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Hostels in Cairns

Find the hostels that appeal to you the most

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...

L
LI GE
From
Australia
The most peaceful place I have stayed at but also with a healthy balance of meeting people who would want to go out for a good nights fun but still come back to a place for a proper rest.
Scored out of 10, guest rating 9.3
Wonderful - What previous guests thought, 1,636 reviews
Price from
$95.71
1 night, 2 adults

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.

C
Carlotta
From
Germany
Such a nice little hostel! Had a great stay here, great staff, the WiFi worked really well and it’s just such a pretty little place! If you’re looking for a chill place that’s still central, this is it :)
Scored out of 10, guest rating 9.0
Wonderful - What previous guests thought, 1,168 reviews
Price from
$70.19
1 night, 2 adults

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.

Y
YUKO
From
Japan
My kids and I really loved this beautiful queenslander house. The public areas were super clean and cozy. We enjoyed meeting people from the different countries there. Peter and Tommy are very welcoming and helpful. We had relaxing days. Just across the railway station or the bus stop. Great location to take the public transportations. We enjoyed making Aussie brekkie with the foods from Coles and Woolworth just near by.
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.8
Excellent - What previous guests thought, 1,314 reviews
Price from
$73.28
1 night, 2 adults

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.

M
Milena
From
Germany
One of the most social hostels I’ve stayed at! This hostel has the perfect vibe for solo travelers or anyone looking to meet new people. The common area is super social and always buzzing with activity—whether it’s people hanging by the pool, chatting over dinner, or organizing nights out. It’s really easy to make friends here, and the atmosphere feels welcoming and relaxed. The location is also great—just a 10-minute walk to the city center and the Esplanade. The rooms are clean, the staff is friendly and helpful, and the pool is a great bonus for cooling off during the day. I had such a good time here and would 100% come back. Highly recommend if you’re looking for a fun, social place to stay!
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.5
Very Good - What previous guests thought, 1,072 reviews
Price from
$82.18
1 night, 2 adults

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 8.3
Very Good - What previous guests thought, 591 reviews
Price from
$65.94
1 night, 2 adults

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 8.2
Very Good - What previous guests thought, 255 reviews
Price from
$141.79
1 night, 2 adults

Mad Monkey Jungle

Cairns

Mad Monkey Jungle is a resort style hostel, featuring FREE ultra fast WIFI. Centrally located in the heart of Cairns and is only a short walk to all the major attractions.

F
Fleury
From
France
The bar, the pool, the crew and the vibes
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.1
Very Good - What previous guests thought, 751 reviews
Price from
$48.44
1 night, 2 adults

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...

G
Geneva
From
United States
I could never thank the family that runs Caravella enough. I had a bad incident on the Esplanade and the family handled all of it, took care of me, and gave me a room upgrade. They are GREAT, and the hostel itself is also very nice.
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.6
Excellent - What previous guests thought, 623 reviews
Price from
$84.37
1 night, 2 adults

Summer House Cairns

Cairns

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

C
Carmen
From
Belgium
I had a very smooth arrival in Cairns. The reception is 24/7 open so arriving at night from the airport was no issue at all. The hostel has a lot of facilities such a swimming pool, beach volley, a bar so is a great place to socialize, but also has quiet corners and quiet times in the evenings are respected. There is a shuttle of the hostel available every 30mins, to take you into the center of Cairns. There is a travel agency inside of the hostel where you can book tours. Hostel is tidy and gets cleaned very regularly throughout the whole day.
Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.5
Good - What previous guests thought, 1,693 reviews
Price from
$53.60
1 night, 2 adults

The Jack Backpackers

Cairns

We are strictly 18+ Property. While all adults are welcome, Dorm room are recommended for guests age between 18 - 35. A valid international passport and card details are required for check in.

I
Isaac
From
Canada
great location and super clean and friendly
Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.2
Good - What previous guests thought, 1,735 reviews
Price from
$57.25
1 night, 2 adults
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, 591 reviews

Popular with guests booking hostels in Cairns

Scored out of 10, guest rating 9.3
Wonderful - What previous guests thought, 1,636 reviews

Popular with guests booking hostels in Cairns

Scored out of 10, guest rating 9.0
Wonderful - What previous guests thought, 1,168 reviews

Popular with guests booking hostels in Cairns

Scored out of 10, guest rating 6.6
Pleasant - What previous guests thought, 823 reviews

Popular with guests booking hostels in Cairns

Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.2
Very Good - What previous guests thought, 255 reviews

Popular with guests booking hostels in Cairns

Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.8
Good - What previous guests thought, 2,379 reviews

Popular with guests booking hostels in Cairns

Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.8
Good - What previous guests thought, 1,561 reviews

Popular with guests booking hostels in Cairns

Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.5
Good - What previous guests thought, 1,693 reviews

Popular with guests booking hostels in Cairns

Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.2
Good - What previous guests thought, 1,735 reviews

Popular with guests booking hostels in Cairns

Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.6
Excellent - What previous guests thought, 1,816 reviews

No credit card needed to book these hostels in Cairns and nearby

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Global Backpackers Cairns

Cairns
No credit card needed
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.6
Excellent - What previous guests thought, 1,816 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.

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

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Mad Monkey Central

Cairns
Central location
Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.3
Good - What previous guests thought, 513 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 $70.93 per night
Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.8
Good - What previous guests thought, 529 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 $73.38 per night

The Espy Hostel

Cairns
Central location
Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.0
Good - What previous guests thought, 299 reviews

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

From $70.19 per night

Wanna Stay?

Cairns
Central location
Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.1
Good - What previous guests thought, 189 reviews

Located within a 7-minute walk of Cairns Convention Center and 0.4 miles of Cairns Station, Wanna Stay? has rooms with air conditioning and a shared bathroom in Cairns.

From $70.89 per night
Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.8
Good - What previous guests thought, 1,561 reviews

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

From $159.51 per night
Scored out of 10, guest rating 6.9
Pleasant - What previous guests thought, 662 reviews

Located within 3 miles of Cairns Flecker Botanic Gardens and 8.6 miles of Skyway Rainforest Cableway, Cairns City Backpackers Hostel has rooms in Cairns.

From $49.63 per night
Scored out of 10, guest rating 6.6
Pleasant - What previous guests thought, 823 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 $67.35 per night

FAQ about hostels in Cairns

Hostels that guests love in Cairns

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Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.1
Very Good - What previous guests thought, 751 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 byPiccioni
Solo traveler
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.6
Excellent - What previous guests thought, 1,816 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 byJacqueline
Solo traveler
Avg. price/night: $94.59
Scored out of 10, guest rating 9.3
Wonderful - What previous guests thought, 1,636 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 byVittoria
Solo traveler
Avg. price/night: $77.07
Scored out of 10, guest rating 9.0
Wonderful - What previous guests thought, 1,168 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 byVittoria
Solo traveler
Avg. price/night: $70.10
Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.3
Good - What previous guests thought, 513 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 bySarah
Solo traveler
Avg. price/night: $94.59
Scored out of 10, guest rating 9.3
Wonderful - What previous guests thought, 1,636 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 byNathalie
Solo traveler
Avg. price/night: $157.65
Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.8
Good - What previous guests thought, 1,561 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 byVictoria
Solo traveler
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.6
Excellent - What previous guests thought, 1,816 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 byNahum
Young couple