How to travel from Gold Coast to Port Douglas, Australia

The distance between Gold Coast and Port Douglas is around 1,561km (970 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to fly which takes around 4h 35m.

5 routes found

We've found 5 different ways to get from Gold Coast to Port Douglas 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 Port DouglasGold Coast if you're planning a return trip.

🚀 Fastest
💰 Cheapest
1
plane
+

Fly

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

  • Duration4h 35m
  • Flight time2h 25m
  • Typical cost
    A$170($115)
Operated byJetstar+ 2 others

1 similiar route

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

2
3 x bus
+

Bus

Take the bus to Brisbane then Cairns Central Station and then to Port Douglas.

  • Duration1 day 7h
  • Departs3 times a week
  • Typical cost
    A$280($190)
Operated by

Multiple bus operators

3
train
+
train
+
bus
+

Train and Bus

Take the train to Roma Street station platform 7 and then to Cairns Central Station then take the bus to Port Douglas.

  • Duration1 day 3h
  • Departs3 times a week
  • Typical cost
    A$280($190)
Operated by

Multiple operators

4
car
+

Drive

Drive to Port Douglas.

  • Duration23hrs
  • Distance1,957km (1,216 miles)
Get turn-by-turn directions

Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Gold Coast and Port Douglas

There are several options for getting from Gold Coast to Port Douglas by plane, train, bus and car. The cheapest option is to fly which costs around A$170 ($115) and will take around 4h 35m.

The distance between Gold Coast and Port Douglas is around 1,561km (970 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 1,519km (944 miles)

It takes around 4h 35m to get from Gold Coast and Port Douglas by plane. If you are travelling by car it will take around 23hrs to drive there.

The quickest way to get from Gold Coast to Port Douglas is to fly which takes around 4h 35m and will set you back approx A$170 ($115).

The cheapest way to travel between Gold Coast and Port Douglas, if you exclude driving, is to fly which will typically cost around A$170 ($115) for a standard one-way ticket.

Train travel

There is no train service that runs between Gold Coast and Port Douglas. We recommend that you fly from Gold Coast (OOL) to Cairns (CNS). instead which will take 4h 35m.

Bus travel

Yes there is a bus that runs regularly from Gold Coast and Port Douglas. It typically takes around 1 day 7h and departs 3 times a week.

There are no direct bus services that runs from Gold Coast to Port Douglas. However, you can instead can take several connecting buses with changeovers in Brisbane, Cairns Central Station and Port Douglas. These services run 3 times a week and will take a minimum of 1 day 7h.

NSW TrainLink, Premier Motor Service and Trans North Bus & Coach run regular bus services between Gold Coast and Port Douglas. Buses run 3 times a week and take around 1 day 7h on average but will vary depending on you book with.

Flights and Airlines

Yes you can fly from Gold Coast and Port Douglas. 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 Port Douglas with no stop-overs required. Flights typically take around 2h 25m.

Jetstar, Virgin Australia and Qantas fly between Gold Coast and Port Douglas. 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 Port Douglas typically takes around 2h 25m. Flights depart from Gold Coast (OOL) and and arrive into Cairns (CNS).

The closest major airport to Port Douglas is Cairns Airport (CNS) (CNS) which is approximately 53km (33 miles) from Port Douglas. 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.

Drive yourself

Yes it is possible to drive from Gold Coast and Port Douglas. The distance is around 1,957km (1,216 miles) by road and it will take around 23hrs in normal traffic conditons.

If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Gold Coast to Port Douglas is to fly which takes, on average, 4h 35m and will usually cost around A$170 ($115).

How do I get from Gold Coast to Port Douglas

Compare travel optionsbetween Gold Coast and Port Douglas

Transport options from Gold Coast to Port Douglas
Transport optionDurationCostFrequencyDistance
Fly + 1 similar
4h 35m
A$170($115)
every 20 mins1,577km (980 miles)
Train and Plane6hrs
A$210($140)
every 20 mins1,561km (970 miles)
Bus
1 day 7h
A$280($190)
3 times a week2,125km (1,320 miles)
Train and Bus
1 day 3h
A$280($190)
3 times a week1,805km (1,121 miles)
Drive
23hrs
A$260($175)
on demand1,957km (1,216 miles)

Top Carriersoperating between Gold Coast and Port Douglas

Bus companies

Airlines

Train operators

Airports near Port Douglas

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

CNS
Cairns Airport (CNS)
International Airport
Distance
53km (33 miles) from Port Douglas
CTN
Cooktown Airport (CTN)
Domestic Airport
Distance
120km (74 miles) from Port Douglas
PMK
Palm Island Airport (PMK)
Domestic Airport
Distance
279km (173 miles) from Port Douglas