Question 1

How much is a Hostel in Cairns?

Accepted Answer

Dorm beds in Cairns start from around €9.34 a night, which makes it one of the more affordable backpacker spots in Australia. Prices can rise in the dry season and school holidays, so book ahead then. Many hostels include free dinners, breakfast or discounted tours, so check the extras on each listing before you choose.

Question 2

What's the best area to stay in Cairns?

Accepted Answer

Most backpackers stay in the city centre or near the Esplanade. It's walkable, close to the free lagoon, bars and night markets, and handy for early pick-ups on reef and rainforest tours. If you want a quieter beach stay, the Northern Beaches such as Palm Cove and Trinity Beach are a short drive or bus ride away.

Question 3

What's the most social Hostel in Cairns?

Accepted Answer

Travellers love  Gilligan's Backpacker Hotel & Resort Cairns  – Gilligan's Backpacker Hotel & Resort Cairns for its atmosphere and welcoming staff. Cairns tends to have a social hostel scene, with pool parties, free dinners, pub crawls and themed nights. Booking a reef trip or a road trip with people from your hostel is often one of the easiest ways to make travel friends here.

Question 4

Is Cairns safe for solo travellers?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Cairns is a friendly and generally safe city for solo travellers. Take normal care on nights out, and lock up valuables in your hostel. Nature is the bigger risk: avoid swimming in rivers or creeks with crocodile warning signs, and wear a stinger suit in the sea during jellyfish season. You should follow local safety signs.

Question 5

Do Hostels in Cairns have private rooms or women-only dorms?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Most Cairns hostels offer private rooms as well as dorms, and many have female-only dorms too. Some private rooms have their own bathroom and air-con, which is a big plus in the tropical heat. Check the room types and facilities on each listing, and look at reviews if you prefer a quieter hostel to a party one.

Question 6

How do I get from the airport to my Hostel in Cairns?

Accepted Answer

Cairns Airport is only a short drive from the city centre. Airport shuttles, taxis and ride-hailing cars can drop you at your hostel, and some hostels offer pick-ups. If you're arriving by long-distance bus, train or campervan along the east coast, the centre is easy to reach and most hostels are within walking distance of each other.

Question 7

What's the nightlife like in Cairns?

Accepted Answer

Cairns has a lively backpacker nightlife scene for a small city. Hostel bars, pub crawls and party nights are usually the main event, and the streets near the Esplanade are full of bars and clubs. The night markets are good for cheap food before you head out. For a chilled evening, watch the sunset by the lagoon.

Question 8

When is the best time to visit Cairns?

Accepted Answer

The dry season, from around May to October, is the best time to visit, with sunny days, lower humidity and good conditions for reef trips. The wet season, roughly from December to April, brings heavy rain, heat and storms, but also lush rainforest and fewer crowds. Jellyfish season in the sea overlaps with the warmer months.

Question 9

Can I cook in the Hostel or is breakfast included?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Most Cairns hostels have a shared kitchen, and lots offer a free breakfast or even a free dinner, so check each listing. Cooking is the easiest way to save money in Australia. There are supermarkets in the centre, and the night markets and food courts are good for a cheap meal out.

Question 10

Can I swim in the sea in Cairns?

Accepted Answer

You can, but take care. During the warmer months, box jellyfish and other stingers can be found along the coast, so swim at patrolled beaches inside stinger nets and wear a stinger suit on reef trips. You should avoid swimming in rivers, creeks or estuaries with crocodile warning signs. The free Esplanade Lagoon is the easiest place for a safe dip in the city.

Hostels in Cairns

Events in Cairns

Best hostels with private rooms in Cairns

Best hostels for solo travellers in Cairns

About Cairns

About Cairns