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Sandra's Backpackers Hostel

2.0 star property
Travelers gather in the lobby to share stories over complimentary coffee and tea, while secure luggage storage allows for worry-free exploration of the city

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Photo gallery for Sandra's Backpackers Hostel

A building with a sign for 'Sandras Snack Bar & Takeaway' offering pizzas, teas, coffees, and various meals. - Sandra's Backpackers Hostel (Thurso)
A kitchen with wooden cabinets, a microwave, a sink, and a refrigerator. - Sandra's Backpackers Hostel (Thurso)
A narrow hallway with wooden doors and pink walls. - Sandra's Backpackers Hostel (Thurso)
A dining area with wooden tables and chairs, a television on a shelf, and a bulletin board with papers. - Sandra's Backpackers Hostel (Thurso)
A kitchen with a stove, oven, and a refrigerator. There are food items and containers on the refrigerator. - Sandra's Backpackers Hostel (Thurso)
Sandra's Backpackers Hostel sits in the city center, offering a welcoming atmosphere where guests connect in common areas. The smoke-free property provides practical amenities including in-room WiFi and laundry facilities, making it a convenient base for urban adventures.

Reviews

8.0 out of 10
Very good

Popular amenities

  • Pet friendly
  • Free WiFi
  • Laundry
  • Kitchen

Room options

Available filters for rooms
Showing 2 of 2 rooms

View all photos for Double Room

A small, compact room with a bunk bed, a wooden dresser with a television, a chair, and a window with curtains.

Double Room

  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Double Bed
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for Double or Twin Room

A small, compact room with a bunk bed, a wooden dresser with a television, a chair, and a window with curtains.

Double or Twin Room

  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Double Bed and 1 Twin Bed
  • Free WiFi

About the neighborhood

Thurso is home to Sandra's Backpackers Hostel. Holburn Head and Dunnet Head Lighthouse are local landmarks, and some of the area's attractions include Thurso Leisure Centre and Lyth Arts Centre. Take an opportunity to explore the area for outdoor excitement like hiking/biking trails. Visit our Thurso travel guide
View more Hostels in Thurso
Map
Princess Street, Thurso, Scotland, KW14 7BQ

What's nearby

  • Thurso Beach
    3 min walk - 0.2 miles
  • UHI North Highland - Environmental Research Institute
    3 min walk - 0.2 miles
  • North Coast Visitor Centre
    4 min walk - 0.3 miles
  • Thurso Library
    6 min walk - 0.3 miles
  • UHI North Highland - Thurso Campus
    17 min walk - 0.9 miles

Getting around

  • Thurso Station
    8 min walk
  • Wick (WIC)
    35 min drive

Restaurants

  • Charlie Chan Chinese Restaurant
    2 min walk
  • Pride of Bengal
    3 min walk
  • The Upper Deck
    3 min drive
  • Ulbster Arms Hotel
    10 min drive
  • Top Joes
    2 min walk

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Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • No onsite parking available

Food and drink

  • Coffee and tea in common areas

Family friendly

  • Laundry facilities

Conveniences

  • Laundry facilities
  • Limited-hour front desk
  • Luggage storage

More

  • Smoking not allowed

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • Partially-open bathroom
  • Shower
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • TV

Food and drink

  • Shared kitchen access

More

  • Heating

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 11 AM; Check-in end time: 10:30 PM
Late check-in subject to availability
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before 10 AM

Special check-in instructions

Guests must contact the property in advance for check-in instructions; front desk staffed during limited hours
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 10:30 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

Access methods

Front desk (limited hours)

Pets

Pets stay free
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
Welcoming dogs only
Restrictions apply; for more information contact the property at the number on the booking confirmation

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Rollaway/extra beds are not available

Property payment types

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher

Frequently asked questions

Is Sandra's Backpackers Hostel pet-friendly?

Yes, dogs are allowed at this property. Some restrictions may apply, so please contact the property for more details.

How much is parking?

Sandra's Backpackers Hostel doesn't offer parking.

What time is check-in at Sandra's Backpackers Hostel?

Check-in start time: 11 AM; Check-in end time: 10:30 PM. Late check-in is available during limited hours.

What time is check-out at Sandra's Backpackers Hostel?

Check-out is at 10 AM.

Where is Sandra's Backpackers Hostel located?

Situated in Thurso, this hostel is within a 5-minute walk of UHI North Highland - Environmental Research Institute, North Coast Visitor Centre, and Thurso Library. Thurso Beach and Thurso Leisure Centre are also within 15 minutes. Thurso Station is 8 minutes by foot.

