Rome2Rio

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

Find Transport to Great Barrier Reef

See all options

There are 7 ways to get from San Francisco to Great Barrier Reef by plane, ferry, train, or shuttle

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 Francisco International Airport to Cairns, ferry

    best
    1. Fly from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Cairns (CNS)plane plane SFO - CNS
    2. Take the ferry from Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal to Great Barrier Reef Green Islandferry ferry
    24h 43m
    $727–2,230

  2. Fly San Francisco International Airport to Townsville Airport, train, ferry

    cheapest
    1. Fly from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Townsville Airport (TSV)plane plane SFO - 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
    31h 56m
    $724–3,432

  3. Caltrain to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport, fly to Cairns, ferry

    1. Take the train from San Francisco Caltrain Southbound to Santa Clara Caltrain Southboundtrain train
    2. Fly from Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport (SJC) to Cairns (CNS)plane plane SJC - CNS
    3. Take the ferry from Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal to Great Barrier Reef Green Islandferry ferry
    27h 51m
    $830–2,733

  4. Shuttle to Sonoma County Airport, fly to Cairns, ferry

    1. Take a shuttle bus from San Francisco Pier 27 to Santa Rosa Airportshuttle bus
    2. Fly from Sonoma County Airport (STS) to Cairns (CNS)plane plane STS - CNS
    3. Take the ferry from Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal to Great Barrier Reef Green Islandferry ferry
    30h 10m
    $748–2,297

  5. Fly Oakland International Airport to Cairns, ferry

    1. Fly from Oakland International Airport (OAK) to Cairns (CNS)plane plane OAK - CNS
    2. Take the ferry from Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal to Great Barrier Reef Green Islandferry ferry
    27h 52m
    $871–2,724

  6. Train to Sacramento International Airport, fly to Cairns, ferry

    1. Take the train from Richmond to Sacramentotrain train
    2. Fly from Sacramento International Airport (SMF) to Cairns (CNS)plane plane SMF - CNS
    3. Take the ferry from Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal to Great Barrier Reef Green Islandferry ferry
    31h 23m
    $903–2,802

  7. Fly San Francisco International Airport to Whitsunday Coast Airport, train, ferry

    1. Fly from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Whitsunday Coast Airport (PPP)plane plane SFO - PPP
    2. Take the train from Proserpine to Cairns Central Stationtrain train
    3. Take the ferry from Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal to Great Barrier Reef Green Islandferry ferry
    32h 52m
    $1,137–5,580

San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Cairns (CNS) flights

Calendar25Weekly Planes
Duration20h 26mAverage Duration
Ticket$615Cheapest Price
See schedules

Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from San Francisco to Great Barrier Reef.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 11,359 km
  • Duration: 24h 43m

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

There is no direct connection from San Francisco to Great Barrier Reef. However, you can take the subway to San Francisco International Airport, walk to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) 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. Alternatively, you can take the train to Santa Clara Caltrain Southbound, walk to Santa Clara Transit Center, take the line 60 bus to SJC Airport Terminal A, walk to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport (SJC) 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.

Airlines
Train operators
Bus operators
Ferry operators

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