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

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Our top choices for Cairns hostels

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 ¥16,421
¥18,187 total
includes taxes & fees
Aug 2 - Aug 3
Little Drifter Cairns

YHA Cairns Central

YHA Cairns Central
2.0 star property
Cairns Central Business District
8.4 out of 10, Very Good, (227 reviews)
"Had a great stay, thanks!"
Australia
Ryoichi
The price is ¥12,920
¥14,212 total
includes taxes & fees
Aug 3 - Aug 4
YHA Cairns Central

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, (449 reviews)
"Decent place to stay for the price. Good location."
United States
Andrea
The price is ¥21,127
¥23,474 total
includes taxes & fees
Aug 3 - Aug 4
Gilligan's Backpackers Hotel & Resort

The Espy Hostel

The Espy Hostel
2.0 star property
Cairns Central Business District
7.6 out of 10, Good, (89 reviews)
"Great location"
Australia
Jennifer Ann
The price is ¥10,800
¥12,056 total
includes taxes & fees
Aug 29 - Aug 30
The Espy Hostel

Caravella Backpackers

Caravella Backpackers
2.0 star property
Cairns Central Business District
8.4 out of 10, Very Good, (154 reviews)
"Great hotel"
Norway
Åge
The price is ¥11,887
¥13,075 total
includes taxes & fees
Aug 9 - Aug 10
Caravella Backpackers

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 ¥7,959
¥7,959 total
includes taxes & fees
Aug 6 - Aug 7
Cairns City Backpackers Hostel

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 ¥19,361
¥21,435 total
includes taxes & fees
Jul 31 - Aug 1
Travellers Paradise Heritage Historical Place - Hostel

On The Wallaby Eco Lodge - Hostel

On The Wallaby Eco Lodge - Hostel
2.0 star property
Yungaburra
9.4 out of 10, Exceptional, (114 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 ¥5,892
¥6,512 total
includes taxes & fees
Aug 29 - Aug 30
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

Find out more about Cairns

Cairns Hostels information

Number of reviews
806
Accommodation
17 Hostels
Lowest Price
¥6,512
Highest Price
¥23,474

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: Gilligan's Backpackers Hotel & Resort - Located within a 10-minute walk of Cairns Esplanade and Cairns Central Shopping Centre. Guests can enjoy free WiFi, a nightclub, and an outdoor pool. You'll find showers, bed sheets, and free WiFi in all rooms. YHA Cairns Central - Located steps from Cairns Central Shopping Centre. Guests can enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and tour assistance. You'll find towels, bed sheets, and free WiFi in all rooms. The Espy Hostel - Located within a 5-minute walk of Cairns Esplanade. Guests can enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and tour assistance. Rooms come with towels, 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 - Located within a 10-minute walk of Cairns Central Shopping Centre. 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 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?
In general, Cairns is known for its coral reefs, rainforest, and local tours. Get out into nature with places like Esplanade Lagoon, Cairns Esplanade Charles Street Parkland, and Skyrail Rainforest Cableway Station. 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 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.

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