How to travel from Adelaide to Cairns, Australia

The distance between Adelaide and Cairns is around 2,148km (1,334 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to fly which takes around 3h 40m.

5 routes found

We've found 5 different ways to get from Adelaide to Cairns by plane, bus, train and car. The recommended routes, which include information on duration, ticket price, and level of difficulty, can be found below.

👋 Also check out CairnsAdelaide if you're planning a return trip.

🚀 Fastest
1
plane
+

Fly

Fly from Adelaide (ADL) to Cairns (CNS).

  • Duration3h 40m
  • Flight time3hrs
  • Typical cost
    A$270($185)
Operated byJetstar+ 2 others
2
5 x bus
+

Bus

Take the bus to Broken Hill Town Coach Stop, Dubbo Station Coach Bay 1, Tamworth Station Coach Stop then Brisbane and then to Cairns Central Station.

  • Duration2 days 10h
  • Departstwice a week
  • Typical cost
    A$555($370)
Operated by

Multiple bus operators

3
4 x train
+

Train

Take the train to Mount Victoria, Strathfield Station then Brisbane and then to Cairns Central Station.

  • Duration2 days 14h
  • Departsonce a week
  • Typical cost
    A$755($505)
Operated by

Multiple train operators

1 similiar route

We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.

4
car
+

Drive

Drive to Cairns.

  • Duration1 day 10h
  • Distance2,970km (1,846 miles)
Get turn-by-turn directions

Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Adelaide and Cairns

There are several options for getting from Adelaide to Cairns by plane, bus, train and car. The cheapest option is to take the train which costs around A$225 ($150) and will take around 3 days 9h. If you need to get there more quickly, you can fly and arrive in approximately 3h 40m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately A$270 ($185).

The distance between Adelaide and Cairns is around 2,148km (1,334 miles).

It takes around 3h 40m to get from Adelaide and Cairns by plane. If you are travelling by car it will take around 1 day 10h to drive there.

The quickest way to get from Adelaide to Cairns is to fly which takes around 3h 40m and will set you back approx A$270 ($185).

The cheapest way to travel between Adelaide and Cairns, if you exclude driving, is to take the train which will typically cost around A$225 ($150) for a standard one-way ticket.

Train travel

Yes there is a train service that runs between Adelaide and Cairns. It typically takes around 2 days 14h and departs once a week.

There are no direct train services that runs from Adelaide to Cairns. However, you can instead can take several connecting trains with a changeover in Mount Victoria, Strathfield Station and Brisbane. These services run once a week and will take a minimum of 2 days 14h.

Great Southern Rail - Indian Pacific, Transport NSW, NSW TrainLink, Queensland Rail Travel and Great Southern run train services between Adelaide and Cairns. Trains depart once a week and will take around 2 days 14h, however, this may vary depending on the particular service and whether it runs express or stops all stations.

Bus travel

Yes there is a bus that runs regularly from Adelaide and Cairns. It typically takes around 2 days 10h and departs twice a week.

There are no direct bus services that runs from Adelaide to Cairns. However, you can instead can take several connecting buses with changeovers in Broken Hill Town Coach Stop, Dubbo Station Coach Bay 1, Tamworth Station Coach Stop and Brisbane. These services run twice a week and will take a minimum of 2 days 10h.

NSW TrainLink, Crisps Coaches and Premier Motor Service run regular bus services between Adelaide and Cairns. Buses run twice a week and take around 2 days 10h on average but will vary depending on you book with.

Flights and Airlines

Yes you can fly from Adelaide and Cairns. Flights depart from Adelaide (ADL) and arrive at Cairns (CNS). The flight takes around 3hrs.

Yes there is a direct flight between Adelaide and Cairns with no stop-overs required. Flights typically take around 3hrs.

Jetstar, Qantas and Virgin Australia fly between Adelaide and Cairns. Flights depart from Adelaide (ADL) and and arrive into Cairns (CNS). These flights usually take around 3hrs.

The flight from Adelaide to Cairns typically takes around 3hrs. Flights depart from Adelaide (ADL) and and arrive into Cairns (CNS).

The closest major airport to Cairns is Cairns Airport (CNS) (CNS) which is approximately 5km (3 miles) from Cairns. Cooktown Airport (CTN) (CTN) and Palm Island Airport (PMK) (PMK) are also nearby and might be a better alternative airport depending on where you are flying from.

Drive yourself

Yes it is possible to drive from Adelaide and Cairns. The distance is around 2,970km (1,846 miles) by road and it will take around 1 day 10h in normal traffic conditons.

If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Adelaide to Cairns is to fly which takes, on average, 3h 40m and will usually cost around A$270 ($185).

How do I get from Adelaide to Cairns

Compare travel optionsbetween Adelaide and Cairns

Transport options from Adelaide to Cairns
Transport optionDurationCostFrequencyDistance
Fly
3h 40m
A$270($185)
5 times a day2,148km (1,334 miles)
Bus
2 days 10h
A$555($370)
twice a week4,171km (2,592 miles)
Train + 1 similar
2 days 14h
A$755($505)
once a week4,302km (2,673 miles)
Train via Brisbane3 days 9h
A$225($150)
once a week4,270km (2,653 miles)
Drive
1 day 10h
A$395($265)
on demand2,970km (1,846 miles)

Top Carriersoperating between Adelaide and Cairns

Bus companies

Airlines

Train operators

Airports near Cairns

The following major airports near Cairns offer regular flights to various popular destinations within Australia and internationally.

CNS
Cairns Airport (CNS)
International Airport
Distance
5km (3 miles) from Cairns
CTN
Cooktown Airport (CTN)
Domestic Airport
Distance
176km (109 miles) from Cairns
PMK
Palm Island Airport (PMK)
Domestic Airport
Distance
221km (137 miles) from Cairns