How to travel from Cairns to Kingscliff, Australia

The distance between Cairns and Kingscliff is around 1,512km (940 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to fly which takes around 3hrs.

6 routes found

We've found 6 different ways to get from Cairns to Kingscliff 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 KingscliffCairns if you're planning a return trip.

🚀 Fastest
1
plane
+

Fly

Fly from Cairns (CNS) to Gold Coast (OOL).

  • Duration3hrs
  • Flight time2h 15m
  • Typical cost
    A$355($240)
Operated byJetstar+ 1 others

1 similiar route

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

💰 Cheapest
2
train
+
train
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Train

Take the train to Brisbane Roma Street and then to Helensvale station platform 1.

  • Duration1 day 3h
  • Departs5 times a week
  • Typical cost
    A$215($145)
Operated by

Multiple train operators

3
bus
+
bus
+

Bus

Take the bus to Brisbane and then to Tweed Heads.

  • Duration1 day 7h
  • Departsonce daily
  • Typical cost
    A$240($160)
Operated by

Premier Motor Service

4
bus
+
train
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Bus and Train

Take the bus to Brisbane then take the train to Helensvale station platform 1.

  • Duration1 day 8h
  • Departsonce daily
  • Typical cost
    A$335($225)
Operated by

Multiple operators

5
car
+

Drive

Drive to Kingscliff.

  • Duration22h 25m
  • Distance1,926km (1,197 miles)
Get turn-by-turn directions

Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Cairns and Kingscliff

There are several options for getting from Cairns to Kingscliff by plane, train, bus and car. The cheapest option is to take the train which costs around A$215 ($145) and will take around 1 day 3h. If you need to get there more quickly, you can fly and arrive in approximately 3hrs, though it is a bit more costly at approximately A$355 ($240).

The distance between Cairns and Kingscliff is around 1,512km (940 miles).

It takes around 3hrs to get from Cairns and Kingscliff by plane. If you are travelling by car it will take around 22h 25m to drive there.

The quickest way to get from Cairns to Kingscliff is to fly which takes around 3hrs and will set you back approx A$355 ($240).

The cheapest way to travel between Cairns and Kingscliff, if you exclude driving, is to take the train which will typically cost around A$215 ($145) for a standard one-way ticket.

Train travel

Yes there is a train service that runs between Cairns and Kingscliff. It typically takes around 1 day 3h and departs 5 times a week.

There are no direct train services that runs from Cairns to Kingscliff. However, you can instead can take several connecting trains with a changeover in Brisbane Roma Street, Helensvale station platform 1, Broadbeach South station and Griffith St at Coolangatta East. These services run 5 times a week and will take a minimum of 1 day 3h.

Queensland Rail Travel and Translink QLD run train services between Cairns and Kingscliff. Trains depart 5 times a week and will take around 1 day 3h, 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 Cairns and Kingscliff. It typically takes around 1 day 7h and departs once daily.

There are no direct bus services that runs from Cairns to Kingscliff. However, you can instead can take several connecting buses with changeovers in Brisbane and Tweed Heads. These services run once daily and will take a minimum of 1 day 7h.

Premier Motor Service run regular bus services between Cairns and Kingscliff. Buses run once daily and take around 1 day 7h on average but will vary depending on you book with.

Flights and Airlines

Yes you can fly from Cairns and Kingscliff. 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 Kingscliff with no stop-overs required. Flights typically take around 2h 15m.

Jetstar and Qantas fly between Cairns and Kingscliff. Flights depart from Cairns (CNS) and and arrive into Gold Coast (OOL). These flights usually take around 2h 15m.

The flight from Cairns to Kingscliff typically takes around 2h 15m. Flights depart from Cairns (CNS) and and arrive into Gold Coast (OOL).

The closest major airport to Kingscliff is Gold Coast Airport (OOL) (OOL) which is approximately 12km (7 miles) from Kingscliff. Ballina Byron Airport (BNK) (BNK) and Brisbane Airport (BNE) (BNE) 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 Cairns and Kingscliff. The distance is around 1,926km (1,197 miles) by road and it will take around 22h 25m in normal traffic conditons.

If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Cairns to Kingscliff is to fly which takes, on average, 3hrs and will usually cost around A$355 ($240).

How do I get from Cairns to Kingscliff

Compare travel optionsbetween Cairns and Kingscliff

Transport options from Cairns to Kingscliff
Transport optionDurationCostFrequencyDistance
Fly + 1 similar
3hrs
A$355($240)
every 20 mins1,512km (940 miles)
Plane and Train5h 10m
A$340($230)
every 20 mins1,536km (954 miles)
Train
1 day 3h
A$215($145)
5 times a week1,777km (1,104 miles)
Bus
1 day 7h
A$240($160)
once daily2,093km (1,301 miles)
Bus and Train
1 day 8h
A$335($225)
once daily2,101km (1,306 miles)
Drive
22h 25m
A$365($245)
on demand1,926km (1,197 miles)

Top Carriersoperating between Cairns and Kingscliff

Airlines

Bus companies

Train operators

Airports near Kingscliff

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

OOL
Gold Coast Airport (OOL)
International Airport
Distance
12km (7 miles) from Kingscliff
BNK
Ballina Byron Airport (BNK)
Domestic Airport
Distance
65km (40 miles) from Kingscliff
BNE
Brisbane Airport (BNE)
International Airport
Distance
105km (66 miles) from Kingscliff