Central Backpackers

Central Backpackers descritpion

Within a 5-minute walk of the train station and lively city center, Central Backpackers has hostel accommodations with free Wi-Fi, 24-hour access and a convenient location. The hostel has its own bar and rooftop terrace, and offers luggage storage and laundry services.
There are mixed and female dormitories with shared bathroom facilities, with towels and bed linens provided. All dorms have lockers and a secure swipe-card entry system. There is also a lounge area with TV and DVD player.
A light breakfast is provided at Central Backpackers, served from 7:30 am until 10 am and including cereal, toast, tea, coffee and juice. There is a dining room with vending machines filled with drinks and snacks, and free tea and coffee in the kitchen. The rooftop terrace also has a barbecue.
Run by experienced backpackers, the hostel is within walking distance of Oxford’s many restaurants, cafes and shops, as well as iconic landmarks including the Bodleian Library and Oxford Castle. The New Theatre and Odeon Cinema on vibrant George Street are around 4 minutes away.

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Facilities of Central Backpackers

Outdoors ：BBQ Facilities | Terrace | Sun Deck

Kitchen ：Shared Kitchen

Pets ：Pets are not allowed.

Food & Drink ：Bar

Internet ：Free!Wired internet is available in public areas and is free of charge. | Free!WiFi is available in all areas and is free of charge.

Parking ：Public parking is available at a location nearby (reservation is not possible) and charges may apply.

General ：Non-smoking Rooms | Heating | All Spaces Non-Smoking (public and private) | Designated Smoking Area

Languages Spoken ：Spanish | English

Reviews for Central Backpackers

Review 1：There are steep stairs up to the rooms. The staff were very helpful with assisting me however if you don't have a backpack this could be difficult to get up/down. You buzz to get let in so make sure you tell them if arriving out of check in hours. They were more than happy to store my bags when I arrived at 10am.

Review 2：A very casual backpackers. Multiple common room areas, I was only staying for one night but seemed very friendly. Wifi was available in my room but I was close to the common room area. It is an older building but batMultiple common room areas, I was only staying for one night but seemed very friendly. Good kitchen. Excellent location (5min walk from main bus station). It was a little expensive for a 10 bedded room however I booked late and it was similar to surrounding hostel prices. Breakfast looked good (toast, cereal etc) however I left too early for it. They were very honest about music noise and had ear plugs available which is a fabulous idea. I enjoyed my stay, Thank you.

Review 3：I didn't like the fact they had a smoking area. The area was great and I would have used it but stunk of smoke.A fire alarm went of at 2.30am and we had to evacuate. Signs to where to go were good (eg good exits to show way out) however at no time did I see any staff guiding, checking people were evacuated. Place is a bit tired but can see that it is well used.

Review 4：The location is great for the city center. It is near a night club so if you don't mind late night music it is fine.It has everything you might need - linen, duvet, towels and a kitchen for making/heating or eating food. TV room with comfy sofas. Staff were friendly welcoming and gave a good introduction if you hadn't been before.

Review 5：Hostel stated it provided lockers for each costumer. There were lockers in the room but there were no keys for the lockers so they were unusable. The staff did not have any spare keys and I was told I would have to buy a key for the locker at a key cutting shop.

Review 6：Really friendly and helpful staff. The bed and room was clean.

Review 7：Watch out, the hostel is located right above a nightclub. If you wish to indulge yourself in some sleep, you will have to wait until 4 or 5 am when the music stops. The hostel is also extremely hot, so you might just as well sleep half naked in December. Oh, and you'll wake up drenched in sweat anyway. Some of the staff are actually quite nice (the manager), but the rest are totally indifferent, treating guests as an unwelcome distraction from whatever they are doing at the moment.

Review 8：Good location. Fairly inexpensive.

Review 9：The bed is so small and so is the duvet.

Review 10：All the staff are really kind and willing to help. I have three huge suitcases which are extremely heavy, all the staffs saw me carrying them offered their help. The roommates I meet there are also really nice.

Review 11：My bed was right next to a sort of rooftop porch where people kept walking past - it was kind of weird and had to keep the curtains closed most of the time for privacy. Also the noise from the bar is kind of loud but there are free earplugs which worked great.

Review 12：Staff were very friendly and helpful. Really good value for the price and the location is convenient.

Review 13：It's all very dirty (the floor, toilets and the kitchen) and the toilets were always out of order.

Review 14：The Hostel position was good. You can leave your suitcases at the reception if you arrive before the check in time.

