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
6 Nov - 8 Nov
In two weeks
13 Nov - 15 Nov
In one month
27 Nov - 29 Nov
In two months
25 Dec - 27 Dec

Our top choices for Cairns hostels

An aerial view of a swimming pool surrounded by palm trees, with lounge chairs and a tiled deck area.

1. YHA Cairns Central

YHA Cairns Central
2.0 star property
Cairns Central Business District
8.4 out of 10, Very good, (249 reviews)
"The kitchen was well stocked and had lits of cupboards and fridges for keeping your own food organised. Great wifi, The room was a good size with a very comfortable bed. Staff were super helpful. The laundry had washers and dryers ehich was good. The location was great. We could walk across the road to the supermarket and close to lots of restaurants and pubs."
Australia
Carolyn
The price is Rp1.174.418
Rp1.291.809 total
includes taxes & fees
12 Nov - 13 Nov
YHA Cairns Central
A covered outdoor seating area with a sofa, round table, and potted plants.

2. Little Drifter Cairns

Little Drifter Cairns
2.0 star property
Cairns Central Business District
8.2 out of 10, Very good, (188 reviews)
"The best hostel we have ever stayed at. Location is perfect plus next door to Woolworths, everything is run and maintained really well. And the evening specials were a lovely bonus"
Australia
Ann
The price is Rp1.134.402
Rp1.247.842 total
includes taxes & fees
2 Nov - 3 Nov
Little Drifter Cairns
An outdoor covered seating area with red pillars and a tiled floor.

3. The Jack Backpackers

The Jack Backpackers
2.0 star property
Cairns Central Business District
The price is Rp398.447
Rp438.292 total
includes taxes & fees
31 Oct - 1 Nov
The Jack Backpackers
A resort with a swimming pool, outdoor seating, and palm trees.

4. Caravella Backpackers

Caravella Backpackers
2.0 star property
Cairns Central Business District
8.4 out of 10, Very good, (160 reviews)
"Good value. Ok beds, and good a/c. Very basic. Staff is very nice."
United States
katri
The price is Rp1.331.244
Rp1.464.304 total
includes taxes & fees
1 Nov - 2 Nov
Caravella Backpackers
A pool area with lounge chairs and a bar area with umbrellas.

5. 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, (463 reviews)
"Great place and lots of fun!"
United States
Ashton
The price is Rp2.627.599
Rp2.890.409 total
includes taxes & fees
2 Nov - 3 Nov
Gilligan's Backpackers Hotel & Resort
An indoor pool area with a hammock, lounge chairs, a bar, and a mural on the wall.

6. The Espy Hostel

The Espy Hostel
2.0 star property
Cairns Central Business District
7.6 out of 10, Good, (95 reviews)
"Great location"
Australia
Jennifer Ann
The price is Rp1.125.049
Rp1.237.554 total
includes taxes & fees
6 Nov - 7 Nov
The Espy Hostel
A swimming pool surrounded by tropical plants and a house in the background.

7. Cairns City Backpackers Hostel

Cairns City Backpackers Hostel
2.0 star property
Parramatta Park
6.8 out of 10, (48 reviews)
"It was convenient enough to walk to the town and served it purpose of economics and convience."
Australia
ROBERT
The price is Rp891.316
Rp891.316 total
includes taxes & fees
31 Oct - 1 Nov
Cairns City Backpackers Hostel
A clear swimming pool with white chairs and an umbrella, surrounded by lush greenery.

8. 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)
"Short but magical stay - loved the historic building, the courtyard and pool were wonderfully social, and the location could not have been better for getting to a world class chamber orchestra performance; wide ranging street food; and boarding the Spirit of Queensland train for an epic journey south. "
Australia
Derek
The price is Rp1.864.817
Rp2.051.299 total
includes taxes & fees
31 Oct - 1 Nov
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.

9. On The Wallaby Eco Lodge - Hostel

On The Wallaby Eco Lodge - Hostel
2.0 star property
Yungaburra
9.4 out of 10, Exceptional, (119 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 Rp625.079
Rp687.587 total
includes taxes & fees
31 Oct - 1 Nov
On The Wallaby Eco Lodge - Hostel
A nighttime pool area with umbrellas, lounge chairs, and palm trees.

10. 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 Rp1.273.308
Rp1.400.639 total
includes taxes & fees
31 Oct - 1 Nov
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

Mantra Esplanade

Mantra Esplanade

10/10 Excellent
"The hotel is in a great location with restaurants, shops, art museum, and the Night Market in easy walking distance. It was also close to the water and parks. The staff were friendly and helpful. The rooms were clean. They aren’t super fancy but they were great for a solo traveler. And there was a big balcony overlooking the park. It was perfect for me."
Sharon 6-night trip
Posted 1 hour ago
Mantra Esplanade

Find out more about Cairns

Cairns Hostels information

Number of reviews
1,306
Accommodation
19 Hostels
Lowest Price
Rp438.292
Highest Price
Rp2.890.409

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 - Located steps from Cairns Central Shopping Centre. Guests can enjoy free Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool and tour/ticket assistance. Rooms come with towels, bed sheets and free Wi-Fi. The Espy Hostel - Located steps from Cairns Esplanade Lagoon. Property features include 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 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, Muddy's Playground and Cairns Esplanade Charles Street Parkland. 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.