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
23 Oct - 25 Oct
In two weeks
30 Oct - 1 Nov
In one month
13 Nov - 15 Nov
In two months
11 Dec - 13 Dec

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, (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 AED 255
AED 283 total
includes taxes & fees
27 Oct - 28 Oct
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, (244 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 AED 237
AED 261 total
includes taxes & fees
26 Oct - 27 Oct
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, (463 reviews)
"Great place and lots of fun!"
United States
Ashton
The price is AED 482
AED 535 total
includes taxes & fees
22 Oct - 23 Oct
Gilligan's Backpackers Hotel & Resort
A swimming pool with inflatable toys and lounge chairs.

4. 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 AED 227
AED 249 total
includes taxes & fees
20 Oct - 21 Oct
The Espy Hostel
A resort with a swimming pool, outdoor seating, and palm trees.

5. Caravella Backpackers

Caravella Backpackers
2.0 star property
Cairns Central Business District
8.4 out of 10, Very good, (159 reviews)
"Great hotel"
Norway
Åge
The price is AED 268
AED 295 total
includes taxes & fees
14 Oct - 15 Oct
Caravella Backpackers
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, (48 reviews)
"It was convenient enough to walk to the town and served it purpose of economics and convience."
Australia
ROBERT
The price is AED 180
AED 180 total
includes taxes & fees
12 Oct - 13 Oct
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)
"The rooms are basic but we loved the proximity to the centre "
Australia
Anonymous traveler
The price is AED 370
AED 410 total
includes taxes & fees
13 Oct - 14 Oct
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 AED 123
AED 136 total
includes taxes & fees
17 Oct - 18 Oct
On The Wallaby Eco Lodge - Hostel
A nighttime pool area with umbrellas, lounge chairs, and palm trees.

9. 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 AED 256
AED 282 total
includes taxes & fees
13 Oct - 14 Oct
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

Cairns Harbourside Hotel

Cairns Harbourside Hotel

8/10 Good
","
Lyndon 1-night trip
Posted 2 hours ago
Cairns Harbourside Hotel

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 - Located steps from Cairns Central Shopping Centre. Guests can enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and tour assistance. Rooms come with towels, bed sheets, and free WiFi. The Espy Hostel - Located steps from Cairns Esplanade Lagoon. 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 Cairns Central Shopping Centre. 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 and Cairns Esplanade Lagoon. 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 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, 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 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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