The bustling capital city of Jakarta might not be one of Indonesia’s tourist hotspots but it’s a hugely important travel hub both for locals and travellers alike. This means that you’re sure to end up there at some point if you’re visiting Indonesia!
An overwhelming number of people call Jakarta home (11 million!) and this, combined with the influx of travellers who move through the city each day, makes navigating and finding a place to stay daunting.
Choosing a hostel in Jakarta is an important decision, no matter whether you’re passing through or staying a few days. Location, noise volume and social scene are all important considerations which can make or break your visit. To save you the stress of trawling through booking sites, we’ve shortlisted the best hostels in Jakarta below.
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Top Hostels in Jakarta, Indonesia
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Best Jakarta Hostels – Quick Answers!
- Best Overall Hostel in Jakarta – The Packer Lodge
- Best Hostel Near Jakarta International Airport (Soekarno-Hatta) – KINI Capsule Hostel
- Best Hostel in Jakarta for Couples – Bobobox Pods Tanah Abang
- Best Hostel in Jakarta for Solo Backpackers – Capsule Hotel Jakarta Old Batavia
- Best Hostel in Jakarta for Solo Female Travellers – Sleepy Racoon Hostel
- Best Hostel in Jakarta for Digital Nomads – Tuju Arteri Pods
- Best Value for Money Hostel in Jakarta – Wonderloft Hostel
1. Capsule Hotel Jakarta Old Batavia
- Location: Central Jakarta
- Price range: $
- Best feature: Friendly vibe
Despite the somewhat misleading name, Capsule Hotel in Old Batavakartaia is commonly agreed to be one of Jakarta’s best hostels. Offering both dorm rooms and privates, the first thing guests comment on is the warm and welcoming atmosphere.
Its central location is great for those wanting to spend a few days in Jakarta and see the sights. Close to the national monument and national museum, it is also well-placed for those catching onward transport to Yogyakarta and Bandung.
The internet is fast and reliable and there is a dedicated workspace which makes catching up on your latest projects easy. Lockers are provided for guests, however, you will need to bring your own padlock.
By Jakarta’s standards, this is a sociable hostel where solo travellers can meet people. However, as most people only pass through Jakarta, you shouldn’t expect the same buzz as you would get from a hostel in Bali.
2. Tuju Arteri Pods
- Location: South Jakarta
- Price range: $$
- Best feature: Coworking areas
Compare prices of Tuju Arteri Pods?: Booking.com | Hostelworld | Agoda
When it comes to comfortable, modern digs, Tuju Arteri Pods is difficult to beat. Best suited to digital nomads, it is one of the best hostels to work from in the entire city. There are several workstations, as well as a small conference room and high-speed WiFi which makes those ad-hoc Skype calls a breeze.
So-called after its pod-style dormitories, the beds are comfortable, with thick duvets and soft pillows. Even though you are sharing a room, the blinds on every bunk ensure a level of privacy – much needed after a sweaty day travelling to Indonesia’s buzzing capital.
The rooftop terrace is definitely a highlight of this place, ideal for watching the sun dip behind the skyline. However, its busy location means that light sleepers can be disturbed by the noise on the street. If you think this could be an issue for you, we recommend adding a pair of earplugs to your hostel packing list.
Offering both male and female-only dorms, Tuju Arteri Pods is a great budget-friendly option for travellers of all stripes.
3. Sleepy Racoon Hostel
- Location: Kota Tua
- Price range: $
- Best feature: Friendly staff
Whilst many blogs cite Sleepy Racoon as THE place for solo backpackers, this no longer seems to be the case. Recent reports talk of a disappointingly flat atmosphere – not the best place to meet like-minded single travellers.
Despite this, the hostel still gets very good reviews overall and backpackers love the friendly and attentive English-speaking staff. It is an ideal spot for your first few nights in Jakarta as the staff will give you the lowdown on all the best spots locally – mouth-watering street food is just a stone’s throw away!
Although not exactly a diamond in the rough, this no-frills accommodation is a great value-for-money option, ideal for those looking for a cheap hostel in Jakarta. A tasty full English or Irish breakfast is served in the morning, helping travellers to stick to a tighter budget. There is also a shared kitchen which guests can use to cook their meals.
As well as mixed dorms, they also offer female-only dorms and a range of privates, making it a good choice for couples travelling on a shoestring.
4. KINI Capsule
- Location: North Jakarta
- Price range: $
- Best feature: Capsule-style beds
Compare prices of KINI Capsule?: Booking.com | Hostelworld | Agoda
Inspired by Japanese capsule-style hotels, KINI is a luxury pod hostel that travellers rave about. Slate grey flooring, all-white walls and wooden finishings give this place an almost Scandinavian feel. KINI is known for its high levels of cleanliness and attention to detail – you wouldn’t opt for white walls in a hostel if your cleaning team weren’t up to the job!
