The easiest way to choose your Johannesburg hostel. Use our unique 3D map to filter by the best parties, urban culture, and top safety.

Search Johannesburg Backpacker Hostels

Filter backpackers hostels by digital nomad suitability, solo female traveller friendliness, safety, surfing, camping, value for money, party atmosphere, african culture experiences, adventure activities and nature experiences.

Interactive backpacker hostel map of Johannesburg showing hostels that can be filtered by travel style, safety, digital nomad suitability, surfing, camping and budget travel preferences.

Where To Go, What To See and How Much It'll Cost

Use our wizard to plan your trip, based on what you want to see and do, and your budget. Costs calculated according to 2026 prices.

Welcome to our backpacking guide of Johannesburg!

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Johannesburg Backpackers Hostels

Map of Johannesburg

Hostels listed on Booking.com and Hostelworld

Booking.com HOSTELWORLD

All Hostels

Full contact details are included in case you want to book direct, plus useful info such as Safety Ratings and Value For Money, Solo Female Friendliness, and Digital Nomad scorecards.

Every listing below is independently researched and unsponsored. We review them all the same way -
the hostels do not pay us for advertising.

Did we miss a hostel? Email us at and we'll add it.

EAST — AIRPORT PROXIMITY

SOWETO

CENTRAL

NORTH

BACKPACKERS CONNECTION

AREA: EAST — Edenvale (8km from OR Tambo Airport)

STREET ADDRESS: 16 Beech Avenue, Highway Gardens, Edenvale, Johannesburg, 1609, Gauteng

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PHONE: +27 11 452 4272

WHATSAPP: +27 83 454 2948

EMAIL: info@backpackersconnection.co.za

WEBSITE: backpackersconnection.co.za

ACCOMMODATION TYPE: 6-bed dormitories with lockers and desks; double and twin private rooms with en-suite or shared bathrooms; triple rooms. Camping facilities for safari vehicles on request.

PRICE RANGE: Budget. Dorm beds from ~R200–R280; private rooms from ~R550–R900.

BROWN SUGAR BACKPACKERS

AREA: EAST — Observatory Ridge / Houghton (16km from OR Tambo Airport)

STREET ADDRESS: 75 Observatory Avenue, Observatory Ext 1, Johannesburg, 2198, Gauteng

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PHONE: +27 83 377 9529

WHATSAPP: +27 83 377 9529

EMAIL: info@brownsugarbackpackers.com

WEBSITE: brownsugarbackpackers.com

SOCIAL: Facebook

See Photos & Reviews on:

Booking.com HOSTELWORLD

ACCOMMODATION TYPE: Mixed dormitories (including an 18-bed dorm), private singles, doubles, twins, and triples; some en-suite private rooms. Family rooms available. Shared and private bathrooms. One distinctive "Glass Room" with its own character.

PRICE RANGE: Budget. Dorm beds from ~R150–R280; private rooms from ~R550–R950.

GEMINI BACKPACKERS LODGE

AREA: EAST — Johannesburg East / Edenvale area

STREET ADDRESS: 10 Gidani Road (formerly 10 Bezuidenhout Street), Bruma, Johannesburg, 2198, Gauteng

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PHONE: +27 11 615 0192

WHATSAPP: +27 82 453 6610

EMAIL: info@geminibackpackers.co.za

WEBSITE: geminibackpackers.co.za

SOCIAL: Facebook

ACCOMMODATION TYPE: Dormitories and private rooms with shared and en-suite bathrooms. Garden and braai facilities.

PRICE RANGE: Budget. Dorm beds from ~R180–R280; private rooms from ~R500–R850.

MIKASA SUKASA BACKPACKERS

AREA: EAST — Lombardy West (15 min from OR Tambo Airport; near Alexandra Township)

STREET ADDRESS: 5 Russel Road, Lombardy West, Johannesburg, 2090, Gauteng, South Africa

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PHONE: +27 65 373 7592

WHATSAPP: +27 65 373 7592

EMAIL: mikasabackpackers@gmail.com

WEBSITE: N/A

See Photos & Reviews on:

HOSTELWORLD

ACCOMMODATION TYPE: Uniquely themed private en-suite rooms, dormitories, and self-contained cabins. All rooms include bed linen, towels, and tea/coffee facilities. 24-hour reception. No curfew.

PRICE RANGE: Budget to mid-range. Dorm beds from ~R200–R320; private rooms from ~R600–R1,100.

TERRYLINN BACKPACKERS HOSTEL

AREA: EAST — East Johannesburg / Kempton Park

STREET ADDRESS: 2 Halifax Street, Rhodesfield, Kempton Park, 1619, Gauteng, South Africa

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PHONE: +27 84 081 8508

WHATSAPP: +27 84 081 8508

EMAIL: N/A

WEBSITE: N/A

SOCIAL: Facebook

ACCOMMODATION TYPE: Dormitories and private rooms. Garden setting, braai facilities.

PRICE RANGE: Budget. Dorm beds from ~R180–R280; private rooms from ~R500–R800.

