The distance between Gold Coast and Cairns is around 1,499km (932 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to fly which takes around 3h 25m.
We've found 6 different ways to get from Gold Coast to Cairns 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 Cairns → Gold Coast if you're planning a return trip.
Fly from Gold Coast (OOL) to Cairns (CNS).
1 similiar route
We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.
Take the train to Roma Street station platform 7 and then to Cairns Central Station.
Multiple train operators
Take the bus to Brisbane and then to Cairns Central Station.
Multiple bus operators
Take the train to Roma Street station platform 7 then take the bus to Cairns.
Multiple operators
There are several options for getting from Gold Coast to Cairns by plane, train, bus and car. The cheapest option is to fly which costs around A$125 ($85) and will take around 3h 25m.
The distance between Gold Coast and Cairns is around 1,499km (932 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 1,460km (907 miles)
It takes around 3h 25m to get from Gold Coast and Cairns by plane. If you are travelling by car it will take around 22h 5m to drive there.
The quickest way to get from Gold Coast to Cairns is to fly which takes around 3h 25m and will set you back approx A$125 ($85).
The cheapest way to travel between Gold Coast and Cairns, 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 Gold Coast and Cairns. It typically takes around 1 day 2h and departs 5 times a week.
There are no direct train services that runs from Gold Coast to Cairns. However, you can instead can take several connecting trains with a changeover in Helensvale station platform 4 and Roma Street station platform 7. These services run 5 times a week and will take a minimum of 1 day 2h.
TRANSLink QLD and Queensland Rail Travel run train services between Gold Coast and Cairns. 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 Gold Coast and Cairns. It typically takes around 1 day 6h and departs once daily.
There are no direct bus services that runs from Gold Coast to Cairns. 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.
NSW TrainLink and Premier Motor Service run regular bus services between Gold Coast and Cairns. 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 Gold Coast and Cairns. Flights depart from Gold Coast (OOL) and arrive at Cairns (CNS). The flight takes around 2h 25m.
Yes there is a direct flight between Gold Coast and Cairns with no stop-overs required. Flights typically take around 2h 25m.
Jetstar, Virgin Australia and Qantas fly between Gold Coast and Cairns. Flights depart from Gold Coast (OOL) and and arrive into Cairns (CNS). These flights usually take around 2h 25m.
The flight from Gold Coast to Cairns typically takes around 2h 25m. Flights depart from Gold Coast (OOL) 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.
Yes it is possible to drive from Gold Coast and Cairns. The distance is around 1,892km (1,176 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 Gold Coast to Cairns is to fly which takes, on average, 3h 25m and will usually cost around A$125 ($85).
Transport option | Duration | Cost | Frequency | Distance |
---|---|---|---|---|
Fly + 1 similar | 3h 25m | A$125($85) | 5 times a day | 1,516km (942 miles) |
Train and Plane | 4h 50m | A$170($115) | 5 times a day | 1,499km (932 miles) |
Train | 1 day 2h | A$235($160) | 5 times a week | 1,736km (1,079 miles) |
Bus | 1 day 6h | A$235($155) | once daily | 2,057km (1,278 miles) |
Train and Bus | 1 day 7h | A$355($240) | once daily | 2,069km (1,286 miles) |
Drive | 22h 5m | A$250($170) | on demand | 1,892km (1,176 miles) |
Virgin Australia
Qantas
Queensland Rail Travel
NSW TrainLink
Premier Motor Service
The following major airports near Cairns offer regular flights to various popular destinations within Australia and internationally.