Nestled in Sockburn, Racecourse Backpackers Hostel offers a peaceful retreat with a serene garden and practical laundry facilities. Connect to WiFi, stay productive at the business center, and enjoy extended parking.
Air Force Museum of New Zealand - 4 min drive - 1.9 km
Bush Inn Centre - 4 min drive - 2.5 km
University of Canterbury - 5 min drive - 2.9 km
Getting around
Christchurch International Airport (CHC) - 8 min drive
Christchurch Railway Station - 7 min drive
Rolleston Station - 14 min drive
Rangiora Station - 28 min drive
Airport drop-off service
Area shuttle (surcharge)
Train station drop-off (surcharge)
Train station pickup (surcharge)
Shopping centre shuttle (surcharge)
Casino shuttle (surcharge)
Restaurants
186 Cafe - 11 min walk
Beers by Bacon Brothers - 3 min drive
The Bay Mobile Café - 11 min walk
Cameron Japanese Family Restaurant - 18 min walk
The Avonhead Tavern and One Good Horse Restaurant - 3 min drive
About this property
Racecourse Backpackers Hostel
Racecourse Backpackers Hostel is just 4.2 mi (6.7 km) from the airport and offers drop-off service (available 24 hours). Guests will have free perks such as WiFi and self-parking.
At a glance
DONE
Hotel size
14 rooms
DONE
Arriving/Leaving
Check-in start time: 2 PM; check-in end time: 2 AM
Minimum check-in age – 18
Check-out time is 10 AM
Late check-out subject to availability
DONE
Special check-in instructions
This property offers transfers from the airport and train station (surcharges may apply); to arrange pick-up, guests must contact the property 48 hours prior to arrival, using the contact information on the booking confirmation
The property charges 5 per cent for credit card payments
There is no front desk at this property
Guests must contact the property for check-in information
To make arrangements for check-in please contact the property ahead of time using the information on the booking confirmation
If you are planning to arrive after 10 PM please contact the property in advance using the information on the booking confirmation
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools
DONE
Required at check-in
Credit card, debit card or cash deposit required for incidental charges
Government-issued photo ID may be required
Minimum check-in age is 18
DONE
Children
No cots (infant beds)
DONE
Pets
Pets not allowed
WIFI
Internet
Free WiFi in rooms
LOCAL_PARKING
Parking
Free on-site self-parking
On-site extended parking (fees apply)
Wheelchair-accessible parking on site
On-site parking is limited
Free off-site parking nearby
DONE
Transfers
Airport drop-off on request(available 24 hours a day)*
Train station shuttle*
DONE
Off-site
Area shuttle*
Shopping centre shuttle*
Casino shuttle*
DONE
Other information
Smoke-free property
No alcohol served on site
Property amenities
Working away
Business centre
Services
Laundry facilities
Multilingual staff
Facilities
Garden
Picnic area
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible parking
Room amenities
Be entertained
LCD television
Home comfort
Heating
Sleep well
Bed sheets provided
What to enjoy
Individually furnished
Freshen up
Shared bathroom
Towels
Stay connected
Free WiFi
Food and drink
Fridge
Shared kitchen access
More
Access via exterior corridors
Fees & policies
Refundable deposits
Cash deposit: NZD 50 per stay
Optional extras
Airport shuttle service is offered for an extra charge
Local area shuttle, casino shuttle and shopping centre shuttle service is offered for an extra charge
Late check-out can be arranged for an extra charge (subject to availability)
Credit card charges are subject to an extra charge of 5 per cent
Parking
Extended parking is available for an extra charge
Policies
The name on the credit card used at check-in to pay for incidentals must be the primary name on the guestroom reservation.
This property accepts credit cards, debit cards and cash.
Does Racecourse Backpackers Hostel offer free cancellation for a full refund?
Yes, Racecourse Backpackers Hostel does have fully refundable room rates available to book on our site. If you’ve booked a fully refundable room rate, this can be cancelled up to a few days before check-in, depending on the property's cancellation policy. Just make sure that you check this property's cancellation policy for the exact terms and conditions.
Are pets allowed at Racecourse Backpackers Hostel?
Sorry, pets aren't allowed.
Is parking offered on site at Racecourse Backpackers Hostel?
Yes, there's free self parking. Parking spaces may be limited.
Is an airport shuttle service offered by Racecourse Backpackers Hostel?
Yes, a shuttle from the hotel to the airport is available.
What are the check-in and check-out times at Racecourse Backpackers Hostel?
