Rome2Rio

How to get fromCalifornia to Great Barrier Reefby plane or train

Find Transport to Great Barrier Reef

See all options

There are 8 ways to get from California to Great Barrier Reef by plane or train

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 Los Angeles International Airport to Cairns

    best
    1. Fly from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Cairns (CNS)plane plane LAX - CNS
    22h
    $1,111–2,118

  2. Fly San Francisco International Airport to Townsville Airport, train

    cheapest
    1. Fly from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Townsville Airport (TSV)plane plane SFO - TSV
    2. Take the train from Townsville to Cairns Central Stationtrain train
    30h
    $663–3,421

  3. Fly San Francisco International Airport to Cairns

    1. Fly from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Cairns (CNS)plane plane SFO - CNS
    22h 55m
    $666–2,219

  4. Fly Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport to Cairns

    1. Fly from Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport (SJC) to Cairns (CNS)plane plane SJC - CNS
    24h 40m
    $1,008–2,908

  5. Fly San Diego International Airport to Cairns

    1. Fly from San Diego International Airport (SAN) to Cairns (CNS)plane plane SAN - CNS
    25h 26m
    $754–2,607

  6. Fly Meadows Field Airport to Cairns

    1. Fly from Meadows Field Airport (BFL) to Cairns (CNS)plane plane BFL - CNS
    27h 2m
    $834–2,740

  7. Fly Fresno Yosemite International Airport to Cairns

    1. Fly from Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT) to Cairns (CNS)plane plane FAT - CNS
    28h 10m
    $701–2,401

  8. Fly Los Angeles International Airport to Townsville Airport, train

    1. Fly from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Townsville Airport (TSV)plane plane LAX - TSV
    2. Take the train from Townsville to Cairns Central Stationtrain train
    29h
    $758–3,620

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Cairns (CNS) flights

Calendar35Weekly Planes
Duration19h 26mAverage Duration
Ticket$751Cheapest Price
See schedules

Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from California to Great Barrier Reef.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 11,601.6 km
  • Duration: 22h

What companies run services between California, USA and Great Barrier Reef?

Qantas, Fiji Airways, and four other airlines fly from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Cairns (CNS) 5 times a day.

Airlines
Train 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