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How to get fromCairns to Darwin Cityby plane, train, bus, or car

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There are 6 ways to get from Cairns to Darwin City 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
    4h 1m
    $402–937

  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 Adelaide Parklandstrain train
    4. Take the train from Adelaide Station to Darwintrain train
    5d 3h
    $3,778–14,165

  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 17h
    $3,495–5,601

  4. Drive  2,353.7 km

    1. Drive from Cairns to Darwin Citycar car 2,353.7 km
    34h 42m
    $429–619

  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
    $6,509–27,321

  6. Bus, train

    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 12h
    $6,583–21,493

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

Calendar19Weekly Planes
Duration3h 30mAverage Duration
Ticket$346Cheapest Price
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Comparing Your Travel Options

Map of how to get from Cairns to Darwin City.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 1,692.5 km
  • Duration: 4h 1m

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

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