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

Search Cheap Cairns Hostels

  • Change your mind

    Book hotels with free cancellation

  • Treat yourself

    Save instantly and earn perks with One Key
    Learn about One Key

  • Be picky

    Search almost a million properties worldwide

Check prices for these dates

Next weekend
14 Aug - 16 Aug
In two weeks
21 Aug - 23 Aug
In one month
4 Sept - 6 Sept
In two months
2 Oct - 4 Oct

Our top choices for Cairns hostels

Terrace/patio

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 £93
includes taxes & fees
25 Aug - 26 Aug
Little Drifter Cairns
Outdoor pool

2. YHA Cairns Central

YHA Cairns Central
2.0 star property
Cairns Central Business District
8.4 out of 10, Very good, (229 reviews)
"Had a great stay, thanks!"
Australia
Ryoichi
The price is £59
includes taxes & fees
26 Aug - 27 Aug
YHA Cairns Central
Outdoor pool

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, (451 reviews)
"Decent place to stay for the price. Good location."
United States
Andrea
The price is £111
includes taxes & fees
13 Aug - 14 Aug
Gilligan's Backpackers Hotel & Resort
Exterior

4. Caravella Backpackers

Caravella Backpackers
2.0 star property
Cairns Central Business District
8.4 out of 10, Very good, (155 reviews)
"Lovely and fresh - recently renovated unit 209."
Australia
Jason
The price is £60
includes taxes & fees
11 Aug - 12 Aug
Caravella Backpackers
Free WiFi, bed sheets

5. The Espy Hostel

The Espy Hostel
2.0 star property
Cairns Central Business District
7.6 out of 10, Good, (89 reviews)
"Great location"
Australia
Jennifer Ann
The price is £52
includes taxes & fees
10 Aug - 11 Aug
The Espy Hostel
Exterior

6. 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 £94
includes taxes & fees
9 Aug - 10 Aug
Travellers Paradise Heritage Historical Place - Hostel
Outdoor pool

7. 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 £37
includes taxes & fees
10 Aug - 11 Aug
Cairns City Backpackers Hostel
Comfort Double Room with Air-conditioning | Bathroom | Shower, towels

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 £25
includes taxes & fees
8 Aug - 9 Aug
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.
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

Cairns Harbourside Hotel

Cairns Harbourside Hotel

10/10 Excellent
"."
Mario 1-night trip
Posted 14 hours ago
Cairns Harbourside Hotel

Find out more about Cairns

Cairns Hostels information

Number of reviews
1,072
Accommodation
17 Hostels
Lowest Price
£25
Highest Price
£111

Frequently asked questions

Should I stay in a hostel in Cairns?
By staying at a hostel, you can spend less on lodging and set aside more of your budget for exploring during your holiday. 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 many shapes and sizes, but all of them have a few qualities in common, including budget-friendly prices, a social atmosphere and shared rooms (though many hostels offer private room options too).
What are the best hostels in Cairns?
Based on reviews from our guests, these hostels in Cairns have the best ratings: Gilligan's Backpackers Hotel & Resort - Located within a 10-minute walk of Cairns Esplanade and Cairns Central Shopping Centre. Guests can enjoy free Wi-Fi, a nightclub and an outdoor pool. You'll find showers, bed sheets and free Wi-Fi in all rooms. YHA Cairns Central - Located steps from Cairns Central Shopping Centre. Guests can enjoy free Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool and tour/ticket assistance. You'll find towels, bed sheets and free Wi-Fi in all rooms. The Espy Hostel - Located within a 5-minute walk of Cairns Esplanade. Guests can enjoy free Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool and tour/ticket assistance. Rooms come with towels, bed sheets and free Wi-Fi. Little Drifter Cairns - Located within a 5-minute walk of Cairns Esplanade. You can take advantage of free Wi-Fi and tour/ticket assistance, as well as laundry facilities. You'll find showers, bed sheets and free Wi-Fi in all rooms. Cairns City Backpackers Hostel - Located within a 10-minute walk of Cairns Central Shopping Centre. You can take advantage of free Wi-Fi and free parking, as well as an outdoor pool. You'll find towels, bed sheets and free Wi-Fi in all rooms.
How many hostels will I find in Cairns?
If you're in the market for somewhere affordable to stay in Cairns, one of Expedia's 16 hostels could be a great option for you.
When is the best time of year to stay in a hostel in Cairns?
Good weather's always better when you're discovering new places, so here are some stats about the seasons: The hottest months are usually January and February, with an average temperature of 27°C, while the coldest months are August and July, with an average of 21°C. The rainiest months in Cairns are January, February, March and December, with each month seeing an average of 281 mm of rainfall.
What is there to see and do in Cairns?
In general, Cairns is known for its coral reefs, rainforest and local tours. Major attractions include Palm Cove Beach. Get out into nature with places such as Cairns Esplanade Lagoon, Muddy's Playground and Cairns Esplanade Charles Street Parkland. Cultural attractions include Tanks Arts Centre, Australian Armour and Artillery Museum and Cairns Museum.
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, QLD (CNS-Cairns Intl.), located 3.5 mi (5.6 km) away from the city centre. Once you're on the ground, you might want to use public transport during your trip. To check out more of the area, take a train from Cairns Station, Freshwater Station or Redlynch Station.

Explore a world of travel with Expedia