LAKEVIEW BACKPACKERS

AREA: EAST — Johannesburg East (Brakpan / East Rand area)

STREET ADDRESS: 39 Porto Amelia Avenue, Bonaero Park, Kempton Park, 1622, Gauteng, South Africa

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PHONE: +27 82 491 5344

WHATSAPP: +27 82 491 5344

EMAIL: roneldutoit@gmail.com

WEBSITE: N/A

SOCIAL: Facebook

See Photos & Reviews on:

HOSTELWORLD

ACCOMMODATION TYPE: Dormitories and private rooms, lake/garden setting. Braai facilities and outdoor areas.

PRICE RANGE: Budget. Dorm beds from ~R180–R280; private rooms from ~R500–R850.

ACCOUSTIX LODGE & BACKPACKER

AREA: NORTH — Randburg

STREET ADDRESS: 477 Jan Smuts Avenue, Blairgowrie, Randburg, Johannesburg, 2194, Gauteng, South Africa

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PHONE: +27 11 326 2123

WHATSAPP: N/A

EMAIL: accoustix.sleek@gmail.com

WEBSITE: N/A

SOCIAL: Facebook

ACCOMMODATION TYPE: Guest rooms (en-suite and shared bathrooms), cottages, and dormitories arranged to suit group or individual needs. All room types include showers only (no baths). Bunk and single/double bed configurations available.

PRICE RANGE: Budget. Dorm beds from ~R150–R250; private rooms from ~R450–R750.

JOBURG BACKPACKERS

AREA: NORTH — Emmarentia

STREET ADDRESS: 14 Umgwezi Road, Extension 1, Emmarentia, Johannesburg, 2195, Gauteng, South Africa

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PHONE: +27 11 888 4742

WHATSAPP: N/A

EMAIL: info@joburgbackpackers.com

WEBSITE: N/A

SOCIAL: Facebook

ACCOMMODATION TYPE: Dormitories and private rooms, swimming pool, outdoor communal areas.

PRICE RANGE: Budget to mid-range. Dorm beds from ~R200–R320; private rooms from ~R550–R950.

EXPLORER BACKPACKERS

AREA: NORTH — Parkhurst (Northern Suburbs)

STREET ADDRESS: 27 7th Street, Parkhurst, Johannesburg, 2193, Gauteng

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PHONE: +27 71 137 0207

WHATSAPP: +27 71 137 0207

EMAIL: bookings@explorerbackpackers.com

WEBSITE: explorerbackpackers.com

See Photos & Reviews on:

Booking.com HOSTELWORLD

ACCOMMODATION TYPE: Mixed dormitories, private double rooms (some en-suite), twin rooms. All include bed linen. Free bicycles. Outdoor garden and bar. 24-hour reception.

PRICE RANGE: Mid-range. Dorm beds from ~R250–R380; private rooms from ~R700–R1,200.

ROSEBANK BACKPACKERS CENTRAL

AREA: NORTH — Parktown North / Rosebank

STREET ADDRESS: 219 Jan Smuts Avenue, Parktown North, Johannesburg, 2193

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PHONE: +27 11 447 7445

WHATSAPP: +27 74 628 2222

EMAIL: rosebankbackpacker@gmail.com

WEBSITE: rosebanklodgeandbackpacker.co.za

See Photos & Reviews on:

Booking.com HOSTELWORLD

ACCOMMODATION TYPE: Dormitories and private rooms. The property has multiple buildings including a boarding house for longer-stay accommodation. Garden, pool, and outdoor areas with 100-year-old trees. All rooms have duvets and fresh linen on arrival.

PRICE RANGE: Budget. Dorm beds from ~R150–R250; private rooms from ~R450–R750. Described as the cheapest group accommodation in Rosebank.

CURIOCITY BACKPACKERS

AREA: NORTH — Maboneng Precinct (Inner City East)

STREET ADDRESS: 302 Fox St, Maboneng, Johannesburg, 2094

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PHONE: +27 11 614 0163

WHATSAPP: +27 66 162 6915

EMAIL: stay@curiocityjoburg.com

WEBSITE: curiocity.africa

SOCIAL: Facebook

See Photos & Reviews on:

Booking.com HOSTELWORLD

ACCOMMODATION TYPE: Backpacker dorm rooms (reading lights, lockers, individual charging stations), Standard Doubles, Premium Rooms with additional privacy and furnishing, Self-contained Cooper Apartments on adjacent Fox Street. Splash pool, rooftop terrace and bar, multiple balconies.

PRICE RANGE: Mid-range. Dorm beds from ~R280–R420; private rooms from ~R850–R1,600; apartments from ~R1,400.

LEBO'S SOWETO BACKPACKERS

AREA: SOWETO — Orlando West

STREET ADDRESS: 10823 Pooe St, Orlando West, Johannesburg, 1804

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PHONE: +27 11 936 3444

WHATSAPP: +27 81 524 2918

EMAIL: lebo@sowetobackpackers.com

WEBSITE: sowetobackpackers.com

SOCIAL: Facebook

See Photos & Reviews on:

Booking.com HOSTELWORLD

ACCOMMODATION TYPE: Backpacker dorms (6-bed, more basic), private double and twin rooms (well-furnished), self-catering guest house units, campsite with access to communal facilities. One en-suite private room. Outdoor restaurant and CoCo Bar. Free bicycles. All accommodation styles include access to communal areas, kitchen, and the community park.

PRICE RANGE: Budget to mid-range. Dorm beds from ~R200–R320; private rooms from ~R600–R1,100; camping from ~R120.

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Photo: Stew Photography