How to get from Cairns Airport to the City

Cairns Airport (CNS) handles both domestic and international flights, with inbound travellers poised to explore the best of Tropical North Queensland. Located a stone’s throw away from the city centre – six kilometres, to be exact – you can waltz off the plane and be taking a dip in Cairns’ iconic lagoon in moments. Heading further afield? Cairns Airport is also the gateway to Palm Cove and Port Douglas, offering easy access to the Great Barrier Reef.

If a trip to sunny Cairns is on the horizon, here are the best ways to travel from Cairns Airport to the city, Palm Cove and Port Douglas.

Shuttle bus from Cairns Airport to the City

Exemplar operates a shuttle bus service from Cairns Airport to the city centre, putting you in the heart of the action in just 11 minutes. A one-way shuttle bus fare from Cairns Airport to the city will cost the following:

• Adult (12 years and older): $21
• Child (aged 2-11, inclusive): $10.50
• Infants under the age of 23 months: Free

Tickets can be booked online via or at the Exemplar Transfer Desk in the arrivals area of the domestic and international terminals. You’ll find shuttle bus pick up points outside the arrivals hall of both domestic and international terminals at Cairns Airport.

If you’re travelling solo, a shuttle bus is the cheapest way to get from Cairns Airport to the city. But if you’re travelling as a group or have plenty of lugagge in tow, a taxi or rideshare can be a more economical way to travel direct to your accommodation.

Shuttle bus from Cairns Airport to Palm Cove

If you’re heading up the coast to Palm Cove, Examplar’s shuttle bus service can take you there in just 30 minutes. Adults pay $31 for a one-way journey, while a child fare is just $15.50. Infants under 23 months travel free.

Shuttle bus from Cairns Airport to Port Douglas

Exemplar shuttle buses can also be booked from Cairns Airport to Port Douglas. The 90-minute journey costs $56 one-way for an adult or $28 for a child, while infants are free.

Taxi from Cairns Airport to the City

Given Cairns Airport’s close proximity to the city centre, you can expect a speedy taxi ride. In fact, the journey takes just seven minutes in light traffic, with prices starting at $25-$30 depending on the time of day and your final destination.

An access fee applies to all taxis picking up passengers at Cairns Airport. When travelling from the domestic terminal, a $2.50 pick-up charge applies. From the international terminal, the fee is $5. The access fee is included in your final taxi fare.

Cairns Airport has taxi ranks outside its domestic and international terminals. Taxis can’t be pre-booked, but they’re readily available at the airport.

Taxi from Cairns Airport to Palm Cove

A taxi to Palm Cove from Cairns Airport takes around 25 minutes. Depending on traffic, expect to pay between $70-$85 for the one-way journey. If you’ve got a minimum of two adults, the price of a taxi to Palm Cove is slightly more than a shuttle bus. But on the upside, you’ll enjoy a private transfer straight to your accommodation.

Taxi from Cairns Airport to Port Douglas

If you’re heading to Port Douglas from Cairns Airport, the taxi journey is shorter than a shuttle bus. Though expect to pay upwards of $200 for the 60-minute trip. When travelling as a group, the cost per person is about the same as a shuttle bus. But you’ll enjoy a shorter trip, and the added convenience of travelling direct to your accommodation.

Cairns Airport rideshare pickup zone

There are two rideshare pickup zones at Cairns Airport – one outside T1 international terminal, and one outside T2 domestic terminal. Uber and DiDi service Cairns Airport and surrounding areas.

Uber from Cairns Airport to the City

An Uber is a fast and easy way to get to the city from Cairns Airport. And, in many cases, it can work out cheaper than a taxi. You’ll pay between $14-$19 for the seven-minute ride, or slightly more if you’re booking an UberXL or Uber Max vehicle. But as with taxis, an access fee applies for Uber pick ups at Cairns Airport – $2.50 from the domestic terminal, and $5 from international.

Qantas Frequent Flyer members can also earn Qantas Points on eligible Uber rides to and from Australian airports. The earn rate is one Qantas Point per $1 spent. All you need to do is link your Qantas Frequent Flyer and Uber accounts before your next ride.

Uber from Cairns Airport to Palm Cove

An Uber to Palm Cove from Cairns Airport is a surprisingly cheap and easy way to travel. The 25-minute ride starts from $31. The final price is dependent on traffic and your exact destination. But for two adults an Uber can work out to be cheaper than a shuttle bus or taxi.

Uber from Cairns Airport to Port Douglas

If you’re heading up to Port Douglas, an Uber can be one of the cheapest ways to get there from Cairns Airport. Prices start at $78 for the 60-minute journey. For groups or families, this can certainly be one of the most economical and easiest ways to get from Cairns Airport to Port Douglas.

DiDi from Cairns Airport to the City

Rideshare platform DiDi is also available in Cairns, offering similar prices as Uber when travelling from the airport to the city. The difference is that you can earn Velocity Points when riding with DiDi – and that applies to all DiDi rides, not just to and from airports. To do so, you just need to link either your personal Velocity Frequent Flyer account or Virgin Australia Business Flyer account via the DiDi app. Then request your ride via the DiDi app as normal, and you’ll pocket one Velocity Point per $1 on eligible rides.

Want to give your Velocity Points balance a boost? Check out the credit card sign-up offer below!

Summing up

The next time you fly into Cairns Airport, it’s handy to know the best ways to travel to the city centre, Palm Cove or Port Douglas. Whether you’re travelling by shuttle bus, taxi or rideshare, planning ahead can ensure your holiday gets off to a stress-free start.

Looking to unwind at Cairns Airport before your next departure? Here’s what to expect at Qantas Club, Cairns.

Featured image: David Clode, Unsplash

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