The distance between Cairns and Gold Coast is around 1,499km (931 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to fly which takes around 3h 15m.
We've found 6 different ways to get from Cairns to Gold Coast by plane, train, bus and car. The recommended routes, which include information on duration, ticket price, and level of difficulty, can be found below.
👋 Also check out Gold Coast → Cairns if you're planning a return trip.
Fly from Cairns (CNS) to Gold Coast (OOL).
1 similiar route
We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.
Take the train to Brisbane Roma Street and then to Helensvale station platform 1.
Multiple train operators
Take the bus to Brisbane and then to Surfers Paradise.
Premier Motor Service
Take the bus to Brisbane then take the train to Helensvale station platform 1.
Multiple operators
There are several options for getting from Cairns to Gold Coast by plane, train, bus and car. The cheapest option is to fly which costs around A$125 ($85) and will take around 3h 15m.
The distance between Cairns and Gold Coast is around 1,499km (931 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 1,460km (907 miles)
It takes around 3h 15m to get from Cairns and Gold Coast by plane. If you are travelling by car it will take around 22h 5m to drive there.
The quickest way to get from Cairns to Gold Coast is to fly which takes around 3h 15m and will set you back approx A$125 ($85).
The cheapest way to travel between Cairns and Gold Coast, if you exclude driving, is to fly which will typically cost around A$125 ($85) for a standard one-way ticket.
Yes there is a train service that runs between Cairns and Gold Coast. It typically takes around 1 day 2h and departs 5 times a week.
There are no direct train services that runs from Cairns to Gold Coast. However, you can instead can take several connecting trains with a changeover in Brisbane Roma Street and Helensvale station platform 1. These services run 5 times a week and will take a minimum of 1 day 2h.
Queensland Rail Travel and TRANSLink QLD run train services between Cairns and Gold Coast. Trains depart 5 times a week and will take around 1 day 2h, however, this may vary depending on the particular service and whether it runs express or stops all stations.
Yes there is a bus that runs regularly from Cairns and Gold Coast. It typically takes around 1 day 6h and departs once daily.
There are no direct bus services that runs from Cairns to Gold Coast. However, you can instead can take several connecting buses with changeovers in Brisbane. These services run once daily and will take a minimum of 1 day 6h.
Premier Motor Service run regular bus services between Cairns and Gold Coast. Buses run once daily and take around 1 day 6h on average but will vary depending on you book with.
Yes you can fly from Cairns and Gold Coast. Flights depart from Cairns (CNS) and arrive at Gold Coast (OOL). The flight takes around 2h 15m.
Yes there is a direct flight between Cairns and Gold Coast with no stop-overs required. Flights typically take around 2h 15m.
Jetstar, Virgin Australia and Qantas fly between Cairns and Gold Coast. Flights depart from Cairns (CNS) and and arrive into Gold Coast (OOL). These flights usually take around 2h 15m.
The flight from Cairns to Gold Coast typically takes around 2h 15m. Flights depart from Cairns (CNS) and and arrive into Gold Coast (OOL).
The closest major airport to Gold Coast is Gold Coast Airport (OOL) (OOL) which is approximately 21km (13 miles) from Gold Coast. Brisbane Airport (BNE) (BNE) and Ballina Byron Airport (BNK) (BNK) 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 Gold Coast. The distance is around 1,891km (1,175 miles) by road and it will take around 22h 5m in normal traffic conditons.
If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Cairns to Gold Coast is to fly which takes, on average, 3h 15m and will usually cost around A$125 ($85).
Transport option | Duration | Cost | Frequency | Distance |
---|---|---|---|---|
Fly + 1 similar | 3h 15m | A$125($85) | 5 times a day | 1,515km (942 miles) |
Plane and Train | 4h 35m | A$170($115) | 5 times a day | 1,499km (931 miles) |
Train | 1 day 2h | A$235($160) | 5 times a week | 1,736km (1,079 miles) |
Bus | 1 day 6h | A$255($170) | once daily | 2,053km (1,276 miles) |
Bus and Train | 1 day 7h | A$355($240) | once daily | 2,061km (1,281 miles) |
Drive | 22h 5m | A$250($170) | on demand | 1,891km (1,175 miles) |
Virgin Australia
Qantas
Premier Motor Service
Queensland Rail Travel
The following major airports near Gold Coast offer regular flights to various popular destinations within Australia and internationally.