🎒Backpackers

Where to Stay in Honiara

Cheapest areas, hostel districts, and budget tips

⚠️ Caution💰 Budget: SBD 300/day🚗 Car Needed☀️ Best: Jul, Aug, Sep

✓

Quick Answer

Stay in Town Ground

Offers more affordable guesthouse and budget hotel options while still being relatively close to the city's amenities.

See full Honiara neighbourhood guide

Top 3 Areas to Stay in Honiara

Most affordable areas with the best value accommodation

🏨

Town Ground

A more residential and slightly quieter area adjacent to the city center, offering a glimpse of local life.

Our top picks in Town Ground

🏨

Lunga Guesthouse$

A simple, friendly guesthouse offering basic but clean rooms, popular with budget travelers.

Book Now

🏨

Yumi Guesthouse$

Offers affordable rooms and a welcoming atmosphere, good for those seeking a local feel.

Book Now

🏨

Coral Sea Lodge$$

A comfortable mid-range option with a pleasant garden setting.

Book Now

🛡️ Reasonably safe during the day...Budgetbudgetfamilies

View Hotels in Town Ground

🏨

Central Honiara

The bustling administrative and commercial heart of the city, with a mix of government buildings, markets, and businesses.

Our top picks in Central Honiara

🏨

Solomon Kitano Mendana Hotel$$$

A long-standing, well-regarded hotel offering comfortable rooms and good amenities with waterfront views.

Book Now

🏨

Pacific Casino Hotel$$

Features a casino and restaurant, offering a lively atmosphere and convenient location.

Book Now

🏨

Honiara Hotel$$

A reliable option with spacious rooms and a central location, often used by business travelers.

Book Now

🛡️ Generally safe during the day ...Mid-rangefirst-timersculture

View Hotels in Central Honiara

🏨

White River

Located west of the city center, this area is more spread out and includes some resorts and a slightly more relaxed atmosphere.

Our top picks in White River

🏨

Heritage Park Hotel$$$

A premier hotel offering excellent facilities, including a pool, restaurant, and beautiful ocean views.

Book Now

🏖️

Seabreeze Resort$$$

Offers beachfront bungalows with stunning views and a tranquil atmosphere, ideal for relaxation.

Book Now

🏨

Iron Bottom Sound Hotel$$

Located with historical significance, offering good views and comfortable accommodation.

Book Now

🛡️ Generally safe within resort g...Luxurycouplesfamilies

View Hotels in White River

View all hotels in Honiara

We earn a small commission if you book through these links, at no extra cost to you.

Neighbourhood Comparison for Backpackers

Neighbourhood	Budget	Vibe	Best For
#1Town Ground	Budget	A more residential and slightly quieter area adjacent to the city center, offering a glimpse of local life.	budgetfamilies
Central Honiara	Mid-range	The bustling administrative and commercial heart of the city, with a mix of government buildings, markets, and businesses.	first-timersculture
White River	Luxury	Located west of the city center, this area is more spread out and includes some resorts and a slightly more relaxed atmosphere.	couplesfamilies

🏨

Find budget-friendly hostels in Honiara

Affordable stays in the best backpacker areas

Search on Expedia

We earn a small commission if you book through this link, at no extra cost to you.

Tips for Backpackers in Honiara

🛏️

Book Hostels with Kitchens

Self-catering saves significant money in Honiara. A hostel with a good kitchen can cut your food budget by half.

🚶

Walk Where Possible

Many city centres are walkable. Save transport money for longer journeys and use your feet for neighbourhood exploring.

🆓

Find Free Activities

Free walking tours, museum free days, parks, and markets are everywhere. Ask hostel staff for the best free experiences.

💧

Carry a Water Bottle

A refillable bottle saves money and plastic. Many cities have free water fountains; check the local tap water safety first.

🗺️

Find free walking tours in Honiara

Budget-friendly ways to explore

Browse on GetYourGuide

Best Neighborhoods for Backpackers

Ranked by relevance for backpackers visiting Honiara

Town Ground

Budget

A more residential and slightly quieter area adjacent to the city center, offering a glimpse of local life.

budgetfamiliessolo travelers

+More affordable accommodation options available.
+Quieter than the immediate city center.
+Opportunity to experience a more local neighborhood.

-Fewer tourist amenities.
-Requires longer walks or short transport to major attractions.

🏨 Lunga Guesthouse 🏨 Yumi Guesthouse 🏨 Coral Sea Lodge

Central Honiara

Mid-range

The bustling administrative and commercial heart of the city, with a mix of government buildings, markets, and businesses.

first-timersculturefoodies

+Centrally located for accessing key attractions.
+Good access to local food and markets.
+Most services and amenities are concentrated here.

