Cairns is one of the most famous holiday destinations in all of Australia thanks to its location near the Great Barrier Reef. This Queensland city receives tourists from all over the globe. In 2019, over 3 million tourists visited Cairns with many people heading off to the Great Barrier Reef, Port Douglas, Palm Cove and other natural wonders around the region.
It is easy to get from Cairns Airport to the city. There are multiple ways to get between the two areas and using an airport shuttle is one of the easiest ways to make the trip. A shuttle bus ride from Cairns Airport (CNS) can take just seven minutes to get to the city. With such a quick and easy way to get into Cairns after your flight arrives, you will be exploring the Great Barrier Reef in no time.
Travellers to Cairns can also reach areas around this Queensland city such as Port Douglas, Palm Cove, and other towns. Each of these towns sees its fair share of tourists and travellers thanks to the great airport shuttles that connect the region.
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Cairns Airport (CNS) to Cairns City
The quickest, easiest, and most efficient way to reach Cairns City from Cairns Airport is to take the airport shuttle. Travellers can make the journey in around seven minutes for a price of just $19 to $40, depending on the ticket you purchase. The distance is a seven-kilometre journey, so you will be in the city in no time to explore its great urban areas or move to the Great Barrier Reef.
There are various airport shuttle Cairns services you can use to get from one place to another. FNQ, one of the shuttle operators, is a family-owned business that provides affordable transport between CNS and the city. The company runs a shuttle every half an hour. The schedule of each airport shuttle is organised to fit around the arriving and departing flights at Cairns Airport. This allows you to reach the airport to make your flight or to get to Cairns City after arriving.
You can also book a transfer with Con-X-ion, a point-to-point bus transfer service. The company doesn’t just run a transfer from the airport to the city but to other points around Cairns.
Coral Sea Coaches is another airport shuttle Cairns bus service in the area. It provides travellers with the chance to easily move between the airport and the city. The company can accommodate individuals, families, corporate travellers and group charters. Coral Sea Coaches runs services every hour from both the international and domestic airports in Cairns. You can also be picked up at various areas, courtesy of the private transfer service.
Cairns Airport to Port Douglas
Cairns Airport is just 66 kilometres away from Port Douglas. The tropical town is a popular getaway for locals and a destination for travellers the world over. You will reach the town in around an hour’s time and can take an airport shuttle from Cairns to Port Douglas.
Just like Cairns, Port Douglas has a number of great natural wonders to visit and explore. You will find two World Heritage sites to explore around Port Douglas, the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest.
Airport shuttle Cairns to Port Douglas shuttle bus transfers are available from CNS after every international and domestic flight. You won’t be short on options when trying to get from the airport to the amazing town of natural wonders. Travellers can book a ticket for the shuttle to Port Douglas ahead of time.
It is more cost-effective to book ahead of time and enjoy the savings to spend your money once you reach your final destination. In addition, individuals travel from Port Douglas to catch a flight at Cairns Airport or when returning home. Airport transfer services operate within 20 minutes of all bag collection from the arrival carousel.
The transfer shuttle service costs $37.50 per adult one-way when two adults book a return fare. The price for a ticket is $15 one-way for accompanied children under the age of 15. All transfers with more than seven adults are automatically upgraded to a private transfer. This allows groups travelling together to make their transfer together. The shuttle transfer typically departs from Port Douglas three hours before the scheduled domestic flights take off from Cairns.
Cairns Airport shuttle to Port Douglas does not wait for the shuttle to fill up. The shuttle meets passengers booked onto the trip and goes to the airport. The shuttle goes direct from the Airport to Port Douglas and vice versa, with no stops along the way.
TRAVEL TIP: If you still haven’t figured out what to do in Queensland, we’ve got you. Check out our list of things to do in Cairns and day trips from Cairns.
Travel from Cairns Airport to Palm Cove
Palm Cove is a beautiful village by the Coral Sea offering a unique experience. The village is a beautiful escape with its centuries-old Melaleuca trees lining the esplanade. Palm Cove provides visitors with a relaxing atmosphere, making it the perfect beach holiday getaway. The resorts, hotels, beaches, and restaurants welcome travellers from all over and you can reach Palm Cove from Cairns Airport with ease.
Palm Cove is Cairns’ northernmost beach. It is home to luxurious accommodations, top-notch restaurants, and a sophisticated vibe. Palm Cove is a mere 25 minutes north of Cairns and is a golden tropical strip of beaches. Accommodation options range from luxury, high-end hotels and resorts to apartments and home Airbnb rentals. Golf, fishing, and water sports adventures are other popular activities to explore around Palm Cove.
Sun Transfer Shuttle is the cheapest way to travel between the two locations. You can travel between the destinations for less than $40 return. The trip takes around 24 minutes to make via the shuttle service and is on-demand. There is also a bus line (the 110 bus) that makes the trip to Palm Cove from the airport and vice versa. The 110 bus is likely to be the cheapest way overall to go between the destinations. Buses run hourly.
Cairns Airport and Palm Cove are 25.7 kilometres apart. The line 110 bus runs from Captain Cook Highway near Arnold Street to Veivers Road near Bursa Street and takes 34 minutes. Sunbus operate QConnect.