The best hostel I've stayed at! Bathrooms, common areas, and bedrooms were always clean. The staff and guests were always super friendly. Nice big beds with lots of ventilation in the room (windows and fans). Coffee and tea are avalible 24/7 along with chilled water.

Only 3 things really: 1. The "B" side bathrooms could use an update, but they weren't horrendous 2. I booked a 4 bed all female room, but showed up and it was a 12 bed all female room! Again, not the end of the world, but not what I was expecting. 3. Something that they can't change, but you should keep in mind is that it is right above a noisy street. Clubs open until 4am and large vehicles coming through starting around 4:30am can make sleeping a bit difficult. They provide ear plugs, but it's something to keep in mind!

This hostel has been one of the most homely ones I have ever stayed at! There was something about the atmosphere in this place that added to the cosy common areas in which someone would always be hanging out. Central Backpackers offered free tea and coffee, the kitchen was fully equipped for proper cooking, bathrooms and bedrooms clean and tidy. Also the free luggage storage was both convenient and helpful. The staff was friendly and welcoming at all times and tiny things like free sanitory articles or ear plugs as well as the cleaning of bathrooms after every shower showed great care taking of guests. I only wish I could have stayed longer!

My mattress was a little worn out and my room turned to the big street which made an awful lot of noice (but free ear plugs!). Also, the lockers in the room were fairly small.

The staff I met at this hostel are wonderful--super friendly, efficient, helpful and really work hard to make sure everyone is taken care of right away and has a nice stay. I used to run a hostel and I was really impressed with the staff and their work ethic. The hostel facilities are good and the location is excellent but even though the hostel is lacking in certain comforts the staff more than make up for any minor negatives. I highly recommend this hostel for a fun and comfortable stay close to everything you need.

The beds are standard bunk metal so not upgraded to more private modern hostel beds but they are quiet and pretty comfortable with good outlets and lights and the nice bedding and two pillows make up for the old style metal. There are plenty of showers but few sinks for numerous rooms but it's an older building so I imagine it's tough to fit more and you can see where they have. The shower pressure is pretty low but nice to have individual bathrooms rather than stall showers.

I’ll begin with the moment I arrived. Staff was more than exceptional and welcoming. I felt like I was part of a family inside of the hostel with guests and staff alike. I would challenge someone to find a mess because staff is constantly cleaning and helping guests. All toilets and showers seemed to be freshly cleaned whether it’s 0500 or 2200. The kitchen has all equipment needed for any sort of dining including stoves with pots and pans, various cutting knives. I was able to utilized one of the ovens which worked marvelously. The common areas were neat and peaceful with plenty of activities to engage in. The location is close enough for a tired backpacker to casually stroll from Oxford station and when you wake up you can step outside to see the castle without traveling too far. The location is better than perfect! There is a grocery store less than a block away and they hostel offers fridge and cabinet storage for your food as well. Between the staff, location, cost and amenities I would say there is not place better to stay when you visit Oxford!

The hostel is slightly outside the center of the city, and closer to the train station. Yet, as the city is rather small, it is still very conveniently located. The hostel has common room with tea/coffee/boiling water available and the kitchen. There are also group activities organised by the staff. In general the staff and the manager are very helpfull and try to address any problems or questions. The towels are free. But you may wish to have your own padlock, as they may not have them available to rent any more. There are some moments of wait for the showers in the evenings, but overall there is enough of them, and staff tries to keep everything rather clean.

There is a lot of partying in the streets during the nightime, and even though they provide earplugs, if you are a sensitive sleeper like me, you may face a sleepless night because of all the noise. You may wish to ask the staff for a quiter room on the arrival. After I addressed the problem with the staff, they moved me to a different room, which was much more quiet. However, it was a mixed one, and not the female only dorm, as I originally booked, but it was fine.

The staff were very kind! I especially appreciate how one staff member helped me when my lock got stuck. I liked the amazing epic wrap around comfy couch in the TV room and all the free spices and cooking oil and popcorn in the kitchen as well. Also, I liked the tea and coffee making place. Excellent location! I felt at home there. I liked how the reception was one this outside deck thing, so the building itself is fantastic.

I felt like due to the design of the hostel, there were limited sinks available at the same time if you wanted to brush your teeth, but that isn't a good reason to not come here as this hostel is awesome!!

I like how secure it feels when you get a little key thing to get around especially during the night, it’s a nice little place and located well, I’m a local person in Oxford and it’s ideal for tourists and students definitely you have a few places to go for food drink and social activities nothing to far from here, I’d stay again the staff seem friendly and kind of leave you to enjoy your stay and are there if you need anything, oh and those showers are to die for I could stand in there for ages, thanks guys

I’m not overly keen on the steep stairs but I braved them okay, I would say it isn’t mobility friendly with steps up and down to things but that doesn’t mean I didn’t like my stay it’s a nice little place if you have more energy to run in and out

All staff were nice and helpful. Everywhere is kept clean. Amenities are thoughtfully provided. The female dom where I stayed was spacious. The bed mattress was comfortable. The bed was steady and neither shaky nor squeaky when I climbed up and down. The room door never shut loudly, which was very great, for hostels in many places were unbearable because of the big slams of closing doors sent out from all the floor can annoy you all night long. But this didn't occur here.

The only thing is that the button to push and flush the toilet must be pushed longer, but a couple of guests seemed not knowing that. It will be good to put a notice on the wall to note that guests should look around if everything is as clean as one enters the toilet after use. The sound outside was not a problem for me. I shut the windows and used ear plugs which were provided, and soon I was fast asleep.

I had an absolutely fantastic experience at Central Backpackers in Oxford! From the moment I arrived, the staff were incredibly kind, welcoming, and always eager to help — truly some of the nicest people I’ve met while traveling. The hostel itself is full of great facilities. There's a fully equipped kitchen for cooking your own meals, a comfortable sitting room for relaxing, and even a playroom that adds a really fun and cozy atmosphere. The dorms were spotless, and the beds were seriously impressive — super comfortable mattresses and pillows, and each bed had its own reading light and power sockets, which made everything so convenient. The location is unbeatable — just a short walk from the train station and also very close to Oxford's city centre, with easy access to all the main attractions, shops, and restaurants. I would definitely recommend Central Backpackers to anyone visiting Oxford. Whether you're traveling solo or with friends, it's the perfect place to stay — clean, comfortable, friendly, and right in the heart of everything!

I liked everything

I had a wonderful stay at Central! As a middle aged, lone woman traveller, visiting the city for the opening of an art exhibition - it provided me the perfect location and fit! I stayed in a female dorm of 10 beds, most of which were occupied, but there wasn’t too much disturbance. I was very impressed by the amount of toilets and shower facilities which meant I never had to wait! Luggage/locker storage is available for a tiny deposit and was a godsend! The lounge and kitchen areas are amazing! Absolutely everything you could need or want! I particularly enjoyed a couple of cups of fresh (free) coffee in the morning.

These are VERY minor points… The rooms are hot! I suggested to the manager as I left that they offered usb fans to hire or installed fans into the rooms! The manager seemed very receptive to this! The reception area is also very hot - due to it being a conservatory type space. I was melting as I checked in.