The cheapest and fastest buses from Cairns to Brisbane
Cheapest price
$465
Average price
$561
Fastest journey
1 d 6 h
Average duration
1 d 11 h 15 m
Buses per day
4
Distance
1390 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Cairns to Brisbane is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Cairns to Brisbane will cost around $561 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $465.
Of the 4 buses that leave Cairns for Brisbane on Thu, Jun 18, 1 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Thu, Jun 18 the direct buses cover the 1390 km distance in an average of 1 d 11 h 15 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 1 d 6 h .
On Thu, Jun 18 the slowest buses will take 1 d 18 h 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.
GX458 · GX4503:00 PM42h00Cairns9:00 AMBrisbane$4651One-way1 transfer
GX454 · GX4527:00 AM34h30Cairns5:30 PMBrisbane$5921One-way1 transfer
GX454 · GX4527:00 AM34h30Cairns5:30 PMBrisbane$5921One-way1 transfer
GX4547:00 AM30h00Cairns1:00 PMBrisbane$5931One-way0 transfers
GX4547:00 AM30h00Cairns1:00 PMBrisbane$5931One-way0 transfers
GX454 · GX4527:00 AM34h30Cairns5:30 PMBrisbane$5921One-way1 transfer
GX454 · GX4527:00 AM34h30Cairns5:30 PMBrisbane$5921One-way1 transfer
GX458 · GX4503:00 PM42h00Cairns9:00 AMBrisbane$4651One-way1 transfer
Travel Information
Compare train, bus, and flight for Cairns to Brisbane
Omio recommends booking the flight as it is the most popular option from Cairns to Brisbane among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the flight with prices starting from $69. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 2h 9m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a flight costs an average of $69, and a train costs an average of $3795.
Distance: 863 miles (1390 km)
Compare bus with
| Bus | Most popular Flight | Train |
|---|---|---|
$245 Average price | $132 Average price Cheapest | $3795 Average price |
30h 3m Average total duration 29h 33m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 9m Average total duration Fastest 2h 9m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 25h 50m Average total duration 25h 20m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Cairns to Brisbane:
A flight is $113 (€92) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Cairns to Brisbane costing on average $245 (€200).
A flight is $3663 (€2992) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Cairns to Brisbane costing on average $3795 (€3100).
Other travel options to Brisbane take longer:
Train takes on average 25h 20m.
Bus takes on average 29h 33m.
Cairns to Brisbane Bus Timetables
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator Greyhound Australia | Departure Time 07:00AM | Arrival Time 01:00PM | Duration 30h00 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $331 |
Operator Greyhound Australia | Departure Time 07:00AM | Arrival Time 05:30PM | Duration 34h30 | Departure days Wed, Thu | Cheapest price $592 |
Operator Premier Motor Service | Departure Time 07:25AM | Arrival Time 12:30PM | Duration 29h05 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $159 |
Operator Greyhound Australia | Departure Time 03:00PM | Arrival Time 09:00AM | Duration 42h00 | Departure days Wed, Thu | Cheapest price $465 |
Live departures
Cairns to Brisbane bus times
The table below shows live departures for Cairns to Brisbane buses for tomorrow, Thursday, June 18. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GX458 · GX450 | 3:00 PM Cairns | 42h00 | 9:00 AM Brisbane | 1 transfer | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Cairns to Brisbane by train, bus, or flight
Compare train, bus, and flight prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Jun 18
Jun 19
Jun 20
Jun 21
Jun 22
Jun 23
Jun 24
Why should you book Cairns to Brisbane buses with Omio?
Why book with Omio vs Premier Motor Service?
- Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can not only buy tickets for Premier Motor Service, but also compare tickets for the likes of Greyhound to find the best option for your trip from Cairns to Brisbane.
- Designed for International Travelers: Omio is in your language including 24/7 customer service and offers multiple payment options, including PayPal, credit cards, and bank transfer, in your preferred currency.
- Compare all your options: Omio allows you to compare Premier Motor Service with all available travel options, which are train, bus and flight to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Cairns to Brisbane.
Journey information
Overview: Bus from Cairns to Brisbane
Buses from Cairns to Brisbane run on average 2 times per day, taking around 29h 33m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $159 (€130) but you can travel from only $69 (€56) by flight.
There are 2 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 07:00, the last at 07:25. The fastest bus covers the 863 miles (1390 km) distance in 29h 5m.
Distance 863 miles (1390 km) |
Average bus duration 29h 33m |
Cheapest ticket price $159 (€130) |
Buses per day 2 |
Direct buses 2 |
Fastest bus 29h 5m |
First bus 7:00 AM |
Last bus 7:25 AM |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Busiest Day Sat |
Least Busy Day Sat |
Bus providers: Premier Motor Service, Greyhound from Cairns to BrisbaneYou can travel by bus between Cairns to Brisbane with Premier Motor Service, Greyhound for as low as $69 (€56). When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey
Greyhound
Premier Motor Service
FAQs: Bus from Cairns to Brisbane
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Cairns to Brisbane 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 Brisbane, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

- Greyhound
- Assistance
- Priority seating
- Wheelchair-accessible buses.
- Greyhound
- You can cancel your ticket for a refund or exchange up to 24 hours before departure, for a cancellation fee applied.
- Greyhound
- One carry-on bag up to 25 lbs (11 kg) and one checked bag up to 50 lbs (23 kg).
- Greyhound
- $15 per additional bag.
popular bus stations
Popular bus stations from Cairns to Brisbane
More options for your journey from Cairns to Brisbane
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