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

Budget Hotels in Cairns, Queensland

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Check availability on Cairns Budget Hotels

Tonight
Oct 5 - Oct 6
Tomorrow
Oct 6 - Oct 7
This weekend
Oct 9 - Oct 11
Next weekend
Oct 16 - Oct 18

Our top choices for Cairns cheap hotels

An aerial view of a resort with a swimming pool, palm trees, and a covered walkway.
A hotel room with two beds, a green headboard, a balcony with a view, and an orange armchair.
A woman walking on a wooden pathway surrounded by lush greenery.
A well-maintained garden with a small pond, palm trees, and a variety of tropical plants.

1. Cairns Colonial Club Resort

Cairns Colonial Club Resort
Manunda
Australia
Anu
P6,299
P6,929 total
includes taxes & fees
Oct 19 - Oct 20
Cairns Colonial Club Resort
An aerial view of a swimming pool surrounded by palm trees, with lounge chairs and a tiled deck area.
A group of people on a dock with boats and a mountainous background.
A modern building with a covered entrance, steps leading up to the entrance, and a signboard.
A reception area with a counter, a computer, and a sign for Indigenous Eco Tours. There are potted plants and a refrigerator with beverages.

2. YHA Cairns Central

YHA Cairns Central
Cairns Central Business District
United States
Kalin
P4,023
P4,426 total
includes taxes & fees
Oct 26 - Oct 27
YHA Cairns Central
A pathway lined with palm trees and a building with a blue and beige exterior.
A row of two-story buildings with a green roof, a paved driveway, and surrounding greenery.
Two people playing with a beach ball in a pool surrounded by rocks and palm trees.
A modern room with a bunk bed, a round table with chairs, and a window with curtains.

3. Cairns Sunland Leisure Park

Cairns Sunland Leisure Park
Manoora
Australia
Stephen John
P3,437
P3,437 total
includes taxes & fees
Oct 6 - Oct 7
Cairns Sunland Leisure Park
A modern two-story house with a covered patio, a driveway, and landscaped garden with palm trees.
A compact kitchen with a microwave, a sink, and a potted plant. There is a round table with a fruit bowl and two wicker chairs.
A modern living room with a gray sofa, a coffee table, and a dining area with wicker chairs.
A hotel room with a bed, a desk, a chair, a ceiling fan, and a painting on the wall.

4. Cairns Southgate Hotel

Cairns Southgate Hotel
Earlville
Australia
Rachel
P6,016
P6,618 total
includes taxes & fees
Oct 6 - Oct 7
Cairns Southgate Hotel
A covered outdoor seating area with a sofa, round table, and potted plants.
A building with a sign reading "Little Drifter" and a covered outdoor seating area with string lights.
A person sitting on a window sill reading a book.
A spacious lobby with a high ceiling, a green sofa, and potted plants.

5. Little Drifter Cairns

Little Drifter Cairns
Cairns Central Business District
Australia
Ann
P4,877
P5,365 total
includes taxes & fees
Oct 27 - Oct 28
Little Drifter Cairns
A hotel room with two beds, a nightstand, and a lamp.
A pool area with a person swimming, surrounded by palm trees and a wooden deck with chairs and a table.
A building with a sign for 'Roo Bar' and Australian flags.
A living room with a blue sofa, a wooden coffee table, and a painting of a beach scene.

6. Lake Central

Lake Central
Cairns Central Business District
Canada
Steven
P6,804
P7,484 total
includes taxes & fees
Oct 20 - Oct 21
Lake Central
A group of people seated around a wooden table with pizza boxes, in a room with a tiled floor and a wall-mounted picture.
A bed with two decorative pillows featuring tropical leaf patterns, a wooden headboard, and a bedside lamp.
A swimming pool with inflatable toys and lounge chairs.
A compact train compartment with bunk beds, a small kitchenette, and a foldable table.

7. The Espy Hostel

The Espy Hostel
Cairns Central Business District
Australia
Jennifer Ann
P3,845
P4,229 total
includes taxes & fees
Oct 11 - Oct 12
The Espy Hostel
A resort with a swimming pool, outdoor seating, and palm trees.
A room with a wooden table and benches, computers, and posters on the wall.
A wall with travel brochures and an ATM machine.
A courtyard with outdoor seating, a pool, and palm trees.

8. Caravella Backpackers

Caravella Backpackers
Cairns Central Business District
Norway
Åge
P4,549
P5,004 total
includes taxes & fees
Oct 11 - Oct 12
Caravella Backpackers
A swimming pool surrounded by tropical plants and a house in the background.
A bedroom with a bed, a window with blinds, a shelf with folded towels, a potted plant, and a ladder.
A room with a wooden floor, a white bench with colorful cushions, and a window with white blinds.
A covered outdoor area with stone benches, a wooden picnic table, and a variety of tropical plants.

