There are 5 ways to get from North Sydney to Cairns by plane, train, bus (Greyhound), 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 Sydney International Airport (SYD) to Cairns (CNS)plane SYD - CNS
5h 48m$151–578Train
- Take the train from Central Station to Roma Street Stationtrain 31
- Take the train from Roma Street to Cairns Central Stationtrain Spirit of Queensland
41h 35m$243–6,755Bus via Central Station
- Take the bus from Central Station to Brisbanebus Brisbane
- Take the bus from Brisbane Coach Terminal to Cairnsbus Au050 / ...
44h 1m$403–765Drive 2,394 km
- Drive from North Sydney to Cairnscar 2,394 km
27h 40m$430–620Bus
- Take the bus from Chatswood to Brisbanebus Pm12
- Take the bus from Brisbane Roma Street to Cairns Central Stationbus Pm16
2d$343–505
North Sydney to Cairns by subway and train
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from North Sydney to Cairns is to fly which costs $150 - $600 and takes 5h 48m.
The fastest way to get from North Sydney to Cairns is to fly which takes 5h 48m and costs $150 - $600.
No, there is no direct bus from North Sydney station to Cairns. However, there are services departing from Central Station and arriving at Cairns via Brisbane Coach Terminal. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 44h 1m.
No, there is no direct train from North Sydney station to Cairns station. However, there are services departing from Victoria Cross Station and arriving at Cairns Central Station via Central Station and Roma Street. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 41h 35m.
The distance between North Sydney and Cairns is 1992 km. The road distance is 2394 km.
The best way to get from North Sydney to Cairns without a car is to train which takes 41h 35m and costs $240 - $7,000.
It takes approximately 5h 48m to get from North Sydney to Cairns, including transfers.
North Sydney to Cairns bus services, operated by Greyhound Australia, depart from Central Station.
North Sydney to Cairns train services, operated by NSW TrainLink XPT, depart from Central Station.
The best way to get from North Sydney to Cairns is to fly which takes 5h 48m and costs $150 - $600. Alternatively, you can train, which costs $240 - $7,000 and takes 41h 35m, you could also bus via Central Station, which costs $400 - $800 and takes 44h 1m.
What companies run services between North Sydney, NSW, Australia and Cairns, QLD, Australia?
Virgin Australia, Jetstar, and Qantas fly from Sydney International Airport (SYD) to Cairns (CNS) every 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a subway from Victoria Cross Station to Cairns Central Station via Central Station, Central Station, Roma Street Station, and Roma Street in around 41h 35m.
- Website
- qantas.com
Flights from Sydney International Airport to Cairns
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 10m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $130–700
Flights from Sydney International Airport to Cairns via Brisbane
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 7m
- When
- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $200–700
Flights from Sydney International Airport to Cairns via Townsville
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 5m
- When
- Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday
- Estimated price
- $200–700
- Website
- virginaustralia.com
Flights from Sydney International Airport to Cairns
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 15m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $220–410
Flights from Sydney International Airport to Cairns via Brisbane
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 3m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $220–410
- Website
- jetstar.com
Flights from Sydney International Airport to Cairns
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 10m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $130–550
- Phone
- 131 500
- Website
- transportnsw.info
Train from Central Station to Roma Street Station
- Ave. Duration
- 14h 6m
- 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
- Phone
- 1800 872 467
- Website
- queenslandrailtravel.com.au
Train from Roma Street to Cairns Central Station
- 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
- 1300 473946
- [email protected]
- Website
- greyhound.com.au
Bus from Central Station to Brisbane
- Ave. Duration
- 13h
- Frequency
- 4 times a day
- Estimated price
- $130–300
- Website
- https://www.greyhound.com.au/
- Schedules at
- https://www.greyhound.com.au/timetables
- Early Bird
- $130–200
- Advantage
- $160–250
- Flexible
- $210–300
- Website
- https://www.flixbus.com.au/
Bus from Brisbane Coach Terminal to Cairns
- Ave. Duration
- 28h 40m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $270–460
- Schedules at
- flixbus.com.au
- Phone
- 13 34 10
- [email protected]
- Website
- premierms.com.au
Bus from Chatswood to Brisbane
- Ave. Duration
- 17h 15m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $120–180
- Website
- https://premierms.com.au/
Bus from Brisbane Roma Street to Cairns Central Station
- Ave. Duration
- 29h 30m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $220–320
- Website
- https://premierms.com.au/
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
Best ways to travel around Australia
Read the travel guide
10 amazing places to get away from it all in Australia
Read the travel guide
4 of the smartest ways to explore Australia
Read the travel guide
More Questions & Answers
North Sydney to Cairns bus services, operated by Greyhound Australia, arrive at Brisbane station.
North Sydney to Cairns train services, operated by NSW TrainLink XPT, arrive at Roma Street Station.
Yes, the driving distance between North Sydney to Cairns is 2394 km. It takes approximately 27h 40m to drive from North Sydney to Cairns.
There are 1005+ hotels available in Cairns.















