A coastal town with dense forest, a mountain, and a large body of water.

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Check prices for these dates

Next weekend
28 Aug - 30 Aug
In two weeks
4 Sept - 6 Sept
In one month
18 Sept - 20 Sept
In two months
16 Oct - 18 Oct

Our top choices for Cairns hostels

A covered outdoor seating area with a sofa, round table, and potted plants.

1. Little Drifter Cairns

Little Drifter Cairns
2.0 star property
Cairns Central Business District
8.2 out of 10, Very good, (185 reviews)
"Nice clean room and friendly people, great location and modern amenities"
Australia
Frederick
The price is HK$909
HK$1,000 total
includes taxes & fees
7 Sept - 8 Sept
Little Drifter Cairns
An aerial view of a swimming pool surrounded by palm trees, with lounge chairs and a tiled deck area.

2. YHA Cairns Central

YHA Cairns Central
2.0 star property
Cairns Central Business District
8.4 out of 10, Very good, (232 reviews)
"Had a great stay, thanks!"
Australia
Ryoichi
The price is HK$523
HK$575 total
includes taxes & fees
9 Sept - 10 Sept
YHA Cairns Central
A pool area with lounge chairs and a bar area with umbrellas.

3. Gilligan's Backpackers Hotel & Resort

Gilligan's Backpackers Hotel & Resort
2.0 star property
Cairns Central Business District
8.0 out of 10, Very good, (453 reviews)
"Decent place to stay for the price. Good location."
United States
Andrea
The price is HK$1,135
HK$1,249 total
includes taxes & fees
2 Sept - 3 Sept
Gilligan's Backpackers Hotel & Resort
A room with a green chair, a small table with a potted plant, and a wooden shelf with hanging towels.

4. The Espy Hostel

The Espy Hostel
2.0 star property
Cairns Central Business District
7.6 out of 10, Good, (91 reviews)
"Great location"
Australia
Jennifer Ann
The price is HK$539
HK$593 total
includes taxes & fees
22 Aug - 23 Aug
The Espy Hostel
A resort with a swimming pool, outdoor seating, and palm trees.

5. Caravella Backpackers

Caravella Backpackers
2.0 star property
Cairns Central Business District
8.4 out of 10, Very good, (156 reviews)
"Lovely and fresh - recently renovated unit 209."
Australia
Jason
The price is HK$581
HK$639 total
includes taxes & fees
22 Aug - 23 Aug
Caravella Backpackers
A swimming pool surrounded by tropical plants and a house in the background.

6. Cairns City Backpackers Hostel

Cairns City Backpackers Hostel
2.0 star property
Parramatta Park
6.8 out of 10, (45 reviews)
"It was convenient enough to walk to the town and served it purpose of economics and convience."
Australia
ROBERT
The price is HK$389
HK$389 total
includes taxes & fees
24 Aug - 25 Aug
Cairns City Backpackers Hostel
A clear swimming pool with white chairs and an umbrella, surrounded by lush greenery.

7. Travellers Paradise Heritage Historical Place - Hostel

Travellers Paradise Heritage Historical Place - Hostel
2.0 star property
Parramatta Park
7.6 out of 10, Good, (103 reviews)
"Property was very convenient for central Cairns. It was quiet and quaint, and very cosy."
Australia
David
The price is HK$941
HK$1,035 total
includes taxes & fees
4 Sept - 5 Sept
Travellers Paradise Heritage Historical Place - Hostel
A narrow outdoor space with corrugated metal walls, a wooden door, and a small garden area with potted plants.

8. On The Wallaby Eco Lodge - Hostel

On The Wallaby Eco Lodge - Hostel
2.0 star property
Yungaburra
9.4 out of 10, Exceptional, (116 reviews)
"Lovely chill place to stay - wish we had longer Looks like a place you could really relax and enjoy a chilled out pace of life for a while"
United Kingdom
Fiona
The price is HK$273
HK$300 total
includes taxes & fees
21 Aug - 22 Aug
On The Wallaby Eco Lodge - Hostel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
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Top Cairns Hotel Reviews

Ramada By Wyndham Cairns City Centre

Ramada By Wyndham Cairns City Centre

10/10 Excellent
"Great budget hotel . Staff friendly & helpful. Pool is great ."
Lynette 3-night trip
Posted 2 hours ago
Ramada By Wyndham Cairns City Centre

Find out more about Cairns

Cairns Hostels information

Number of reviews
848
Accommodation
17 Hostels
Lowest Price
HK$300
Highest Price
HK$1,249

Frequently asked questions

Should I stay in a hostel in Cairns?
By staying at a hostel, you can spend less on lodging and set aside more of your budget for exploring during your holiday. We've heard good things about this destination's natural setting, including its coral reefs and rainforests.
What is a hostel?
These dorm-style accommodations come in many shapes and sizes, but all of them have a few qualities in common, including budget-friendly prices, a social atmosphere and shared rooms (though many hostels offer private room options too).
What are the best hostels in Cairns?
Based on reviews from our guests, these hostels in Cairns have the best ratings: YHA Cairns Central - Close to public transport, this property is within a 5-minute walk of Cairns Station. Guests can enjoy free Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool and tour/ticket assistance. Rooms come with towels, bed sheets and free Wi-Fi. Gilligan's Backpackers Hotel & Resort - Located within a 10-minute walk of Cairns Esplanade and Reef Fleet Terminal. You can take advantage of free Wi-Fi and a nightclub, as well as an outdoor pool. You'll find showers, bed sheets and free Wi-Fi in all rooms. The Espy Hostel - Located within a 5-minute walk of Cairns Esplanade. Guests can enjoy free Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool and tour/ticket assistance. Rooms come with towels, bed sheets and free Wi-Fi. Little Drifter Cairns - Located within a 5-minute walk of Cairns Esplanade. You can take advantage of free Wi-Fi and tour/ticket assistance, as well as laundry facilities. You'll find showers, bed sheets and free Wi-Fi in all rooms. Cairns City Backpackers Hostel - Close to public transport, this property is within a 10-minute walk of Cairns Station. You can take advantage of free Wi-Fi and free parking, as well as an outdoor pool. You'll find towels, bed sheets and free Wi-Fi in all rooms.
How many hostels will I find in Cairns?
If you're in the market for somewhere affordable to stay in Cairns, one of Expedia's 17 hostels could be a great option for you.
When is the best time of year to stay in a hostel in Cairns?
Good weather's always better when you're discovering new places, so here are some stats about the seasons: The hottest months are usually January and February, with an average temperature of 27°C, while the coldest months are August and July, with an average of 21°C. The rainiest months in Cairns are January, February, March and December, with each month seeing an average of 281 mm of rainfall.
What is there to see and do in Cairns?
Overall, Cairns is known for its coral reefs, rainforest and local tours. Get out into nature with places such as Cairns Esplanade Lagoon, Cairns Esplanade Charles Street Parkland and Crystal Cascades. Cultural attractions include Australian Armour and Artillery Museum, Tanks Arts Centre and Cairns Museum. Locals like to shop at Cairns Night Markets and Cairns Central Shopping Centre.
What's the best way to get to and around Cairns while staying at a hostel?
Keep this information about transit options in Cairns on hand to make the most of your stay: You can fly into the nearest airport, which is Cairns, QLD (CNS-Cairns Intl.), located 3.5 mi (5.6 km) away from the city centre. Once you're on the ground, you might want to use public transport during your trip. To check out more of the area, take a train from Cairns Station, Freshwater Station or Redlynch Station.