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

Search Hostels in Cairns from CA $46

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Check prices for these dates

Next weekend
Sep 18 - Sep 20
In two weeks
Sep 25 - Sep 27
In one month
Oct 9 - Oct 11
In two months
Nov 6 - Nov 8

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, (187 reviews)
"Nice clean room and friendly people, great location and modern amenities"
Australia
Frederick
The price is CA $129
CA $143 total
includes taxes & fees
Oct 1 - Oct 2
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, (238 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 CA $94
CA $103 total
includes taxes & fees
Oct 9 - Oct 10
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, (456 reviews)
"Decent place to stay for the price. Good location."
United States
Andrea
The price is CA $184
CA $204 total
includes taxes & fees
Sep 21 - Sep 22
Gilligan's Backpackers Hotel & Resort
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, (156 reviews)
"Great hotel"
Norway
Åge
The price is CA $104
CA $114 total
includes taxes & fees
Sep 12 - Sep 13
Caravella Backpackers
A spacious patio with a cushioned seating area, a fan, and potted plants.

5. 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 CA $88
CA $97 total
includes taxes & fees
Sep 28 - Sep 29
The Espy Hostel
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, (47 reviews)
"It was convenient enough to walk to the town and served it purpose of economics and convience."
Australia
ROBERT
The price is CA $70
CA $70 total
includes taxes & fees
Sep 12 - Sep 13
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 CA $139
CA $154 total
includes taxes & fees
Sep 26 - Sep 27
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, (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 CA $42
CA $46 total
includes taxes & fees
Oct 10 - Oct 11
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

8/10 Good
"Room is clean. Staff are friendly and helpful. Location is good, 5-10 mins walk to night market so not too busy but yet convenient. Right across from aquarium, we did the Night at Aquarium with dinner tour, great experience, learned so much about sea animals from our guide Ruby with delicious dinner afterwards at the adjacent steakhouse. The only negative thing is the sound insulation between rooms are very light, I could hear the neighboring guest stirring a cup of drink clearly at midnight and his/her phone notifications (I guess that’s what it was cuz the same short piece of music would repeat every now and then for 2 hrs😅) Overall we had a nice stay of 4 nights."
Priscilla 4-night trip
Posted 2 hours ago
Ramada By Wyndham Cairns City Centre

Find out more about Cairns

Cairns Hostels information

Number of reviews
755
Accommodation
17 Hostels
Lowest Price
CA $46
Highest Price
CA $204

Frequently asked questions

Should I stay in a hostel in Cairns?
By staying at a hostel you can cut your spending on lodging and use more of your money for going out during your stay. 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 quite a few shapes and sizes, but they all have a few things in common, including budget-friendly prices, a social setting, and shared rooms (though many hostels offer private room options too).
What are the best hostels in Cairns?
Based on reviews from our customers, these hostels in Cairns are some of the most popular ones: YHA Cairns Central - Close to public transit, this property is within a 5-minute walk of Cairns Station. Guests can enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and tour assistance. Rooms come with towels, bed sheets, and free WiFi. The Espy Hostel - Located within a 5-minute walk of Cairns Esplanade. Property features include free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and tour assistance. Rooms come with towels, bed sheets, and free WiFi. Gilligan's Backpackers Hotel & Resort - Located within a 10-minute walk of Cairns Esplanade and Reef Fleet Terminal. Property features include free WiFi, a nightclub, and an outdoor pool. Rooms come with showers, bed sheets, and free WiFi. Little Drifter Cairns - Located within a 5-minute walk of Cairns Esplanade. You can take advantage of free WiFi and tour assistance, as well as laundry facilities. You'll find showers, bed sheets, and free WiFi in all rooms. Cairns City Backpackers Hostel - Close to public transit, this property is within a 10-minute walk of Cairns Station. You can take advantage of free WiFi and free parking, as well as an outdoor pool. You'll find towels, bed sheets, and free WiFi in all rooms.
How many hostels will I be able to find in Cairns?
If you're hoping to find an affordable place to stay in Cairns, one of Expedia's 17 hostels might be a great choice.
When is the best time of year to stay in a hostel in Cairns?
Good weather's always better when you're experiencing new places, so here's a little information about the seasons: The hottest months are usually January and February with an average temp of 80°F, while the coldest months are August and July with an average of 70°F. The rainiest months in Cairns are January, February, March, and December, with each month seeing an average of 11 inches of rainfall.
What is there to see and do in Cairns?
In general, Cairns is known for its coral reefs, rainforest, and local tours. Get out into nature with places like 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 Intl. Airport (CNS), located 3.5 mi (5.6 km) away from the city center. Once you've arrived, you might want to make use of public transit. To check out more of the area, catch a train at Cairns Station, Freshwater Station, or Redlynch Station.