Where to Find Backpacker Accommodation in Nuku’alofa and Tongatapu
Looking for affordable dorms on Tonga’s main island? You’ve come to the right place with this list of the best backpacker hostels on Tongatapu! While you won’t find any backpacker accommodations with dorms outside of the capital, Nuku’alofa, what you will find is a variety of experiences.
Stay in cheap and cheerful rooms in the heart of the city or stay in a homely guesthouse where it’s easy to socialise with like-minded travellers.
While you’re in the area, you might also be interested in checking out The Guide to Tongatapu on a Budget!
Note that Tonga is an ever-evolving country and with that, accommodation services can also change with little notice. While we try to keep the services up-to-date on each listing, note that some services may have changed. Feel free to reach out if you have any updates.
Table of Contents
1. Sela’s Guest House
Sela’s Guest House offers backpackers a slice of authentic Tongan hospitality. This family-run gem boasts 13 cosy rooms, including budget-friendly options with shared facilities. You’ll love lounging in the lush garden and courtyard, dotted with tropical fruit trees and coconuts. Stay connected with free Starlink WiFi and whip up meals in the fully equipped communal kitchen. The affordable Standard Rooms with shared bathrooms are the best choice for those on a budget. These comfortable digs are perfect for solo adventurers or small groups, with flexible bedding arrangements to suit your needs. The warm, family-oriented atmosphere will make you feel right at home in the heart of Nuku’alofa.
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© TongaPocketGuide.com2. Toni’s Guesthouses & Apartments
Toni has a few guesthouses across Nuku’alofa, which can be very confusing to find/make sure you’re going to correct one – so we’ll make this listing a long one to make it as clear as possible. What’s more, the guesthouses are not the most central (rent a car). Nevertheless, travellers looking for an ultra-affordable stay will certainly find a place to call home at one of Toni’s Guesthouses or Apartments, starting with welcome refreshments.
The “Green House” has 2-3-bed backpacker dorm rooms with shared bathrooms and the “Yellow House” has double and twin rooms with some ensuite options. What’s known as the “Family House” is actually two self-contained units within. All of the above are located on the same estate in Tofoa. Meanwhile, “Toni’s Apartments” on Hihifo Road, Puke are two more guesthouses with four guest rooms each.
Unless otherwise stated, all houses are on a shared basis and are well equipped with a kitchen, a cool lounge and a seating area under a verandah – all kept to a clean and presentable standard. Although a little out of town, Toni and Leni offer island day tours.
Book Toni’s Guesthouses:
© TongaPocketGuide.com3. Backpackers Townhouse (Kapeta Backpackers)
A homely guesthouse for backpackers and travellers on a budget, Backpackers Townhouse (signposted at “Kapeta Backpackers” on the corner of Mateialona and Vahaakolo Roads) offers a couple of two-bed dorm rooms and four private single, twin/double rooms with shared bathroom facilities between two rooms.
The guesthouse is an interesting place to stay with papaya and banana trees that you can help yourself to, while it’s also the site of True Vava’u where you can learn more about how your host makes tuitui (candlenut) oil.
What’s more, the guesthouse is conveniently a short walk from the city centre. Full kitchen facilities, hot showers, electric fans and laundry services are all available.
See more stays like this in the 10 Best Guesthouses in Nuku’alofa & Tongatapu.
© TongaPocketGuide.com4. The Village Backpackers
You can hardly get more central than The Village Backpackers in Nuku’alofa, nestled in the Taufa’ahau Village laneway near a wide array of eateries, bars and shops (we recommend Ini’s Cakes)!
The backpacker hostel offers a range of ultra-affordable rooms, including 4-6-bed mixed dorms, 4-bed female dorms and 4-bed male dorms upstairs with shared facilities, while downstairs is a selection of private double and triple ensuite rooms with entrances straight onto the street.
Airport transfers are available for a fee, while your hosts can also help with ferry booking and transfers.
Note that there isn’t a kitchen or fridge, so this accommodation is not suitable for self-catering.
Check out more budget options in the heart of the city in the 10 Best Budget Accommodations in Nuku’alofa.
Book The Village Backpackers:
© TongaPocketGuide.com5. NOA Guesthouse
One of the largest guesthouses in Nuku’alofa, NOA Guesthouse has something for every type of traveller on a budget.
Choose from single/double rooms with shared bathroom facilities and “Family Rooms” which have one double and a single bed with an ensuite.
Guests have access to a large communal kitchen and dining room, which makes self-catering a breeze. Paid services include breakfast, laundry, WiFi and airport transfers.
You can also rent vehicles with the guesthouse, which works with Me Rentals, as featured in The Best Car Rentals in Tongatapu.
Book NOA Guesthouse:
© TongaPocketGuide.com6. Dayspring Lodge
With free breakfast, free WiFi and super affordable guest rooms, you can hardly do wrong with Dayspring Lodge if you’re on a budget. Dayspring is located in Tofoa village on the southern outskirts of Nuku’alofa, which makes for a good central base for exploring Tongatapu.
The basic but comfortable guesthouse offers double and single rooms (six in total), sharing three bathrooms between guests. The lodge has a beautiful garden with fruit trees galore, many of which are used to produce your breakfast each morning.
Check out more lodges in the 10 Best Lodges in Tonga.
Book Dayspring Lodge:
© Dayspring LodgeMore About Backpacker Hostels in Nuku’alofa and Tongatapu
That’s it for our list of the best backpacker hostels in Nuku’alofa and Tongatapu. For more advice to plan the perfect backpacking getaway, take a look at our other guides:
- The Travel Guide to Nuku’alofa on a Budget
- The Top Cheap Eats in Nuku’alofa & Tongatapu
- 10 Free & Cheap Things to Do on Tongatapu
Finally, if there’s anything we’ve missed, you’re likely to find it in The Budget & Backpacking Guide to Tonga.
Sources:
The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across Tonga and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:
- Tonga Tourism Authority (General travel advice - Updated [2025])
- Tonga Ministry of Tourism (FAQs about visiting Tonga - Updated [2025])
- SPTO (Pacific tourism advice - Updated [2025])
- Ministry of Revenue & Customs (Customs and immigration contacts - Updated [2025])
- Ministry of Agriculture & Food, Forests and Fisheries (Biosecurity advice - Updated [2025])
- Ministry of Infrastructure (Land and aviation transport info - Updated [2025])
- Tonga Meteorological Service (Weather forecast and warnings - Updated [2025])
- Tonga Statistics Department (Statistics and travel data - Updated [2025])
- Safe Travel (New Zealand travel advisory for Tonga - Updated [2025])
- Smart Traveller (Australia travel advisory for Tonga - Updated [2025])
- Travel.State.Gov (U.S. travel advisory for Tonga - Updated [2025])
Our editorial standards: At Tonga Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.
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