There are 6 ways to get from Mount Isa to Cairns by plane, bus (Greyhound), train, car, or bus
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 Mount Isa Airport (ISA) to Cairns (CNS)plane ISA - CNS
3h 23m$464–1,428Train
cheapest- Take the train from Mount Isa station to Townsville stationtrain Inlander
- Take the train from Townsville to Cairns Central Stationtrain Spirit of Queensland
28h 5m$153–4,952Bus
- Take the bus from Mount Isa to Townsvillebus Townsville
- Take the bus from Townsville to Cairns Central Stationbus Pm16
18h 30m$199–399Drive 1,098.4 km
- Drive from Mount Isa to Cairnscar 1,098.4 km
12h 43m$196–283Bus via Townsville
- Take the bus from Mount Isa to Townsvillebus Townsville
- Take the bus from Townsville to Cairnsbus Au050 / ...
18h 31m$180–385Bus, train
- Take the bus from Mount Isa to Townsvillebus Townsville
- Take the train from Townsville to Cairns Central Stationtrain Spirit of Queensland
19h 38m$185–1,615
Mount Isa to Cairns by bus
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Mount Isa to Cairns is to drive which costs $190 - $290 and takes 12h 43m.
The fastest way to get from Mount Isa to Cairns is to fly which takes 3h 23m and costs $460 - $1,500.
No, there is no direct bus from Mount Isa to Cairns station. However, there are services departing from Mount Isa and arriving at Cairns Central Station via Townsville. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 18h 30m.
No, there is no direct train from Mount Isa station to Cairns station. However, there are services departing from Mount Isa station and arriving at Cairns Central Station via Townsville. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 28h 5m.
The distance between Mount Isa and Cairns is 796 km. The road distance is 1098.4 km.
The best way to get from Mount Isa to Cairns without a car is to bus which takes 18h 30m and costs $190 - $400.
It takes approximately 3h 23m to get from Mount Isa to Cairns, including transfers.
Mount Isa to Cairns bus services, operated by Greyhound Australia, depart from Mount Isa station.
Mount Isa to Cairns train services, operated by Queensland Rail Travel, depart from Mount Isa station.
The best way to get from Mount Isa to Cairns is to fly which takes 3h 23m and costs $460 - $1,500. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs $190 - $400 and takes 18h 30m, you could also train, which costs $150 - $5,000 and takes 28h 5m.
What companies run services between Mount Isa, QLD, Australia and Cairns, QLD, Australia?
Regional Express and Qantas fly from Mount Isa Airport (ISA) to Cairns (CNS) once daily. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Mount Isa to Cairns Central Station via Townsville in around 18h 30m.
- Website
- qantas.com
Flights from Mount Isa Airport to Cairns via Townsville
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 2m
- When
- Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Sunday, and Monday
- Estimated price
- $550–1,400
- Phone
- 1800 872 467
- Website
- Queensland Rail Travel
Train from Mount Isa station to Townsville station
- Ave. Duration
- 20h 40m
- Frequency
- Twice a week
- Estimated price
- $100–3,653
- Book at
- Queensland Rail Travel
- Website
- Queensland Rail Travel
- Schedules at
- Queensland Rail Travel
- BQuick
- $100–150
- AChoice
- $180–240
- Gold Class
- $2,916
- Heritage Class
- $3,653
Train from Townsville to Cairns Central Station
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 25m
- Frequency
- 4 times a week
- Estimated price
- $45–1,267
- Book at
- Queensland Rail Travel
- Website
- Queensland Rail Travel
- Schedules at
- Queensland Rail Travel
- BQuick
- $45–70
- AChoice
- $60–80
- Gold Class
- $1,012
- Heritage Class
- $1,267
Train from Townsville to Cairns Central Station
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 25m
- Frequency
- 4 times a week
- Estimated price
- $45–1,267
- Book at
- Queensland Rail Travel
- Website
- Queensland Rail Travel
- Schedules at
- Queensland Rail Travel
- BQuick
- $45–70
- AChoice
- $60–80
- Gold Class
- $1,012
- Heritage Class
- $1,267
- Phone
- 1300 473946
- [email protected]
- Website
- Greyhound Australia
Bus from Mount Isa to Townsville
- Ave. Duration
- 11h 50m
- Frequency
- 3 times a week
- Estimated price
- $130–320
- Website
- Greyhound Australia
- Schedules at
- Greyhound Australia
- Early Bird
- $130–200
- Flexible
- $170–320
Bus from Mount Isa to Townsville
- Ave. Duration
- 11h 50m
- Frequency
- 3 times a week
- Estimated price
- $130–320
- Website
- Greyhound Australia
- Schedules at
- Greyhound Australia
- Early Bird
- $130–200
- Flexible
- $170–320
Bus from Mount Isa to Townsville
- Ave. Duration
- 11h 50m
- Frequency
- 3 times a week
- Estimated price
- $130–320
- Website
- Greyhound Australia
- Schedules at
- Greyhound Australia
- Early Bird
- $130–200
- Flexible
- $170–320
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Mount Isa to Cairns bus services, operated by Greyhound Australia, arrive at Townsville station.
Mount Isa to Cairns train services, operated by Queensland Rail Travel, arrive at Townsville station.
Yes, the driving distance between Mount Isa to Cairns is 1098 km. It takes approximately 12h 43m to drive from Mount Isa to Cairns.
Book your Mount Isa to Cairns train tickets online with 12go.asia.
Book your Mount Isa to Cairns bus tickets online with Omio and 12go.asia.
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