Review 15：Bars around the building and you can hear it during the night. I was not disturbed personally, but it is good to be prepared with earplugs.

Review 16：Close to the bus station and the railway station and also a few minutes walk to the centre of Oxford. Friendly and helpful staff. Common rooms with TV, books can be borrowed from the bookshelf, well equipped kitchen, breakfast included (toast, cereals, tea and /or coffee).

Review 17：The beds creak like crazy every time the upper person moves. A girl in the staff is not very polite. The toilets are old so feel like not very clean.

Review 18：The location is close to Coach Station, and the price is moderate. I find my room for 8 bed mix doom quite large compared to other hostels. The kitchen is small but for a few day stay I guess it's OK.

Review 19：Other guesses were quite noisy, some were drunk... but normal considering the range of age. First thing you are offered when you arrive is free ear-taps.

Review 20：Like a proper youth hostel, but with more facilities than normal. Individual shower rooms, kitchen staff and towels "help yourself", really nice.

Review 21：Long narrow flight of stairs to reach dormitory, cannot check-in earlier than 3pm.

Review 22：Effective use of limited single floor hostel, toilets/showers are well located, simple free breakfast/coffee/tea/condiments available, near train station.

Review 23：This hostel would only be good if you are looking to party your way through the country with plenty of beer and a smoking porch. If you'received not in this mode then the staff won'the even pay attention to you. But no matter what, toilets should always flush. These didn't.

Review 24：Not enough showers but that's always the case at hostels.

Review 25：The staff were amazing friendly and so helpful. Had a really good buzz and vibe about the place

Review 26：No complaints

Review 27：Great beds with nice mattress and power points / usb chargers for each one. Free tea and coffee and very close to underground station. Lovely staff too.

Review 28：Nightclubs on Park End st. make it impossible to sleep without earplugs - closing the windows did not help to reduce the noise.

Review 29：Nice common areas with TVs, Computers, warm quilts, hot showers, clean toilets, friendly atmosphere.

Review 30：The breakfast was very poor, I expected more, the price for stay was very expensive (but everywhere in Oxford unfortunately) yet it was more expensive than in London central and they deducted £1 for credit card transactions which I didn't know in advance as it wasn't mentioned before arriving there. Also an extra £5/person deposit. If i know they charge £1 for paying by card I wouldn't have, i would've taken out money before. :(

Review 31：Staff was friendly and bed was comfortable. Liked the idea of free earplugs and people weren't loud, they were nice. Kitchen was surprisingly equipped with pans and other cooking staff incl loads of spices. Also the open area on the top of the house looked great and very creative!

Review 32：Staff not very helpful neither friendly, the beds are horrible! Imposible to sleep, and being surrounded by pubs doesnt help at all. Is very noisy, the hostel even supplies free earplugs, so yoi can have an idea how loud it gets there. Breakfast wasnt great! Really poor.

Review 33：Good location

Review 34：Rather nice experience. You meet interesting people from all over the world, and that is a great bonus!!! Breakfast and chatting on the roof terrace was the best!!! :-) :-) :-)

Review 35：It was awesome, everyone was very friendly, nice and I felt like a part of a family, the rooms are nice, the kitchen and the living rooms are very comfortable and it's great that it's possible to wash some clothes there. I really liked the atmosphere :)

Review 36：A very small point but was not able to get WiFi 100% of the time but a great excuse to socialise!

Review 37：Fantastic staff who are always willing to help. Great atmosphere. Had a lovely time. Very good value for money.

Review 38：Too few showers, you have to be VERY patient... Quite noisy but if you use the earplugs provided that's OK.

Review 39：I liked the welcoming atmosphere, the decoration, the terrace. The staff were helpful.

Review 40：For shared toilet and shower room, it does not mean that you share within the room but among the rooms. So about 10 rooms with 40 people share about 7 toilets and showers. Toilets and showers dont look very clean. No sinks in the room so it is quite inconvenient. Compared to YHA near there with similar price. Room facilities in YHA is much more better. Free breakfast is just toast with jam and tea, coffee and juices. Not good soundproofing.

Review 41：Helpful staff.

Review 42：When i arrived, they gave me an upper bunk bed, then i saw that there is another empty lower bunk bed, but they refused to give that empty bed to me, saying that the hostel is fully booked etc They could've just given me that bed because i have a knee injury (i mentioned that) and that bed remained empty all night. The lockers in the room were standing free and one of them almost made me fall down from bunk bed stairs, so it'd been better if they were montaged onthe wall

Review 43：the location was excellent! It was loud but this wasnt a secret, so i didnt have any complaints. Every sight within walking distance. The breakfast was not bad at all and the tv room was really comfy!

