4.9
4.6The cheapest and fastest buses from Sydney to Cairns
Cheapest price
$333
Average price
$333
Fastest journey
1 d 21 h
Average duration
1 d 21 h
Buses per day
1
Distance
1961 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Sydney to Cairns is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Sydney to Cairns will cost around $333 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $333.
It's difficult to get from Sydney to Cairns without transferring at least once.
10:30 PM45h00Central Station7:30 PMCairns Central Station$3331One-way1 transfer
- 10:30 PM45h00Central Station7:30 PMCairns Central Station$3331One-way1 transfer
Travel Information
Compare train, bus, and flight for Sydney to Cairns
Omio recommends booking the flight as it is the most popular option from Sydney to Cairns among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the flight with prices starting from $83. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 3h 5m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a flight costs an average of $83, and a train costs an average of $3956.
Distance: 1218 miles (1961 km)
Compare bus with
| Bus | Most popular Flight | Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$333 Average price | $165 Average price Cheapest | $3956 Average price | $357 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
45h 30m Average total duration 45h 0m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 5m Average total duration Fastest 3h 5m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 50h 48m Average total duration 50h 18m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 26h 42m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Sydney to Cairns:
A flight is $169 (€138) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Sydney to Cairns costing on average $333 (€272).
A flight is $3792 (€3095) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Sydney to Cairns costing on average $3956 (€3229).
Other travel options to Cairns take longer:
Bus takes on average 45h 0m.
Train takes on average 50h 18m.
You'll arrive about {timeSavings} sooner ({durationInMinutes} by bus vs {drivingDurationInMinutes} by car) and save roughly {savingsAmount} compared to fuel and tolls ({cheapestPrice} vs {drivingPriceInCents}). You also skip the drive itself — no traffic stress, no parking, and you can use the time to work, nap, or catch up on a series with the onboard Wi-Fi.
Direct coaches are operated by {directProviders}.
Driving is still worth considering if you're travelling with bulky luggage, need flexibility on departure times, or plan to stop along the way.
Sydney to Cairns Bus Timetables
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator Greyhound Australia | Departure Time 10:30PM | Arrival Time 07:30PM | Duration 45h00 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $333 |
Live departures
Sydney to Cairns bus times
The table below shows live departures for Sydney to Cairns buses for today, Thursday, June 18. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10:30 PM Central Station | 45h00 | 7:30 PM Cairns Central Station | 1 transfer | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Sydney to Cairns 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 19
Jun 20
Jun 21
Jun 22
Jun 23
Jun 24
Jun 25
Why should you book Sydney to Cairns buses with Omio?
Why book with Omio vs Greyhound?
- 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 Greyhound with all available travel options, which are train, bus and flight to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Sydney to Cairns.
Why book with Omio over Wanderu?
- Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including train, bus and flight to find the ideal travel option from Sydney to Cairns.
Journey information
Overview: Bus from Sydney to Cairns
AustraliaAustralia
Buses from Sydney to Cairns run on average 1 times per day, taking around 45h 0m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $333 (€272) but you can travel from only $83 (€68) by flight.
The earliest bus runs at 22:30, the last at 22:30. The fastest bus covers the 1218 miles (1961 km) distance in 45h 0m.
Distance 1218 miles (1961 km) |
Average bus duration 45h 0m |
Cheapest ticket price $333 (€272) |
Buses per day 1 |
Fastest bus 45h 0m |
First bus 10:30 PM |
Last bus 10:30 PM |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Busiest Day Thu |
Least Busy Day Fri |
Bus providers: Greyhound from Sydney to CairnsYou can travel by bus between Sydney to Cairns with Greyhound for as low as $83 (€68). When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey
Greyhound
FAQs: Bus from Sydney to Cairns
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Sydney 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.
- 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.
Most popular bus connections from Sydney
More options for your journey from Sydney to Cairns
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