There are 5 ways to get from Cairns to Sydney by plane, train, bus, car, or bus (Greyhound)
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Fly
best- Fly from Cairns (CNS) to Sydney International Airport (SYD)plane CNS - SYD
4h 28m$136–540Train
- Take the train from Cairns Central Station to Roma Streettrain Spirit of Queensland
- Take the train from Roma Street Station to Central Stationtrain 32
40h 45m$244–6,421Bus
- Take the bus from Cairns to Brisbane Coach Terminalbus Au050 / ...
- Take the bus from Roma Street Station, Stand F to Central Station, Forecourt, Coach Bay 1bus 3206 / ...
45h 23m$334–597Drive 2,399.1 km
- Drive from Cairns to Sydneycar 2,399.1 km
27h 43m$432–624Bus via Brisbane (Greyhound)
- Take the bus from Cairns to Brisbanebus Brisbane
- Take the bus from Brisbane to Central Stationbus Sydney
2d 1h$433–971
Cairns to Sydney by train
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Cairns to Sydney is to fly which costs $130 - $550 and takes 4h 28m.
The fastest way to get from Cairns to Sydney is to fly which takes 4h 28m and costs $130 - $550.
No, there is no direct bus from Cairns to Sydney station. However, there are services departing from Cairns and arriving at Central Station, Forecourt, Coach Bay 1 via Roma Street Station, Stand F. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 45h 23m.
No, there is no direct train from Cairns station to Sydney station. However, there are services departing from Cairns Central Station and arriving at Central Station via Roma Street Station. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 40h 45m.
The distance between Cairns and Sydney is 1989 km. The road distance is 2399.1 km.
The best way to get from Cairns to Sydney without a car is to train which takes 40h 45m and costs $240 - $6,500.
It takes approximately 4h 28m to get from Cairns to Sydney, including transfers.
Cairns to Sydney bus services, operated by FlixBus Australia, depart from Cairns station.
Cairns to Sydney train services, operated by Queensland Rail Travel, depart from Cairns Central Station.
The best way to get from Cairns to Sydney is to fly which takes 4h 28m and costs $130 - $550. Alternatively, you can train, which costs $240 - $6,500 and takes 40h 45m, you could also bus, which costs $330 - $600 and takes 45h 23m.
What companies run services between Cairns, QLD, Australia and Sydney, NSW, Australia?
Virgin Australia, Jetstar, and Qantas fly from Cairns (CNS) to Sydney International Airport (SYD) hourly. Alternatively, you can take a train from Cairns Central Station to Central Station via Roma Street and Roma Street Station in around 40h 45m.
- Website
- qantas.com
Flights from Cairns to Sydney International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 55m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $130–700
Flights from Cairns to Sydney International Airport via Brisbane
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 47m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $200–700
- Website
- virginaustralia.com
Flights from Cairns to Sydney International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 55m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $220–410
Flights from Cairns to Sydney International Airport via Brisbane
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 45m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $220–410
- Website
- jetstar.com
Flights from Cairns to Sydney International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 56m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $130–550
Flights from Cairns to Sydney International Airport via Brisbane
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 50m
- When
- Monday, Wednesday, and Friday
- Estimated price
- $130–550
- Phone
- 1800 872 467
- Website
- queenslandrailtravel.com.au
Train from Cairns Central Station to Roma Street
- Ave. Duration
- 25h 20m
- Frequency
- 4 times a week
- Estimated price
- $170–6,171
- Book at
- https://queenslandrailtravel-booking.opendestinations.com/BookingSite/rail/search
- Website
- https://www.queenslandrailtravel.com.au/
- Schedules at
- https://www.queenslandrailtravel.com.au/Pages/Timetable.aspx
- BQuick
- $170–230
- AChoice
- $310–390
- Gold Class
- $4,927
- Heritage Class
- $6,171
- Phone
- 131 500
- Website
- transportnsw.info
Train from Roma Street Station to Central Station
- Ave. Duration
- 14h 25m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $70–250
- Website
- https://transportnsw.info/regional
- Book at
- https://transportnsw.info/regional/regional-train-coach-facilities/xpt-regional-trains
- Economy
- $80–110
- First
- $110–150
- Sleeper
- $220–250
- Website
- https://www.flixbus.com.au/
Bus from Cairns to Brisbane Coach Terminal
- Ave. Duration
- 28h 40m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $260–440
- Schedules at
- flixbus.com.au
- Phone
- 131 500
- Website
- transportnsw.info
Bus from Roma Street Station, Stand F to Central Station, Forecourt, Coach Bay 1
- Ave. Duration
- 15h 43m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $65–95
- Website
- https://transportnsw.info/regional
- Phone
- 13 34 10
- [email protected]
- Website
- premierms.com.au
Bus from Roma Street Station, Stand F to Central Station, Forecourt, Coach Bay 1
- Ave. Duration
- 18h 45m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $110–160
- Website
- https://premierms.com.au/
- Phone
- 1300 473946
- [email protected]
- Website
- greyhound.com.au
Bus from Cairns to Brisbane
- Ave. Duration
- 30h
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $280–650
- Website
- https://www.greyhound.com.au/
- Schedules at
- https://www.greyhound.com.au/timetables
- Early Bird
- $280–400
- Advantage
- $350–550
- Flexible
- $450–650
Bus from Brisbane to Central Station
- Ave. Duration
- 18h
- Frequency
- 5 times a day
- Estimated price
- $150–330
- Website
- https://www.greyhound.com.au/
- Schedules at
- https://www.greyhound.com.au/timetables
- Early Bird
- $150–210
- Advantage
- $180–270
- Flexible
- $230–330
Want to know more about travelling around Australia
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More Questions & Answers
Cairns to Sydney bus services, operated by FlixBus Australia, arrive at Brisbane Coach Terminal station.
Cairns to Sydney train services, operated by Queensland Rail Travel, arrive at Roma Street station.
Yes, the driving distance between Cairns to Sydney is 2399 km. It takes approximately 27h 43m to drive from Cairns to Sydney.
Book your Cairns to Sydney train tickets online with 12go.asia.
Book your Cairns to Sydney bus tickets online with Omio and 12go.asia.
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