Check-in start time: 2 PM; check-in end time: 2 AM. Check-out time is 10 AM. Late check-out is available for a charge (subject to availability).
Is there an on-site casino at Racecourse Backpackers Hostel?
No, this hostel doesn't have a casino, but Christchurch Casino (11-min drive) is nearby.
What is there to do at Racecourse Backpackers Hostel and nearby?
Racecourse Backpackers Hostel has a picnic area and a garden.
What's the area around Racecourse Backpackers Hostel like?
Racecourse Backpackers Hostel is in Sockburn, a short 8-minute drive from Christchurch International Airport (CHC) and 3 minutes' walk from Riccarton Park.
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Reviews
Racecourse Backpackers Hostel Reviews
5.0
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.More informationOpens in a new window
4.4
Cleanliness
4.8
Location
5.2
Staff & service
4.0
Property conditions & facilities
Reviews
Verified
6/10 Good
20 April 2017
Basic, adequate for price charged
Verified traveller
Verified
4/10 Fair
7 October 2019
i dont like anything and i dont recommend this property very untidy but its cheap too
Verified traveller
1-night trip
Verified
4/10 Fair
13 August 2019
Cheap. 1 bed made for 4 guests. But 3 beds in room. Only 2 pillows, 2 Towells, 2 blankets. Stank of smoke. Blanket had cigarette holes. Minimal heating - 1 heater didn’t work. The other was a small fan screwed to wall that couldn’t be moved to point anywhere other than at the desk.
DC
DC, 1-night trip
Verified
4/10 Fair
27 April 2019
Very cheap price. In the suburbs of Christchurch. A small supermarket and fish and chips shop located just in front which is very convenient. The hostel has seen better days. Mattress was in a bad state and the sheets smelled strongly. Wifi worked fast and the TV has plenty of channels. Overall not great.
Daniel
Daniel, 1-night trip
Verified
2/10 Poor
10 March 2019
Sheets were dirty. Had to go out and buy blankets because of how dirty they were.
Verified traveller
1-night trip
Verified
2/10 Poor
2 March 2019
. Big no no!! We ran as soon as we got there
Neomi
Neomi, 5-night trip
Verified
8/10 Very good
24 February 2019
it was ok. it could have done with another shower cubicle and a tidy up of the grounds as there was not much room left under the veranda otherwise it was a good place to stay.
Verified traveller
2-night trip
Verified
8/10 Very good
5 February 2019
Hotel was in a good area, not too far to concert venue
Rinns
Rinns, 1-night trip
Verified
2/10 Poor
24 February 2018
Horrible & priced accordingly
Beds had 1 sheet -stained. A nylon blanket over the top. Bunks missing screws. No towels provided. Dirty showers. Old. Too much light. Really nice cats tho.
Verified traveller
1-night trip
Verified
2/10 Poor
23 February 2018
Smelly, dirty, worst than death
We were dropped off here on an uber after quickly doing a booking on short notice. Should have read the reviews first before going ahead. Paid $75 on expedia and thought it was a good price however when we were dropped off at the property it looked like a place you see on tv where people get murdered.. no joke! the key to the room was under the mat outside. The second we opened the door there was a huge stench coming out. The bed sheets had stains, the room just looked in a horrid condition. Could not stay in the room for over a minute as the smell was that bad! We hopped back online and booked another place and left immediately! Didn't go as far as checking the shared bathroom but I'd imagine it would be alot worst. Looked at the kitchen as it was so messy and dirty in there. I wouldn't want to cook in there at all. Save your money people and go somewhere else. Like other comments, don't even go if your desperate!
Anna
Anna , 1-night trip
Verified
4/10 Fair
22 February 2018
Shocking!
Probably one of the worst places I stayed at. When you drive into the court you think you are on a junk yard. The "canteen", i.e. common kitchen, is dirty and messy. The showers are just about ok in terms of cleanliness, but didn't drain. The rooms are *very* basic, and not perfectly clean either (linen looked dirty, cups were not cleaned properly, etc). You get a couple of old used blankets, with no sheets to have between these and yourself. We had to stay here because Christchurch was fully booked. We stayed only one night, and would have walked out had an alternative be available...
Verified traveller
Verified
2/10 Poor
1 December 2017
Terrible experience, Don't Go there.
The photo on this website is totally opposite the present condition. this is certainly a old photograph which don't resemble the present state of this facility.
The room were smelly, no ventilation, old cushion and outside of the room its a scene of dump yard. I highly recommend please don't go there.