-Can be crowded and noisy.
-Limited accommodation options.

🏨 Solomon Kitano Mendana Hotel 🏨 Pacific Casino Hotel 🏨 Honiara Hotel

White River

Luxury

Located west of the city center, this area is more spread out and includes some resorts and a slightly more relaxed atmosphere.

couplesfamiliesluxury

+Quieter and more scenic than the city center.
+Home to some of the better resorts.
+Good base for exploring areas west of Honiara.

-Requires transport to access city center attractions.
-Fewer dining and shopping options within walking distance.

🏨 Heritage Park Hotel 🏨 Seabreeze Resort 🏨 Iron Bottom Sound Hotel

Daily Budget (Budget)

SBD 300/day

Room at Coral Sea Beach Resort (basic room)SBD 150

Lunch at a local market stall (e.g. grilled fish and rice)SBD 40

Dinner at a casual local eatery (e.g. chicken and chips)SBD 60

Local bus fares around HoniaraSBD 30

Visit the National Museum and Cultural CentreSBD 20

See all budget tiers

Hidden Gems in Honiara

Lesser-known spots the locals love

🛍️

Honiara Central Market

FREE

Experience the vibrant heart of local life at the central market, where you can find fresh produce, local crafts, and a lively atmosphere.

marketHoniara

Our Top 5 Favourite Tours in Honiara

Hand-picked guided experiences you can book in advance on GetYourGuide.

Guided walking tour through a European city

Honiara Walking Tour: Highlights & Hidden Gems

Discover Honiara on foot with a local guide who knows every backstreet and story. You will cover the must-see landmarks and stumble upon places most visitors never find.

View Tour Details

Honiara Food Tour: Street Food & Local Favourites

Eat your way through Honiara with a local foodie as your guide. From bustling markets to tucked-away restaurants, taste the dishes the city is truly known for.

View Tour Details

Best of Honiara: Skip-the-Line Top Attractions

Skip the queues and get straight into Honiara's top attractions with pre-booked access. An expert guide brings each site to life with stories and context you would not get on your own.

View Tour Details

Day Trip from Honiara: Scenic Excursion

Escape Honiara for the day and explore the stunning surroundings. Transport, guide, and itinerary are all sorted so you can relax and enjoy the scenery.

View Tour Details

Local cultural experience and traditions

Honiara Cultural Experience: History & Traditions

Go beyond sightseeing and connect with Honiara's living culture. From hands-on workshops to historic neighbourhood walks, this is the side of the city most travellers miss.

View Tour Details

View all tours in Honiara

We earn a small commission if you book through these links, at no extra cost to you. This helps us keep FindYourStay free.

⚠️

2 areas to be cautious about

Read our full safety guide for Honiara

Backpackers in Honiara: FAQ

What is the best area in Honiara for backpackers?

Town Ground is our top pick for backpackers in Honiara. A more residential and slightly quieter area adjacent to the city center, offering a glimpse of local life. It is a budget-friendly area known for budget, families, solo travelers.

Is Honiara safe for backpackers?

Honiara is rated "Moderate" overall. Stick to well-lit, populated areas. Avoid walking alone, particularly in less developed neighborhoods. If going out, use reputable taxis and confirm fares beforehand. Our neighbourhood guides include area-specific safety advice.

How much does it cost per day in Honiara for backpackers?

Expect to spend around SBD 300 per day in Honiara as a backpacker. This covers accommodation, food, transport, and activities at the budget level.

When is the best time for backpackers to visit Honiara?

The ideal time depends on your priorities. Shoulder seasons (spring and autumn) typically offer the best balance of pleasant weather, lower prices, and fewer crowds. Budget travellers often find the best deals in winter or early spring.

Where are the cheapest hostels in Honiara?

The most affordable hostels in Honiara are typically found in Town Ground. Budget accommodation options are highlighted in each neighbourhood breakdown above.

Found your hotel in Honiara?

We search 30+ sites including members-only platforms like Secret Escapes and Voyage Privé. Most people save 14-23%.

Find cheapest price

Booking.comExpediaSecret EscapesVoyage Privé+25 more including members-only

More Honiara Guides

Full Honiara guide Areas to avoid Best time to visit More cities in Solomon Islands 👩 Solo Female Travellers 💑 Couples 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Families 💻 Digital Nomads ✨ Luxury Travellers 🎉 Nightlife Seekers

Plan Your Perfect Honiara Trip

Tell us what you love and we'll build a personalised day-by-day itinerary with the best spots, tours, and hotels. Completely free.

Day-by-day planHotel picksTour recommendationsBudget breakdown