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How to get fromCairns to Ballinaby plane, bus, train, or car

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There are 8 ways to get from Cairns to Ballina 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 to Gold Coast Airport, bus

    best
    1. Fly from Cairns (CNS) to Gold Coast Airport (OOL)plane plane CNS - OOL
    2. Take the bus from Gold Coast Airport to Ballina CBD Tamar St Bus Interchangebus bus
    5h 50m
    $179–669

  2. Train, bus

    1. Take the train from Cairns Central Station to Roma Streettrain train Spirit of Queensland
    2. Take the bus from Brisbane Roma Street to Ballina CBD Tamar St Bus Interchangebus bus
    29h 10m
    $239–6,251

  3. Bus

    1. Take the bus from Cairns to Brisbane Coach Terminalbus bus Au050 / ...
    2. Take the bus from Brisbane Roma Street to Ballina CBD Tamar St Bus Interchangebus bus
    32h 38m
    $323–497

  4. Drive 1,862.3 km

    1. Drive from Cairns to Ballinacar car 1,862.3 km
    21h 49m
    $330–477

  5. Fly to Ballina Byron Gateway Airport

    1. Fly from Cairns (CNS) to Ballina Byron Gateway Airport (BNK)plane plane CNS - BNK
    8h 1m
    $217–697

  6. Fly to Brisbane Airport, bus

    1. Fly from Cairns (CNS) to Brisbane Airport (BNE)plane plane CNS - BNE
    2. Take the bus from Brisbane International to Ballina CBD Tamar St Bus Interchangebus bus
    7h 36m
    $199–697

  7. Fly to Coffs Harbour Airport, bus

    1. Fly from Cairns (CNS) to Coffs Harbour Airport (CFS)plane plane CNS - CFS
    2. Take the bus from Coffs Harbour Airport - Under Awning at Flight Departures to Bus Interchange – Tamar Streetbus bus
    10h 35m
    $567–1,022

  8. Bus via Byron Bay Interchange, Stand A

    1. Take the bus from Cairns Central Station to Brisbane Roma Streetbus bus Pm19
    2. Take the bus from Brisbane Roma Street to Byron Bay Bus Interchange Stationbus bus
    34h 54m
    $288–393

Cairns to Ballina by train and bus

Calendar4Weekly Services
Duration29h 10mAverage Duration
Ticket$239Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Cairns to Ballina.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 1,586.1 km
  • Duration: 5h 50m

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

You can take a bus from Cairns to Ballina CBD Tamar St Bus Interchange via Brisbane and Brisbane Roma Street in around 32h 38m. Alternatively, Jetstar and Qantas fly from Cairns (CNS) to Ballina Byron Gateway Airport (BNK) 5 times a day.

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