Review 44：The bed wasn't all that comfortable, but nothing that would keep you from a good night's sleep.

Review 45：The staff were friendly and helpful, and to my surprise everything, even the showers and the toilets, were neat and clean.

Review 46：Showers were down but it was unavoidable so not a major issue

Review 47：I have never stayed in a hostel before and so far this has been a pleasant experience! I have already rebooked for next month

Review 48：Toilets could be a bit dirty at times and some members of staff close to rude.

Review 49：The manager was 5-stars, some other members could be indifferent, though had some nice chats with others. Facilities were very nice, though there could be more seats in the common dining room.

Review 50：The location is great, close to the train and bus station and within walking distance to the main sights. The staff are friendly and helpful. The price is excellent, half the cost of hostels in London.

Review 51：As just a door off the street,a little difficulty finding it,so keep a look out for signs and number.

Review 52：Friendly,buzzy,welcoming.A backpacker's delight.What it says on the tin is what you get,with helpful staff and cheery fellow travellers.And close to it all in Central Oxford.

Review 53：The staff there didn't work effectively. They told us the breakfast and check out was gonna start at 7.30am but in the next morning there was no body in the reception and they locked the kitchen until 9.30am! Some people even missed their training for waiting for the check out. (Coz they took £5- £10 deposit, that's why you have to wait to take the money back.) After the staff came, there was no apology from them and they just looked like wouldn't be bothered.

Review 54：The location and the bed in room.

Review 55：The location was perfect. I was within walking distance of everything that I wanted to see and experience. As always, I met interesting travelers from around the world. It was nice to see a variety of ages and not just 20 year olds.

Review 56：The interiors are old and worn and could use a complete refurbishment. The carpet makes the place look dirty regardless. Lockers were very small. Breakfast could be greatly improved (they could add a dishwasher, given the space). No individual lights, and not all beds had a power socket nearby.

Review 57：Very comfortable location, there was a free breakfast, the common rooms were nice although small. The noise at night due to nightclubs was not as bad as expected. Good Wifi.

Review 58：One of the male staff there shouldn't be working in hospitality. Guy didn't like his job and it showed.

Review 59：It had all the essentials, everything was in an acceptable condition.

Review 60：The noisy bar located just across the small terrance outside the window of the room. Separated showers that difficult to know which is occupied. Small common area.

Review 61：Fully equipped kitchen. Nice wall paintings in bedroom

Review 62：maybe thinking about offer oil in the kitchen ? So we do not have to borrow from the staff ;)

Review 63：The dormitory is big and tidy and the bed very comfortable. Staff very helpful (Many thanks to the sweet French boy who allowed me to use his oil for cooking for two days!).

Review 64：My trip to Oxford was wonderful except for the stay in this hostel. Thank God, I was there for only one night. The stuff had a terrible accent so I couldn't understand what she was saying. The windows in my room did not close so at night it was terribly cold. And there were no towels and as I didn't have any, I couldn't even take a shower. Finally they have double-bunk beds which are extremely uncomfortable, my back hurt next day. Well, I understand the price is cheap, but nevertheless the quality of service is very low. I travelled a lot and stayed in hostels but never ever have I seen such a mess. Don't forget your towel if you're going to stay there!

Review 65：Location was easy to find and close to where the Oxford tube from London stops. Nice atmosphere with several common areas to meet other travelers and a kitchen to prepare meals in. Staff were friendly and helpful too. Basically everything you want for a hostel.

Review 66：Not so many bathrooms and showers for so many rooms. The carpet in the rooms is not ideal with so many passing by. The breakfast is very basic but I guess one is lucky to have it at all.

Review 67：Very central. Common areas are closed at 23h and therefore it was quiet over night. The common areas and space outside are nicely set.

Review 68：The hostel was next door to some kind of very loud night club! i could not sleep till about 3 am when it finished! They did offer ear plugs, but they did not work for me, I could not wear them easily! So, I checked out next day!

Review 69：Staff and people there very friendly and very helpful. I would rate staff very highly. They did what they could to help you!

Review 70：Despite being friendly, some of the staff didn't speak English at all. The room was really smelly, and the smell lingered despite having the windows opened

Review 71：Staff was nice and friendly

Review 72：Centrally located, close to the railway station, ideal for young people visiting Oxford for a few days. Very cheerful and kind staff. I spent just one night, slept deeply although in a 12-persons room. Free WiFi, bar inside the structure. Price unbeatable!

