--- title: "Global Backpackers Youth Hostel vs Mad Monkey Backpackers Central" description: "Global Backpackers Youth Hostel or Mad Monkey Backpackers Central in Cairns? Compare guest ratings, location, amenities, rooms and prices side by side." url: https://stayversus.com/en/compare/global-backpackers-youth-hostel-cairns-vs-mad-monkey-backpackers-central-cairns/ language: en source: StayVersus (https://stayversus.com) retrieved: 2026-10-31 --- # Global Backpackers Youth Hostel vs Mad Monkey Backpackers Central Both are in Cairns, 520 m apart. Here is where each one is stronger. Hostel · Cairns City ## [Global Backpackers Youth Hostel](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/global-backpackers-youth-hostel-cairns/) - **Guest rating:** 9.0 · Excellent - **Location score:** 8.2 - **Score by category:** 1 of 3 [Check rates](https://stayversus.com/go/1447319/agoda/?lang=en) Hostel · Cairns City ## [Mad Monkey Backpackers Central](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/mad-monkey-backpackers-central-cairns/) - **Guest rating:** 7.7 · Good - **Location score:** 8.3 - **Score by category:** 0 of 3 [Check rates](https://stayversus.com/go/1809419/agoda/?lang=en) The short answer ## Too close to call Neither hotel has a clear edge on the facts we have. Your priorities decide. 520 m apart. ### Choose Global Backpackers Youth Hostel if you want - the more consistently praised stay (9.0 / 7.7) ### Why is Global Backpackers Youth Hostel better than Mad Monkey Backpackers Central? 1. Higher guest rating (9.0 vs 7.7) (+1.3) 2. More guest reviews (817 vs 67), so the rating is more reliable (×12) 3. Earlier check-in (13:00 vs 14:00) (−1h) ### Why is Mad Monkey Backpackers Central better than Global Backpackers Youth Hostel? 1. 450 m closer to the area centre (−450 m) 2. Offers an airport transfer ## All compared facts Every category is scored from 0 to 10 with the same formula for every hotel. | | Global Backpackers Youth Hostel | Mad Monkey Backpackers Central | | --- | --- | --- | | Score by category | | Guest rating | 9.0 (+1.3) | 7.7 | | Location | 8.2 | 8.3 | | Facilities | 5.0 | – | | Spa & wellness | 3.0 | – | | Public transport | 8.7 | 8.6 | | Ratings & reviews | | StayVersus score | 9.0 (+1.1) | 7.9 | | Guest rating | 9.0 (+1.3) | 7.7 | | Number of reviews | 817 (+750) | 67 | | Google rating | 4.2/5 | – | | Google reviews | 369 | – | | Rank in Cairns | top 11% (+73%) | bottom 16% | | Location | | Location score | 8.2 | 8.3 | | Distance to Cairns City centre | 560 m | 120 m (−450 m) | | To public transport | 400 m | 410 m | | To the airport | 5.4 km | 5.4 km | | Restaurants within 500 m | 150 | 150 | | To the nearest food shop | 110 m (−190 m) | 300 m | | Shops within 500 m | 11 | 15 (+4) | | Sights within 1 km | 12 | 13 | | Rooms & building | | Newest building or renovation | 2019 | – | | Listed amenities | 15 (+4) | 11 | | Policies | | Check-in from | 13:00 (−1h) | 14:00 | | Check-out until | 10:00 | 10:00 | | Amenities | | Free Wi-Fi | ✓ | ✓ | | Car hire | ✓ | – | | Laundry | ✓ | ✓ | | Luggage storage | ✓ | ✓ | | Bar | ✓ | ✓ | | Swimming pool | ✓ | – | | Gym | ✓ | ✓ | | Terrace | ✓ | – | | Nightclub | ✓ | – | | Casino | ✓ | – | | Smoke-free | ✓ | – | | Air conditioning | ✓ | ✓ | | Kitchen | ✓ | ✓ | | Balcony | ✓ | – | | Parking | – | ✓ | | Airport transfer | – | ✓ | | In-room safe | – | ✓ | | Which hotel suits you | | Couples | ✓ | – | | Business trips | ✓ | – | | Spa & relaxation | ✓ | – | ## Live prices around both hotels Real nightly rates from booking partners for the dates you picked above. Tap a price for the offer. [Global Backpackers Youth Hostel prices by month](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/global-backpackers-youth-hostel-cairns/prices/) ## Location 520 m apart Global Backpackers Youth Hostel: city centre: 1.8 km, nearest station Stoney Creek Railway Station: 400 m, Cairns International Airport (CNS): 5.4 km, 150+ places to eat within 500 m, 12 sights within 1 km. Mad Monkey Backpackers Central: city centre: 1.6 km, nearest station Cairns railway station: 410 m, Cairns International Airport (CNS): 5.4 km, 150+ places to eat within 500 m, 13 sights within 1 km. ## Weather in Cairns [Cairns weather: 15-day forecast](https://atlasofseasons.com/en/australia/queensland/cairns/weather) ## Global Backpackers Youth Hostel or Mad Monkey Backpackers Central: common questions ### Which is better, Global Backpackers Youth Hostel or Mad Monkey Backpackers Central? Global Backpackers Youth Hostel leads in 1 of 3 categories, including guest rating. ### Which is cheaper, Global Backpackers Youth Hostel or Mad Monkey Backpackers Central? Prices change by date. Pick your dates above to see both nightly prices side by side. ### Which hotel is closer to the centre? Mad Monkey Backpackers Central is closer: 120 m from the centre, against 560 m for Global Backpackers Youth Hostel. ### How far apart are Global Backpackers Youth Hostel and Mad Monkey Backpackers Central? The two hotels are 520 m apart in a straight line. ## More match-ups - [Global Backpackers Youth Hostel vs Mad Monkey Backpackers Waterfront](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/global-backpackers-youth-hostel-cairns-vs-mad-monkey-backpackers-waterfront-cairns/) - [Mad Monkey Backpackers Central vs Bounce Cairns](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/bounce-cairns-cairns-vs-mad-monkey-backpackers-central-cairns/) - [Mad Monkey Backpackers Central vs Mumma 's Hostel Cairns](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/mad-monkey-backpackers-central-cairns-vs-mumma-s-hostel-cairns-cairns/) - [Mad Monkey Backpackers Central vs Wanna Stay?](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/mad-monkey-backpackers-central-cairns-vs-wanna-stay-cairns/) ## Compare now 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](https://stayversus.com/en/about/) --- Source: https://stayversus.com/en/compare/global-backpackers-youth-hostel-cairns-vs-mad-monkey-backpackers-central-cairns/. Facts are compiled by StayVersus from partner data (Agoda), Overture Maps, OpenStreetMap, OurAirports, public Google Maps listings and hotels' own websites. Scores use one formula for every hotel. Methodology: https://stayversus.com/en/about/