How to travel from Cairns to Yamba, Australia
The distance between Cairns and Yamba is around 1,694km (1,053 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to fly and then take the bus which takes around 5h 40m.
8 routes found
We've found 8 different ways to get from Cairns to Yamba 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 Yamba → Cairns if you're planning a return trip.
Plane and Bus
Fly from Cairns (CNS) to Gold Coast (OOL) then take the bus to Byron Bay and then to Yamba YHA.
- Duration5h 40m
- Flight time2h 10m
- Typical costA$405($275)
Multiple operators
3 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 Yamba YHA.
- Duration1 day 10h
- Departsonce daily
- Typical costA$265($175)
Multiple bus operators
1 similiar route
We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.
Train and Bus
Take the train to Brisbane Roma Street then take the bus to Yamba YHA.
- Duration1 day 5h
- Departs5 times a week
- Typical costA$250($165)
Multiple operators
Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Cairns and Yamba
Popular questions
There are several options for getting from Cairns to Yamba by plane, bus, train and car. The cheapest option is to take the train and then take the bus which costs around A$250 ($165) and will take around 1 day 5h. If you need to get there more quickly, you can fly and then take the bus and arrive in approximately 5h 40m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately A$405 ($275).
The distance between Cairns and Yamba is around 1,694km (1,053 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 1,592km (989 miles)
It takes around 5h 40m to get from Cairns and Yamba by plane and bus. If you are travelling by car it will take around 24h 25m to drive there.
The quickest way to get from Cairns to Yamba is to fly and then take the bus which takes around 5h 40m and will set you back approx A$405 ($275).
The cheapest way to travel between Cairns and Yamba, if you exclude driving, is to take the train and then take the bus which will typically cost around A$250 ($165) for a standard one-way ticket.
Train travel
There is no train service that runs between Cairns and Yamba. We recommend that you fly from Cairns (CNS) to Gold Coast (OOL) then take the bus to Byron Bay and then to Yamba YHA. instead which will take 5h 40m.
Bus travel
Yes there is a bus that runs regularly from Cairns and Yamba. It typically takes around 1 day 10h and departs once daily.
There are no direct bus services that runs from Cairns to Yamba. However, you can instead can take several connecting buses with changeovers in Brisbane and King George Square 2E. These services run once daily and will take a minimum of 1 day 10h.
Premier Motor Service and Greyhound Australia run regular bus services between Cairns and Yamba. Buses run once daily and take around 1 day 10h on average but will vary depending on you book with.
Flights and Airlines
It doesn't look like you can fly directly from Cairns to Yamba. We recommend that you fly from Cairns (CNS) to Gold Coast (OOL) then take the bus to Byron Bay and then to Yamba YHA. instead which will take 5h 40m.
The closest major airport to Yamba is Ballina Byron Airport (BNK) (BNK) which is approximately 70km (43 miles) from Yamba. Coffs Harbour Airport (CFS) (CFS) and Gold Coast Airport (OOL) (OOL) 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 Yamba. The distance is around 2,092km (1,300 miles) by road and it will take around 24h 25m in normal traffic conditons.
If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Cairns to Yamba is to fly and then take the bus which takes, on average, 5h 40m and will usually cost around A$405 ($275).
Compare travel optionsbetween Cairns and Yamba
| Transport option | Duration | Cost | Frequency | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Plane and Bus + 3 similar | 5h 40m | A$405($275) | once daily | 1,694km (1,053 miles) |
| Fly to Ballina (BNK), Bus | 6h 25m | A$515($345) | once daily | 2,693km (1,673 miles) |
| Fly to Coffs Harbour (CFS), Bus | 6h 30m | A$870($585) | once daily | 2,571km (1,598 miles) |
| Plane, Train and Bus | 7h 35m | A$395($265) | twice daily | 1,773km (1,102 miles) |
Bus + 1 similar | 1 day 10h | A$265($175) | once daily | 2,278km (1,415 miles) |
| Bus via Brisbane | 1 day 10h | A$350($235) | once daily | 2,285km (1,420 miles) |
Train and Bus | 1 day 5h | A$250($165) | 5 times a week | 1,960km (1,218 miles) |
Drive | 24h 25m | A$395($265) | on demand | 2,092km (1,300 miles) |
Top Carriersoperating between Cairns and Yamba
Airlines
Qantas
Link Airways
Virgin Australia
Train operators
NSW TrainLink
Queensland Rail Travel
Bus companies
Byron Bay Express
Busways
Premier Motor Service
Airports near Yamba
The following major airports near Yamba offer regular flights to various popular destinations within Australia and internationally.
Ballina Byron Airport (BNK)
- Distance
- 70km (43 miles) from Yamba
Coffs Harbour Airport (CFS)
- Distance
- 101km (63 miles) from Yamba
Gold Coast Airport (OOL)
- Distance
- 142km (89 miles) from Yamba