Cardiff Backpacker

The Cardiff Backpackers is a long standing Cardiff institution, and as other reviewers have noted, now only opens at weekends due to the opening of a larger sister enterprise a few hundred meters away (NosDa).
For the budget conscious traveller it can’t be beaten — friendly, the perfect size to feel welcoming without feeling overwhelming, and in a part of town that used to be a little on the rough side but which now boasts some excellent and diverse dining choices, from Caribbean to Indian or Chinese. My pick is the Rocking Chair — amazing Caribbean food, but I’ll save that for another review.
There’s also a fully licensed late bar, a DVD lending library, a BBQ area and lovely staff who are more than happy to point you at the best Cardiff has to offer. You are also conveniently located — you can venture into Canton by foot, to the delights of the newly refurbished Chapter or the slightly seedier watering holes of Cowbridge Road East. Or, in the opposite direction, the bright lights of the town centre await. For my money, the best hostel in Cardiff, and certainly the most fun.

Cardiff Backpacker is a beautiful little independent hostel, situated a stones throw from the entrance to Bute Park and the city centre, and occupying a promenant position within a great little enclave of local businesses and take-​aways. With The Rocking Chair Café-​Bar and Diner, serving traditional Caribbean food, and Yummy Yummy, providing authentic well priced Chinese food, and the renowned Madhav’s opposite, offering a fantastic selection of homemade Indian delights, its got to be one of the best placed hostels in Europe in terms of convenience. There’s also a couple of corner shops here too, selling papers and other essentials for getting the lowdown on Cardiff the moment you arrive.
Of course, you can eat in as well. There’s a BBQ in the garden, and hammocks to lounge in whilst you wait! There’s all the usual services from internet to pool table. The nightly rate starts at £19.00, with free bed linen and a light breakfast included in the price. Best of all, there’s no curfew!
It’s a small trek from the station, but well worth the effort. Being a 30 bed hostel, it’s really intimate and friendly, and is staffed by people like Clare, who has worked here for 12 years, and will make you feel very much at home. There’s four private rooms that can be used as a double or a twin.
Sadly, there have been a few changes in recent years. Cardiff Backpacker
Is now only open at the weekends. The owner of this hostel is also the owner of NosDa, a 170 bed hostel, slightly closer to town, which boasts better facilities as well as a slightly more central location. For one, there’s a gym… but… er… well… not wanting to be impolite… but, I’m of the opinion that staggering around from city to city with my rucksack on my back, constitutes a mega workout, besides which, my explorations in general provides me with all the exercise I need… it’s home comfort that I’m looking for! Show me to that hammock!
So, if it’s large and impersonal that you want, head to NosDa, but if it’s intimate and friendly that you’re after, then make your way to Cardiff Backpacker.

Cardiff backpacker was a great budgey place to stay when I visited the city with a group of friends. The staff we welcoming and helpfull and there was no curfew so we could come and go as we liked. They have a good bar downstairs with happy hour as well as a kitchen and lounge room to make your own food or hangout in. The room was fuctional with three bunkbeds and lockers that you could borrow for a small deposit. They provided a nice breakfast in the morning with free tea and coffee and a pile of pastries and bread for people to help themselves to. The only down fall was the room was a bit musty and smellt like feet but all the bedding was clean and fresh so we managed fine. The price for the room was very reasonable and if we are ever in cardiff again I will go back