15 Best Budget Accommodations in Dunedin 🎒 [2024]

Where to Find Cheap Accommodation in Dunedin

If you care about saving your money for awesome experiences, rather than worrying about where you rest your head for the night, then this list of budget accommodations in Dunedin is for you. From backpacker hostels to guesthouses to budget hotels, Dunedin presents a range of cheap accommodation options to suit a range of traveller types. So whether you’re a backpacker, business traveller, couple or family, you’ll find a budget room just for you on this list of cheap accommodations in Dunedin!

While you’re here, don’t miss 20 Free & Cheap Things to Do in Dunedin and The Guide to Dunedin on a Budget.

1. George Street Motel Apartments

Enjoy the privacy and convenience of your own suite with kitchenette facilities and ensuite (at an affordable price, of course) when you stay at the George Stree Motel Apartments. The motel has well-appointed suites near the Otago Museum and is a short walk from The Octagon – the heart of the city! The “Superior Suite” comes in either a queen or twin set-up, while families have the option of the “One-Bedroom Superior Suite” sleeping up to four. A mini continental breakfast is included with each stay, as well as access to Sky TV, free WiFi, on-site parking and cots/high chairs. What’s more, it’s just about the only accommodation in New Zealand with central heating and double-glazed windows!

Check George Street Motel Apartments out:

2. Leith Valley Holiday Park and Motels

When it comes to holiday parks in Dunedin, Leith Valley Holiday Park and Motels is consistently one of the best rated. Although only 1km (0.6 miles) from Dunedin’s main street, you feel a world away nestled in park-like grounds with access to bush walks (with glowworms!) All of the accommodation options are reasonably priced here, whether you seek a self-contained motel unit with all the essentials at your fingertips or a basic cabin with shared kitchen and bathroom facilities (note that you need to hire bedding for the latter – but this is cheap also).

Check Leith Valley Holiday Park and Motels out:

10 Best Budget Accommodations in Dunedin 🎒 [2023]

3. Superior Dunedin Apartments

No, we couldn’t believe the price of these stylish self-contained apartments either! If you’re looking for a home away from home, and don’t mind staying on the outskirts of town, then Superior Dunedin Apartments is well worth considering. All apartments here are studio apartments with a double bed, but each can be interconnected with other studios to make a two- or three-bedroom apartment. While apartments are roomy, including an ensuite and kitchenette, the cooking facilities are limited to more breakfast-making items, so don’t expect to be able to cook full meals.

Check Superior Dunedin Apartments out:

4. Sahara Guesthouse & Motel

Providing a guesthouse, motel units, deluxe studio units and holiday home, there’s something for every type of budget traveller at the Sahara Guesthouse & Motel. The guesthouse is your cheapest option, offering a range of rooms scattered across a heritage villa with the option of ensuite or shared bathrooms. Your room also has a microwave, toaster and tea/coffee making facilities, while a buffet breakfast is served in the communal lounge each day at cost. Alternatively, you are only a short walk away from the city centre eateries.

Check Sahara Guesthouse & Motel out:

5. Law Courts Hotel

And for the closest (and cheapest) hotel near The Octagon, take a look at Law Courts Hotel. The budget hotel is extremely well-appointed with modern furnishings. The boutique hotel is made up of four single rooms, six twins and 14 doubles, each including an ensuite, TV and other expected hotel amenities. The hotel sits just above the Jury Room Bar, offering a classic pub-style watering hole and affordable meals. For more affordable meals, check out The Top Cheap Eats in Dunedin: Cheap Restaurants & Cafes.

Check the Law Courts Hotel out:

6. March Apartments

Live like a Dunediner in your own studio or one-bedroom apartment at the March Apartments. Nestled in the residential suburbs of the city, this apartment complex is close to the Mercy Hospital, Roslyn shopping area and a short drive or bus journey from the city centre. There are a variety of apartments designed for solo travellers up to groups of three, with the smallest having basic kitchenette facilities and the largest having a fully functional kitchen with a washing machine included. For more stays with private kitchens, head to the 10 Best Self-Catering Accommodations in Dunedin.

Check March Apartments out:

7. Motel on Carroll

A central location, characterful decor and a great price: there’s isn’t a reason not to choose the Motel on Carroll as your budget accommodation in Dunedin. The motel rooms are well-appointed with more thought put into the decor (that you’ll either love or hate) than your usual drab motel – a good reflection that the friendly owners do, in fact, care! Room types include a “Compact Studio” for one guest, a “Three Person Studio” and a “Queen Unit”, each including very basic kitchenette facilities. There are also larger apartments and units available with full kitchens and enough room for groups and families. Free WiFi, free laundry and undercover parking are also available.

Check Motel on Carroll out:

8. Chalet Backpackers

Stay the night in an old hospital at this charming backpacker hostel. The Chalet Backpackers is just a short walk from the city centre and is newly refurbished with a lot of charm – we’re talking wall murals, paintings, plants and fairy lights! There’s a range of private rooms and shared dorms available, while you have access to various communal areas kitted out with a pool table, free WiFi and a spacious kitchen. See how the hostel compares to the 5 Best Backpacker Hostels in Dunedin.

Check Chalet Backpackers out:

9. Beach Lodge Motels

For an alternative location in Dunedin, why not choose Beach Lodge Motels near St Kilda Beach? The motel accommodation offers 18 large one-, two- and three-bedroom studio apartments with a full kitchen and access to a complimentary vegetable garden. The spacious apartments, on-site parking, basketball hoop and WiFi make Beach Lodge Motels an extremely popular option for families. See more recommendations like this in the 10 Best Family Accommodations in Dunedin.

