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

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...

M
Mona
From
Germany
The accommodation is a tropical oasis and very clean. Staff was super friendly and helpful. You can also organize snorkelling trips / trip to cape trib though them. Rooms are a bit small otherwise perfect!
Scored out of 10, guest rating 9.3
Wonderful - What previous guests thought, 1,633 reviews
Price from
$93.85
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.

I
Ian
From
New Zealand
Helpful friendly staff. Small but nicely laid out gardens. Pool. Still being done up but clean and tidy. Easy walk to town. Close to bus and train.
Scored out of 10, guest rating 9.0
Wonderful - What previous guests thought, 1,168 reviews
Price from
$71.95
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.

A
Aridna
From
Indonesia
Peter is very accommodating! To my surprise, I got a free upgrade, thank you so much! It’s really clean and quite too! Perfect for travellers that enjoy a good rest after a long hot day travelling outside!
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.8
Excellent - What previous guests thought, 1,315 reviews
Price from
$71.85
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.

L
Laura
From
Ireland
Good vibes and atmosphere Chilled, so quiet at night time
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.5
Very Good - What previous guests thought, 1,071 reviews
Price from
$80.58
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, 590 reviews
Price from
$69.74
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 8.3
Very Good - What previous guests thought, 253 reviews
Price from
$145.15
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.

A
Alastair
From
United Kingdom
The hostel is very clean and social. The staff were so kind and helpful!
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.1
Very Good - What previous guests thought, 751 reviews
Price from
$47.49
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
Gabriela
From
Australia
Big, clean rooms with shared balconies. The sheets and towels were very clean, and the bed was comfortable. 2 large kitchens, and lots of open common spaces. The staff was helpful.
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.6
Excellent - What previous guests thought, 621 reviews
Price from
$82.72
1 night, 2 adults

Summer House Cairns

Cairns

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

S
SAAD
From
Australia
It was much cleaner than I expected, since this was the first backpacker residence I used! The staff was friendly and extremely helpful. All necessities were provided and explained well. I only stayed a couple of nights, but for those staying longer Summer House has activities to keep all travellers entertained. Shuttle available to the CBD, and a tiny walk to some good eateries.
Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.5
Good - What previous guests thought, 1,695 reviews
Price from
$52.55
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.

D
Dhora
From
Indonesia
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.2
Good - What previous guests thought, 1,734 reviews
Price from
$47.27
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

See all

Popular with guests booking hostels in Cairns

Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.3
Very Good - What previous guests thought, 590 reviews

Popular with guests booking hostels in Cairns

Scored out of 10, guest rating 9.3
Wonderful - What previous guests thought, 1,633 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, 821 reviews

Popular with guests booking hostels in Cairns

Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.3
Very Good - What previous guests thought, 253 reviews

Popular with guests booking hostels in Cairns

Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.8
Good - What previous guests thought, 2,377 reviews

Popular with guests booking hostels in Cairns

Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.7
Good - What previous guests thought, 1,568 reviews

Popular with guests booking hostels in Cairns

Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.5
Good - What previous guests thought, 1,695 reviews

Popular with guests booking hostels in Cairns

Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.2
Good - What previous guests thought, 1,734 reviews

Popular with guests booking hostels in Cairns

Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.6
Excellent - What previous guests thought, 1,815 reviews

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

See all

Global Backpackers Cairns

Cairns
No credit card needed
Scored out of 10, guest rating 8.6
Excellent - What previous guests thought, 1,815 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.

Save money on hostels in Cairns and nearby – budget options available

See all

Mad Monkey Central

Cairns
Budget options available
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 $69.55 per night

Mad Monkey Waterfront

Cairns
Budget options available
Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.8
Good - What previous guests thought, 531 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 $71.95 per night

The Espy Hostel

Cairns
Budget options available
Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.0
Good - What previous guests thought, 301 reviews

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

From $68.82 per night

Cairns City Backpackers Hostel

Cairns
Budget options available
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 $48.66 per night

Bohemia Resort Cairns

Cairns
Budget options available
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 $66.04 per night

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

See all
Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.7
Good - What previous guests thought, 1,568 reviews

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

From $156.41 per night

FAQ about hostels in Cairns

Hostels that guests love in Cairns

See all
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, 1,815 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: $93.85
Scored out of 10, guest rating 9.3
Wonderful - What previous guests thought, 1,633 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: $79.94
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: $69.55
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: $93.85
Scored out of 10, guest rating 9.3
Wonderful - What previous guests thought, 1,633 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: $156.41
Scored out of 10, guest rating 7.7
Good - What previous guests thought, 1,568 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, 1,815 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