The distance between Cairns and Airlie Beach is around 546km (339 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to fly which takes around 2h 30m.
We've found 3 different ways to get from Cairns to Airlie Beach by plane, bus and car. The recommended routes, which include information on duration, ticket price, and level of difficulty, can be found below.
👋 Also check out Airlie Beach → Cairns if you're planning a return trip.
Fly from Cairns (CNS) to Proserpine (PPP).
Skytrans
+ 1 othersTake the bus to Airlie Beach.
Premier Motor Service
+ 1 othersThere are several options for getting from Cairns to Airlie Beach by plane, bus and car. The cheapest option is to take the bus which costs around A$67 ($45) and will take around 10h 10m. If you need to get there more quickly, you can fly and arrive in approximately 2h 30m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately A$275 ($185).
The distance between Cairns and Airlie Beach is around 546km (339 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 485km (301 miles)
It takes around 2h 30m to get from Cairns and Airlie Beach by plane. If you are travelling by car it will take around 8hrs to drive there.
The quickest way to get from Cairns to Airlie Beach is to fly which takes around 2h 30m and will set you back approx A$275 ($185).
The cheapest way to travel between Cairns and Airlie Beach, if you exclude driving, is to take the bus which will typically cost around A$67 ($45) for a standard one-way ticket.
There is no train service that runs between Cairns and Airlie Beach. We recommend that you fly from Cairns (CNS) to Proserpine (PPP). instead which will take 2h 30m.
Yes there is a bus that runs regularly from Cairns and Airlie Beach. It typically takes around 10h 10m and departs once daily.
Yes there is a direct bus service that runs between Cairns and Airlie Beach with no changeovers required. The bus runs once daily and takes 10h 10m.
Premier Motor Service run regular bus services between Cairns and Airlie Beach. Buses run once daily and take around 10h 10m on average but will vary depending on you book with.
Yes you can fly from Cairns and Airlie Beach. Flights depart from Cairns (CNS) and arrive at Proserpine (PPP). The flight takes around 1h 20m.
Yes there is a direct flight between Cairns and Airlie Beach with no stop-overs required. Flights typically take around 1h 20m.
Skytrans and FlexFlight ApS fly between Cairns and Airlie Beach. Flights depart from Cairns (CNS) and and arrive into Proserpine (PPP). These flights usually take around 1h 20m.
The flight from Cairns to Airlie Beach typically takes around 1h 20m. Flights depart from Cairns (CNS) and and arrive into Proserpine (PPP).
The closest major airport to Airlie Beach is Hamilton Island Airport (HTI) (HTI) which is approximately 26km (16 miles) from Airlie Beach. Whitsunday Coast Airport (PPP) (PPP) and Cairns Airport (CNS) (CNS) are also nearby and might be a better alternative airport depending on where you are flying from.
Yes it is possible to drive from Cairns and Airlie Beach. The distance is around 622km (387 miles) by road and it will take around 8hrs in normal traffic conditons.
If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Cairns to Airlie Beach is to fly which takes, on average, 2h 30m and will usually cost around A$275 ($185).
Transport option | Duration | Cost | Frequency | Distance |
---|---|---|---|---|
Fly | 2h 30m | A$275($185) | every 20 mins | 546km (339 miles) |
Bus | 10h 10m | A$67($45) | twice daily | 661km (411 miles) |
Drive | 8hrs | A$115($79) | on demand | 622km (387 miles) |
Skytrans
FlexFlight ApS
Queensland Rail Travel
Premier Motor Service
The following major airports near Airlie Beach offer regular flights to various popular destinations within Australia and internationally.