5 Best Backpacker Hostels in Palmerston North 🎒 [2023]

1. The Railway Hotel Backpackers

This old railway hotel has been given new life, revived as The Railway Hotel Backpackers. This good-looking hostel is well-decorated and clean and there’s plenty of space with several kitchens and lounge areas. What’s more, snacks are put in the rooms for guests, which is more than welcome for budgeting backpackers! Dorm rooms are separated into male and female dorms, while private studio and ensuite rooms are also available.

2. Penny’s Accommodation

An old-school guesthouse, Penny’s Accommodation is similar to a hostel but with private rooms instead of dorm rooms. The budget accommodation is just a 10-minute walk from the city centre and offers a range of rooms with communal bathrooms, lounge and kitchen. Stay in either a single, double, twin or triple room with classic yet clean furnishings. WiFi is complimentary (although, it isn’t always working), as is the on-site parking.

© Penny's Accommodation

3. Palmerston North Holiday Park

Another backpacker budget accommodation in Palmerston North is the Palmerston North Holiday Park. It’s the only holiday park in Palmerston North and offers cabins, flats, powered sites and tent sites at budget prices. However, linen is not provided so you will need to bring your own or a sleeping bag. For alternative budget accommodations like this, check out the 10 Best Budget Accommodations in Palmerston North.

© Palmerston North Holiday Park

4. Warm on Waterloo

Another style of accommodation that we could recommend to backpackers, considering how limited your options are in Palmerston North, is a homestay. Warm on Waterloo offers two affordable guest rooms with rates for solo travellers available. Knowing that you’re getting a private room with breakfast included, plus access to a fully equipped kitchen and the opportunity to stay with welcoming locals, the homestay provides awesome value for money.

Check Warm on Waterloo out:

• Warm on Waterloo on Booking.com

© Warm on Waterloo

5. Foxton Beach TOP 10 Holiday Park

Now that we have already exhausted the backpacker accommodation in Palmerston North, let’s end with a great backpacker accommodation outside of the city. Foxton Beach is famous for kite surfing and kite landboarding – it’s a beach lover’s playground. The Foxton Beach TOP 10 Holiday Park has affordable cabins, self-contained units, powered sites and tent sites for campers! Foxton Beach is about a 35-minute drive from Palmerston North.

Check Foxton Beach TOP 10 Holiday Park out:

• Foxton Beach TOP 10 Holiday Park on Booking.com
• Foxton Beach TOP 10 Holiday Park on Trip.com
• Foxton Beach TOP 10 Holiday Park on Expedia

© Foxton Beach TOP 10 Holiday Park

[UPDATE] Massey Manawatu Halls

[Update: Massey Manawatu Halls is no longer open to visitors].

Thanks to all the student accommodation around Palmerston North, some student accommodation is open to backpackers, like Massey Manawatu Halls. They offer budget single rooms with communal facilities you would expect in a hostel, like a kitchen, as well as a barbecue area. Plus, there’s onsite parking. Be aware that linen needs to be hired from reception.

[CLOSED] Pepper Tree Hostel

Stay in this 100-year-old villa with plenty of space and friendly hosts. The Pepper Tree Hostel has all the essential facilities for backpackers including a spacious kitchen. There are even some old-school touches like a piano, book exchange, board games and more. It’s like staying at your grannie’s! This is a BBH hostel for members to benefit from a discount.