There are 6 ways to get from Darwin to Cairns Airport (CNS) 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.
Fly
best- Fly from Darwin International Airport (DRW) to Cairns (CNS)plane DRW - CNS
5h 19m$370–900Bus, train
- Take the bus from Darwin to Alice Springsbus
- Take the bus from Alice Springs to Adelaidebus
- Take the train from Adelaide to Brisbanetrain
- Take the bus from Brisbane Coach Terminal to Cairnsbus
5d 11h$2,790–14,413Train, bus via Alice Springs
- Take the train from Darwin to Alice Springstrain
- Take the bus from Alice Springs to Adelaidebus
- Take the train from Adelaide to Brisbanetrain
- Take the bus from Brisbane Coach Terminal to Cairnsbus
5d 13h$4,835–16,193Drive 2,359.6 km
- Drive from Darwin to Cairns-Airport-CNScar 2,359.6 km
34h 50m$419–604Train
- Take the train from Darwin to Adelaide Stationtrain
- Take the train from Adelaide to Brisbanetrain
- Take the train from Roma Street to Cairns Central Stationtrain
6d 12h$5,478–22,716Train, bus
- Take the train from Darwin to Adelaide Stationtrain
- Take the train from Adelaide to Brisbanetrain
- Take the bus from Brisbane Roma Street to Cairns Central Stationbus
6d 17h$5,527–16,535
Darwin International Airport (DRW) to Cairns (CNS) flights
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Darwin to Cairns Airport (CNS) is to drive which costs $410 - $650 and takes 34h 50m.
The fastest way to get from Darwin to Cairns Airport (CNS) is to fly which takes 5h 19m and costs $370 - $900.
No, there is no direct train from Darwin to Cairns Airport (CNS) station. However, there are services departing from Darwin and arriving at Cairns Central Station via Adelaide, Central station, platform 5 and Roma Street. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 6 days 12h.
The distance between Darwin and Cairns Airport (CNS) is 1694 km. The road distance is 2359.6 km.
The best way to get from Darwin to Cairns Airport (CNS) without a car is to bus and train which takes 5 days 11h and costs $2,700 - $15,000.
It takes approximately 5h 19m to get from Darwin to Cairns Airport (CNS), including transfers.
Darwin to Cairns Airport (CNS) train services, operated by Journey Beyond - The Ghan, depart from Darwin station.
The best way to get from Darwin to Cairns Airport (CNS) is to fly which takes 5h 19m and costs $370 - $900. Alternatively, you can train, which costs $5,500 - $23,000 and takes 6 days 12h.
Cairns Airport (CNS) is 30 min ahead of Darwin. It is currently 6:49 AM in Darwin and 7:19 AM in Cairns Airport (CNS).
Darwin to Cairns Airport (CNS) train services, operated by Journey Beyond - The Ghan, arrive at Adelaide Station.
What companies run services between Darwin, NT, Australia and Cairns Airport (CNS), Australia?
Qantas and Airnorth fly from Darwin International Airport (DRW) to Cairns (CNS) 3 times a day. Alternatively, you can take a vehicle from Darwin to Cairns Airport via Darwin, Adelaide Station, Stop 1 Anzac Hwy - North West side, Stop Y2 King William St - West side, Adelaide, Central station, platform 5, Roma Street, Cairns Central Station, and Cairns Central Shopping Complex in around 6d 12h.