Review 73：Only small lockers in the rooms, but luggage can be kept in a storage area downstairs

Review 74：Impressively clean, comfortable temperature (even in the dead of winter), helpful staff and easy walking distance to city centre Would recommend to anyone on a budget

Review 75：Kitchen could be a bit cleaner. The temperature in rooms fluctuates, but this is England so it usually does.

Review 76：Easy to book. Check in friendly and helpful. Generally in good condition and clean, to a good hostel standard. Excellent location. Simple free breakfast, which is great. Free maps and ear plugs! Not noisy, at least for me, even if located in a busy area. Staff remembered me from my previous stay that was nearly a year ago!

Review 77：When they say it is close to the night clubs they mean it is surrounded by nightclubs. If you are not partying yourself then ear plugs are a must. I stayed in a 6 bed female dorm and found it quite cramped compared to similar hostel rooms.

Review 78：The hostel was centrally located and had a nice layed back atmosphere. Wifi availability was excellent and basic breakfast was included - always a plus.

Review 79：Reception does take some time to answer the door before check in. Would recommend calling ahead. The noise from surrounding bars and nightclubs reaches fever pitch on weekends. However, they do provide ear plugs, and the noise is to be expected since it is a student town.

Review 80：I was in Oxford for the weekend of my degree day. The service provided was smooth, and the facilities comfortable. The kitchen and the common room have a homely feel allowing one the space and freedom to move around.

Review 81：To leave

Review 82：All the staff is absolutely completed, a welcome(reception) as I have never seen it somewhere else, and an atmosphere which leaves you a twinge of sadness at the time of the departure..! Thanks to all !

Review 83：The little outside area with a bar is awesome. The rooms are very comfortable. Wifi is great. The people there are really cool. It's close to the center and other party-places which I liked a lot. Would recommend to anyone who wants a cheap stay but great value for it. Next time I'm in oxford I'll book here again!

Review 84：There are pubs downstairs and it could be really noisy at night.

Review 85：They have a kitchen with all cookers free of use and a common room with desktop and many books. Just like home!

Review 86：Wifi was so spotty in the room, there might as well not have been wifi at all. The steps up were quite steep as well, and when trying to check out the staff were not around, even when ringing the bell for business.

Review 87：Basic hostel setup. Nothing fancy but good for the money.

Review 88：could of been more power points in the rooms. a light at each bed would of also been nice.

Review 89：free wifi throughout the shoe building. comfy beds. really friendly staff. free breakfast. showers and toilets were always clean. central location. own lockers to out valuables in.

Review 90：i was carrying 2 heavy luggage, it took me about half an hour to find the hotel, although it is really close to oxford train station. they really need a directionally...

Review 91：it is considerably good for a youth hotel. wifi connection is very good.

Review 92：Very noisy at night, think its above a nightclub? Toilet flooded in the morning so out of circulation. No light by bed, so if up early no light in bedroom or you disturb fellow room mates!! think it should be a rule of no talking on mobile phones in bedroom as one girl was talking for an hour, quite annoying. they need a rule in place, otherwise young people will think its there right!

Review 93：Location very good, staff helpful, free coffee and tea facilities, wi-fi. Security good.

Review 94：Almost got later for my exam since the kitchen was not open on time(7am) for me to have breakfast and at the same time I had to check out.

Review 95：Loved the security of the place.The fact that not anybody can walk in and out of the premises without permission.

Review 96：Noise from the clubland outside not enough toilets Lady above snored!!!

Review 97：Comfortable bed Free (and good) wifi Fee earplugs provided Good showers Good spacious kitchen

Review 98：I wasn't sure how long I would stay, and the staff and owner were unexpectedly kind and accommodating. It is a really special place with fantastic people. :)

Review 99：Very close to student clubs so gets very noisy. Poor storage in rooms so you trip over people's stuff. No bed lamps;only main lights to use at night (or torch from your phone).

Review 100：Friendly staff. Charming and cosy atmosphere feels like a sleepover with friends.

Review 101：Lack of plug sockets in the room.

Review 102：Proximity to town, very comfortable bunks and great communal facilities. Free ear plugs were great and useful for the noisy location.

Review 103：It was a bit noisy, especially at the weekend because it's above several bars. Also the payment machine charges your card an extra pound which I think is very unfair. This should be changed.

Review 104：Very clean and cozy with a friendly atmosphere.

