Cairns City Backpackers vs Dreamtime Hostel
Both are in Cairns, 330 m apart. Here is where each one is stronger.
HostelParramatta Park
Cairns City Backpackers
- Guest rating
- 7.1 Good
- Location score
- 6.4
- Score by category
- 0 of 3
HostelCairns City
Dreamtime Hostel
- Guest rating
- 9.1 Excellent
- Location score
- 8.2
- Score by category
- 3 of 3
The short answer
Pick Dreamtime Hostel
It leads in 3 of 3 categories. 330 m apart.
Choose Cairns City Backpackers if you want
- a big hotel with more facilities (Rooms: 20 / 1)
Choose Dreamtime Hostel if you want
- the more consistently praised stay (9.1 / 7.1)
- more restaurants on the doorstep (84 / 18)
- a smaller, quieter hotel (Rooms: 1 / 20)
Why is Cairns City Backpackers better than Dreamtime Hostel?
- 1More guest reviews (136 vs 13), so the rating is more reliable×10
- 2Earlier check-in (11:00 vs 12:00)−1h
Why is Dreamtime Hostel better than Cairns City Backpackers?
- 1Higher guest rating (9.1 vs 7.1)+2.0
- 2320 m closer to public transport−320 m
- 366 more restaurants and cafés within 500 m+66
- 4More walkable surroundings (walk grade 79 vs 54)+25
- 53 more sights within 1 km+3
All compared facts
Every category is scored from 0 to 10 with the same formula for every hotel.
| Cairns City Backpackers vs Dreamtime Hostel: which hotel is better? | Cairns City Backpackers | Dreamtime Hostel |
|---|---|---|
| Score by category | ||
| Guest rating | 7.1 | 9.1 +2.0 |
| Location | 6.4 | 8.2 +1.8 |
| Public transport | 8.4 | 10.0 +1.6 |
| Ratings & reviews | ||
| StayVersus score | 7.3 | 8.5 +1.2 |
| Guest rating | 7.1 | 9.1 +2.0 |
| Number of reviews | 136 +123 | 13 |
| Google rating | 3.9/5 | 4.6/5 +0.7 |
| Google reviews | 267 | 340 +73 |
| Rank in Cairns | top 98% | top 35% +63% |
| Location | ||
| Location score | 6.4 | 8.2 +1.8 |
| Distance to the centre | 1.4 km −230 m | 1.6 km |
| To public transport | 450 m | 130 m −320 m |
| To the airport | 5.4 km | 5.6 km |
| Restaurants within 500 m | 18 | 84 +66 |
| Sights within 1 km | 4 | 7 +3 |
| Rooms & building | ||
| Rooms | 20 | 1 |
| Listed amenities | 8 +4 | 4 |
| Policies | ||
| Check-in from | 11:00 −1h | 12:00 |
| Check-out until | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Amenities | ||
| Free Wi-Fi | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free parking | ✓ | ✓ |
| Laundry | ✓ | – |
| Swimming pool | ✓ | ✓ |
| Air conditioning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Kitchen | ✓ | – |
| Which hotel suits you | ||
| Families with children | – | ✓ |
| Couples | – | ✓ |
| Sightseeing on foot | – | ✓ |
| Business trips | – | ✓ |
| Spa & relaxation | – | ✓ |
Price for your dates
Prices come from booking partners and can change. The final price is shown before you book.
Location
330 m apart
Cairns City Backpackers: city centre: 1.4 km, nearest station Kuranda Scenic Railway: 450 m, Cairns International Airport (CNS): 5.4 km, 18 places to eat within 500 m, 4 sights within 1 km.
Dreamtime Hostel: city centre: 1.6 km, nearest station Kuranda Scenic Railway: 130 m, Cairns International Airport (CNS): 5.6 km, 84 places to eat within 500 m, 7 sights within 1 km.
Weather in Cairns
Cairns City Backpackers or Dreamtime Hostel: common questions
Which is better, Cairns City Backpackers or Dreamtime Hostel?
Dreamtime Hostel leads in 3 of 3 categories, including guest rating, location, public transport.
Which is cheaper, Cairns City Backpackers or Dreamtime Hostel?
Prices change by date. Pick your dates above to see both nightly prices side by side.
Which hotel is closer to the centre?
Cairns City Backpackers is closer: 1.4 km from the centre, against 1.6 km for Dreamtime Hostel.
How far apart are Cairns City Backpackers and Dreamtime Hostel?
The two hotels are 330 m apart in a straight line.
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Updated 6 Oct 2026. Data: Agoda, Overture Maps, OpenStreetMap, OurAirports and hotels' own websites. We may earn a commission from partner links; it never changes the comparison. How we score