Search Hostels in Cairns

  • Change your mind

    Book hotels with free cancellation

  • Treat yourself

    Sign in to save 10% or more on thousands of hotels
    Sign in

  • Be picky

    Search almost a million properties worldwide

Check prices for these dates

Next weekend
May 1 - May 3
In two weeks
May 8 - May 10
In one month
May 22 - May 24
In two months
Jun 19 - Jun 21

Our top choices for Cairns hostels

Terrace/patio

Little Drifter Cairns

Little Drifter Cairns
2.0 star property
Cairns Central Business District
8.2 out of 10, Very Good, (183 reviews)
"Very clean throughout, staff were excellent, I had a room near the dining, common area which was very noisy."
Australia
steven
The price is ￥11,338
￥12,570 total
includes taxes & fees
May 5 - May 6
Little Drifter Cairns
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, (440 reviews)
"VERY LOUD! The cleaners DO NOT CLEAN and they aren't very friendly at all. The front desk is ok... but they definitely do the bare minimum. The amenities are fun but they have music playing so loud starting in the middle of the afternoon you can't even have a conversation by the pool. Definitely not worth the price"
Canada
Elizabeth
The price is ￥22,236
￥24,577 total
includes taxes & fees
Apr 27 - Apr 28
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, (220 reviews)
"Had a great stay, thanks!"
Australia
Ryoichi
The price is ￥10,357
￥11,393 total
includes taxes & fees
May 3 - May 4
YHA Cairns Central
Exterior

Caravella Backpackers

Caravella Backpackers
2.0 star property
Cairns Central Business District
8.4 out of 10, Very Good, (152 reviews)
"If you are looking for a quiet environment that will make you feel very welcome it is a great hostel. Good kitchen, great staff. Good air conditioning"
Canada
Elizabeth
The price is ￥11,911
￥13,102 total
includes taxes & fees
Apr 26 - Apr 27
Caravella Backpackers
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, (101 reviews)
"Excellent "
Australia
Melissa
The price is ￥14,267
￥15,796 total
includes taxes & fees
Apr 26 - Apr 27
Travellers Paradise Heritage Historical Place - Hostel
Free WiFi, bed sheets

The Espy Hostel

The Espy Hostel
2.0 star property
Cairns Central Business District
7.6 out of 10, Good, (85 reviews)
"Quiet place for rest."
Australia
Luis A
The price is ￥11,627
￥12,873 total
includes taxes & fees
Apr 26 - Apr 27
The Espy Hostel
Outdoor pool

Cairns City Backpackers Hostel

Cairns City Backpackers Hostel
2.0 star property
Parramatta Park
6.8 out of 10, (43 reviews)
"Good location , easy to get around "
Australia
Chen
The price is ￥7,975
￥7,975 total
includes taxes & fees
Apr 27 - Apr 28
Cairns City Backpackers Hostel
Outdoor pool

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
Dougies Backpackers
Comfort Double Room with Air-conditioning | Bathroom | Shower, towels

On The Wallaby Eco Lodge - Hostel

On The Wallaby Eco Lodge - Hostel
2.0 star property
Yungaburra
9.4 out of 10, Exceptional, (109 reviews)
"Nice and clean, great spot, always a good time when we stay here."
Australia
Mykle
The price is ￥5,158
￥5,717 total
includes taxes & fees
May 9 - May 10
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.
View all properties
Save an average of 15% on thousands of hotels when you're signed in
Sign in
Sign up, it's free

Top Cairns Hotel Reviews

Heritage Cairns

Heritage Cairns

10/10 Excellent
"Great location can walk to everything, staff amazing and helpful ,comfy bed, clean "
Linda 3-night trip
Posted 11 hours ago
Heritage Cairns

Find out more about Cairns

Cairns Hostels information

Number of reviews
1,150
Accommodation
17 Hostels
Lowest Price
￥5,717
Highest Price
￥24,577

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: The Espy Hostel - Located within a 5-minute walk of Cairns Esplanade. You can take advantage of free WiFi and an outdoor pool, as well as tour assistance. You'll find towels, bed sheets, and free WiFi in all rooms. 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. You'll find towels, bed sheets, and free WiFi in all rooms. 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. Caravella Backpackers - Located within a 20-minute walk of Reef Fleet Terminal. Property features include free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and a restaurant. You'll find towels, showers, and TVs in all rooms. 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. Rooms come with showers, bed sheets, and free WiFi.
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 16 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?
Depending on what you're interested in, you might enjoy the area around Cairns. Get out into nature with places like Esplanade Lagoon, Cairns Esplanade Charles Street Parkland, and Crystal Cascades. Cultural attractions include Tanks Arts Centre, Australian Armour and Artillery Museum, and Cairns Museum. Visit landmarks like Cairns Regional Gallery.
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.

Explore a world of travel with Expedia