How to travel from Ballina to Cairns, Australia
The distance between Ballina and Cairns is around 1,594km (991 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to take the bus and then fly which takes around 4h 30m.
8 routes found
We've found 8 different ways to get from Ballina 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 Cairns → Ballina if you're planning a return trip.
Fly
Fly from Ballina (BNK) to Cairns (CNS).
- Duration4h 45m
- Flight time4h 20m
- Typical costA$310($205)
+ 2 others3 similiar routes
We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.
Bus
Take the bus to Brisbane and then to Cairns Central Station.
- Duration1 day 8h
- Departsonce daily
- Typical costA$255($170)
Premier Motor Service
1 similiar route
We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.
Bus and Train
Take the bus to Brisbane then take the train to Cairns Central Station.
- Duration1 day 3h
- Departs5 times a week
- Typical costA$255($170)
Multiple operators
Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Ballina and Cairns
Popular questions
There are several options for getting from Ballina to Cairns by plane, bus, train and car. The cheapest option is to take the bus and then fly which costs around A$160 ($110) and will take around 4h 30m.
The distance between Ballina and Cairns is around 1,594km (991 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 1,549km (962 miles)
It takes around 4h 45m to get from Ballina and Cairns by plane. If you are travelling by car it will take around 23h 15m to drive there.
The quickest way to get from Ballina to Cairns is to take the bus and then fly which takes around 4h 30m and will set you back approx A$160 ($110).
The cheapest way to travel between Ballina and Cairns, if you exclude driving, is to take the bus and then fly which will typically cost around A$160 ($110) for a standard one-way ticket.
Train travel
There is no train service that runs between Ballina and Cairns. We recommend that you take the bus to Gold Coast Airport then fly from Gold Coast (OOL) to Cairns (CNS). instead which will take 4h 30m.
Bus travel
Yes there is a bus that runs regularly from Ballina and Cairns. It typically takes around 1 day 8h and departs once daily.
There are no direct bus services that runs from Ballina to Cairns. However, you can instead can take several connecting buses with changeovers in Byron Bay Interchange Stand B and Brisbane. These services run once daily and will take a minimum of 1 day 8h.
NSW TrainLink, Premier Motor Service and Greyhound Australia run regular bus services between Ballina and Cairns. Buses run once daily and take around 1 day 8h on average but will vary depending on you book with.
Flights and Airlines
Yes you can fly from Ballina and Cairns. Flights depart from Ballina (BNK) and arrive at Cairns (CNS) - via Sydney (SYD). The flight takes around 4h 20m.
There is no direct flight from Ballina to Cairns. There is however a flight that goes via Sydney (SYD). This services will take at least 4h 45m (not including layover time).
The flight from Ballina to Cairns typically takes around 4h 20m. Flights depart from Ballina (BNK) 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 Ballina and Cairns. The distance is around 2,001km (1,243 miles) by road and it will take around 23h 15m in normal traffic conditons.
If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Ballina to Cairns is to fly which takes, on average, 4h 45m and will usually cost around A$310 ($205).
Compare travel optionsbetween Ballina and Cairns
| Transport option | Duration | Cost | Frequency | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Fly + 3 similar | 4h 45m | A$310($205) | 5 times a day | 2,594km (1,612 miles) |
| Bus and Plane | 4h 30m | A$160($110) | twice daily | 1,594km (991 miles) |
| Bus to Coffs Harbour, Fly | 7h 50m | A$435($295) | once daily | 1,974km (1,227 miles) |
| Bus, Train and Plane | 6h 25m | A$185($125) | twice daily | 1,638km (1,018 miles) |
Bus + 1 similar | 1 day 8h | A$255($170) | once daily | 2,194km (1,364 miles) |
| Bus via Brisbane | 1 day 9h | A$385($260) | once daily | 2,192km (1,362 miles) |
Bus and Train | 1 day 3h | A$255($170) | 5 times a week | 1,870km (1,162 miles) |
Drive | 23h 15m | A$265($180) | on demand | 2,001km (1,243 miles) |
Top Carriersoperating between Ballina and Cairns
Bus companies
Byron Bay Express
NSW TrainLink
Premier Motor Service
Airlines
Qantas
Virgin Australia
Train operators
TRANSLink QLD
Queensland Rail Travel
Airports near Cairns
The following major airports near Cairns offer regular flights to various popular destinations within Australia and internationally.
Cairns Airport (CNS)
- Distance
- 5km (3 miles) from Cairns
Cooktown Airport (CTN)
- Distance
- 176km (109 miles) from Cairns
Palm Island Airport (PMK)
- Distance
- 221km (137 miles) from Cairns