Hostel built into a former railway platform beside Central Station, with converted train-carriage rooms.
Railway Square YHA is a hostel built into a former railway platform and goods area immediately beside Central Station, one of the more distinctive budget stays in Sydney given its structure incorporates converted heritage train carriages as private rooms. The property offers Dorm Beds and Private Rooms, with a shared kitchen, laundry, lockers and an outdoor pool, amenities aimed squarely at backpackers and budget travellers rather than a hotel-style service model. Its location directly beside Central Station gives immediate access to Sydney's entire rail and light rail network, making it one of the most transport-convenient budget stays in the city, with Chinatown, Haymarket and Darling Harbour all within a 10-to-15-minute walk. As a YHA-affiliated hostel, it operates with a strong social atmosphere, common areas for meeting other travellers, and an on-site travel desk for booking tours and onward transport, suiting solo travellers and groups on a tight budget who prioritise location and transport links over private hotel-style amenities.
| Price | $ |
|---|---|
| Address | 8-10 Lee St, Chippendale NSW 2008 |
Room types
- Dorm Bed
- Private Room
Amenities
- wifi
- shared kitchen
- laundry
- lockers
- pool
Location
8-10 Lee St, Chippendale NSW 2008
-33.8829, 151.2035 View on map
Highlights
- Converted heritage train carriage rooms beside Central Station
- Outdoor pool, uncommon for a budget hostel
- Shared kitchen, laundry and lockers
- Immediate access to Sydney's rail and light rail network
- 10-to-15-minute walk to Chinatown and Darling Harbour
Tips for visiting
- Book train-carriage private rooms ahead; they are a popular novelty and sell out fast
- Central Station's rail links make it easy to day-trip outside Sydney
- Shared kitchen gets busy at peak dinner times; plan cooking around this
- Lockers are provided but bring a padlock or buy one at reception
- Outdoor pool is a good way to cool off after a day of sightseeing
Accessibility
The hostel offers a limited number of accessible rooms; given the converted heritage platform structure, guests with mobility needs should confirm accessible room availability directly before booking.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the train carriage rooms?
Some private rooms are built into converted heritage railway carriages retained from the site's former use as a goods platform.
Is there a pool?
Yes, an outdoor pool is available, which is unusual for a hostel of this type.
How close is Central Station?
The hostel is directly adjacent to Central Station.
Does the hostel have private rooms or only dorms?
Both are available, ranging from shared Dorm Beds to Private Rooms.