Rome2Rio

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

Find Transport to Palmerston

See all options

There are 6 ways to get from Cairns to Palmerston 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
    6h 18m
    $385–898

  2. Bus, train via Alice Springs

    1. Take the bus from Cairns to Brisbane Coach Terminalbus 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 Palmerstonbus bus
    4d 20h
    $1,169–6,184

  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
    $3,503–13,905

  4. Drive 2,335.3 km

    1. Drive from Cairns to Palmerstoncar car 2,335.3 km
    34h 30m
    $420–607

  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
    $6,249–27,061

  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
    $6,298–21,201

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

Calendar19Weekly Planes
Duration3h 30mAverage Duration
Ticket$451Cheapest Price
See schedules

Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Cairns to Palmerston.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 1,712.2 km
  • Duration: 6h 18m

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

Airlines
Train operators
Bus operators

Want to know more about travelling around Australia

Rome2Rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. Filled with useful and timely travel information, the guides answer all the hard questions - such as 'How do I buy a ticket?', 'Should I book online before I travel? ', 'How much should I expect to pay?', 'Do the trains and buses have Wifi?' - to help you get the most out of your next trip.

Related travel guides

More Questions & Answers