How to travel from Palm Cove to Airlie Beach, Australia

The distance between Palm Cove and Airlie Beach is around 565km (351 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to fly which takes around 2h 50m.

4 routes found

We've found 4 different ways to get from Palm Cove to Airlie Beach by plane, bus and car. The recommended routes, which include information on duration, ticket price, and level of difficulty, can be found below.

👋 Also check out Airlie BeachPalm Cove if you're planning a return trip.

🚀 Fastest
1
plane
+

Fly

Fly from Cairns (CNS) to Proserpine (PPP).

  • Duration2h 50m
  • Flight time1h 20m
  • Typical cost
    A$280($190)
Operated by

Skytrans

+ 1 others
💰 Cheapest
2
bus
+

Bus

Take the bus to Airlie Beach.

  • Duration11h 5m
  • Departsonce daily
  • Typical cost
    A$73($49)
Operated by

Premier Motor Service

1 similiar route

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

3
car
+

Drive

Drive to Airlie Beach.

  • Duration8h 25m
  • Distance647km (402 miles)
Get turn-by-turn directions

Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Palm Cove and Airlie Beach

There are several options for getting from Palm Cove to Airlie Beach by plane, bus and car. The cheapest option is to take the bus which costs around A$73 ($49) and will take around 11h 5m. If you need to get there more quickly, you can fly and arrive in approximately 2h 50m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately A$280 ($190).

The distance between Palm Cove and Airlie Beach is around 565km (351 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 507km (315 miles)

It takes around 2h 50m to get from Palm Cove and Airlie Beach by plane. If you are travelling by car it will take around 8h 25m to drive there.

The quickest way to get from Palm Cove to Airlie Beach is to fly which takes around 2h 50m and will set you back approx A$280 ($190).

The cheapest way to travel between Palm Cove and Airlie Beach, if you exclude driving, is to take the bus which will typically cost around A$73 ($49) for a standard one-way ticket.

Train travel

There is no train service that runs between Palm Cove and Airlie Beach. We recommend that you fly from Cairns (CNS) to Proserpine (PPP). instead which will take 2h 50m.

Bus travel

Yes there is a bus that runs regularly from Palm Cove and Airlie Beach. It typically takes around 11h 5m and departs once daily.

There are no direct bus services that runs from Palm Cove to Airlie Beach. However, you can instead can take several connecting buses with changeovers in Cairns Central Terminus. These services run once daily and will take a minimum of 11h 5m.

Premier Motor Service and Greyhound Australia run regular bus services between Palm Cove and Airlie Beach. Buses run once daily and take around 11h 5m on average but will vary depending on you book with.

Flights and Airlines

Yes you can fly from Palm Cove and Airlie Beach. Flights depart from Cairns (CNS) and arrive at Proserpine (PPP). The flight takes around 1h 20m.

Yes there is a direct flight between Palm Cove and Airlie Beach with no stop-overs required. Flights typically take around 1h 20m.

Skytrans and FlexFlight ApS fly between Palm Cove and Airlie Beach. Flights depart from Cairns (CNS) and and arrive into Proserpine (PPP). These flights usually take around 1h 20m.

The flight from Palm Cove to Airlie Beach typically takes around 1h 20m. Flights depart from Cairns (CNS) and and arrive into Proserpine (PPP).

The closest major airport to Airlie Beach is Hamilton Island Airport (HTI) (HTI) which is approximately 26km (16 miles) from Airlie Beach. Whitsunday Coast Airport (PPP) (PPP) and Cairns Airport (CNS) (CNS) 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 Palm Cove and Airlie Beach. The distance is around 647km (402 miles) by road and it will take around 8h 25m in normal traffic conditons.

If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Palm Cove to Airlie Beach is to fly which takes, on average, 2h 50m and will usually cost around A$280 ($190).

How do I get from Palm Cove to Airlie Beach

Compare travel optionsbetween Palm Cove and Airlie Beach

Transport options from Palm Cove to Airlie Beach
Transport optionDurationCostFrequencyDistance
Fly
2h 50m
A$280($190)
every 20 mins565km (351 miles)
Bus + 1 similar
11h 5m
A$73($49)
once daily693km (430 miles)
Bus to Airlie Beach11h 15m
A$110($73)
once daily692km (430 miles)
Drive
8h 25m
A$125($83)
on demand647km (402 miles)

Top Carriersoperating between Palm Cove and Airlie Beach

Airlines

Train operators

Bus companies

Airports near Airlie Beach

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

HTI
Hamilton Island Airport (HTI)
Domestic Airport
Distance
26km (16 miles) from Airlie Beach
PPP
Whitsunday Coast Airport (PPP)
Domestic Airport
Distance
30km (18 miles) from Airlie Beach
CNS
Cairns Airport (CNS)
International Airport
Distance
490km (305 miles) from Airlie Beach