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The Jack Backpackers vs Dreamtime Hostel

Both are in Cairns, 550 m apart. Here is where each one is stronger.

Hotel★★Cairns City

The Jack Backpackers

Guest rating
8.3 Very good
Location score
8.3
Score by category
1 of 4
Check rates

Hostel★★★Cairns City

Dreamtime Hostel

Guest rating
9.1 Excellent
Location score
8.2
Score by category
2 of 4
Check rates

The short answer

Pick Dreamtime Hostel

It leads in 2 of 4 categories. 550 m apart.

Choose The Jack Backpackers if you want

  • to be closer to the beach
  • more restaurants on the doorstep
  • a big hotel with more facilities

Choose Dreamtime Hostel if you want

  • the more consistently praised stay
  • a smaller, quieter hotel

Why is The Jack Backpackers better than Dreamtime Hostel?

  1. 1400 m closer to the beach (610 m vs 1.0 km)−400 m
  2. 266 more restaurants and cafés within 500 m+66
  3. 3More walkable surroundings (walk grade 91 vs 79)+12
  4. 45 more sights within 1 km+5
  5. 5Later check-out (11:00 vs 10:00)+1h

Why is Dreamtime Hostel better than The Jack Backpackers?

  1. 1Higher guest rating (9.1 vs 8.3)+0.8
  2. 2Higher star rating (3★ vs 2★)+1★
  3. 3220 m closer to public transport−220 m
  4. 4Earlier check-in (12:00 vs 14:00)−2h

All compared facts

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

The Jack BackpackersDreamtime Hostel
Score by category
Guest rating 8.3 9.1 +0.8
Location 8.3 8.2
Beach access 8.2 +1.3 6.9
Public transport 8.9 10.0 +1.1
Ratings & reviews
StayVersus score 8.3 8.5 +0.2
Guest rating 8.3 9.1 +0.8
Number of reviews 22 +9 13
Google rating – 4.6/5
Google reviews – 340
Rank in Cairns top 60% top 35% +25%
Location
Location score 8.3 8.2
Distance to Cairns City centre 270 m −130 m 400 m
To the beach 610 m −400 m 1.0 km
To public transport 350 m 130 m −220 m
To the airport 5.8 km 5.6 km
Restaurants within 500 m 150 +66 84
Sights within 1 km 12 +5 7
Rooms & building
Star rating ★★ ★★★ +1★
Rooms 36 1
Floors 1 –
Newest building or renovation 2025 –
Listed amenities – 4
Policies
Check-in from 14:00 12:00 −2h
Check-out until 11:00 +1h 10:00
Amenities
Free Wi-Fi – ✓
Free parking – ✓
Swimming pool – ✓
Air conditioning – ✓
Which hotel suits you
Families with children ✓ ✓
Couples ✓ ✓
Beach holidays ✓ –
Sightseeing on foot ✓ ✓
Business trips – ✓
Spa & relaxation ✓ ✓

Swap sides

Price for your dates

The Jack Backpackers

    See on Agoda See on Expedia See on Hotels.com

    Dreamtime Hostel

      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

      550 m apart

      OpenStreetMap

      The Jack Backpackers or Dreamtime Hostel: common questions

      Which is better, The Jack Backpackers or Dreamtime Hostel?

      Dreamtime Hostel leads in 2 of 4 categories, including guest rating, public transport. The Jack Backpackers is stronger in beach access.

      Which is cheaper, The Jack 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?

      The Jack Backpackers is closer: 270 m from the centre, against 400 m for Dreamtime Hostel.

      Which hotel is closer to the beach?

      The Jack Backpackers is 610 m from the nearest beach; Dreamtime Hostel is 1.0 km.

      How far apart are The Jack Backpackers and Dreamtime Hostel?

      The two hotels are 550 m apart in a straight line.

      More match-ups

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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