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Compare 20 Hostels in Cairns with updated reviews, rates, and availability.

The Espy Hostel
Room

The Espy Hostel

2.0 star property
7.6 out of 10, Good, (67)
"Great property in a great location. Clean and no bugs. Great shower pressure!! Staff was friendly and helpful. Had a tour company on site to help with bookings, which was amazing. Kitchen was helpful to have for making our own morning coffee or tea before heading out for the day. Didn’t use the pool as had been out each day all day on boats to the reef, and this location is directly across the street from the lagoon. At first we were worried as I hadn’t realized I’d booked a hostel...
The Espy Hostel
Gilligan's Backpackers Hotel & Resort
Pool

Gilligan's Backpackers Hotel & Resort

2.0 star property
8.0 out of 10, Very Good, (395)
"Great place to stay, safe and all kinds of activities inside the property - two girls travelling alone."
The price is AED 361
AED 401 total
includes taxes & fees
25 Dec - 26 Dec
Gilligan's Backpackers Hotel & Resort
The Village Cairns - Hostel
Room

The Village Cairns - Hostel

2.0 star property
8.2 out of 10, Very Good, (173)
"Property was in a good location but the kitchen was very full and hard to find any space."
The price is AED 188
AED 207 total
includes taxes & fees
24 Dec - 25 Dec
The Village Cairns - Hostel
YHA Cairns Central
Pool

YHA Cairns Central

2.0 star property
8.4 out of 10, Very Good, (177)
"This was a great place to stay in Cairns! 10-15 minutes walk to the wharf and great shopping and dining. Large kitchen and shared area in the hostel and I loved that they advertised local events and activities happening. "
The price is AED 188
AED 207 total
includes taxes & fees
2 Jan - 3 January 2025
YHA Cairns Central
MiHaven Shared Living - Gatton St
Bathroom

MiHaven Shared Living - Gatton St

2.0 star property
MiHaven Shared Living - Gatton St
Caravella Backpackers
Outdoor pool

Caravella Backpackers

2.0 star property
8.2 out of 10, Very Good, (137)
"Location excellent Indonesia restaurant next door"
The price is AED 250
AED 276 total
includes taxes & fees
25 Dec - 26 Dec
Caravella Backpackers
Cairns City Backpackers Hostel
Outdoor pool

Cairns City Backpackers Hostel

2.0 star property
6.6 out of 10, (37)
"Location excellent close to centre and public transport. Staff very helpful building and facilities are rather tired I enjoyed my stay and very good value for money. "
Cairns City Backpackers Hostel
MiHaven Shared Living - Pembroke St
Courtyard

MiHaven Shared Living - Pembroke St

2.0 star property
9.0 out of 10, Wonderful, (2)
"It was a shame that one washing machine was broken."
MiHaven Shared Living - Pembroke St
MiHaven Shared Living – Martyn St - Hostel
Shared kitchen facilities

MiHaven Shared Living – Martyn St - Hostel

2.0 star property
9.0 out of 10, Wonderful, (2)
MiHaven Shared Living – Martyn St - Hostel
Travellers Paradise Heritage Historical Place - Hostel
Exterior

Travellers Paradise Heritage Historical Place - Hostel

2.0 star property
7.6 out of 10, Good, (98)
"Everthing was GREAT."
The price is AED 449
AED 494 total
includes taxes & fees
24 Dec - 25 Dec
Travellers Paradise Heritage Historical Place - Hostel
Summer House Backpackers Cairns
Outdoor pool

Summer House Backpackers Cairns

2.0 star property
8.0 out of 10, Very Good, (42)
"Friendly, accommodating & helpful staff."
Summer House Backpackers Cairns
Global Backpackers Cairns
Outdoor pool

Global Backpackers Cairns

2.0 star property
9.6 out of 10, Exceptional, (29)
"Walking distance to most places. Super clean. Excellent room. Comfortable bed. Had a queen room with it’s own shower. Would recommend and would absolutely stay there again. "
Global Backpackers Cairns
Travellers Oasis - Hostel
Outdoor pool

