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

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Our top choices for Cairns hostels

1. 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 NT$3,727
NT$4,100 total
includes taxes & fees
Aug 17 - Aug 18
Little Drifter Cairns

2. YHA Cairns Central

YHA Cairns Central
2.0 star property
Cairns Central Business District
8.4 out of 10, Very Good, (230 reviews)
"Had a great stay, thanks!"
Australia
Ryoichi
The price is NT$2,143
NT$2,358 total
includes taxes & fees
Sep 9 - Sep 10
YHA Cairns Central

3. The Espy Hostel

The Espy Hostel
2.0 star property
Cairns Central Business District
7.6 out of 10, Good, (90 reviews)
"Great location"
Australia
Jennifer Ann
The price is NT$2,202
NT$2,422 total
includes taxes & fees
Aug 18 - Aug 19
The Espy Hostel

4. 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, (453 reviews)
"Decent place to stay for the price. Good location."
United States
Andrea
The price is NT$4,666
NT$5,133 total
includes taxes & fees
Aug 19 - Aug 20
Gilligan's Backpackers Hotel & Resort

5. Cairns City Backpackers Hostel

Cairns City Backpackers Hostel
2.0 star property
Parramatta Park
6.8 out of 10, (45 reviews)
"It was convenient enough to walk to the town and served it purpose of economics and convience."
Australia
ROBERT
The price is NT$1,590
NT$1,590 total
includes taxes & fees
Aug 17 - Aug 18
Cairns City Backpackers Hostel

6. Caravella Backpackers

Caravella Backpackers
2.0 star property
Cairns Central Business District
8.4 out of 10, Very Good, (156 reviews)
"Lovely and fresh - recently renovated unit 209."
Australia
Jason
The price is NT$2,375
NT$2,612 total
includes taxes & fees
Aug 22 - Aug 23
Caravella Backpackers

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)
"Excellent "
Australia
Melissa
The price is NT$3,847
NT$4,231 total
includes taxes & fees
Aug 15 - Aug 16
Travellers Paradise Heritage Historical Place - Hostel

8. On The Wallaby Eco Lodge - Hostel

On The Wallaby Eco Lodge - Hostel
2.0 star property
Yungaburra
9.4 out of 10, Exceptional, (116 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 NT$1,115
NT$1,226 total
includes taxes & fees
Aug 17 - Aug 18
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
847
Accommodation
18 Hostels
Lowest Price
NT$1,226
Highest Price
NT$5,133

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 - 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. Rooms come with towels, bed sheets, and free WiFi. Gilligan's Backpackers Hotel & Resort - Located within a 10-minute walk of Cairns Esplanade and Reef Fleet Terminal. You can take advantage of free WiFi and a nightclub, as well as an outdoor pool. You'll find showers, 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 - Close to public transit, this property is within a 10-minute walk of Cairns Station. 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, Cairns Esplanade Charles Street Parkland, and Crystal Cascades. Cultural attractions include Australian Armour and Artillery Museum, Tanks Arts Centre, 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.