Skip to main content

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

Show hotels on map

Filter by:

Review score

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
Ludvik
From
Slovenia
Owners personal touch is felt throughout the property
Scored out of 10, guest rating 9.3
Wonderful - What previous guests thought, 1,646 reviews
Price from
$91.01
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.

T
Tash.T
From
Cambodia
HIGHLY RECOMMEND! Dreamtime was definitely a choice I am glad that I made. It was clean, comfortable and the amenities, especially the pool and kitchen, were great. I felt right at home. Also, the staff were incredible. Tim especially went well and truly above and beyond to help me to problem solve a very stressful phone situation. I could not have asked for more.
Scored out of 10, guest rating 9.0
Wonderful - What previous guests thought, 1,169 reviews
Price from
$72.81
1 night, 2 adults
Check availability

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.

G
Gabriela
From
Brazil
Third time staying here and it has always been a good experience!! All common areas and toilets seem to have been renovated recently, all clean, nice and tidy. Rooms are also clean and in a good size, I also like that they are all twin beds and not bunkers, so the rooms have plenty of space. Great location, across the road from a shopping mall with food court, cinema, pharmacy and supermarket that stay open to late. Walking distance from the CBD. Peter (I reckon he is the owner) was friendly and attentive, and accommodated my check in and check out times, allowing me to stay in the common areas hours after check out while waiting for my friends to pick me up. Would definitely recommend and come back!
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.8
Excellent - What previous guests thought, 1,308 reviews
Price from
$69.68
1 night, 2 adults
Check availability

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.

S
Stanley Chikaodili
From
Nigeria
I like the polite and friendly nature of the whole staff
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.5
Very Good - What previous guests thought, 1,071 reviews
Price from
$78.15
1 night, 2 adults
Check availability

Mumma's Hostel Cairns

Cairns

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

B
Bravo
From
Indonesia
The staff was really friendly and helpful
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.2
Very Good - What previous guests thought, 592 reviews
Price from
$70.45
1 night, 2 adults
Check availability

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 8.3
Very Good - What previous guests thought, 238 reviews
Price from
$159.10
1 night, 2 adults
Check availability

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.

A
Arniko
From
Germany
The Location is amazing you can reach everything in minutes it's in the center and everything like groceries shops, night life, the mall and much more to explore are close. I like also the social aspect of the Hostel it took me like 5 minutes to make friends and everyone was so welcoming and the Staff was super friendly aswell! The room was really clean and comfortable. The room was also cleaned ones a day and the room was quite and I had a good sleep.
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.0
Very Good - What previous guests thought, 756 reviews
Price from
$46.06
1 night, 2 adults
Check availability

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 8.6
Excellent - What previous guests thought, 608 reviews
Price from
$80.22
1 night, 2 adults
Check availability

Summer House Cairns

Cairns

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

L
Lucas
From
Chile
Had another great stay here. It is such a chill place to relax but also easy to meet people if you are traveling solo.
Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.5
Good - What previous guests thought, 1,709 reviews
Price from
$48.13
1 night, 2 adults
Check availability

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.

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, 1,732 reviews
Price from
$54.44
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

See all

Popular with guests booking hostels in Cairns

Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.6
Excellent - What previous guests thought, 611 reviews

Popular with guests booking hostels in Cairns

Scored out of 10, guest rating 6.6
Pleasant - What previous guests thought, 821 reviews

Popular with guests booking hostels in Cairns

Scored out of 10, guest rating 9.3
Wonderful - What previous guests thought, 1,646 reviews

Popular with guests booking hostels in Cairns

Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.2
Very Good - What previous guests thought, 592 reviews

Popular with guests booking hostels in Cairns

Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.3
Very Good - What previous guests thought, 239 reviews

Popular with guests booking hostels in Cairns

Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.8
Good - What previous guests thought, 2,376 reviews

Popular with guests booking hostels in Cairns

Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.8
Good - What previous guests thought, 1,602 reviews

Popular with guests booking hostels in Cairns

Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.5
Good - What previous guests thought, 1,709 reviews

Popular with guests booking hostels in Cairns

Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.2
Good - What previous guests thought, 1,732 reviews

Popular with guests booking hostels in Cairns

Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.6
Excellent - What previous guests thought, 1,829 reviews

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

Mad Monkey Central

Cairns
Central location
Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.3
Good - What previous guests thought, 520 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 $68.38 per night
Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.8
Good - What previous guests thought, 536 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 $71.17 per night

The Espy Hostel

Cairns
Central location
Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.1
Good - What previous guests thought, 298 reviews

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

From $66.74 per night
Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.8
Good - What previous guests thought, 1,602 reviews

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

From $151.68 per night
Scored out of 10, guest rating 6.9
Pleasant - What previous guests thought, 661 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 $47.19 per night
Scored out of 10, guest rating 6.6
Pleasant - What previous guests thought, 821 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 $64.04 per night
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.6
Excellent - What previous guests thought, 1,829 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 8.1
Very Good - What previous guests thought, 135 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.

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

Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.9
Good - What previous guests thought, 42 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 8.6
Excellent - What previous guests thought, 18 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...

FAQ about hostels in Cairns

Hostels that guests love in Cairns

See all

Mad Monkey Jungle

Hostel in Cairns
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.0
Very Good - What previous guests thought, 756 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

Global Backpackers Cairns

Hostel in Cairns
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.6
Excellent - What previous guests thought, 1,829 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

Travellers Oasis

Hostel in Cairns
Avg. price/night: $91.01
Scored out of 10, guest rating 9.3
Wonderful - What previous guests thought, 1,646 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

Dreamtime Hostel

Hostel in Cairns
Avg. price/night: $80.90
Scored out of 10, guest rating 9.0
Wonderful - What previous guests thought, 1,169 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

Mad Monkey Central

Hostel in Cairns
Avg. price/night: $68.38
Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.3
Good - What previous guests thought, 520 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

Travellers Oasis

Hostel in Cairns
Avg. price/night: $91.01
Scored out of 10, guest rating 9.3
Wonderful - What previous guests thought, 1,646 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

Gilligan's Hotel & Resort Cairns

Hostel in Cairns
Avg. price/night: $151.68
Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.8
Good - What previous guests thought, 1,602 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

Global Backpackers Cairns

Hostel in Cairns
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.6
Excellent - What previous guests thought, 1,829 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

Research, refine, and make plans for your whole trip

Car rental in Cairns

Rent a car and hit the road, whether it's to go from A to B or for a longer road trip.

Hotels near Macrossan Street

Hotels close to a popular local landmark.

Hostels in Sydney

Discover another destination in Australia.

Hostels in Melbourne

Discover another destination in Australia.

Hostels in Brisbane

Try another destination popular with our guests.

Hostels in Port Douglas

Try another destination popular with our guests.

Hostels in Australia

Want to explore more of Australia? Find hotels throughout the country!

Hotels near Cairns Airport

Perfect for a late arrival or early departure.

Hotels in Cairns

More great accommodation options for your trip.