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Hostels in Cairns

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The best hostels in Cairns

Some of the best backpacker spots in Cairns

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Travellers Oasis

Cairns

Conveniently located in the heart of Cairns, opposite the Cairns Central Shopping Center and Cairns train station, Travelers Oasis presents an inviting accommodations option featuring an outdoor...

T
Therese
From
Austria
The accommodation was thoughtfully designed with great attention to detail, making it comfortable. It has a charming and cute appearance. The bed was very comfortable, especially thanks to the thick duvet instead of just a sheet.
Scored out of 10, guest rating 9.2
Wonderful - What previous guests thought, 1,663 reviews
Price from
$88.38
1 night, 2 adults
Check availability

Dreamtime Hostel

Cairns

Dreamtime is an award winning hostel with a difference. We offer travelers a safe, peaceful & cozy place to stay. We are not a party hostel.

K
Karen
From
United States
The beds were cozy, the shower I used had good pressure, there's a lovely vintage vibe, and there's an adorable pupper hanging around!
Scored out of 10, guest rating 9.0
Wonderful - What previous guests thought, 1,191 reviews
Price from
$73.65
1 night, 2 adults
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Travellers Paradise

Cairns

Surrounded by lush tropical gardens, Travelers Paradise offers accommodations in a historical, heritage listed Guest House in Cairns, 0.7 mi from Cairns Convention Center.

A
Adrian
From
Germany
The place is really chill and the perfect location if you want to explore Cairns. Everything is close by and you can easily get to the City Centre. Thanks for the stay Peter!
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.8
Excellent - What previous guests thought, 1,339 reviews
Price from
$98.49
1 night, 2 adults
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Mad Monkey Village

Cairns

Refurbished in May, 2018, Mad Monkey Village featuresa TV, a kitchen, bathrooms with air-conditioners in every room. There is also an outdoor swimming pool. Free WiFi provided.

L
Luis Fernando Carrasco
From
Peru
I like how spacious the room was and the fact that it had a sink in it.
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.3
Very Good - What previous guests thought, 1,132 reviews
Price from
$84.32
1 night, 2 adults
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Mumma's Hostel Cairns

Cairns

Mumma's Hostel Cairns has an outdoor swimming pool, garden, a shared lounge and terrace in Cairns.

S
Seggerman
From
United States
Mumma’s is great! Friendly staff, clean beds and bathroom, and a super inviting atmosphere! The location can’t be beat and is within walking distance to anything you’d need. Thomas the manager is great and even put out a great Christmas breakfast for everyone on Christmas morning! 10/10 will be staying again soon.
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.2
Very Good - What previous guests thought, 604 reviews
Price from
$54.73
1 night, 2 adults
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Little Drifter Cairns

Cairns

Located in Cairns and with Cairns Convention Center reachable within a 10-minute walk, Little Drifter Cairns provides express check-in and check-out, non-smoking rooms, a shared lounge, free WiFi...

A
Ava
From
United States
The staff here (shout-out to Luke!!) was amazing! So friendly, kind, and willing to make my accommodation as smooth and seamless as possible. On several occasions, I had help with my luggage and friendly faces to guide me to where I needed to go. The area is top tier and within walking distance to everything you'd need - the rooms are gorgeous and comfy. Would definitely come back again!
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.4
Very Good - What previous guests thought, 177 reviews
Price from
$112.60
1 night, 2 adults
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Caravella Backpackers

Cairns

Ideally located in the scenic and quieter area of the Esplanade- away from the noise of the clubs, bars and traffic- but only an easy 10 minute walk to the main attractions, the Pier and Cairns City...

S
Svetlana
From
Japan
Great location and clean room. I got a room upgrade for my short stay
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.5
Very Good - What previous guests thought, 518 reviews
Price from
$75.28
1 night, 2 adults
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Summer House Cairns

Cairns

Summer House Cairns features free bikes, outdoor swimming pool, a garden and shared lounge in Cairns.

A
Artigas
From
Argentina
Great place, very friendly staff, thanks Mauricio for the excellent service
Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.6
Good - What previous guests thought, 1,745 reviews
Price from
$49.49
1 night, 2 adults
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The Jack Backpackers

Cairns

Guests enjoy FREE WIFI, NEW Air Cons, FREE Lockers, FREE Netflix available in common lounge area & private rooms with attached bathroom with an on-site bar and restaurant downstairs!