Verified traveller
1-night trip
Verified
4/10 Fair
28 November 2017
Cheap + close to airport
Musky and mouldy smell in the room, nice and quiet area. The cats were very cute. But facilities were a bit of a let down
shiv
shiv, 1-night trip
Verified
2/10 Poor
13 November 2017
Canteen is dirty. There are cats that like to enter our hostel which we think is nof hygience.
Verified traveller
1-night trip
Verified
2/10 Poor
5 April 2017
I Should Have Slept In The Car
The office looked like a storage room of junk in disarray. Literary room filled with junk piled high with just enough space for a small desk. The clerk couldn't even find the basket of loose room keys that he had to dig through to find my key. The room had no heat and it was a very cold night. The bed had brown sheets that were several stained. It was so bad I didn't get in the bed, but slept with my clothes on. It was really nasty. The furnishings in the room looked like they had been pulled From a second hand store's dumpster. I should have just slept in the car.
dark00star
Verified
2/10 Poor
24 February 2017
I'm covered in bug bites from the bedding! All my exposed skin has what appears to be bed bugs bites that are really itchy! The owners are very nice but it's run down, smells and..bugs in the bedding!! So, no.
Leah
Verified
2/10 Poor
11 January 2017
No signage, no reception area, poorly kept.
the grounds are unkept, there is no reception, the managers use the shared kitchen for their own food preperarion the kitchen only seats 4 people squashed in. We will never go back.
Brodee
Verified
2/10 Poor
30 November 2016
The rooms smelled awful, the shower was mouldy, and the toilets smelled strongly of urine.
Verified traveller
Verified
4/10 Fair
6 July 2016
The room had a bad smell and two of the beds did not look clean, but we were glad to be able to change to another room that was more comfortable, cleaner and less smelly. The kitchen looked messy and dirty and the fridge was worse, so we did not use it. The bathrooms were alright, and there were cats who was trying to enter our room all the time. Price was the reason we booked to stay here and the overall experience was alright but sub-par.
CL
Verified
2/10 Poor
21 March 2016
Hotel - they're really stretching the definition
This hotel was so awful that I really don't know where to start. Was it the cats prowling around the car park, was it the manager who checked me in at the reception/bedroom, was it the stained sheets or was it the main building that was literally condemned? I can't say I enjoyed this stay, the whole thing was off from start to finish. Never again.
Verified traveller
Verified
2/10 Poor
22 February 2016
Not worth it. Avoid at all costs.
We were back packing through New Zealand staying at hostels around the South Island. This place was by far the dirtiest, most unsafe place we had booked. We had only booked for 1 night, and when we pulled in to the drive way we immediately regretted choosing this hostel (about 4pm). First impressions were bad - the place is old and has junk/boxes everywhere- even in the rooms. There was no one to greet us at reception, but we did notice a gentleman who had booked a night to stay. While speaking to him we knew we had to get out - He showed us his room and it was terrible. The place had a bad smell to it, and the rooms were full of boxes and junk. He mentioned to us that he was currently looking for somewhere else to stay because he didn't want to spend the night there either. The carpet is dirty and stained, the beds don't look clean. Even at under $70 for a room, we forfeited our booking and left straight away to stay somewhere else. Not recommended at all.
Jenny
Verified
6/10 Good
22 November 2015
Excellent hostel and staff room and bedroom was clean close to shops.
Verified traveller
Verified
2/10 Poor
2 August 2015
Would recommend an inspection of the place
First of all, the price being $70 dollars for two people and ONE bed with no proper bathing facilities was way too pricey. The sheets and duvet had certainly not been cleaned in a while, because they had a quite pungent scent to them that made sleeping very uncomfortable. There was a small wall heater provided, however, it was not enough to provide much warmth for the small, dorm-sized bedroom. The sanitary of the bathing facilities were questionable, as the water did not have a great draining system. Overall, it was just not a comfortable environment, especially for the price that was paid. Would not recommend staying here.
Kris
Verified
6/10 Good
2 March 2015
Don't expect too much: it is a dreary place, but with some new fittings, and the building work finished, it could be decent. Come on, lads!
Simon
Verified
4/10 Fair
29 January 2015
Facilities: Plumbing leaks; Value: Excessive, expensive for what u get; Service: Manager's friendly; Cleanliness: Filthy, Smelly, Grubby, Smell of cat pee;
In Australia this place would be shut down. Worst most unhygienic place i have ever stayed. All we wanted was a clean bed for the night :-(