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How to get fromCairns Airport (CNS) to Darwinby plane, train, bus, or car

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There are 7 ways to get from Cairns Airport (CNS) to Darwin by plane, train, bus, 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

    best
    1. Fly from Cairns (CNS) to Darwin International Airport (DRW)plane plane CNS - DRW
    2h 51m
    $413–921

  2. Train via Sydney

    1. Take the train from Cairns Central Station to Roma Streettrain train
    2. Take the train from Roma Street Station to Central Stationtrain train
    3. Take the train from Central Station to Southern Crosstrain train
    4. Take the train from Southern Cross Station to Adelaide Stationtrain train
    5. Take the train from Adelaide Station to Darwintrain train
    5d
    $3,328–9,940

  3. Bus, train via Alice Springs

    1. Take the bus from Cairns to Brisbane Coach Terminalbus bus
    2. Take the train from Brisbane to Southern Crosstrain train
    3. Take the train from Southern Cross Station to Adelaide Stationtrain train
    4. Take the bus from Adelaide to Alice Springsbus bus
    5. Take the bus from Alice Springs to Darwinbus bus
    5d 18h
    $3,438–5,497

  4. Drive 2,359.5 km

    1. Drive from Cairns Airport (CNS) to Darwincar car 2,359.5 km
    34h 50m
    $419–604

  5. Bus, train

    1. Take the bus from Cairns to Brisbane Coach Terminalbus bus
    2. Take the train from Roma Street Station to Central Stationtrain train
    3. Take the train from Central Station to Southern Crosstrain train
    4. Take the train from Southern Cross Station to Adelaide Stationtrain train
    5. Take the train from Adelaide Station to Darwintrain train
    5d 4h
    $3,412–4,186

  6. Train

    1. Take the train from Cairns Central Station to Roma Streettrain train
    2. Take the train from Brisbane to Adelaidetrain train
    3. Take the train from Adelaide Station to Darwintrain train
    7d 9h
    $6,259–27,066

  7. Bus, train #2

    1. Take the bus from Cairns Central Station to Brisbane Roma Streetbus bus
    2. Take the train from Brisbane to Adelaidetrain train
    3. Take the train from Adelaide Station to Darwintrain train
    7d 13h
    $6,308–21,206

Cairns (CNS) to Darwin International Airport (DRW) flights

Calendar19Weekly Planes
Duration3h 30mAverage Duration
Ticket$360Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Cairns Airport (CNS) to Darwin.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 1,686.5 km
  • Duration: 2h 51m

What companies run services between Cairns Airport (CNS), Australia and Darwin, NT, Australia?

Qantas and Airnorth fly from Cairns (CNS) to Darwin International Airport (DRW) 3 times a day. Alternatively, you can take a shuttle from Cairns Airport to Darwin via Cairns Central Shopping Complex, Cairns Central Station, Roma Street, Roma Street Station, Central Station, Southern Cross Station, Adelaide Station, and Darwin in around 5d.

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