How to travel from Port Douglas to Airlie Beach, Australia

The distance between Port Douglas and Airlie Beach is around 608km (378 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to fly which takes around 3h 50m.

4 routes found

We've found 4 different ways to get from Port Douglas to Airlie Beach 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 Airlie BeachPort Douglas if you're planning a return trip.

🚀 Fastest
1
plane
+

Fly

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

  • Duration3h 50m
  • Flight time1h 20m
  • Typical cost
    A$290($195)
Operated by

Skytrans

+ 1 others
💰 Cheapest
2
bus
+
bus
+

Bus

Take the bus to Cairns and then to Airlie Beach.

  • Duration11h 15m
  • Departs3 times a week
  • Typical cost
    A$105($72)
Operated by

Multiple bus operators

3
bus
+
train
+

Bus and Train

Take the bus to Cairns then take the train to Proserpine.

  • Duration11h 15m
  • Departs3 times a week
  • Typical cost
    A$115($79)
Operated by

Multiple operators

4
car
+

Drive

Drive to Airlie Beach.

  • Duration8h 60m
  • Distance688km (427 miles)
Get turn-by-turn directions

Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Port Douglas and Airlie Beach

There are several options for getting from Port Douglas to Airlie Beach by plane, bus, train and car. The cheapest option is to take the bus which costs around A$105 ($72) and will take around 11h 15m. If you need to get there more quickly, you can fly and arrive in approximately 3h 50m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately A$290 ($195).

The distance between Port Douglas and Airlie Beach is around 608km (378 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 543km (338 miles)

It takes around 3h 50m to get from Port Douglas and Airlie Beach by plane. If you are travelling by car it will take around 8h 60m to drive there.

The quickest way to get from Port Douglas to Airlie Beach is to fly which takes around 3h 50m and will set you back approx A$290 ($195).

The cheapest way to travel between Port Douglas and Airlie Beach, if you exclude driving, is to take the bus which will typically cost around A$105 ($72) for a standard one-way ticket.

Train travel

There is no train service that runs between Port Douglas and Airlie Beach. We recommend that you fly from Cairns (CNS) to Proserpine (PPP). instead which will take 3h 50m.

Bus travel

Yes there is a bus that runs regularly from Port Douglas and Airlie Beach. It typically takes around 11h 15m and departs 3 times a week.

There are no direct bus services that runs from Port Douglas to Airlie Beach. However, you can instead can take several connecting buses with changeovers in Port Douglas and Cairns. These services run 3 times a week and will take a minimum of 11h 15m.

Trans North Bus & Coach and Premier Motor Service run regular bus services between Port Douglas and Airlie Beach. Buses run 3 times a week and take around 11h 15m on average but will vary depending on you book with.

Flights and Airlines

Yes you can fly from Port Douglas 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 Port Douglas and Airlie Beach with no stop-overs required. Flights typically take around 1h 20m.

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

The flight from Port Douglas 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 Port Douglas and Airlie Beach. The distance is around 688km (427 miles) by road and it will take around 8h 60m in normal traffic conditons.

If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Port Douglas to Airlie Beach is to fly which takes, on average, 3h 50m and will usually cost around A$290 ($195).

How do I get from Port Douglas to Airlie Beach

Compare travel optionsbetween Port Douglas and Airlie Beach

Transport options from Port Douglas to Airlie Beach
Transport optionDurationCostFrequencyDistance
Fly
3h 50m
A$290($195)
every 20 mins608km (378 miles)
Bus
11h 15m
A$105($72)
3 times a week731km (454 miles)
Bus and Train
11h 15m
A$115($79)
3 times a week686km (426 miles)
Drive
8h 60m
A$130($88)
on demand688km (427 miles)

Top Carriersoperating between Port Douglas and Airlie Beach

Bus companies

Airlines

Train operators

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