- Website
- qantas.com
Flights from Darwin International Airport to Cairns
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 30m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $360–900
Flights from Darwin International Airport to Cairns via Gove
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 30m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $460–950
Flights from Darwin International Airport to Cairns via Townsville
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 35m
- When
- Wednesday, Monday, and Friday
- Estimated price
- $460–950
- Website
- flyairnorth.com
Flights from Darwin International Airport to Cairns via Gove
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 30m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $460–950
- Phone
- 1800 703 357
- [email protected]
- Website
- Great Southern
Train from Adelaide to Brisbane
- Ave. Duration
- 2d 7h
- Frequency
- Once a week
- Estimated price
- $2,190–13,000
- Book at
- Great Southern
- Website
- Great Southern
- Gold
- $2,190
- Gold Premium
- $2,990
- Suite
- $8,500–13,000
Train from Adelaide to Brisbane
- Ave. Duration
- 2d 7h
- Frequency
- Once a week
- Estimated price
- $2,190–13,000
- Book at
- Great Southern
- Website
- Great Southern
- Gold
- $2,190
- Gold Premium
- $2,990
- Suite
- $8,500–13,000
Train from Adelaide to Brisbane
- Ave. Duration
- 2d 7h
- Frequency
- Once a week
- Estimated price
- $2,190–13,000
- Book at
- Great Southern
- Website
- Great Southern
- Gold
- $2,190
- Gold Premium
- $2,990
- Suite
- $8,500–13,000
Train from Adelaide to Brisbane
- Ave. Duration
- 2d 7h
- Frequency
- Once a week
- Estimated price
- $2,190–13,000
- Book at
- Great Southern
- Website
- Great Southern
- Gold
- $2,190
- Gold Premium
- $2,990
- Suite
- $8,500–13,000
- Phone
- 1800 703 357
- [email protected]
- Website
- journeybeyondrail.com.au
Train from Darwin to Alice Springs
- Ave. Duration
- 23h 10m
- Frequency
- Twice a week
- Estimated price
- $2,222
- Book at
- Great Southern Rail - The Ghan
- Saver Gold Single Cabin
- $2,222
- Everyday Gold Single Cabin
- $2,340
Train from Darwin to Adelaide Station
- Ave. Duration
- 2d 23h
- Frequency
- Twice a week
- Estimated price
- $3,159
- Book at
- Great Southern Rail - The Ghan
- Saver Gold Single Cabin
- $3,159
- Everyday Gold Single Cabin
- $3,326
Train from Darwin to Adelaide Station
- Ave. Duration
- 2d 23h
- Frequency
- Twice a week
- Estimated price
- $3,159
- Book at
- Great Southern Rail - The Ghan
- Saver Gold Single Cabin
- $3,159
- Everyday Gold Single Cabin
- $3,326
- Phone
- 1800 872 467
- Website
- Queensland Rail Travel
Train from Roma Street to Cairns Central Station
- Ave. Duration
- 25h 20m
- Frequency
- 4 times a week
- Estimated price
- $170–6,171
- Book at
- Queensland Rail Travel
- Website
- Queensland Rail Travel
- Schedules at
- Queensland Rail Travel
- BQuick
- $170–230
- AChoice
- $310–390
- Gold Class
- $4,927
- Heritage Class
- $6,171
- Phone
- 1300 473946
- [email protected]
- Website
- Greyhound Australia
Bus from Darwin to Alice Springs
- Ave. Duration
- 21h 5m
- Frequency
- 6 times a week
- Estimated price
- $220–500
- Website
- Greyhound Australia
- Schedules at
- Greyhound Australia
- Early Bird
- $220–310
- Advantage
- $270–400
- Flexible
- $340–500
Bus from Alice Springs to Adelaide
- Ave. Duration
- 20h 55m
- Frequency
- 6 times a week
- Estimated price
- $220–500
- Website
- Greyhound Australia
- Schedules at
- Greyhound Australia
- Early Bird
- $220–310
- Advantage
- $270–400
- Flexible
- $350–500
Bus from Alice Springs to Adelaide
- Ave. Duration
- 20h 55m
- Frequency
- 6 times a week
- Estimated price
- $220–500
- Website
- Greyhound Australia
- Schedules at
- Greyhound Australia
- Early Bird
- $220–310
- Advantage
- $270–400
- Flexible
- $350–500
- Website
- FlixBus Australia
Bus from Brisbane Coach Terminal to Cairns
- Ave. Duration
- 28h 40m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $250–420
- Schedules at
- FlixBus Australia
Bus from Brisbane Coach Terminal to Cairns
- Ave. Duration
- 28h 40m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $250–420
- Schedules at
- FlixBus Australia
- Phone
- 13 34 10
- [email protected]
- Website
- Premier Motor Service
Bus from Brisbane Roma Street to Cairns Central Station
- Ave. Duration
- 29h 30m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $220–320
- Website
- Premier Motor Service
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More Questions & Answers
Yes, the driving distance between Darwin to Cairns Airport (CNS) is 2360 km. It takes approximately 34h 50m to drive from Darwin to Cairns Airport (CNS).
There are 1013+ hotels available in Cairns Airport (CNS).














