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

Search Hostels in Cairns

  • Change your mind

    Book hotels with free cancellation

  • Treat yourself

    Sign in to save 10% or more on thousands of hotels
    Sign in

  • Be picky

    Search almost a million properties worldwide

Check prices for these dates

Next weekend
Oct 9 - Oct 11
In two weeks
Oct 16 - Oct 18
In one month
Oct 30 - Nov 1
In two months
Nov 27 - Nov 29

Our top choices for Cairns hostels

An aerial view of a swimming pool surrounded by palm trees, with lounge chairs and a tiled deck area.

1. YHA Cairns Central

YHA Cairns Central
2.0 star property
Cairns Central Business District
8.4 out of 10, Very good, (243 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 NT$2,099
NT$2,308 total
includes taxes & fees
Oct 14 - Oct 15
YHA Cairns Central
A covered outdoor seating area with a sofa, round table, and potted plants.

2. Little Drifter Cairns

Little Drifter Cairns
2.0 star property
Cairns Central Business District
8.2 out of 10, Very good, (187 reviews)
"Nice clean room and friendly people, great location and modern amenities"
Australia
Frederick
The price is NT$2,755
NT$3,031 total
includes taxes & fees
Oct 27 - Oct 28
Little Drifter Cairns
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, (459 reviews)
"Great place and lots of fun!"
United States
Ashton
The price is NT$4,582
NT$5,040 total
includes taxes & fees
Oct 6 - Oct 7
Gilligan's Backpackers Hotel & Resort
A spacious patio with a cushioned seating area, a fan, and potted plants.

4. The Espy Hostel

The Espy Hostel
2.0 star property
Cairns Central Business District
7.8 out of 10, Good, (93 reviews)
"Great location"
Australia
Jennifer Ann
The price is NT$1,970
NT$2,167 total
includes taxes & fees
Oct 21 - Oct 22
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, (156 reviews)
"Great hotel"
Norway
Åge
The price is NT$2,331
NT$2,565 total
includes taxes & fees
Oct 11 - Oct 12
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 NT$1,561
NT$1,561 total
includes taxes & fees
Oct 6 - Oct 7
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)
"Property was very convenient for central Cairns. It was quiet and quaint, and very cosy."
Australia
David
The price is NT$3,448
NT$3,793 total
includes taxes & fees
Sep 30 - Oct 1
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 NT$1,095
NT$1,204 total
includes taxes & fees
Sep 30 - Oct 1
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 NT$2,230
NT$2,453 total
includes taxes & fees
Oct 5 - Oct 6
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.
View all properties
Save an average of 15% on thousands of hotels when you're signed in
Sign in
Sign up, it's free

Top Cairns Hotel Reviews

Crystalbrook Flynn

Crystalbrook Flynn

10/10 Excellent
"Superb hotel. Reasonably priced. Very accommodating staff. Great rooms and awesome location!"
Glenn 3-night trip
Posted 1 hour ago
Crystalbrook Flynn

Find out more about Cairns

Cairns Hostels information

Number of reviews
761
Accommodation
18 Hostels
Lowest Price
NT$1,204
Highest Price
NT$5,040

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.