Check Beach Lodge Motels out:

10. Owens Motel

Find excellent value self-catering accommodation in Dunedin at Owens Motel. The motel on George Street, which is a short walk from the city centre, offers studio rooms for couples to large three-bedroom units for families, each with full kitchen facilities. Each studio and unit also has an ensuite, free WiFi and free on-site parking. There’s not much else to say about Owens Motel other than its affordable, well-appointed with modern furniture and amenities, and it just does the job well!

Check Owens Motel out:

11. Artica Art & Accommodation

A quirky homestay in Port Chalmers, Artica Art & Accommodation offers something a little different for couples and solo travellers. The Victorian villa has been tastefully renovated with tasteful furnishings and artwork (some of which are for sale). The guest studio consists of an ensuite, tea/coffee-making facilities, a microwave, toaster and fridge. Your friendly hosts can also prepare a generous continental breakfast at an extra cost. For more cosy couple stays, check out the 10 Most Romantic Accommodations in Dunedin.

Check Artica Art & Accommodation out:

12. On Top Backpackers

This purpose-built hostel is close to Dunedin’s city centre antics. The On Top Backpackers is “on top” of a pool bar, so you don’t need to travel far for evening entertainment. During the day, the pool bar does coffee, has cosy seats, and is where the free WiFi works best. Meanwhile upstairs, there’s a selection of simple mixed and female dorm rooms, as well as private single, double and twin rooms with or without an ensuite. Many rooms open up onto a sundeck, which you can follow to get to the hostel’s communal kitchen and lounge area.

Check On Top Backpackers out:

13. 97 Motel Moray

You can hardly do more central than 97 Motel Moray, Dunedin’s closest motel to The Octagon. The motel features 40 motel units, which might not have the most contemporary furnishings, but certainly does the job for a central stay on a budget. Choose between standard and executive studios or one to two-bedroom units, each with a kitchenette for you to save money on food. You can also enjoy conveniences, such as free on-site parking, free WiFi, ensuite bathrooms and a garden to relax in. See how this motel compares to the 20 Best Motels in Dunedin.

Check 97 Motel Moray out:

14. Leviathan Hotel

Step back in time to the Leviathan Hotel, set in a heritage building beside Queens Garden and mere steps away from The Octagon. Not only does the budget hotel in Dunedin offer private single, double, twin and triple rooms for an affordable price, but there are backpacker dorms available too. Should you want to upgrade, choose larger hotel rooms called the “Standard Rooms” or one of the “Suites” with a spa bath. All rooms (except backpackers) at the hotel have an ensuite and free WiFi. The quietest rooms are around the courtyard area. See how this hotel compares to others in town in the 20 Best Hotels in Dunedin.

Check the Leviathan Hotel out:

15. Dunedin Holiday Park

Last, but certainly not least, get into holiday mode by staying at the Dunedin Holiday Park adjacent to St Kilda Beach. Not only does the holiday park have camping facilities for campervans and tents, but there’s a wealth of budget cabins, lodge rooms, ensuite units, self-contained units and two/three-bedroom motel studios to choose from! Each unit has a tongue-in-cheek colonial-style theme, while cartoon characters grace the exterior of the cabin accommodation. You may need to bring your own sleeping bag for some of the cheapest cabins and lodge rooms. There is a shared amenities block with all the essentials, such as a kitchen, laundry, etc. Learn more about holiday parks in the Accommodation Guide to Holiday Parks in New Zealand.

Check Dunedin Holiday Park out:

[CLOSED] Kiwis Nest Backpackers and Budget Accommodation

Not only does the Kiwis Nest provide backpacker accommodation with private rooms, dorms and communal facilities (see 6 Best Backpacker Hostels in Dunedin), but the hostel also offers budget self-contained units. Enjoy your own space with a TV, kitchenette and ensuite bathroom – ideal for couples with only queen beds available. What’s more, the Kiwis Nest is just a short walk away from the city centre and The Octagon.

More About Budget Accommodations in Dunedin

That’s it for our list of the best cheap budget accommodations in Dunedin. For more handy guides to plan your trip to the architectural and wildlife capital, check out these:

Finally, if there’s anything we’ve missed, you’re likely to find it in The Travel Guide to Dunedin on a Budget.

Sources:

The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across New Zealand and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:

Tourism New Zealand (General travel advice - Updated [2024])
Tourism Export Council New Zealand (Tourism trade association - Updated [2024])
TIA (Independent tourism association - Updated [2024])
NZ Māori Tourism (Official Māori Tourism platform - Updated [2024])
Department of Conservation (Tracks, hikes, campsites and more - Updated [2024])
Council websites and freedom camping maps (Local travel advice region by region - Updated [2024])
Tiaki Promise (Care for people place and culture - Updated [2024])

Our editorial standards: At NZ Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.

About The Author

Laura S.

This article has been reviewed and published by Laura, the editor-in-chief and co-founder of NZ Pocket Guide. Laura is a first-class honours journalism graduate and a travel journalist with expertise in New Zealand and South Pacific tourism for over 10 years. She also runs travel guides for five of the top destinations in the South Pacific and is the co-host of over 250 episodes of the NZ Travel Show on YouTube.

Contact Laura About Our Team