Written by Nomadic Nina| Last update: Aug 31, 2024
Table of Content: The Perfect Guide to Hostels
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Johannesburg, known as the "City of Gold," is a vibrant and bustling metropolis in South Africa. As the largest city in the country, it serves as a hub of culture, commerce, and entertainment.
With its rich history and diverse population, Johannesburg offers visitors a unique experience filled with art, music, and culinary delights. From exploring the Apartheid Museum to shopping at the vibrant markets of Newtown, there is no shortage of things to see and do in this dynamic city.
When it comes to accommodation, the best hostels in Johannesburg provide budget-conscious travelers with comfortable and convenient options. These hostels offer a range of amenities and services to ensure a pleasant stay for guests.
Book your stay at one of the best hostels in Johannesburg and immerse yourself in the energy and diversity of this remarkable city.
Let's talk about hostel prices in Johannesburg. This graph shows you typical, average prices for a bed in a dorm and for a private room. Simply mouse-over to see rates for each month.
Prices can vary a lot, especially on high-season, weekends, and special holidays such as New Years Eve.
Average Dorm Price per Month in Johannesburg
Average Private Room Price per Month in Johannesburg
Full List of best Hostels in Johannesburg
1 Explorer Backpackers
#1 Top Rated Hostel in Johannesburg! Rating: 8.9
Nestled in the heart of Johannesburg, Explorer Backpackers embodies the true spirit of backpacking. With its vibrant atmosphere and welcoming vibes, this hostel is a haven for adventurers seeking both camaraderie and affordability. The communal spaces buzz with energy, making it effortless to connect with fellow travelers from around the globe.
Explorer Backpackers strikes the perfect balance between comfort and adventure. Clean and cozy dorms ensure a good night's rest after exploring the city's gems, like the Apartheid Museum and bustling markets. The knowledgeable staff, often seasoned travelers themselves, are a goldmine of local tips and offbeat discoveries.
A standout feature is the spacious outdoor area—a hub for barbecues, storytelling sessions, and impromptu guitar jams under the African sky. The hostel's social events, from pub crawls to city tours, make solo travelers feel like part of a global family. For those seeking authenticity without breaking the bank, Explorer Backpackers is an unbeatable choice. It's more than a hostel; it's a doorway to unforgettable memories and lifelong friendships.
Prices start from $17.75 for a dorm and $42.78 for a private room.
Lebo's Soweto Backpackers offers a unique and personal experience of Soweto, a vibrant township in Johannesburg. This backpackers lodge is integrated with the local community and invites guests to be part of it.
Guests can choose from a range of accommodation options such as camping, dormitory, and private en-suite rooms. Lebo's Soweto Backpackers also offers interactive tours by walk, bicycle or tuk-tuk, and guests can enjoy home-cooked meals by the fire in the community park.
Overnight guests can explore Soweto on their own or on an organized tour conducted by local tour guides. In addition, community volunteering, self-guided tours, and free bicycle hire are available for those staying longer.
Prices start from $12.34 for a dorm and $31.95 for a private room.
Brown Sugar Backpackers is a hostel located in Johannesburg, South Africa, that was once an infamous drug lord's mansion. The hostel has private rooms equipped with wall heaters, wall fans, wall safe, and international plugs for electronic devices. Gas geysers are used to provide hot water and cooking facilities for guests, as well as to keep the rooms warm during the colder months.
Brown Sugar Backpackers is spread over 3000 square meters and features a sparkling swimming pool at the top of the hill. Brown Sugar offers free Wi-Fi to guests in the common areas, and they are currently working on extending the service to all rooms. The staff is specialized in advising travelers on obtaining visas for countries such as Mozambique and Zimbabwe.
Brown Sugar Backpackers provides a large communal and self-catering kitchen with all the necessary equipment and offers pub lunches and fresh home-cooked dinners every day. Vegetarian and vegan options are available. The hostel is located near the Eastgate International Shopping Mall and other shopping centers.
Prices start from $12.91 for a dorm and $24.19 for a private room.
Curiocity Backpackers is a design hostel located in the heart of Maboneng, the lively neighborhood of Johannesburg. It has been recognized as one of the top 10 industrial-chic hostels in the world by the Guardian.
The hostel is designed for curious adventurers who are looking for a clean and cozy accommodation, and want to explore the local culture and community.
Curiocity Backpackers offers a range of accommodation options, including Private Apartments, Classic Doubles, Female only, and Shared Dormitories. In-house activities include Inner-city Tours, Soweto Township Tours, City Cycle Rides, Pub-crawls, Picnics In The Sky, and CurioSafaris.
The hostel also features various facilities, such as a games room, a well-equipped communal kitchen, a dipping pool, laundry services, a bar, a rooftop, free fast WiFi, a shuttle service, bicycle rentals, a communal chill-out zone, and a luggage room.
Prices start from $13.89 for a dorm and $43.13 for a private room.
We've got your back when it comes to finding a great hostel location in Johannesburg. We've gone ahead and mapped out all the hostels for you so you can get a good idea of where they're all at. This map will make your life so much easier!
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I'm Nomadic Nina, a curious and adventurous traveler who has spent most of my life exploring the world. From the deserts of Africa to the jungles of South America, I've traveled to dozens of countries on multiple continents, immersing myself in local cultures and learning about the world firsthand. Through my travels, I've gained a deep appreciation for the diversity and richness of the world's cultures, and I'm passionate about sharing my experiences with others through my travel blog.