S
Scott
From
Australia
Staff went out of their way to get me in at 7am after a delayed flight from Bali and moved dates so o could rest well past checkout. Lovely staff and big call to the night duty guy Martin for going out of his way to get me into my room out of hours.
Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.2
Good - What previous guests thought, 1,756 reviews
Price from
$58.49
1 night, 2 adults
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YHA Cairns Central

Cairns

YHA Cairns Central is located just 15 minutes' walk from The Esplanade and Trinity Wharf. It features an outdoor swimming pool, 2 spas, and a free Wi-Fi hotspot.

F
Fiorella
From
Canada
One of the best I stayed at on the east coast. Clean facilities with helpful staff. Kitchen had a community shelf so you likely didn’t need to buy big ingredients for a short stay.
Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.8
Good - What previous guests thought, 2,448 reviews
Price from
$74.63
1 night, 2 adults
Check availability
All hostels in Cairns

Looking for a hostel?

Budget travelers know there's no better way to make the most of their trip than by staying at a hostel: Save money for exploring during the day, and swap stories with fellow backpackers in the shared kitchen or bar in the evening. Dorm-style bedrooms with shared bathrooms are standard hostel fare, but private rooms are also available for those willing to pay a little more.

Most booked hostels in Cairns and surrounding area in the past month

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Popular with guests booking hostels in Cairns

Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.3
Very Good - What previous guests thought, 1,132 reviews

Popular with guests booking hostels in Cairns

Scored out of 10, guest rating 9.2
Wonderful - What previous guests thought, 1,662 reviews

Popular with guests booking hostels in Cairns

Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.5
Very Good - What previous guests thought, 518 reviews

Popular with guests booking hostels in Cairns

Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.8
Good - What previous guests thought, 779 reviews

Popular with guests booking hostels in Cairns

Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.4
Very Good - What previous guests thought, 177 reviews

Popular with guests booking hostels in Cairns

Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.8
Good - What previous guests thought, 2,448 reviews

Popular with guests booking hostels in Cairns

Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.7
Good - What previous guests thought, 1,794 reviews

Popular with guests booking hostels in Cairns

Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.2
Good - What previous guests thought, 1,756 reviews

Popular with guests booking hostels in Cairns

Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.5
Very Good - What previous guests thought, 1,847 reviews

Popular with guests booking hostels in Cairns

Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.6
Good - What previous guests thought, 1,745 reviews

Save money on hostels in Cairns and nearby – budget options available

Mad Monkey Central

Cairns
Budget options available
Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.2
Good - What previous guests thought, 583 reviews

Kick back and enjoy a refreshing drink at our outdoor bar, serving up budget-friendly sips including locally brewed Coral Sea beer – perfect for those chilled pre-drinks to easily meet other travelers...

From $60.23 per night

Mad Monkey Waterfront

Cairns
Budget options available
Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.8
Good - What previous guests thought, 549 reviews

You simply can't beat our location – we're directly on the vibrant Cairns Esplanade, with the stunning Cairns Lagoon just across the street!

From $67.53 per night

The Espy Hostel

Cairns
Budget options available
Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.0
Good - What previous guests thought, 295 reviews

The Espy Hostel in Cairns provides adults only accommodations with an outdoor swimming pool and a shared lounge.

From $63.50 per night

Bohemia Resort Cairns

Cairns
Budget options available
Scored out of 10, guest rating 6.4
Pleasant - What previous guests thought, 873 reviews

Bohemia Resort Cairns provides accommodations close to the Cairns city center. There is a large outdoor undercover area overlooking the lagoon-style pools and landscaped gardens.

From $60.88 per night

Global Backpackers Cairns

Cairns
Budget options available
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.5
Very Good - What previous guests thought, 1,847 reviews

Located in Cairns and with Cairns Station reachable within a 12-minute walk, Global Backpackers Cairns has a tour desk, non-smoking rooms, a shared lounge, free WiFi and a terrace.

Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.0
Very Good - What previous guests thought, 131 reviews

Featuring barbecue facilities, MiHaven Shared Living - Martyn St is located in Cairns in the Queensland region, a 15-minute walk from Cairns Station and 1.5 miles from Cairns Convention Center.

Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.8
Good - What previous guests thought, 44 reviews

Located in Cairns, a 16-minute walk from Cairns Station, MiHaven Shared Living - Pembroke St provides accommodations with a garden, private parking, a shared lounge and barbecue facilities.

Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.5
Very Good - What previous guests thought, 17 reviews

Located in Cairns and with Cairns Station reachable within a 18-minute walk, MiHaven Shared Living - Gatton St provides a garden, non-smoking rooms, free WiFi throughout the property and a shared...

