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How to get fromSan Diego to Great Barrier Reefby plane, ferry, or train

Find Transport to Great Barrier Reef

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There are 3 ways to get from San Diego to Great Barrier Reef by plane, ferry, 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 San Diego International Airport to Cairns, ferry

    best
    1. Fly from San Diego International Airport (SAN) to Cairns (CNS)plane plane SAN - CNS
    2. Take the ferry from Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal to Great Barrier Reef Green Islandferry ferry
    25h 11m
    $791–2,418

  2. Train to Los Angeles International Airport, fly to Cairns, ferry

    1. Take the train from San Diego to Los Angelestrain train
    2. Fly from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Cairns (CNS)plane plane LAX - CNS
    3. Take the ferry from Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal to Great Barrier Reef Green Islandferry ferry
    27h 26m
    $1,178–2,246

  3. Fly San Diego International Airport to Townsville Airport, train, ferry

    1. Fly from San Diego International Airport (SAN) to Townsville Airport (TSV)plane plane SAN - TSV
    2. Take the train from Townsville to Cairns Central Stationtrain train
    3. Take the ferry from Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal to Great Barrier Reef Green Islandferry ferry
    32h 24m
    $807–3,618

San Diego International Airport (SAN) to Cairns (CNS) flights

Calendar20Weekly Planes
Duration23h 44mAverage Duration
Ticket$678Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from San Diego to Great Barrier Reef.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 11,690.3 km
  • Duration: 25h 11m

What companies run services between San Diego, CA, USA and Great Barrier Reef, QLD, Australia?

There is no direct connection from San Diego to Great Barrier Reef. However, you can fly to Cairns (CNS), walk to Cairns Airport, take the shuttle to Cairns Base Hospital, walk to Cairns Hospital, take the line 110 bus to Cairns City bus station, platform 1, walk to Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal, take the ferry to Great Barrier Reef Green Island, then walk to Great Barrier Reef. Alternatively, you can take the train to Los Angeles, walk to Los Angeles Union Station, take the bus to LAX Tom Bradley International Terminal, walk to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) airport, fly to Cairns (CNS), walk to Cairns Airport, take the shuttle to Cairns Base Hospital, walk to Cairns Hospital, take the line 110 bus to Cairns City bus station, platform 1, walk to Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal, take the ferry to Great Barrier Reef Green Island, then walk to Great Barrier Reef.

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