---
title: "Backpack Lanka vs Hostel at Galle Face- Colombo: which hotel is better?"
description: "Backpack Lanka or Hostel at Galle Face- Colombo in Colombo? Compare guest ratings, location, amenities, rooms and prices side by side."
url: https://stayversus.com/en/compare/backpack-lanka-colombo-vs-hostel-at-galle-face-colombo-colombo/
language: en
source: StayVersus (https://stayversus.com)
retrieved: 2026-11-08
---

# Backpack Lanka vs Hostel at Galle Face- Colombo

Both are in Colombo, 1.1 km apart. Here is where each one is stronger.

Guesthouse · Slave Island
## [Backpack Lanka](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/backpack-lanka-colombo/)

- **Guest rating:** 7.5 ·  Good

- **Location score:** 6.6

- **Score by category:** 1 of 4

[Check rates](https://stayversus.com/go/1178402/agoda/?lang=en)

Hostel · Slave Island
## [Hostel at Galle Face- Colombo](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/hostel-at-galle-face-colombo-colombo/)

- **Guest rating:** 8.5 ·  Very good

- **Location score:** 7.9

- **Score by category:** 3 of 4

[Check rates](https://stayversus.com/go/1557469/agoda/?lang=en)

The short answer

## Pick Hostel at Galle Face- Colombo

It leads in 3 of 4 categories. 1.1 km apart.

### Choose Backpack Lanka if you want

-   to walk to the sights (2.8 km / 3.8 km)
-   a big hotel with more facilities (Rooms: 10 / 2)

### Choose Hostel at Galle Face- Colombo if you want

-   the more consistently praised stay (8.5 / 7.5)
-   to be closer to the beach (270 m / 1.2 km)
-   a smaller, quieter hotel (Rooms: 2 / 10)
-   a newer or recently renovated building (2022 / 2014)

### Why is Backpack Lanka better than Hostel at Galle Face- Colombo?

No clear advantages in our data.

### Why is Hostel at Galle Face- Colombo better than Backpack Lanka?

1.  Higher guest rating (8.5 vs 7.5) (+1.0)
2.  950 m closer to the beach (270 m vs 1.2 km) (−950 m)
3.  930 m closer to the area centre (−930 m)
4.  Newer or more recently renovated (2022 vs 2014) (+8y)

## All compared facts

Every category is scored from 0 to 10 with the same formula for every hotel.

 

|  | Backpack Lanka | Hostel at Galle Face- Colombo |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Score by category |
| Guest rating | 7.5 | 8.5  (+1.0) |
| Location | 6.6 | 7.9  (+1.3) |
| Beach access | 6.1 | 9.4  (+3.3) |
| Public transport | 9.2  (+0.5) | 8.7 |
| Ratings & reviews |
| StayVersus score | 7.6 | 8.5  (+0.9) |
| Guest rating | 7.5 | 8.5  (+1.0) |
| Number of reviews | 253  (+62) | 191 |
| Rank in Colombo | bottom 17% | top 28%  (+55%) |
| Location |
| Location score | 6.6 | 7.9  (+1.3) |
| Distance to Slave Island centre | 1.5 km | 530 m  (−930 m) |
| To the beach | 1.2 km | 270 m  (−950 m) |
| To public transport | 300 m  (−100 m) | 390 m |
| To the airport | 11 km  (−1.1 km) | 12 km |
| Restaurants within 500 m | 65  (+9) | 56 |
| To the nearest food shop | 110 m  (−380 m) | 490 m |
| Shops within 500 m | 11  (+8) | 3 |
| Sights within 1 km | 2 | 1 |
| Rooms & building |
| Rooms | 10 | 2 |
| Floors | 4 | 2 |
| Newest building or renovation | 2014 | 2022  (+8y) |
| Listed amenities | 9 | 8 |
| Policies |
| Check-in from | 14:00 | 14:00 |
| Check-out until | 11:00 | 11:00 |
| Amenities |
| Free Wi-Fi | ✓ | – |
| Airport transfer | ✓ | – |
| Shuttle | ✓ | – |
| Car hire | ✓ | – |
| Laundry | ✓ | – |
| Luggage storage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Air conditioning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Kitchen | ✓ | ✓ |
| Parking | – | ✓ |
| In-room safe | – | ✓ |
| Coffee or tea maker | – | ✓ |
| Blackout curtains | – | ✓ |
| Which hotel suits you |
| Couples | – | ✓ |
| Beach holidays | – | ✓ |
| Business trips | ✓ | – |

## Live prices around both hotels

Real nightly rates from booking partners for the dates you picked above. Tap a price for the offer.

[Backpack Lanka prices by month](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/backpack-lanka-colombo/prices/)

## Location

1.1 km apart

Backpack Lanka: city centre: 2.8 km, nearest station Expo Rail: 300 m, Colombo Ratmalana International Airport (RML): 11 km, beach: 1.2 km, 65 places to eat within 500 m, 2 sights within 1 km.

Hostel at Galle Face- Colombo: city centre: 3.8 km, nearest station Slave Island Railway Station: 390 m, Colombo Ratmalana International Airport (RML): 12 km, beach: 270 m, 56 places to eat within 500 m, 1 sights within 1 km.

## Weather in Colombo

[Colombo weather: 15-day forecast](https://atlasofseasons.com/en/sri-lanka/western-province/colombo/weather)

## Backpack Lanka or Hostel at Galle Face- Colombo: common questions

### Which is better, Backpack Lanka or Hostel at Galle Face- Colombo?

Hostel at Galle Face- Colombo leads in 3 of 4 categories, including guest rating, location, beach access. Backpack Lanka is stronger in public transport.

### Which is cheaper, Backpack Lanka or Hostel at Galle Face- Colombo?

Prices change by date. Pick your dates above to see both nightly prices side by side.

### Which hotel is closer to the centre?

Hostel at Galle Face- Colombo is closer: 530 m from the centre, against 1.5 km for Backpack Lanka.

### Which hotel is closer to the beach?

Hostel at Galle Face- Colombo is 270 m from the nearest beach; Backpack Lanka is 1.2 km.

### How far apart are Backpack Lanka and Hostel at Galle Face- Colombo?

The two hotels are 1.1 km apart in a straight line.

## Compare now

Updated 6 Oct 2026. Data: Agoda, Overture Maps, OpenStreetMap, OurAirports and hotels' own websites. We may earn a commission from partner links; it never changes the comparison. [How we score](https://stayversus.com/en/about/)

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Source: https://stayversus.com/en/compare/backpack-lanka-colombo-vs-hostel-at-galle-face-colombo-colombo/. Facts are compiled by StayVersus from partner data (Agoda), Overture Maps, OpenStreetMap, OurAirports, public Google Maps listings and hotels' own websites. Scores use one formula for every hotel. Methodology: https://stayversus.com/en/about/