Review 105：Nice staff, good lay out, decent kitchen, good social areas, nice atmosphere. It's still going to be the same kind of set up for long term lodgers as everywhere else, same kind of pitfalls & traps, but I'd rate this place well, just book early as it's popular

Review 106：friendly staff great atmosphere nothing but friendly people very clean for a hostel cosy shared livingrooms in the middle of the clubbing district you really can't ask for more from a hostel.

Review 107：The toilet and shower facilities are extremely limited for the number of rooms so you have to be strategic with your timing or go dirty all day.

Review 108：The location is fabulous, the staff is very helpful, and it's a good night's sleep considering it's a dormitory-style and in the center of the nightlife district. I felt as comfortable here as I could expect from a hostel. I understand they'll do laundry for you for 4 GBP, which is very helpful for those on long holidays. Nice working kitchen, bar, and smoking area too

Review 109：There was a bit of a smell of cigarette smoke in our room and hallways sometimes and the lockers were very small, but these are only minor complaints.

Review 110：The staff, the kitchen, the showers and toilets were all great. The breakfast is simple but good. I go back and stay again.

Review 111：The bedrooms a bit too small. It's not far from a club and it can be difficult to sleep with one has trouble to sleep.

Review 112：The staff was really nice and welcoming. People were relaxed.

Review 113：I had some issues with the showers - but on the other hand, great privacy.

Review 114：It was amazing. Everyone was super friendly, the staff was great, and it was great meeting all those people. It was quite easy too, staff and guests were happy to get acquainted with others.

Review 115：Now I am being picky but I feel they should invest in digital TV because you hardly get a clear signal for any of the FREE VIEW CHANNELS

Review 116：Great staff, very friendly and helpful. Great place to stay when travelling alone, you are guaranteed to meet people. It's absolutely great value for money.

Review 117：Hard to find the hostel, serious lack of sanitary facilities, a lot of noise because of the clubs/pubs, even in the middle of the week, some of the staffs could do a few more efforts...

Review 118：Wifi, location

Review 119：The staff are all very nice and helpful. They are also knowledgeable about what to see and try around the area. Location is the best and wifi works perfect. Highly recommended place to stay.

Review 120：Cannot check out early in the morning. The staffs are untrained and a little indiferent.

Review 121：Very close to the bus station and not far from the centre of the city. The beds are comfortable, other roommates are polite and friendly. Breakfast is included.

Review 122：The beds were horribly noisy - it was hard to sleep with 8 other people, because at each minimum movement each bed emitted a hell of a noise. Not enough power plugs in the room. The toilets and showers are not too many, so there are some queues.

Review 123：It's very cheap (20 pounds) and clean. The staff (hello to the spanish guy!) is very friendly and helpful. Nice common areas. Extremely international environment, which is so cool. Lockers provided in the rooms.

Review 124：Above a night club so pretty loud on Saturday night, also possibly not enough sinks available.

Review 125：Free breakfast and tea making facilities were a nice touch. Beds were comfortable & the staff were really friendly. Useful to have a luggage room to store our belongings during the day. Also very easy to find from the station.

Review 126：I am surprised by the convenience of this hostel while traveling to University of Oxford, Said School of Business. Staff members are all very nice to me. Even more, the price is absolutely good for its location!

Review 127：If you're looking for a cheap and central place to stay for just one or two nights, it a good option. Breakfast though is really weak. Better not to count on it...For more than a few nights I wouldn't recommend it: rather irregular sleep because of big number of people in the room...Don't forget your sleeping glasses... Staff is nice and INTERNET works good. Bathrooms relatively clean.

Review 128：rooms have 12 bunks. room is airless and stinky with windows closed. italian coffee pots provided, but only instant coffee for use with hot water. hence, no expresso or cappuchino possible.

Review 129：between the train station and the town. easy walk to both.

Review 130：- lazy personal on reception - noise (nightclub across the road)

Review 131：+ very close to train station/bus terminal/city center + good wifi + nice rooftop terrace

Review 132：The main door is small so that it is little bit hard to find or miss it. There is a high long stairs to climb before reaching the room.

Review 133：The location is only five minutes walk to the centre of city. As a hostel service level, the facilities is prefect. it is comfortable.

Review 134：I stayed there on a Saturday and it was very noisy, however they supply guests with ear plugs so it was fine

Review 135：Great backpackers, has everything you need from cooking utensils, breakfast, bar and great common areas. Staff were also very friendly and helpful

The Fine Print

You must show a valid photo ID (passport or driver's license) upon check-in.Please note that bookings of 5 or more guests are not accepted. Please contact the property directly for further information.