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Reviews

Sandra's Backpackers Hostel Reviews

8.0

Very Good

7.8

Cleanliness

6.8

Location

7.8

Staff & service

7.8

Property conditions & facilities
Rating 10 - Excellent. 14 out of 37 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 11 out of 37 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 11 out of 37 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 37 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 37 reviews

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Timothy

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
It was a really pleasant experience. The owners are so kind and friendly also. I will definitely come back next time I’m in town.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

kim

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Excellent continent breakfast provided room are basic n request for towels Kitchen reasonable size Overall good Off street road parking
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2024
Verified review

8/10 Good

Jeremy

Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities

Okay stay. Pleasant enough

Stay was okay. Nothing spectacular. Basic but it’s what you’d expect for the price. The shared communal kitchen area was nice, clean and had plenty of facilities for you to use and communal breakfast options also.
Stayed 1 night in May 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Dian

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Would stay again
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

thomas

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very good location and comfortable for the price
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Kevin

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I had a great stay here and it was brilliant. I would definitely come stay again.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2023
Verified review

6/10 Okay

Mark

Disliked: Staff & service
My stay was saved by interaction with other travellers. The kitchen facilities were fine but the property as a whole was tired. I had what I needed but it is need of just a little bit of effort from the (new?) owners.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2024
Verified review

8/10 Good

Carmen

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
👍
Stayed 2 nights in May 2024
Verified review

6/10 Okay

Zakrisson

Liked: Staff & service, room comfort
Disliked: Cleanliness

Okey hostel …

Helt okey hostel och fin frukost … synd att det var så dåligt städat. Gamla pappersservetter från tidigare boende och spindelnät i taket bl a. Trevlig ägare.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2022
Verified review

8/10 Good

Susanne

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
It was a nice room and friendly people.
Stayed 1 night in May 2022
Verified review

8/10 Good

Lord Ivor

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities

Lord1of Ukraine

The stay was good keep up the good work. Was a nice stay near railway station and shops.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2022
Verified review

6/10 Okay

George

Says it on the tin!

Almost cheap and almost cheerful, not the worst place I’ve stayed, but does what it says on the tin, and does it well! Nicely situated in the area, and just what you need for a backpacking stopover wash and brush-up.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2021
Verified review

6/10 Okay

Rachel

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service

Lovely owners!

This is a basic budget friendly but safety conscious hostel. Kitchen access at the moment is limited but the owners were really good at helping us out!
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2020
Verified review

8/10 Good

Ryan

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Great little hostel on the main Street

The stay was exactly what I needed, a good night's sleep in a solid hostel. It was offseason when I went, so not too rowdy, but I can imagine it's a great place for a party during the season. The kitchen is massive and has tons of stuff to cook your own meal - the lounge is connected so a good place to drink with some mates. The owner is super nice as well! I would definitely stay here again if I ever got the opportunity. Thanks team!
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2019
Verified review

6/10 Okay

Verified traveler

Liked: Staff & service
the hostel is quite dated the room was cold and wet but the boss was very kind and helping
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2019
Verified review

6/10 Okay

Fiona

Disliked: Cleanliness

Does for a night or 2 but needs a good clean

They had overbooked the rooms somthere was a bit of panic at first. Room was adequate for what we paid but wouldn’t do any harm to have a proper clean, especially a bit of vacuuming. Free breakfast was a surprise and a nice bonus but could do with someone checking the items as bread was mouldy and butter looked horrible. But there was plenty extra so I just opened a new one. I know some would say you get what you pay for but I’ve stayed in plenty of hostels and paid less and it’s been cleaner. Does for a couple of nights if you’re not that fussy and just looking for somewhere dry.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2019
Verified review

8/10 Good

C.

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Disliked: Staff & service
Wir standen nach unserer Ankunft vor verschlossener Tür und mussten erst mal den Host anrufen. Er wsr zwar relativ schnell da, aber nicht gerade freundlich. Nachdem er im Schnelldurchlauf alles gezeigt hat, verschwand er sofort wieder. Auf Nachfragen reagierte er schnippisch. Handtücher gab es nur auf Nachfrage. Da er aber sxhneller weg war als man schauen konnte, hatten wir folgloch keine... Die Unterkunft war zweckmässig und vom preis leistungs Verhältnis sehr gut. Allerdings war es unglaublich heiß und stickig im zimmer. Die Un
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2019
Verified review

8/10 Good

Hugo

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
It has a good relation cost-comfort. All areas seemed pretty clean, nice kitchen with utensils to use. To improve, maybe bigger beds as they are a little small for two persons. The room is turned to the main street, and you may wake up in the middle of the night with road traffic noise, specially in the summer, when you leave your window open.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2019
Verified review

2/10 Terrible

Verified traveler

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

avoid this hostel

I travelled up and it was so dirty and noisy I did not stay absolutely awful and should be avoided
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2019
Verified review

8/10 Good

Nathan

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great location, easy check-in, easy to park in nearby streets.
Stayed 1 night in May 2019
Verified review

8/10 Good

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Has everything that you can expect for the price. The room was clean and the kitchen was nice.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2019
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Marie

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Très bonne auberge de jeunesse

Très bonne auberge de jeunesse. Accueil sympathique, propre, très bien situé. Chambre privée parfaite.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2018
Verified review

8/10 Good

Denise

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Decent hostel.

It's decent for a hostel. Our room was not the double we had reserved, but James offered a refund and to connect us with a local B & B but we decided to stay at the hostel. They offer self serve breakfast cereals in the kitchen, the shower was hot, the WiFi worked and the sheets were clean.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2018
Verified review

8/10 Good

Verified traveler

Liked: Staff & service

Location and parking are great.

Great kitchen, however cooking oil should be available without request. Great location and good shower. The staff is amazing. Easy parking.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2018
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Elvar

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Very central. Owners very helpful. Not wit breakfast but nearly everything you need is there to make a breakfast. Roomst small but practical
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2018