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
25 Sept - 27 Sept
In two weeks
2 Oct - 4 Oct
In one month
16 Oct - 18 Oct
In two months
13 Nov - 15 Nov

Our top choices for Cairns hostels

Outdoor pool

1. YHA Cairns Central

YHA Cairns Central
2.0 star property
Cairns Central Business District
8.4 out of 10, Very good, (240 reviews)
"First time trying hostels but it was clean and staffs were nice. Easy access and it is perfect for budget travelers."
United States
Kalin
The price is HK$525
HK$577 total
includes taxes & fees
8 Oct - 9 Oct
YHA Cairns Central
Terrace/patio

2. Little Drifter Cairns

Little Drifter Cairns
2.0 star property
Cairns Central Business District
8.2 out of 10, Very good, (187 reviews)
"Nice clean room and friendly people, great location and modern amenities"
Australia
Frederick
The price is HK$913
HK$1,004 total
includes taxes & fees
23 Sept - 24 Sept
Little Drifter Cairns
Exterior

3. The Espy Hostel

The Espy Hostel
2.0 star property
Cairns Central Business District
7.8 out of 10, Good, (93 reviews)
"Great location"
Australia
Jennifer Ann
The price is HK$493
HK$542 total
includes taxes & fees
26 Sept - 27 Sept
The Espy Hostel
Outdoor pool

4. 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, (458 reviews)
"Decent place to stay for the price. Good location."
United States
Andrea
The price is HK$1,146
HK$1,261 total
includes taxes & fees
21 Sept - 22 Sept
Gilligan's Backpackers Hotel & Resort
Exterior

5. Caravella Backpackers

Caravella Backpackers
2.0 star property
Cairns Central Business District
8.4 out of 10, Very good, (156 reviews)
"Great hotel"
Norway
Åge
The price is HK$583
HK$641 total
includes taxes & fees
20 Sept - 21 Sept
Caravella Backpackers
Outdoor pool

6. Cairns City Backpackers Hostel

Cairns City Backpackers Hostel
2.0 star property
Parramatta Park
6.8 out of 10, (47 reviews)
"It was convenient enough to walk to the town and served it purpose of economics and convience."
Australia
ROBERT
The price is HK$390
HK$390 total
includes taxes & fees
20 Sept - 21 Sept
Cairns City Backpackers Hostel
Exterior

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$853
HK$939 total
includes taxes & fees
20 Sept - 21 Sept
Travellers Paradise Heritage Historical Place - Hostel
Bathroom

8. On The Wallaby Eco Lodge - Hostel

On The Wallaby Eco Lodge - Hostel
2.0 star property
Yungaburra
9.4 out of 10, Exceptional, (118 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$274
HK$301 total
includes taxes & fees
10 Oct - 11 Oct
On The Wallaby Eco Lodge - Hostel
Outdoor pool

9. Dougies Backpackers

Dougies Backpackers
1.5 star property
Port Douglas
9.2 out of 10, Wonderful, (18 reviews)
"Great place, no complaints. "
United States
Kaidan
The price is HK$558
HK$614 total
includes taxes & fees
20 Sept - 21 Sept
Dougies Backpackers
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

Pacific Hotel Cairns

Pacific Hotel Cairns

10/10 Excellent
"Great location, was able to park onsite. Loved having an ice machine and other vending options in the lobby. Staff were helpful. Would stay again!"
Andrea 1-night trip
Posted 3 hours ago
Pacific Hotel Cairns

Find out more about Cairns

Cairns Hostels information

Number of reviews
1,215
Accommodation
17 Hostels
Lowest Price
HK$301
Highest Price
HK$1,261

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: The Espy Hostel - Located steps from Cairns Esplanade Lagoon. You can take advantage of free Wi-Fi and an outdoor pool, as well as tour/ticket assistance. You'll find towels, bed sheets and free Wi-Fi in all rooms. YHA Cairns Central - Located steps from Cairns Central Shopping Centre. Guests can enjoy free Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool and tour/ticket assistance. You'll find towels, bed sheets and free Wi-Fi in all rooms. Gilligan's Backpackers Hotel & Resort - Located within a 10-minute walk of Cairns Esplanade and Cairns Central Shopping Centre. Property features include free Wi-Fi, a nightclub and an outdoor pool. Rooms come with showers, bed sheets and free Wi-Fi. Little Drifter Cairns - Located within a 5-minute walk of Cairns Esplanade and Cairns Esplanade Lagoon. 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 - Located within a 10-minute walk of Cairns Central Shopping Centre. 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, Cairns Museum and Bulmba-ja Arts Centre. 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.