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How to get fromCairns City to Darwinby plane, bus, train, or car

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There are 6 ways to get from Cairns City to Darwin 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

    best
    1. Fly from Cairns (CNS) to Darwin International Airport (DRW)plane plane CNS - DRW
    4h 11m
    $419–931

  2. Bus, train via Alice Springs

    1. Take the bus from Cairns Central Station to Brisbane Roma Streetbus bus
    2. Take the bus from Roma Street Station, Stand F to Grafton Station, Coach Stopbus bus
    3. Take the train from Grafton Station to Central Stationtrain train
    4. Take the train from Central Station to Adelaide Parklandstrain train
    5. Take the bus from Adelaide to Alice Springsbus bus
    6. Take the bus from Alice Springs to Darwinbus bus
    4d 21h
    $1,129–6,062

  3. 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 Adelaide Parklandstrain train
    4. Take the train from Adelaide Station to Darwintrain train
    5d 3h
    $3,513–13,910

  4. Drive 2,353.8 km

    1. Drive from Cairns City to Darwincar car 2,353.8 km
    34h 43m
    $422–610

  5. 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 8h
    $6,259–27,066

  6. Bus, train

    1. Take the bus from Cairns to Brisbane Coach Terminalbus bus
    2. Take the train from Brisbane to Adelaidetrain train
    3. Take the train from Adelaide Station to Darwintrain train
    7d 11h
    $6,362–21,354

Cairns City to Darwin by bus, train, and foot

Calendar1Weekly Services
Duration4d 21hAverage Duration
Ticket$1,129Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Cairns City to Darwin.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 1,694.2 km
  • Duration: 4h 11m

What companies run services between Cairns City, QLD, 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 train from Cairns Central Station to Darwin via Roma Street, Roma Street Station, Central Station, Adelaide Parklands, Adelaide Station, and Darwin in around 5d 3h.

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