Rome2Rio

How to get fromWashington to Great Barrier Reefby plane, ferry, subway, train, or bus

Find Transport to Great Barrier Reef

See all options

There are 7 ways to get from Washington to Great Barrier Reef by plane, ferry, subway, train, 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 Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to Cairns, ferry

    best
    1. Fly from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to Cairns (CNS)plane plane DCA - CNS
    2. Take the ferry from Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal to Great Barrier Reef Green Islandferry ferry
    28h 26m
    $1,821–5,609

  2. Subway to Washington Dulles International Airport, fly to Cairns, ferry

    cheapest
    1. Take the subway from Farragut West, Blue/Orange/Silver Line Track 2 Platform to Washington Dulles International Airport, Silver Line Center Platformsubway subway
    2. Fly from Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) to Cairns (CNS)plane plane IAD - CNS
    3. Take the ferry from Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal to Great Barrier Reef Green Islandferry ferry
    32h 53m
    $1,116–3,417

  3. Train to Baltimore-Washington International Airport, fly to Cairns, ferry

    1. Take the train from Washington Union Station to BWI Thurgood Marshalltrain train
    2. Fly from Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI) to Cairns (CNS)plane plane BWI - CNS
    3. Take the ferry from Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal to Great Barrier Reef Green Islandferry ferry
    30h 59m
    $1,216–4,780

  4. Train to Philadelphia International Airport, fly to Cairns, ferry

    1. Take the train from Washington Union Station to 30th Street Stationtrain train
    2. Fly from Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) to Cairns (CNS)plane plane PHL - CNS
    3. Take the ferry from Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal to Great Barrier Reef Green Islandferry ferry
    32h 44m
    $1,578–4,941

  5. Bus to Richmond International Airport, fly to Cairns, ferry

    1. Take the bus from Washington Union Station to Richmondbus bus
    2. Fly from Richmond International Airport (RIC) to Cairns (CNS)plane plane RIC - CNS
    3. Take the ferry from Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal to Great Barrier Reef Green Islandferry ferry
    34h 37m
    $1,336–4,257

  6. Fly Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to Townsville Airport, train, ferry

    1. Fly from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to Townsville Airport (TSV)plane plane DCA - 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
    35h 34m
    $1,779–6,632

  7. Train to Newark Liberty International Airport, fly to Cairns, ferry

    1. Take the train from Washington Union Station to Newark Liberty International Airporttrain train
    2. Fly from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to Cairns (CNS)plane plane EWR - CNS
    3. Take the ferry from Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal to Great Barrier Reef Green Islandferry ferry
    33h 41m
    $1,210–3,610

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to Cairns (CNS) flights

Calendar30Weekly Planes
Duration26h 35mAverage Duration
Ticket$1,707Cheapest Price
See schedules

Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Washington to Great Barrier Reef.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 15,246.1 km
  • Duration: 28h 26m

What companies run services between Washington, DC, USA and Great Barrier Reef, QLD, Australia?

There is no direct connection from Washington 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 subway to Washington Dulles International Airport, Silver Line Center Platform, walk to Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) 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