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

Hostels in Cairns

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Check prices for these dates

Next weekend
24 Jul - 26 Jul
In two weeks
31 Jul - 2 Aug
In one month
14 Aug - 16 Aug
In two months
11 Sept - 13 Sept

Our top choices for Cairns hostels

Outdoor pool

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, (444 reviews)
"Had a great stay at Gilligan's Hotel & Resort! It's a fun, social hostel atmosphere with the option of private rooms, which was the perfect combination for us. Our room was spacious, clean, and surprisingly quiet, making it easy to relax after a busy day exploring. The housekeeping service did a great job keeping everything tidy throughout our stay. One of the best parts was the variety of activities offered each day, making it easy to meet people and stay entertained. The onsite restaurant is...
United States
Heather
The price is NZ$241
includes taxes & fees
4 Aug - 5 Aug
Gilligan's Backpackers Hotel & Resort
Outdoor pool

YHA Cairns Central

YHA Cairns Central
2.0 star property
Cairns Central Business District
8.4 out of 10, Very good, (225 reviews)
"Had a great stay, thanks!"
Australia
Ryoichi
The price is NZ$138
includes taxes & fees
23 July - 24 July
YHA Cairns Central
Exterior

Caravella Backpackers

Caravella Backpackers
2.0 star property
Cairns Central Business District
8.4 out of 10, Very good, (154 reviews)
"Excellent quiet hostel that will make you feel at home!! The staff are all very friendly and the smaller size definitely makes it feel more homey. Would recommend if you are looking for a hostel to call "home" while you are away!"
Canada
Elizabeth
The price is NZ$137
includes taxes & fees
20 July - 21 July
Caravella Backpackers
Terrace/patio

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 NZ$210
includes taxes & fees
5 Aug - 6 Aug
Little Drifter Cairns
Free WiFi, bed sheets

The Espy Hostel

The Espy Hostel
2.0 star property
Cairns Central Business District
7.6 out of 10, Good, (88 reviews)
"Great location"
Australia
Jennifer Ann
The price is NZ$127
includes taxes & fees
16 Aug - 17 Aug
The Espy Hostel
Outdoor pool

Cairns City Backpackers Hostel

Cairns City Backpackers Hostel
2.0 star property
Parramatta Park
6.8 out of 10, (44 reviews)
"Good location , easy to get around "
Australia
Chen
The price is NZ$84
includes taxes & fees
28 July - 29 July
Cairns City Backpackers Hostel
Exterior

Travellers Paradise Heritage Historical Place - Hostel

Travellers Paradise Heritage Historical Place - Hostel
2.0 star property
Parramatta Park
7.6 out of 10, Good, (102 reviews)
"Excellent "
Australia
Melissa
The price is NZ$206
includes taxes & fees
19 July - 20 July
Travellers Paradise Heritage Historical Place - Hostel
Comfort Double Room with Air-conditioning | Bathroom

On The Wallaby Eco Lodge - Hostel

On The Wallaby Eco Lodge - Hostel
2.0 star property
Yungaburra
9.4 out of 10, Exceptional, (113 reviews)
"One of the cleanest and comfiest hostels I've ever stayed at. The place was completely spotless, showers were amazing, slept SO WELL. The guy at reception was so great!."
Australia
Adam
The price is NZ$63
includes taxes & fees
15 Aug - 16 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

Cairns Sheridan Hotel

Cairns Sheridan Hotel

10/10 Excellent
"We had two rooms on 5th floor. Very clean, large comfortable rooms, with balconies. Walk to Esplanade (not close, but not real far). Restaurant on-site had good food, with very good desserts :) Plenty of parking that was covered. Pool is small and at edge of sidewalk/ road, wouldn't choose hotel for a pool resort retreat, but we would return."
David 1-night trip
Posted 6 hours ago
Cairns Sheridan Hotel

Find out more about Cairns

Cairns Hostels information

Number of reviews
379
Accommodation
17 Hostels
Lowest Price
NZ$63
Highest Price
NZ$241

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: Gilligan's Backpackers Hotel & Resort - Located within a 10-minute walk of Cairns Esplanade and Reef Fleet Terminal. Guests can enjoy free Wi-Fi, a nightclub and an outdoor pool. You'll find showers, bed sheets and free Wi-Fi in all rooms. 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. You'll find towels, 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. Caravella Backpackers - Located within a 5-minute walk of Cairns Esplanade. Property features include free Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool and a restaurant. Rooms come with towels, showers and TVs.
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 16 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 Esplanade Lagoon, Cairns Esplanade Charles Street Parkland and Crystal Cascades. Cultural attractions include Tanks Arts Centre, Australian Armour and Artillery Museum 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.