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How to get fromSydney Airport (SYD) to Great Barrier Reefby plane or bus

Find Transport to Great Barrier Reef

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There are 2 ways to get from Sydney Airport (SYD) to Great Barrier Reef by plane 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.

  1. Fly to Cairns

    best
    1. Fly from Sydney International Airport (SYD) to Cairns (CNS)plane plane SYD - CNS
    4h 35m
    $130–550

  2. Fly to Cooktown Airport, bus

    1. Fly from Sydney International Airport (SYD) to Cooktown Airport (CTN)plane plane SYD - CTN
    2. Take the bus from Cooktown to Cairnsbus bus
    11h 45m
    $283–743

Sydney International Airport (SYD) to Cairns (CNS) flights

Calendar82Weekly Planes
Duration3h 49mAverage Duration
Ticket$129Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Sydney Airport (SYD) to Great Barrier Reef.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 1,980.4 km
  • Duration: 4h 35m

What companies run services between Sydney Airport (SYD), Australia and Great Barrier Reef?

Jetstar, Virgin Australia, and Qantas fly from Sydney International Airport (SYD) to Cairns (CNS) every 2 hours.

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