How to travel from Tin Can Bay to Cairns, Australia

The distance between Tin Can Bay and Cairns is around 1,523km (947 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to drive which takes around 20h 30m.

4 routes found

We've found 4 different ways to get from Tin Can Bay to Cairns by 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 CairnsTin Can Bay if you're planning a return trip.

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bus
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bus
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Bus

Take the bus to Monkland Street at Sovereign Cinema and then to Cairns.

  • Duration1 day 2h
  • Departs5 times a week
  • Typical cost
    A$270($180)
Operated by

Multiple bus operators

1 similiar route

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

💰 Cheapest
2
bus
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train
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Bus and Train

Take the bus to Monkland Street at Sovereign Cinema then take the train to Cairns Central Station.

  • Duration23h 10m
  • Departs5 times a week
  • Typical cost
    A$190($130)
Operated by

Multiple operators

🚀 Fastest
3
car
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Drive

Drive to Cairns.

  • Duration20h 30m
  • Distance1,523km (947 miles)
Get turn-by-turn directions

Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Tin Can Bay and Cairns

There are several options for getting from Tin Can Bay to Cairns by bus, train and car. The cheapest option is to take the bus and then take the train which costs around A$190 ($130) and will take around 23h 10m. If you need to get there more quickly, you can drive and arrive in approximately 20h 30m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately A$290 ($195).

The distance between Tin Can Bay and Cairns is around 1,523km (947 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 1,242km (772 miles)

It takes around 23h 10m to get from Tin Can Bay and Cairns by bus and train. If you are travelling by car it will take around 20h 30m to drive there.

The quickest way to get from Tin Can Bay to Cairns is to drive which takes around 20h 30m and will set you back approx A$290 ($195).

The cheapest way to travel between Tin Can Bay and Cairns, if you exclude driving, is to take the bus and then take the train which will typically cost around A$190 ($130) for a standard one-way ticket.

Train travel

There is no train service that runs between Tin Can Bay and Cairns. We recommend that you drive to Cairns. instead which will take 20h 30m.

Bus travel

Yes there is a bus that runs regularly from Tin Can Bay and Cairns. It typically takes around 1 day 2h and departs 5 times a week.

There are no direct bus services that runs from Tin Can Bay to Cairns. However, you can instead can take several connecting buses with changeovers in Monkland Street at Sovereign Cinema. These services run 5 times a week and will take a minimum of 1 day 2h.

Polleys Coaches, Greyhound Australia and Premier Motor Service run regular bus services between Tin Can Bay and Cairns. Buses run 5 times a week and take around 1 day 2h on average but will vary depending on you book with.

Flights and Airlines

It doesn't look like you can fly directly from Tin Can Bay to Cairns. We recommend that you take the bus to Monkland Street at Sovereign Cinema then take the train to Cairns Central Station. instead which will take 23h 10m.

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.

Drive yourself

Yes it is possible to drive from Tin Can Bay and Cairns. The distance is around 1,523km (947 miles) by road and it will take around 20h 30m in normal traffic conditons.

If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Tin Can Bay to Cairns is to take the bus and then take the train which takes, on average, 23h 10m and will usually cost around A$190 ($130).

How do I get from Tin Can Bay to Cairns

Compare travel optionsbetween Tin Can Bay and Cairns

Transport options from Tin Can Bay to Cairns
Transport optionDurationCostFrequencyDistance
Bus + 1 similar
1 day 2h
A$270($180)
5 times a week1,838km (1,142 miles)
Bus via Monkland Street at Sovereign Cinema1 day 2h
A$210($140)
5 times a week1,826km (1,135 miles)
Bus and Train
23h 10m
A$190($130)
5 times a week1,540km (957 miles)
Drive
20h 30m
A$290($195)
on demand1,523km (947 miles)

Top Carriersoperating between Tin Can Bay and Cairns

Bus companies

Airlines

Airports near Cairns

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

CNS
Cairns Airport (CNS)
International Airport
Distance
5km (3 miles) from Cairns
CTN
Cooktown Airport (CTN)
Domestic Airport
Distance
176km (109 miles) from Cairns
PMK
Palm Island Airport (PMK)
Domestic Airport
Distance
221km (137 miles) from Cairns