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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
    $233–753

  2. Bus to Gold Coast Airport, fly

    cheapest
    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
    $169–701

  3. Bus, train

    1. Take the bus from Ballina to Brisbanebus bus Pm12
    2. Take the train from Roma Street to Cairns Central Stationtrain train Spirit of Queensland
    30h 50m
    $207–6,551

  4. Bus via Byron Bay Bus Interchange Station

    1. Take the bus from Byron Bay Bus Interchange Station to Brisbane Roma Streetbus bus
    2. Take the bus from Brisbane Coach Terminal to Cairnsbus bus Au050 / ...
    33h 25m
    $304–476

  5. Drive 1,861.9 km

    1. Drive from Ballina to Cairnscar car 1,861.9 km
    21h 48m
    $330–476

  6. Bus to Brisbane Airport, fly

    1. Take the bus from Byron Bay Bus Interchange Station to Brisbane Internationalbus bus
    2. Fly from Brisbane Airport (BNE) to Cairns (CNS)plane plane BNE - CNS
    8h 33m
    $189–736

  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
    $559–1,014

  8. Bus

    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 and train

Calendar4Weekly Services
Duration30h 50mAverage Duration
Ticket$207Cheapest 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 Hospital, Bentinck St to Cairns via Byron Bay Bus Interchange Station, Brisbane Roma Street, and Brisbane Coach Terminal in around 33h 25m.

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