Great access to the city center. Check these hostels in Cairns and nearby

Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.7
Good - What previous guests thought, 1,794 reviews

2024 Renovation Revelation: A Bold Makeover Journey Begins – Brace Yourself for an Entirely Revamped Bathroom Experience!

From $147.30 per night
Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.0
Good - What previous guests thought, 638 reviews

Located in Cairns, a 7-minute walk from Cairns Station, Cairns City Backpackers Hostel provides air-conditioned rooms and a garden.

From $52.37 per night

FAQ about hostels in Cairns

Hostels that guests love in Cairns

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Mad Monkey Jungle

Hostel in Cairns
Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.8
Good - What previous guests thought, 779 reviews
Best hostel in Cairns. Super social, nice events and cheap drinks at the bar. Location is in the heart of the city and you can literally walk everywhere in 5 minutes. Will definetly be back one day
Guest review by
Piccioni
Solo traveler

Global Backpackers Cairns

Hostel in Cairns
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.5
Very Good - What previous guests thought, 1,847 reviews
In addition to the great location of the hostel, I really enjoyed the kitchen and common area on the top level. It's a great way to connect with people throughout the hostel. They do make sure that the hostel stays safe, asking all backpackers not to bring guests or people from outside.
Guest review by
Jacqueline
Solo traveler

Travellers Oasis

Hostel in Cairns
Avg. price/night: $88.38
Scored out of 10, guest rating 9.2
Wonderful - What previous guests thought, 1,662 reviews
This is a very nice hostel. The building has everything you need. They take great care for everyday cleanings. My dorm was mixed with bunk beds. There’s a safe under the bed for each person. Sheets were clean, and so the bathrooms.
Guest review by
Vittoria
Solo traveler

Dreamtime Hostel

Hostel in Cairns
Avg. price/night: $81.83
Scored out of 10, guest rating 9.0
Wonderful - What previous guests thought, 1,191 reviews
This was the best hostel I’ve been so far. I stayed in the upstairs dorms which are very nice. With just 4/5 beds per room (not bunk beds for once). The building is not new but really nice with great vibes! Everybody was so chill…The common areas are great and the staff is awesome: thanks to Tim, Paul and Chelsea for what they do!
Guest review by
Vittoria
Solo traveler

Mad Monkey Central

Hostel in Cairns
Avg. price/night: $60.23
Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.2
Good - What previous guests thought, 583 reviews
The breakfast was great, the hostel is extremely clean, i loved the common area, it’s so social I met lots of new people. The beds were extremely comfortable and everyone from staff is so nice and helpful. One of the best hostels I‘ve stayed in, also perfectly located, only 5-10 minute walk anywhere you wanna go. Really great hostel!!
Guest review by
Sarah
Solo traveler

Travellers Oasis

Hostel in Cairns
Avg. price/night: $88.38
Scored out of 10, guest rating 9.2
Wonderful - What previous guests thought, 1,662 reviews
Best hostel I stayed in Australia! Staff is great, super helpful and thoughtful! The hostel is super clean and bedrooms comfortable. Stayed in a 3-bed dormitory and I felt like home. You can also feel that this place is so special that it creates a very calm ambiance amongst guests. There are different common areas/kitchens for each group of bedrooms. The hostel is located just beside the bus station and a commercial center where there is a supermarket and some stores open until 10 Pm.
Guest review by
Nathalie
Solo traveler

Gilligan's Hotel & Resort Cairns

Hostel in Cairns
Avg. price/night: $147.30
Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.7
Good - What previous guests thought, 1,794 reviews
very Social place if you like to party, cheap drinks for hostel guests. was pretty clean and even had a little workout room; pool area is very big and chill great location next to Rusty’s Market
Guest review by
Victoria
Solo traveler

Global Backpackers Cairns

Hostel in Cairns
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.5
Very Good - What previous guests thought, 1,847 reviews
Kitchen has a terrace which looks across the esplanade, so nice to sit & cook up there. Each floor of rooms had a sofa area outside to chill which I’ve never seen in a hostel before & was great to have a space other than your bunk bed. Great location & cheap
Guest review by
Nahum
Young couple

Mad Monkey Central

Hostel in Cairns
Avg. price/night: $60.23
Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.2
Good - What previous guests thought, 583 reviews
As a backpacker, one of the best hostels I've been to, the hostel itself is very welcoming and the people very close. I've been here for a month and a half and I've felt at home. It is great that breakfast is included and the kitchen is very large and clean, there is no space problem as it usually happens in other hostels. There is a bar in the hostel and the drinks are cheap, they also hold events in the hostel and it allows you to meet a lot of people. Would repeat again without a doubt!!
Guest review by
Laia
Solo traveler

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