The Backpack Cape Town Hostel
Cape Town -The Backpack
74 New Church Street
8001 Cape Town
South Africa
Tel.
+27 21 4234530; +27 76 847 9123
Fax.
+27 862714165
Customer Rating
| 95% | ||
| 91% | ||
| 86% | ||
| 90% | ||
| 93% | ||
| 89% | ||
| 80% | ||
The Backpack hostel in Cape Town is South Africa's Original Backpacker and Travel Agency, which is Fair Trade accredited. Noted the best hostel to meet like-minded traveller's and to make your travel arrangements for Cape Town, South Africa and beyond.
South Africa's original award-winning hostel and travel centre is simply the best place to stay. With all the facilities you can expect from a great hotel, such as stylishly decorated Afro-chic rooms offering superior comfort and quality, with shared or en-suite bathrooms, private electronic safes and in-house ATM.
Making a difference is more than just an initiative of The Backpack, it is the way we are, the way we work and the way we live! By staying with us, you will be making a difference to the lives of many children.
Stay in touch in our internet cafe or use WiFi throughout the hostel; swim in the pool with a stunning view of Table Mountain, or meet like-minded international travellers in our buzzy Café / Bar.
Long Street, gorgeous Clifton and Camps Bay beaches, Table Mountain, V&A Waterfront and the city centre are all just a stone's throw away.
Check out the weekly South African barbeque, Build-a-Burger night or join in the fun at the daily happy hour from 6 to 7pm.
The Hostel has been accredited by Fair Trade in Tourism (a trade mark awarded to businesses that adhere to fair trade criteria, fair wages and working conditions, fair operations, purchasing and distribution of benefits, ethical business practices and respect for human rights, culture and the environment)
WE OFFER: FREE Internet 20MB per guest per day WiFi or 30 minutes Broadband Cafe/Bar - delicious meals served from 7:30 till late ATM machine on site Meet and greet airport shuttle service available at an additional cost Fully equipped self-catering kitchen 24-hour check-in 24-hour security Satellite Sports Channel TV All major credit cards, AMEX travellers' cheques and major foreign currencies accepted Children welcome in private rooms and only those that can swim
OUR AWARDS: Independent winner for Best Practice - Economic Impact - Imvelo Awards 2011 Independent winner for Best Single Resource Management Program in Waste Management - Imvelo Awards 2011 Winner of 2011 AA Quality Assured Accommodation Award - Backpackers Accommodation Awarded Best Hostel in South Africa 2010, 2009 & 2008 by Hostelworld customers Awarded 2nd place for Best Hostel in Africa 2010; and 3rd Best Hostel in Africa 2009 & 2008 by Hostelworld Customers One of the World's Top 10 Coolest Hostels! Guardian August 2010 One of the Top 10 places to stay - Lonely Planet 2010 Winners of the Welcome Awards 2010 - South Africa's most prestigious award
VOLUNTEER PROJECTS We have a soccer and reading project which we run Monday to Thursdays. If you would like to play soccer or help children with their homework please contact us. WE OFFER INTERNSHIPS TO HOTEL & TOURISM STUDENTS OUR COMMUNITY PROJECT We sponsor a sports program in a community riddled with drugs and gangsterism. Join us for a day to see what we are up to. Bring your old soccer boots with you. KNITTING We keep a basket of wool in our café and lounge. Knit a square or two while you are here - we sew it up and with your help another orphaned baby will be warm. If you have some wool lying about your or your grandmother's house, bring it along!!
South Africa's original award-winning hostel and travel centre is simply the best place to stay. With all the facilities you can expect from a great hotel, such as stylishly decorated Afro-chic rooms offering superior comfort and quality, with shared or en-suite bathrooms, private electronic safes and in-house ATM.
Making a difference is more than just an initiative of The Backpack, it is the way we are, the way we work and the way we live! By staying with us, you will be making a difference to the lives of many children.
Stay in touch in our internet cafe or use WiFi throughout the hostel; swim in the pool with a stunning view of Table Mountain, or meet like-minded international travellers in our buzzy Café / Bar.
Long Street, gorgeous Clifton and Camps Bay beaches, Table Mountain, V&A Waterfront and the city centre are all just a stone's throw away.
Check out the weekly South African barbeque, Build-a-Burger night or join in the fun at the daily happy hour from 6 to 7pm.
