Global Backpackers Youth Hostel vs Mad Monkey Backpackers Waterfront
Both are in Cairns, 70 m apart. Here is where each one is stronger.
HostelCairns City
Global Backpackers Youth Hostel
- Guest rating
- 9.0 Excellent
- Location score
- 8.2
- Score by category
- 1 of 3
HostelCairns City
Mad Monkey Backpackers Waterfront
- Guest rating
- 8.2 Very good
- Location score
- 8.2
- Score by category
- 0 of 3
The short answer
Too close to call
Neither hotel has a clear edge on the facts we have. Your priorities decide. 70 m apart.
Choose Global Backpackers Youth Hostel if you want
- the more consistently praised stay (9.0 / 8.2)
Why is Global Backpackers Youth Hostel better than Mad Monkey Backpackers Waterfront?
- 1Higher guest rating (9.0 vs 8.2)+0.8
- 2More guest reviews (817 vs 100), so the rating is more reliable×8.2
- 3Earlier check-in (13:00 vs 14:00)−1h
Why is Mad Monkey Backpackers Waterfront better than Global Backpackers Youth Hostel?
No clear advantages in our data.
All compared facts
Every category is scored from 0 to 10 with the same formula for every hotel.
| Global Backpackers Youth Hostel vs Mad Monkey Backpackers Waterfront: which hotel is better? | Global Backpackers Youth Hostel | Mad Monkey Backpackers Waterfront |
|---|---|---|
| Score by category | ||
| Guest rating | 9.0 +0.8 | 8.2 |
| Location | 8.2 | 8.2 |
| Facilities | 5.0 | – |
| Spa & wellness | 3.0 | – |
| Public transport | 8.7 | 8.4 |
| Ratings & reviews | ||
| StayVersus score | 9.0 +0.8 | 8.2 |
| Guest rating | 9.0 +0.8 | 8.2 |
| Number of reviews | 817 +717 | 100 |
| Google rating | 4.2/5 | 4.5/5 +0.3 |
| Google reviews | 369 | 483 +114 |
| Rank in Cairns | top 11% +54% | bottom 35% |
| Location | ||
| Location score | 8.2 | 8.2 |
| Distance to Cairns City centre | 560 m | 550 m |
| To public transport | 400 m | 450 m |
| To the airport | 5.4 km | 5.3 km |
| Restaurants within 500 m | 150 | 150 |
| To the nearest food shop | 110 m | 40 m |
| Shops within 500 m | 11 | 10 |
| Sights within 1 km | 12 | 12 |
| 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 | – | ✓ |
| Shuttle | – | ✓ |
| Breakfast | – | ✓ |
| Which hotel suits you | ||
| Couples | ✓ | – |
| Spa & relaxation | ✓ | – |
Price for your dates
Prices come from booking partners and can change. The final price is shown before you book.
Live prices around both hotels
Real nightly rates from booking partners for the dates you picked above. Tap a price for the offer.
Location
70 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 Waterfront: city centre: 1.7 km, nearest station Stoney Creek Railway Station: 450 m, Cairns International Airport (CNS): 5.3 km, 150+ places to eat within 500 m, 12 sights within 1 km.
Weather in Cairns
Global Backpackers Youth Hostel or Mad Monkey Backpackers Waterfront: common questions
Which is better, Global Backpackers Youth Hostel or Mad Monkey Backpackers Waterfront?
Global Backpackers Youth Hostel leads in 1 of 3 categories, including guest rating.
Which is cheaper, Global Backpackers Youth Hostel or Mad Monkey Backpackers Waterfront?
Prices change by date. Pick your dates above to see both nightly prices side by side.
How far apart are Global Backpackers Youth Hostel and Mad Monkey Backpackers Waterfront?
The two hotels are 70 m apart in a straight line.
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