---
title: "Geeky Gecko Backpackers vs On Top Backpackers: which hotel is better?"
description: "Geeky Gecko Backpackers or On Top Backpackers in Dunedin? Compare guest ratings, location, amenities, rooms and prices side by side."
url: https://stayversus.com/en/compare/geeky-gecko-backpackers-dunedin-vs-on-top-backpackers-dunedin/
language: en
source: StayVersus (https://stayversus.com)
retrieved: 2026-11-12
---

# Geeky Gecko Backpackers vs On Top Backpackers

Both are in Dunedin, 910 m apart. Here is where each one is stronger.

Hostel · Dunedin Central
## [Geeky Gecko Backpackers](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/geeky-gecko-backpackers-dunedin/)

- **Guest rating:** 7.0 ·  Good

- **Location score:** 6.8

- **Score by category:** 0 of 3

[Check rates](https://stayversus.com/go/1440614/agoda/?lang=en)

Hostel · Dunedin Central
## [On Top Backpackers](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/on-top-backpackers-dunedin/)

- **Guest rating:** 8.3 ·  Very good

- **Location score:** 8.7

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

[Check rates](https://stayversus.com/go/1916760/agoda/?lang=en)

The short answer

## Pick On Top Backpackers

It leads in 3 of 3 categories. 910 m apart.

### Choose On Top Backpackers if you want

-   the more consistently praised stay (8.3 / 7.0)
-   to walk to the sights (230 m / 830 m)
-   more restaurants on the doorstep (135 / 36)
-   a newer or recently renovated building (2016 / 1853)

### Why is Geeky Gecko Backpackers better than On Top Backpackers?

No clear advantages in our data.

### Why is On Top Backpackers better than Geeky Gecko Backpackers?

1.  Higher guest rating (8.3 vs 7.0) (+1.3)
2.  400 m closer to public transport (−400 m)
3.  More guest reviews (332 vs 102), so the rating is more reliable (×3.3)
4.  99 more restaurants and cafés within 500 m (+99)
5.  More walkable surroundings (walk grade 91 vs 70) (+21)
6.  Newer or more recently renovated (2016 vs 1853) (+163y)
7.  5 more sights within 1 km (+5)

## All compared facts

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

 

|  | Geeky Gecko Backpackers | On Top Backpackers |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Score by category |
| Guest rating | 7.0 | 8.3  (+1.3) |
| Location | 6.8 | 8.7  (+1.9) |
| Facilities | – | 3.3 |
| Spa & wellness | – | 0.0 |
| Public transport | 5.8 | 8.0  (+2.2) |
| Ratings & reviews |
| StayVersus score | 7.4 | 8.3  (+0.9) |
| Guest rating | 7.0 | 8.3  (+1.3) |
| Number of reviews | 102 | 332  (+230) |
| Google rating | – | 3.9/5 |
| Google reviews | – | 363 |
| Rank in Dunedin | bottom 2% | bottom 16%  (+14%) |
| Location |
| Location score | 6.8 | 8.7  (+1.9) |
| Distance to Dunedin Central centre | 400 m  (−260 m) | 660 m |
| To public transport | 930 m | 530 m  (−400 m) |
| To the airport | 24 km | 25 km |
| Restaurants within 500 m | 36 | 135  (+99) |
| To the nearest food shop | 280 m | 360 m |
| Shops within 500 m | 2 | 9  (+7) |
| Sights within 1 km | 10 | 15  (+5) |
| Rooms & building |
| Rooms | 14 | 23 |
| Floors | – | 1 |
| Newest building or renovation | 1853 | 2016  (+163y) |
| Listed amenities | 4 | 12  (+8) |
| Policies |
| Check-in from | 14:00 | 13:00  (−1h) |
| Check-out until | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Amenities |
| Car hire | ✓ | – |
| Luggage storage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Kitchen | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free Wi-Fi | – | ✓ |
| Parking | – | ✓ |
| Laundry | – | ✓ |
| Breakfast | – | ✓ |
| Bar | – | ✓ |
| Terrace | – | ✓ |
| Balcony | – | ✓ |
| In-room safe | – | ✓ |
| Coffee or tea maker | – | ✓ |
| Which hotel suits you |
| Couples | – | ✓ |
| Sightseeing on foot | – | ✓ |
| 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.

## Location

910 m apart

Geeky Gecko Backpackers: city centre: 830 m, nearest station Train Station Dunedin: 930 m, Dunedin International Airport (DUD): 24 km, 36 places to eat within 500 m, 10 sights within 1 km.

On Top Backpackers: city centre: 230 m, nearest station Dunedin Railway Station: 530 m, Dunedin International Airport (DUD): 25 km, 135 places to eat within 500 m, 15 sights within 1 km.

## Weather in Dunedin

[Dunedin weather: 15-day forecast](https://atlasofseasons.com/en/new-zealand/otago/dunedin/weather)

## Geeky Gecko Backpackers or On Top Backpackers: common questions

### Which is better, Geeky Gecko Backpackers or On Top Backpackers?

On Top Backpackers leads in 3 of 3 categories, including guest rating, location, public transport.

### Which is cheaper, Geeky Gecko Backpackers or On Top Backpackers?

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

### Which hotel is closer to the centre?

Geeky Gecko Backpackers is closer: 400 m from the centre, against 660 m for On Top Backpackers.

### How far apart are Geeky Gecko Backpackers and On Top Backpackers?

The two hotels are 910 m apart in a straight line.

## More match-ups

-   [On Top Backpackers vs UpTown Backpackers](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/on-top-backpackers-dunedin-vs-uptown-backpackers-dunedin/)

## 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/)

---
Source: https://stayversus.com/en/compare/geeky-gecko-backpackers-dunedin-vs-on-top-backpackers-dunedin/. 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/