The Hostel has been accredited by Fair Trade in Tourism (a trade mark awarded to businesses that adhere to fair trade criteria, fair wages and working conditions, fair operations, purchasing and distribution of benefits, ethical business practices and respect for human rights, culture and the environment)
WE OFFER: FREE Internet 20MB per guest per day WiFi or 30 minutes Broadband Cafe/Bar - delicious meals served from 7:30 till late ATM machine on site Meet and greet airport shuttle service available at an additional cost Fully equipped self-catering kitchen 24-hour check-in 24-hour security Satellite Sports Channel TV All major credit cards, AMEX travellers' cheques and major foreign currencies accepted Children welcome in private rooms and only those that can swim
OUR AWARDS: Independent winner for Best Practice - Economic Impact - Imvelo Awards 2011 Independent winner for Best Single Resource Management Program in Waste Management - Imvelo Awards 2011 Winner of 2011 AA Quality Assured Accommodation Award - Backpackers Accommodation Awarded Best Hostel in South Africa 2010, 2009 & 2008 by Hostelworld customers Awarded 2nd place for Best Hostel in Africa 2010; and 3rd Best Hostel in Africa 2009 & 2008 by Hostelworld Customers One of the World's Top 10 Coolest Hostels! Guardian August 2010 One of the Top 10 places to stay - Lonely Planet 2010 Winners of the Welcome Awards 2010 - South Africa's most prestigious award
VOLUNTEER PROJECTS We have a soccer and reading project which we run Monday to Thursdays. If you would like to play soccer or help children with their homework please contact us. WE OFFER INTERNSHIPS TO HOTEL & TOURISM STUDENTS OUR COMMUNITY PROJECT We sponsor a sports program in a community riddled with drugs and gangsterism. Join us for a day to see what we are up to. Bring your old soccer boots with you. KNITTING We keep a basket of wool in our café and lounge. Knit a square or two while you are here - we sew it up and with your help another orphaned baby will be warm. If you have some wool lying about your or your grandmother's house, bring it along!!
Hostel bed capacity
| Beds per room: |  |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Total beds |
| Number of rooms: | 10 | 11 | 1 | 7 | 3 | 92 |
Opening times
| Opening times (daily/weekly): | 24 hours a day, 365 days per year. |
| Opening times (over the year): | 24 hours a day, 365 days per year. We are here all year round! |
Street Map and Route Planning
Directions
| Bus: | To be collected from the bus station located in Heerengracht / Adderley Street, contact us to arrange a taxi |
| Parking: | Parking bays are available in front of the building in a parking lot. No bookings, first come first serve. |
| Location: | Situated on 74 New Church Street, The Backpack hostel is located just above the Cape Town city centre, a mere 5 minutes' walk from Long Street and its party scene and the trendy Kloof Street. We are located on the way between the V&A Waterfront and Table Mountain, you can't miss us! |
| Rail: | To be collected from the railway station in Heerengracht / Adderley Street, call us to arrange a taxi |
| Airport: | Let us arrange your Meet And Greet service to collect you at the airport (prices available on request). |
Attractions
 | Cultural centre nearby | | Museums/art galleries nearby |
| City centre location | | Historical sites nearby |
| River/harbour/lake nearby | | Main attractions nearby |
| Swimming pool at or near hostel | | Nightlife nearby |
| Botanical gardens nearby | | Restaurants nearby |
| Shopping centre/market nearby | | Hostel with a difference |
| Beach at or near hostel | | Meet other travellers! Read their tips for things to do in Cape Town -The Backpack |
Facilities
 | Discounts and concessions available |  | Family rooms available |
 | Hostel open 24h |  | TV room |
 | Self-catering kitchen |  | Groups welcome |
 | Common room(s) |  | Sheets in price |
 | Travel/Tour bureau |  | Laundry facilities |
 | Cycle rental available at or near the hostel |  | Internet access |
 | Credit card accepted |  | Café/Bar |
 | Meals available |  | Currency exchange at or near hostel |
 | Female only |  | Individual traveller welcome |
 | Luggage Store |  | Lockers available |
 | Non smoking room/area |  | Basic store available at or near the hostel |
 | Garden |  | Green Hostel |
 | Rates include local tax |  | BBQ |
Customer Reviews Cape Town -The Backpack
| 30 Jan 2012 Jessica, USA | 100% | |
| What a fantastic hostel. The rooms were beautiful, the staff was helpful (especially Prudence), and the location was fantastic. | ||
| 27 Sep 2011 Alexis, USA | 87% | |
| We ended up only using the Backpack as a place to hold our bags for the night while we went out and partied, but that was part of the appeal! We knew we could get back when we needed to because the location was so prime. I think it would be a great place to stay; I wish we had more time to enjoy it! | ||
| 19 Sep 2011 Marie-Laure, France | 87% | |
| the dorm was really noisy. People partying and not being carefull coming back in the dorm at 2 AM. | ||
| 15 Sep 2011 Stephen, Australia | 80% | |
| Very clean & nice | ||
| 20 Jun 2011 Chan, Hong Kong | 87% | |
| The staff in hostel of Cape Town are help me a lot for checking and booking travel information. Thanks to them. | ||
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