9. Cairns City Backpackers Hostel

Cairns City Backpackers Hostel
Parramatta Park
Australia
ROBERT
P3,046
P3,046 total
includes taxes & fees
Oct 7 - Oct 8
Cairns City Backpackers Hostel
A pool area with lounge chairs and a bar area with umbrellas.
An indoor patio area with wooden tables and chairs, a hanging wicker light fixture, and a wall covered in green foliage.
A couple standing in front of a restaurant named "Gili's" with a green wall and a neon sign.
A hotel room with two beds, a desk, a chair, a lamp, and a large window with a city view.

10. Gilligan's Backpackers Hotel & Resort

Gilligan's Backpackers Hotel & Resort
Cairns Central Business District
United States
Ashton
P8,966
P9,862 total
includes taxes & fees
Oct 19 - Oct 20
Gilligan's Backpackers Hotel & Resort
View all properties

Top Cairns Hotel Reviews

Hilton Cairns

Hilton Cairns

10/10 Excellent
"Location is close to reef terminal and restaurants. Room.was large , clean and comfortable. Staff were very helpful and friendly. The cafe breakfast staff provided excellent service. We had a very pleasant stay here. Highly recommended this hotel"
Tammy Kit Ling 3-night trip
Posted 1 hour ago
Hilton Cairns
Cairns Plaza Hotel

Cairns Plaza Hotel

10/10 Excellent
"very clean rooms. really liked it."
Vikas 1-night trip
Posted 15 hours ago
Cairns Plaza Hotel
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cairns

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cairns

8/10 Good
"Hotel was a great location, pool and breakfast. Air-conditioned was poor on some nights. Not sure if I could stay there in summer."
Dean 7-night trip
Posted 2 days ago
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cairns
Ramada By Wyndham Cairns City Centre

Ramada By Wyndham Cairns City Centre

10/10 Excellent
"Great location Parking Coffee restaurant onsite"
Gerard 6-night trip
Posted 3 days ago
Ramada By Wyndham Cairns City Centre
Mantra Esplanade

Mantra Esplanade

10/10 Excellent
"The hotel was very convenient to the Esplanade and the Green Island ferry."
Nancy 1-night trip
Posted 3 days ago
Mantra Esplanade
Cairns Harbourside Hotel

Cairns Harbourside Hotel

10/10 Excellent
"Fantastic place to arrive and unwind and settle in. Always very friendly and accommodating staff. Great gym nearby. We always come back !!!"
Johanna 3-night trip
Posted 3 days ago
Cairns Harbourside Hotel
Rydges Esplanade Resort Cairns

Rydges Esplanade Resort Cairns

10/10 Excellent
"Good"
Kwok Chuen Kim 4-night trip
Posted 4 days ago
Rydges Esplanade Resort Cairns
Cairns Sheridan Hotel

Cairns Sheridan Hotel

10/10 Excellent
"I’ve stayed here several times Parking easy Clean, comfortable room Would prefer a proper fridge and a microwave in my room Staff always pleasant and helpful"
Mary 5-night trip
Posted 2 weeks ago
Cairns Sheridan Hotel

Frequently asked questions

What is Cairns like for travelers on a budget?
Cairns offers a variety of cheap accommodations and things to do, making it a great choice for a budget-friendly getaway. You can find ways to save money while getting to know this destination, which is home to attractions like Cairns Night Markets, Cairns Esplanade Lagoon, and Reef Hotel Casino.
What's the best place to stay on a budget in Cairns?
Based on reviews, Cairns Colonial Club Resort is a popular hotel for our travelers who want a more economical choice, and features free WiFi and free parking. Other good choices for your budget-friendly stay include Cairns Sunland Leisure Park and YHA Cairns Central.
How many low cost hotels should I expect to find in Cairns?
Choose a hotel that suits your wallet among Expedia's 22 budget hotels in Cairns.
When is the best time for a budget trip to Cairns?
Weather will likely play an important role when you plan your trip to Cairns, and keep in mind that cheaper options are usually available when the weather isn't as good. The hottest months are usually January and February with an average temp of 80°F, while the coldest months are August and July with an average of 70°F. The rainiest months in Cairns are January, February, March, and December, with each month seeing an average of 11 inches of rainfall.
What is there to see and do in Cairns?
Cairns draws tourists with its lush rainforest and offers plenty to see and do without spending a fortune. You can budget for the local attractions that interest you most, and then fill your itinerary with activities that are easy on the wallet. Head to Cairns Night Markets and Cairns Central Shopping Centre for some bargain shopping, or hunt for deals at Smithfield Shopping Centre.
How can I get to Cairns and get around on a budget?
Checking out these ways to get around Cairns can help keep you on budget. The most convenient airport is Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS), 3.5 mi (5.6 km) away. If you want to journey outside of the area, ride aboard a train from Cairns Station, Freshwater Station, or Redlynch Station. You can explore water travel options at the marina.

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