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How to get fromBallina to Cairnsby plane, bus, train, or car

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There are 8 ways to get from Ballina to Cairns by plane, bus, train, or car

Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.

  1. Fly from Ballina Byron Gateway Airport

    best
    1. Fly from Ballina Byron Gateway Airport (BNK) to Cairns (CNS)plane plane BNK - CNS
    7h 50m
    $223–803

  2. Bus, train to Brisbane Airport, fly

    cheapest
    1. Take the bus from Ballina to Surfers Paradisebus bus
    2. Take the train from Helensvale station, platform 2 to International Airport Stationtrain train
    3. Fly from Brisbane Airport (BNE) to Cairns (CNS)plane plane BNE - CNS
    8h 59m
    $170–723

  3. Bus, train

    1. Take the bus from Ballina to Brisbanebus bus Brisbane
    2. Take the train from Roma Street to Cairns Central Stationtrain train Spirit of Queensland
    29h 59m
    $211–6,569

  4. Bus

    1. Take the bus from Ballina Service Center to Brisbanebus bus Au001
    2. Take the bus from Brisbane Coach Terminal to Cairnsbus bus Au050 / ...
    33h 26m
    $288–477

  5. Drive 1,861.9 km

    1. Drive from Ballina to Cairnscar car 1,861.9 km
    21h 48m
    $337–486

  6. Bus to Gold Coast Airport, fly

    1. Take the bus from Byron Bay to Gold Coast Airportbus bus
    2. Fly from Gold Coast Airport (OOL) to Cairns (CNS)plane plane OOL - CNS
    7h 32m
    $179–701

  7. Bus to Coffs Harbour Airport, fly

    1. Take the bus from Bus Interchange – Tamar Street to Coffs Harbour Airport - Under Awning at Flight Departuresbus bus
    2. Fly from Coffs Harbour Airport (CFS) to Cairns (CNS)plane plane CFS - CNS
    10h 55m
    $589–1,064

  8. Bus via Cairns Central Station

    1. Take the bus from Ballina CBD Tamar St Bus Interchange to Brisbane Roma Streetbus bus
    2. Take the bus from Brisbane Roma Street to Cairns Central Stationbus bus Pm16
    34h 22m
    $286–395

Ballina to Cairns by bus, foot, and train

Calendar4Weekly Services
Duration29h 59mAverage Duration
Ticket$211Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Ballina to Cairns.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 1,559.3 km
  • Duration: 7h 50m

What companies run services between Ballina, NSW, Australia and Cairns, QLD, Australia?

Jetstar, Virgin Australia, and Qantas fly from Ballina Byron Gateway Airport (BNK) to Cairns (CNS) 5 times a day. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Ballina Service Center to Cairns via Brisbane Coach Terminal in around 33h 26m.

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