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

Cairns Budget Hotels from RM229

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Check availability on Cairns Budget Hotels

Tonight
4 Oct - 5 Oct
Tomorrow
5 Oct - 6 Oct
Next weekend
9 Oct - 11 Oct
In two weeks
16 Oct - 18 Oct

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 entrance with a covered walkway, steps leading up to the entrance, and surrounding greenery.
A well-maintained garden with a small pond, palm trees, and a variety of tropical plants.
A woman walking on a wooden pathway surrounded by lush greenery.

1. Cairns Colonial Club Resort

Cairns Colonial Club Resort
Manunda
Australia
Anu
RM413
RM455 total
includes taxes & fees
26 Oct - 27 Oct
Cairns Colonial Club Resort
A modern two-story house with a covered patio, a driveway, and landscaped garden with palm trees.
A compact kitchen with a white door, wooden cabinets, a stainless steel refrigerator, and a microwave.
A hotel room with a bed, a desk, a chair, a ceiling fan, and a painting on the wall.
A modern living room with a gray sofa, a coffee table, and a dining area with wicker chairs.

2. Cairns Southgate Hotel

Cairns Southgate Hotel
Earlville
Australia
Rachel
RM393
RM432 total
includes taxes & fees
5 Oct - 6 Oct
Cairns Southgate Hotel
A pathway lined with palm trees and a building with a blue and beige exterior.
A pathway leading to a building with a red door, surrounded by lush greenery and palm trees.
A row of two-story buildings with a green roof, a paved driveway, and surrounding greenery.
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
RM224
RM224 total
includes taxes & fees
5 Oct - 6 Oct
Cairns Sunland Leisure Park
An aerial view of a swimming pool surrounded by palm trees, with lounge chairs and a tiled deck area.
A covered outdoor seating area with tables and chairs, surrounded by lush greenery and plants.
A group of people on a dock with boats and a mountainous background.
A reception area with a counter, a computer, and a sign for Indigenous Eco Tours. There are potted plants and a refrigerator with beverages.

4. YHA Cairns Central

YHA Cairns Central
Cairns Central Business District
United States
Kalin
RM267
RM294 total
includes taxes & fees
18 Oct - 19 Oct
YHA Cairns Central
A covered outdoor seating area with a sofa, round table, and potted plants.
A person sitting on a window sill reading a book.
A building with a sign reading "Little Drifter" and a covered outdoor seating area with string lights.
A cozy room with a laptop on a round wooden table, a green armchair, a small ottoman, and a wall-mounted light.

5. Little Drifter Cairns

Little Drifter Cairns
Cairns Central Business District
Australia
Ann
RM336
RM369 total
includes taxes & fees
6 Oct - 7 Oct
Little Drifter Cairns
A hotel room with two beds, a nightstand, and a lamp.
A living room with a blue sofa, a wooden coffee table, and a painting of a beach scene.
A reception desk with a dark wood finish, a large potted plant on the left, and a wall with a tropical leaf pattern.
A building with a sign for 'Roo Bar' and Australian flags.

6. Lake Central

Lake Central
Cairns Central Business District
Canada
Steven
RM425
RM468 total
includes taxes & fees
6 Oct - 7 Oct
Lake Central
A spacious patio with a cushioned seating area, a fan, and potted plants.
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 swimming pool with inflatable toys and lounge chairs.
A bed with two decorative pillows featuring tropical leaf patterns, a wooden headboard, and a bedside lamp.

7. The Espy Hostel

The Espy Hostel
Cairns Central Business District
Australia
Jennifer Ann
RM251
RM276 total
includes taxes & fees
10 Oct - 11 Oct
The Espy Hostel
A swimming pool surrounded by tropical plants and a house in the background.
A room with a wooden floor, a white bench with colorful cushions, and a window with white blinds.
A cozy reading area with two sofas, a small table, and a bookshelf.
A covered outdoor area with stone benches, a wooden picnic table, and a variety of tropical plants.

8. Cairns City Backpackers Hostel

Cairns City Backpackers Hostel
Parramatta Park
Australia
ROBERT
RM199
RM199 total
includes taxes & fees
7 Oct - 8 Oct
Cairns City Backpackers Hostel
A resort with a swimming pool, outdoor seating, and palm trees.
A courtyard with a pool, palm trees, and a building with illuminated windows.
A wall with travel brochures and an ATM machine.
A courtyard with outdoor seating, a pool, and palm trees.

9. Caravella Backpackers

Caravella Backpackers
Cairns Central Business District
Norway
Åge
RM297
RM327 total
includes taxes & fees
5 Oct - 6 Oct
Caravella Backpackers
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 Gili's restaurant with a tropical theme, featuring a curved wall with the restaurant's logo and the tagline "Stay, Play + Explore".

10. Gilligan's Backpackers Hotel & Resort

Gilligan's Backpackers Hotel & Resort
Cairns Central Business District
United States
Ashton
RM586
RM645 total
includes taxes & fees
6 Oct - 7 Oct
Gilligan's Backpackers Hotel & Resort
View all properties

Top Cairns Hotel Reviews

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 17 hours ago
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cairns
Hilton Cairns

Hilton Cairns

8/10 Good
"The whole stay was a delightful experience Thank you"
Kerryl 5-night trip
Posted 22 hours ago
Hilton 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 2 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 2 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 2 days ago
Cairns Harbourside Hotel
Rydges Esplanade Resort Cairns

Rydges Esplanade Resort Cairns

10/10 Excellent
"Good"
Kwok Chuen Kim 4-night trip
Posted 3 days ago
Rydges Esplanade Resort Cairns
Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort

Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort

10/10 Excellent
"Fantastic amenities, and great location"
Daniel 3-night trip
Posted 4 days ago
Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort
Shangri-La The Marina, Cairns

Shangri-La The Marina, Cairns

8/10 Good
"Fantastic location, great amenities and very helpful staff. The rooms were serviced daily and items were replenished according to your preferences. Breakfast buffet had a good selection of food and drink and was good value for money. The hotel room was very clean. Only downside was that some elements of the hotel look a bit tired (eg the outside walls, some of the paintwork and soft furnishings) and could do with a refresh. Overall would recommend and would stay again."
Eve 6-night trip
Posted 8 days ago
Shangri-La The Marina, 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 13 days ago
Cairns Sheridan Hotel

Frequently asked questions

What is Cairns like for travellers on a budget?
Cairns offers cheap accommodation options and a range of things to see and do, making it a great getaway spot for budget travellers. You can find ways to save money while getting to know this destination, which is home to attractions such as 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 travellers who want a more economical choice, and features free Wi-Fi and free parking. Other good options for your budget-friendly stay include Cairns Sunland Leisure Park and YHA Cairns Central.
How many budget hotels will I be able to find in Cairns?
Choose a hotel that suits your wallet from 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, but bear 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 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?
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 plan some 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?
Looking at these ways to get around Cairns can help keep you on budget. The nearest airport is Cairns, QLD (CNS-Cairns Intl.), 3.5 mi (5.6 km) away. If you'd like to explore more of the area, hop on a train from Cairns Station, Freshwater Station or Redlynch Station. You can learn about your water travel options at the marina.

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