There are 6 ways to get from Cairns to Alpha by plane, bus, bus (Greyhound), train, or car
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Fly to Emerald Airport, bus
best- Fly from Cairns (CNS) to Emerald Airport (EMD)CNS - EMD
- Take the bus from Emerald to Alpha
9h 6m$432–907Train
cheapest- Take the train from Cairns Central Station to RockhamptonSpirit of Queensland
- Take the train from Rockhampton to AlphaSpirit of the Outback
25h 51m$77–5,547Bus
- Take the bus from Cairns Central Station to Rockhampton George StreetPm19
- Take the bus from Rockhampton to AlphaLongreach
24h 15m$207–340Drive 1,013.2 km
- Drive from Cairns to Alpha1,013.2 km
13h 23m$197–285Fly to Barcaldine Airport, bus
- Fly from Cairns (CNS) to Barcaldine Airport (BCI)CNS - BCI
- Take the bus from Barcaldine to Alpha
9h 44m$234–898Fly to Moranbah Airport, drive
- Fly from Cairns (CNS) to Moranbah Airport (MOV)CNS - MOV
- Drive from Moranbah Airport (MOV) to Alpha
8h 25m$692–1,293
Cairns to Alpha by bus
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Cairns to Alpha is to drive which costs $190 - $290 and takes 13h 23m.
The fastest way to get from Cairns to Alpha is to fly and drive which takes 8h 25m and costs $650 - $1,300.
No, there is no direct bus from Cairns station to Alpha. However, there are services departing from Cairns Central Station and arriving at Alpha via Rockhampton. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 24h 15m.
No, there is no direct train from Cairns station to Alpha. However, there are services departing from Cairns Central Station and arriving at Alpha via Rockhampton. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 25h 51m.
The distance between Cairns and Alpha is 968 km. The road distance is 1013.2 km.
The best way to get from Cairns to Alpha without a car is to bus which takes 24h 15m and costs $200 - $340.
It takes approximately 9h 6m to get from Cairns to Alpha, including transfers.
Cairns to Alpha bus services, operated by Premier Motor Service, depart from Cairns Central Station.
Cairns to Alpha train services, operated by Queensland Rail Travel, depart from Cairns Central Station.
The best way to get from Cairns to Alpha is to bus which takes 24h 15m and costs $200 - $340. Alternatively, you can train, which costs $75 - $6,000 and takes 25h 51m.
What companies run services between Cairns, QLD, Australia and Alpha, QLD, Australia?
You can take a bus from Cairns Central Station to Alpha via Rockhampton in around 24h 15m. Alternatively, you can take a train from Cairns Central Station to Alpha via Rockhampton in around 25h 51m.
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- Website
- qantas.com
Flights from Cairns to Emerald Airport via Brisbane
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 8m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $440–850
Flights from Cairns to Emerald Airport via Townsville, Brisbane
- Ave. Duration
- 8h 2m
- When
- Monday, Thursday, and Friday
- Estimated price
- $440–850
Flights from Cairns to Emerald Airport via Sydney, Brisbane
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 40m
- When
- Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday
- Estimated price
- $310–1,300
Flights from Cairns to Barcaldine Airport via Brisbane
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 15m
- When
- Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday
- Estimated price
- $200–1,500
- Website
- skytrans.com.au
Flights from Cairns to Moranbah Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 45m
- When
- Monday and Tuesday
- Estimated price
- $600–1,300
- Website
- virginaustralia.com
Flights from Cairns to Emerald Airport via Brisbane
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 5m
- When
- Thursday, Friday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $270–900
- Phone
- 1800 872 467
- Website
- queenslandrailtravel.com.au
Train from Cairns Central Station to Rockhampton
- Ave. Duration
- 15h 55m
- Frequency
- 4 times a week
- Estimated price
- $50–3,847
- Book at
- https://queenslandrailtravel-booking.opendestinations.com/BookingSite/rail/search
- Website
- https://www.queenslandrailtravel.com.au/
- Schedules at
- https://www.queenslandrailtravel.com.au/Pages/Timetable.aspx
- BQuick
- $85–310
- AChoice
- $50–250
- Gold Class
- $3,072
- Heritage Class
- $3,847
Train from Rockhampton to Alpha
- Ave. Duration
- 8h 56m
- Frequency
- Twice a week
- Estimated price
- $23–1,654
- Book at
- https://queenslandrailtravel-booking.opendestinations.com/BookingSite/rail/search
- Website
- https://www.queenslandrailtravel.com.au/
- Schedules at
- https://www.queenslandrailtravel.com.au/Pages/Timetable.aspx
- BQuick
- $85–220
- AChoice
- $23–110
- Gold Class
- $1,321
- Heritage Class
- $1,654
- Phone
- 1300 473946
- Website
- greyhound.com.au
Bus from Emerald to Alpha
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 55m
- Frequency
- Twice a week
- Estimated price
- $35–60
- Website
- https://www.greyhound.com.au/
- Schedules at
- https://www.greyhound.com.au/timetables
- Early Bird
- $35–55
- Advantage
- $35–55
- Flexible
- $35–60
Bus from Rockhampton to Alpha
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 25m
- Frequency
- Twice a week
- Estimated price
- $70–150
- Website
- https://www.greyhound.com.au/
- Schedules at
- https://www.greyhound.com.au/timetables
- Early Bird
- $70–100
- Advantage
- $80–120
- Flexible
- $95–150
Bus from Barcaldine to Alpha
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 35m
- Frequency
- Twice a week
- Estimated price
- $30–50
- Website
- https://www.greyhound.com.au/
- Schedules at
- https://www.greyhound.com.au/timetables
- Early Bird
- $30–50
- Advantage
- $30–50
- Flexible
- $30–50
- Phone
- 13 34 10
- reservations@premierms.com.au
- Website
- premierms.com.au
Bus from Cairns Central Station to Rockhampton George Street
- Ave. Duration
- 16h 50m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $130–190
- Website
- https://premierms.com.au/
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Read the travel guideMore Questions & Answers
Cairns to Alpha bus services, operated by Premier Motor Service, arrive at Rockhampton George Street station.
Cairns to Alpha train services, operated by Queensland Rail Travel, arrive at Rockhampton station.
Yes, the driving distance between Cairns to Alpha is 1013 km. It takes approximately 13h 23m to drive from Cairns to Alpha.