Don’t be fooled by the capsules, they may look snug but they’re more spacious than they first appear. All capsule beds come with a shelf for personal belongings, hangers, a charging point and a mirror. These types of pod-style dorms can often get stuffy in warm climates so it is a big plus that the A/C is reliable too!
For those transiting via Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, this is a great location. The hostel offers airport transfer and the private capsule beds are exactly the hideaway you need after a long day of travelling. Mixed or female-only dorms are available and you can get your fill of delicious Indonesian food at the on-site restaurant, Kong Djie Coffee.
5. Wonderloft Hostel
- Location: Kota Tua
- Price range: $
- Best feature: Location
Compare prices of Wonderloft Hostel?: Booking.com | Hostelworld | Agoda
Nestled in the heart of the Kota Tua neighbourhood, Wonderloft Hostel is the perfect base if you want to explore Old Jakarta. Conveniently situated within walking distance of many attractions, including Glodok Chinatown and Sunda Kelapa Harbour, it is a great central location.
Set in a brightly coloured colonial building, Wonderloft Hostel is in a pedestrian-only area of the city – ideal for those who like a quiet city base to retreat to! There is a shared kitchen and a generous-sized communal area, featuring a TV with Netflix and a pool table. These common spaces are the perfect place to meet other travellers.
There is a relaxed yet sociable atmosphere, with plenty of different areas to chill out in. As well as offering mixed dorms, Wonderloft also offers female-only rooms, private rooms and even family rooms, making it a great hostel in Jakarta for many kinds of travellers. A varied breakfast is included and free tea and coffee are available around the clock.
6. Konko Hostel
- Location: Central Jakarta
- Price range: $$
- Best feature: Quirky decor
Compare prices of Konko Hostel?: Booking.com | Hostelworld | Agoda
The quirky and comfortable Konko Hostel is a great place to stay while you’re in Jakarta. It is ideally located for those catching onward travel at the nearby Gambir station and luggage storage is also available.
This modern hostel is well-rated for its high levels of cleanliness. There is also an on-site restaurant called Nonky which serves both Indonesian and Western cuisine. The rooftop is a popular area which is good for meeting other travellers. However, it is important to note that this is not a party hostel.
A range of rooms are available from dorm rooms to privates. While the dorms are quite compact, they are still comfortable. Konko is a popular option and you’d struggle to find a better offering in Central Jakarta for the price.
7. Bobobox Pods Tanah Abang
- Location: Central Jakarta
- Price range: $$
- Best feature: Customisable stay
Compare prices of Bobobox Pods Tanah Abang?: Booking.com | Agoda
For those of you that appreciate functional and minimalist design, Bobobox Pods is likely to tick the boxes. It is Jakarta’s most high-tech capsule pod hostel which offers a range of different capsule rooms, including singles, doubles, and king-sized.
Each pod has temperature and lighting controls, a storage area, and is fully sealed off from the rest of the dorm. Access to the capsules is done by unique barcodes on your phone, making this a very secure accommodation option. The capsules are super futuristic which will be a novelty for some, however, if you suffer from claustrophobia, this may not be the best choice for you!
Situated in the Gambir district of Jakarta, the business and shopping quarter, Bobobox Pods is close to shopping malls, restaurants, bars, art galleries and museums. There is also a KFC opposite if you are craving some home comforts!
8. The Packer Lodge
- Location: Kota Tua
- Price range: $$
- Best feature: Food walking tour
Well located in the Kota Tua district of Jakarta, The Packer Lodge has long been a favourite among those visiting the city. The highlight of a stay here is undoubtedly the food walking tour, which departs for the melting pot of Chinatown every Wednesday. Come with an empty belly and get ready to experience the culinary scene in Jakarta!
As well as hosting a food walking tour, the owner Ardy is great at helping travellers settle into Indonesia, even helping them purchase SIM cards. In addition to the staff who go above and beyond, the hostel itself is also a clean and comfortable place.
The Packer Lodge is home to everything a backpacker needs, with numerous communal areas and even a gym! Filtered drinking water is provided too so you don’t need to worry about buying bottled water. Why not go one better and invest in your own filtered water bottle for travel?
There is a range of rooms, from basic dorms to capsule dorms and private options. The single occupancy room offers great money for solo travellers and allows those travelling alone to recharge their batteries in private after a long stint spent sleeping in shared dorms.
Choosing a Hostel in Jakarta – A Round-Up
As Jakarta is commonly overlooked by travellers, you shouldn’t expect the same quality of hostel that you regularly find in Indonesia’s tourism hotspots. Few backpackers stay for an extended period in the capital, which means a buzzing social scene can be difficult to come by.
Despite this, there are a few good hostels in Jakarta that cater to backpackers. Capsule dorms rule the roost here, offering privacy and no-frills functional accommodation. And with prices starting at around $8USD for a bed in a shared dorm, you may as well start with one night and see how you feel. You never know, you may just see something in this gritty capital that everyone else misses.
What is your favourite hostel in Jakarta? Let us know in the comments!