Insights
Cheapest hotels
Where to stay

Hostels in Cairns

Search and compare Cairns, Australia hostels from hundreds of travel sites on HotelsCombined and save.

...and more

Learn why travellers love HotelsCombined

Compare hotel ratings collected from thousands of user reviews.

One search gives you accurate pricing on affordable hotels.

Customie your results by hotel chain, amenities, price and more.

Search for hotels as many times as you want – for free.

Travel insights for hostels in Cairns

Use our HotelsCombined data-powered tips to help you find your next hostel in Cairns.

What is the cheapest month to book a hostel in Cairns?

The cheapest month to book a hostel in Cairns is January ($51). Conversely, the most expensive month to stay in Cairns is August ($116).

What is the cheapest day to stay in a hostel in Cairns?

The cheapest day to stay in Cairns is Sunday ($95). On the other hand, travelers can expect to pay the most on Thursday, when the average nightly price is $135.

How much is a hostel in Cairns tonight?

Users have found prices for hostels in Cairns tonight starting as low as $32, rising to an average cost of $82, based on searches in the last 72 hours. Prices start from $32 for a 4-star hostel in Cairns for tonight.

How much is a Cairns hostel room this weekend?

In the past 72 hours, we’ve seen prices for hostels in Cairns this weekend for as little as $37/night. If you’re specifically looking for a 3-star hotel this weekend, our users have found prices as low as $37/night. For a 4-star hostel in Cairns, the cheapest rate recently found was $36/night for this weekend.

How far ahead should you book a hostel in Cairns?

Save money by booking a hostel at least 71 days before your trip to Cairns. The lowest price found when booking 71 days ahead was $27 per night.

Find deals

Cheapest hostels in Cairns, Australia

Discover affordable stays in Cairns that provide a quality experience without breaking the bank. Hotels in Cairns can be found for as low as $69 per night. There is currently one property in Cairns that can be booked for this price. Cairns City Backpackers Hostel is one of the hotels that can be booked for the lowest price in Cairns. Price data was last updated on 4 August 2026
At the moment, these hostels offer the lowest nightly rate out of those we've come across in Cairns. If you have the flexibility, change the dates selected to compare prices.
Cairns City Backpackers Hostel
Cairns City Backpackers Hostel

Cairns City Backpackers Hostel

274 Draper Street, Parramatta Park, Cairns, QLD, Australia
0.6 km from city centre
Free Wi-Fi
Parking
Airport shuttle
$69
Avg. per night
View Deal

Other accommodations in Cairns

Find the perfect theme hotel or holiday rental for your stay in Cairns.
Bohemia Resort Cairns
Bohemia Resort Cairns

Bohemia Resort Cairns

231 McLeod Street, Cairns, QLD, Australia
1.9 km from city centre
Free Wi-Fi
Parking
$104
Avg. per night
View Deal
Cairns Coconut Holiday Resort
Cairns Coconut Holiday Resort

Cairns Coconut Holiday Resort

23-51 Anderson Road, Cairns, QLD, Australia
5.9 km from city centre
Free Wi-Fi
$147
Avg. per night
View Deal
Tasman Holiday Parks - Cairns Cool Waters
Tasman Holiday Parks - Cairns Cool Waters

Tasman Holiday Parks - Cairns Cool Waters

Cairns, QLD, Australia
7.1 km from city centre
Air conditioning
$145
Avg. per night
View Deal
Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort
Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort

Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort

122 Lake Street, Cairns, QLD, Australia
0.4 km from city centre
Free Wi-Fi
$269
Avg. per night
View Deal
Caravella Backpackers
Caravella Backpackers

Caravella Backpackers

149 The Esplanade, Cairns, QLD, Australia
0.8 km from city centre
Free Wi-Fi
Parking
Airport shuttle
$93
Avg. per night
View Deal
The Abbott Boutique Hotel
The Abbott Boutique Hotel

The Abbott Boutique Hotel

69 Abbott St, Cairns, QLD, Australia
0.6 km from city centre
Free Wi-Fi
$211
Avg. per night
View Deal
Comfort Inn Cairns City
Comfort Inn Cairns City

Comfort Inn Cairns City

183-185 Lake Street, Cairns, QLD, Australia
0.7 km from city centre
Free Wi-Fi
Air conditioning
$150
Avg. per night
View Deal
Tradewinds McLeod Holiday Apartments
Tradewinds McLeod Holiday Apartments

Tradewinds McLeod Holiday Apartments

Cairns, QLD, Australia
1.6 km from city centre
Air conditioning
$184
Avg. per night
View Deal

Where to stay in Cairns

Explore different neighbourhoods and areas within Cairns to find the perfect location for your stay. Map data was last updated on 4 August 2026.
Navigate to the areas in Cairns you plan to visit to find hostels that are close by. Clicking on a hostel name will take you to a page with pricing, reviews, and more useful information.

Facts about staying in Cairns

Find useful tips and insights about staying in Cairns to help you make the most of your experience. FAQs were last updated on 4 August 2026.

  • What is the cost of a hostel in Cairns?

    On average, it’s $91/night for a hostel in Cairns, though $69/night or less would be considered a good deal. The least expensive hostel our users have found recently was for $30/night in Cairns. Try to avoid booking your hostel in July (the most expensive month). Booking in July (the cheapest month) could save you money.

  • What’s the best hostel in Cairns?

    With an average review score of 9.3 (out of 10) from 1,585 HotelsCombined users, Travellers Oasis Backpackers is considered the best Cairns hostel.

  • What hostel is closest to Cairns Airport?

    Mad Monkey Backpackers Village is 3.9 km away from Cairns Airport, making it the closest Cairns hostel to the city’s most popular airport.

  • What area of Cairns is most popular to stay in?

    Cairns CBD is the most popular area of Cairns to stay in. In the past year, 3% of HotelsCombined users looking for Cairns hostels searched within Cairns CBD. Little Drifter Cairns is a popular hostel in Cairns CBD if you choose to stay in the area.

  • What is the most popular hostel in Cairns closest to Cairns Esplanade?

    The most popular Cairns hostel near Cairns Esplanade is Mad Monkey Backpackers Waterfront. Mad Monkey Backpackers Waterfront has a rating of 8.1/10 from 1,309 HotelsCombined users and it’s located just 0.2 km from Cairns Esplanade.

  • Should I stay in a Cairns hostel?

    Hostels in Cairns tend to have a more active social scene than hotels, so they’re perfect for outgoing travellers looking to meet other people. Cairns hostels are, on average, cheaper than other stays in the city due to their dorm-style sleeping quarters. However, this means you can spend your money elsewhere such as on local tours and events.

  • Does Cairns have hostels with “Kitchen/kitchenette” listed as an amenity?

    Yes, 7 Cairns hostels list “Kitchen/kitchenette” as an amenity. If you’re looking for a particular hostel in Cairns with this feature, then consider staying at the popular Dreamtime Travellers Rest.

See more FAQs

Find better results for your stay in Cairns