There are 4 ways to get from Rockhampton to Cairns by plane, train, bus (Greyhound), 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 Rockhampton (ROK) to Cairns (CNS)plane ROK - CNS
5h 45m$280–600Train
cheapest- Take the train from Rockhampton to Cairns Central Stationtrain Spirit of Queensland
16h 16m$110–3,847Bus
- Take the bus from Rockhampton to Cairnsbus Au050 / ...
17h 7m$130–370Drive 1,062.4 km
- Drive from Rockhampton to Cairnscar 1,062.4 km
12h 25m$191–276
Rockhampton to Cairns by train
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Rockhampton to Cairns is to drive which costs $190 - $280 and takes 12h 25m.
The fastest way to get from Rockhampton to Cairns is to fly which takes 5h 45m and costs $280 - $600.
Yes, there is a direct bus departing from Rockhampton and arriving at Cairns. Services depart twice daily, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 17h 7m.
Yes, there is a direct train departing from Rockhampton and arriving at Cairns Central Station station. Services depart four times a week, and operate Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. The journey takes approximately 16h 16m.
The distance between Rockhampton and Cairns is 880 km. The road distance is 1062.4 km.
The best way to get from Rockhampton to Cairns without a car is to train which takes 16h 16m and costs $110 - $3,900.
It takes approximately 5h 45m to get from Rockhampton to Cairns, including transfers.
Rockhampton to Cairns bus services, operated by FlixBus Australia, depart from Rockhampton station.
Rockhampton to Cairns train services, operated by Queensland Rail Travel, depart from Rockhampton station.
The best way to get from Rockhampton to Cairns is to fly which takes 5h 45m and costs $280 - $600. Alternatively, you can train, which costs $110 - $3,900 and takes 16h 16m, you could also bus, which costs $130 - $370 and takes 17h 7m.
What companies run services between Rockhampton, QLD, Australia and Cairns, QLD, Australia?
Qantas, Jetstar, and Virgin Australia fly from Rockhampton (ROK) to Cairns (CNS) every 4 hours. Alternatively, Queensland Rail Travel operates a train from Rockhampton to Cairns Central Station 4 times a week. Tickets cost $110–3,847 and the journey takes 16h 16m.
- Website
- qantas.com
Flights from Rockhampton to Cairns via Brisbane
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 32m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $160–650
Flights from Rockhampton to Cairns via Mackay, Townsville
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 5m
- When
- Friday, Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday
- Estimated price
- $370–650
Flights from Rockhampton to Cairns via Brisbane, Townsville
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 7m
- When
- Friday to Thursday
- Estimated price
- $370–650
- Website
- virginaustralia.com
Flights from Rockhampton to Cairns via Brisbane
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 53m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $280–430
- Phone
- 1800 872 467
- Website
- queenslandrailtravel.com.au
Train from Rockhampton to Cairns Central Station
- Ave. Duration
- 16h 16m
- Frequency
- 4 times a week
- Estimated price
- $110–3,847
- 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
- $110–150
- AChoice
- $190–250
- Gold Class
- $3,072
- Heritage Class
- $3,847
- Website
- https://www.flixbus.com.au/
Bus from Rockhampton to Cairns
- Ave. Duration
- 17h 7m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $160–270
- Schedules at
- flixbus.com.au
- Phone
- 13 34 10
- [email protected]
- Website
- premierms.com.au
Bus from Rockhampton to Cairns
- Ave. Duration
- 16h 35m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $130–190
- Website
- https://premierms.com.au/
- Phone
- 1300 473946
- [email protected]
- Website
- greyhound.com.au
Bus from Rockhampton to Cairns
- Ave. Duration
- 16h 40m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $160–370
- Website
- https://www.greyhound.com.au/
- Schedules at
- https://www.greyhound.com.au/timetables
- Early Bird
- $160–240
- Advantage
- $200–300
- Flexible
- $260–370
Want to know more about travelling around Australia
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Read the travel guideMore Questions & Answers
Rockhampton to Cairns bus services, operated by FlixBus Australia, arrive at Cairns station.
Rockhampton to Cairns train services, operated by Queensland Rail Travel, arrive at Cairns Central Station.
Yes, the driving distance between Rockhampton to Cairns is 1062 km. It takes approximately 12h 25m to drive from Rockhampton to Cairns.
Book your Rockhampton to Cairns train tickets online with 12go.asia.
Book your Rockhampton to Cairns bus tickets online with 12go.asia.
There are 1001+ hotels available in Cairns.