Travellers Oasis - Hostel

2.0 star property
9.4 out of 10, Exceptional, (51)
"Great staff, wonderful location, and very nice accommodation."
Travellers Oasis - Hostel
Cairns Girls Hostel
Room

Cairns Girls Hostel

1.0 star property
8.0 out of 10, Very Good, (12)
"I liked that it was girls only. Clean, friendly and perfect location."
Cairns Girls Hostel
Asylum Cairns Hostel
Outdoor pool

Asylum Cairns Hostel

1.5 star property
6.0 out of 10, (3)
"空港からの無料の送迎バスが出ていたので良かったです。 ツアーの予約もしていただき助かりました。 キッチンも広くて良かったです。"
Asylum Cairns Hostel
Dreamtime Travellers Rest Hostel
Room

Dreamtime Travellers Rest Hostel

2.0 star property
8.2 out of 10, Very Good, (67)
"Staff very great, place with comfortable, youg people, all perfect even if we could hear other couple in bedrooms around us.."
Dreamtime Travellers Rest Hostel
Lazy Duck Hostel
Outdoor pool

Lazy Duck Hostel

2.0 star property
6.4 out of 10, (24)
"Wash rooms are terrible in lazy duck. Needs renovation"
Lazy Duck Hostel
Waterfront Backpackers - Hostel
Lobby

Waterfront Backpackers - Hostel

2.0 star property
5.4 out of 10, (42)
"Filthy. Bed had sand on it. Floors had weird stains. Air con locked out during peak heat times. Noisy. No lock on bathroom door leading directly from kitchen. "
Waterfront Backpackers - Hostel
Nomads Esplanade
Gift shop

Nomads Esplanade

2.0 star property
5.0 out of 10, (17)
"When we got there we found out the hotel didnt exist anymore. After a bit of exploring we found where we were booked, and it was crummy to say the least"
Nomads Esplanade
Njoy Backpackers Hostel
Exterior detail

Njoy Backpackers Hostel

1.0 star property
7.6 out of 10, Good, (85)
"The hostel is really nice. They have a free bus to the esplanade and free breakfast."
Njoy Backpackers 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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Other property types in Cairns

Southern Cross Atrium Apartments
Outdoor pool

Southern Cross Atrium Apartments

4.0 star property
8.4 out of 10, Very Good, (1511)
"All of the above, it was a great holiday"
The price is AED 504
AED 554 total
includes taxes & fees
23 Dec - 24 Dec
Southern Cross Atrium Apartments
Sea Change Beachfront Apartments
Courtyard view

Sea Change Beachfront Apartments

5.0 star property
9.8 out of 10, Exceptional, (1241)
"My adult daughter and I stayed there for couple nights to go to the Great Barrier Reef. The apartment was very spacious and really suitable for a family stay at least week…. The furniture maybe a bit outdated but was still good. My only recommendation is to have coffee pods available for the coffee machine. When I’m on vacation I need my coffee in the morning and I shouldn’t have to go look where to find coffee."
Sea Change Beachfront Apartments
Mantra Trilogy
Exterior

Mantra Trilogy

4.0 star property
7.2 out of 10, Good, (1202)
"Great room"
The price is AED 471
AED 471 total
includes taxes & fees
10 Jan - 11 January 2025
Mantra Trilogy
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.

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 our customers’ reviews, these hostels in Cairns are some of the most popular ones: The Village Cairns - Hostel - Located within a 5-minute walk of Cairns Esplanade. Property features include free WiFi, tour assistance, and laundry facilities. You’ll find showers, 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 showers, 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 21 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. Major attractions include Cairns Esplanade. Get out into nature with places like Esplanade Lagoon, Cairns Esplanade Charles Street Parkland, and Crystal Cascades. Cultural attractions include Cairns Performing Arts Centre, Australian Armour and Artillery Museum, and The Cairns Museum.
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.