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Mad Monkey Backpackers Central vs Cairns City Backpackers

Both are in Cairns, 660 m apart. Here is where each one is stronger.

Hostel★★Cairns City

Mad Monkey Backpackers Central

Guest rating
7.7 Good
Location score
8.3
Score by category
3 of 4
Check rates

Hostel★★Parramatta Park

Cairns City Backpackers

Guest rating
7.1 Good
Location score
6.4
Score by category
0 of 4
Check rates

The short answer

Pick Mad Monkey Backpackers Central

It leads in 3 of 4 categories. 660 m apart.

Choose Mad Monkey Backpackers Central if you want

  • the more consistently praised stay
  • to be closer to the beach
  • more restaurants on the doorstep

Why is Mad Monkey Backpackers Central better than Cairns City Backpackers?

  1. 1Higher guest rating (7.7 vs 7.1)+0.6
  2. 2630 m closer to the beach (570 m vs 1.2 km)−630 m
  3. 3132 more restaurants and cafés within 500 m+132
  4. 4More walkable surroundings (walk grade 91 vs 54)+37
  5. 59 more sights within 1 km+9

Why is Cairns City Backpackers better than Mad Monkey Backpackers Central?

  1. 1More guest reviews (136 vs 67), so the rating is more reliable×2.0
  2. 2Earlier check-in (11:00 vs 14:00)−3h

All compared facts

Every category is scored from 0 to 10 with the same formula for every hotel.

Mad Monkey Backpackers CentralCairns City Backpackers
Score by category
Guest rating 7.7 +0.6 7.1
Location 8.3 +1.9 6.4
Beach access 8.4 +2.2 6.2
Public transport 8.6 8.4
Ratings & reviews
StayVersus score 7.9 +0.6 7.3
Guest rating 7.7 +0.6 7.1
Number of reviews 67 136 +69
Google rating – 3.9/5
Google reviews – 267
Rank in Cairns top 84% +14% top 98%
Location
Location score 8.3 +1.9 6.4
Distance to the centre 1.6 km 1.4 km −210 m
To the beach 570 m −630 m 1.2 km
To public transport 410 m 450 m
To the airport 5.4 km 5.4 km
Restaurants within 500 m 150 +132 18
Sights within 1 km 13 +9 4
Rooms & building
Star rating ★★ ★★
Rooms – 20
Listed amenities 11 +3 8
Policies
Check-in from 14:00 11:00 −3h
Check-out until 10:00 10:00
Amenities
Free Wi-Fi ✓ ✓
Airport transfer ✓ –
Laundry ✓ ✓
Luggage storage ✓ –
Bar ✓ –
Gym ✓ –
Air conditioning ✓ ✓
Kitchen ✓ ✓
In-room safe ✓ –
Free parking – ✓
Swimming pool – ✓
Which hotel suits you
Families with children ✓ –
Couples ✓ –
Beach holidays ✓ –
Sightseeing on foot ✓ –
Business trips ✓ ✓
Spa & relaxation ✓ ✓

Swap sides

Price for your dates

Mad Monkey Backpackers Central

    See on Agoda See on Expedia See on Hotels.com

    Cairns City Backpackers

      See on Agoda See on Expedia See on Hotels.com

      Prices come from booking partners and can change. The final price is shown before you book.

      Location

      660 m apart

      OpenStreetMap

      Mad Monkey Backpackers Central or Cairns City Backpackers: common questions

      Which is better, Mad Monkey Backpackers Central or Cairns City Backpackers?

      Mad Monkey Backpackers Central leads in 3 of 4 categories, including guest rating, location, beach access.

      Which is cheaper, Mad Monkey Backpackers Central or Cairns City Backpackers?

      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 Mad Monkey Backpackers Central.

      Which hotel is closer to the beach?

      Mad Monkey Backpackers Central is 570 m from the nearest beach; Cairns City Backpackers is 1.2 km.

      How far apart are Mad Monkey Backpackers Central and Cairns City Backpackers?

      The two hotels are 660 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