- Recommended
Cairns Museum
Regional museum on Cairns history, people, and tropical life. Worth visiting for clear exhibits on the city's development and culture.
Cheapest price on Sep 20
€42
Average ticket price on Sep 20
€80
Fastest journey on Sep 20
9 h 30 m
Average journey duration on Sep 20
11 h 5 m
Buses on Sep 20
4
Distance
485 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Airlie Beach to Cairns is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Airlie Beach to Cairns will cost around €80 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only €42.
On Sun, Sep 20, we found 4 buses from Airlie Beach to Cairns, including 2 direct services.
On Sun, Sep 20 the direct buses cover the 485 km distance in an average of 11 h 5 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 9 h 30 m .
On Sun, Sep 20 the slowest buses will take 12 h 50 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.
FlixBus
GX404 · GX406
GX402 · GX404
GX404
FlixBus
GX404
GX402 · GX404
GX404 · GX406| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator Greyhound Australia | Departure Time 08:10AM | Arrival Time 08:00PM | Duration 11h50 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Thu, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price €92 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 08:55AM | Arrival Time 06:25PM | Duration 9h30 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Thu, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price €36 |
Operator Greyhound Australia | Departure Time 09:50AM | Arrival Time 08:00PM | Duration 10h10 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Thu, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price €84 |
The table below shows live departures for Airlie Beach to Cairns buses for tomorrow, Sunday, September 20. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GX402 · GX404 | 8:10 AM Airlie Beach, Port of Airlie | 11h50 | 8:00 PM Cairns | 1 transfer | |
FlixBus | 8:55 AM Airlie Beach, Port of Airlie | 9h30 | 6:25 PM Cairns | 0 transfersDirect | |
GX404 · GX406 | 9:50 AM Airlie Beach, Port of Airlie | 12h50 | 10:40 PM Cairns | 1 transfer | |
GX404 | 9:50 AM Airlie Beach, Port of Airlie | 10h10 | 8:00 PM Cairns | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Buses from Airlie Beach to Cairns run on average 3 times per day, taking around 9h 58m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at €36 if you book in advance.
There are 2 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 22:10, the last at 23:50. The fastest bus covers the 301 miles (485 km) distance in 9h 30m.
Distance 301 miles (485 km) |
Average bus duration 9h 58m |
Cheapest ticket price €36 |
Buses per day 3 |
Direct buses 2 |
Fastest bus 9h 30m |
First bus 10:10 PM |
Last bus 11:50 PM |
Cheapest Month Jul |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Sun |
Least Busy Day Mon |
Discover the best of Cairns — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Cairns trip today.
Regional museum on Cairns history, people, and tropical life. Worth visiting for clear exhibits on the city's development and culture.
Modern gallery featuring changing exhibitions by local and national artists. A strong stop for contemporary art in the city center.
Cultural center and gallery presenting Yidinji traditions, dance, and art. Valuable for learning about Aboriginal culture near Cairns.
Waterfront promenade with lagoon, public art, gardens, and walking paths. A classic Cairns visit for relaxing, strolling, and city views.
Popular public swimming lagoon on the waterfront. Great for cooling off safely and enjoying the Esplanade atmosphere in the city center.
Botanic gardens with rainforest plant collections, shaded paths, and easy access to nearby walks. A favorite for nature close to town.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Airlie Beach to Cairns by bus. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest bus, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Cairns, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Airlie Beach to Cairns buses use the Airlie Beach, Port of Airlie to Cairns station pair. Use this guide to compare Airlie Beach and Cairns bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need