backpackers if you want

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

Choose The Bug Backpackers if you want

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

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

  1. 1Higher guest rating (8.6 vs 8.2)+0.4
  2. 2Higher star rating (4★ vs 3★)+1★
  3. 3101 more restaurants and cafés within 500 m+101
  4. 4More walkable surroundings (walk grade 74 vs 15)+59
  5. 5Earlier check-in (14:00 vs 15:00)−1h

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

  1. 1340 m closer to the beach (1.6 km vs 1.9 km)−340 m
  2. 2910 m closer to the city centre−910 m

All compared facts

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

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

Swap sides

Price for your dates

YHA Nelson - Backpackers

    See on Agoda See on Expedia See on Hotels.com

    The Bug Backpackers

      See on Agoda See on Expedia See on Hotels.com

      Prices come from booking partners and can change. The final price is shown before you book.

      Location

      1.6 km apart

      OpenStreetMap

      YHA Nelson - Backpackers or The Bug Backpackers: common questions

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

      The two hotels are 1.6 km 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