There are 6 ways to get from Cairns to Darwin by plane, train, bus, 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
best- Fly from Cairns (CNS) to Darwin International Airport (DRW)CNS - DRW
3h 56m$399–827Train via Sydney
- Take the train from Cairns Central Station to Roma Street
- Take the train from Roma Street Station to Central Station
- Take the train from Sydney Central Station to Adelaide Parklands
- Take the train from Adelaide Station to Darwin
5d 2h$3,419–13,005Bus, train via Alice Springs
- Take the bus from Cairns Central Station to Brisbane Roma Street
- Take the train from Brisbane to Adelaide
- Take the bus from Adelaide to Alice Springs
- Take the bus from Alice Springs to Darwin
5d 6h$2,924–6,802Drive 2,353.5 km
- Drive from Cairns to Darwin2,353.5 km
34h 35m$452–652Train
- Take the train from Cairns Central Station to Roma Street
- Take the train from Brisbane to Adelaide
- Take the train from Adelaide Station to Darwin
5d 14h$5,265–14,561Bus, train
- Take the bus from Cairns Central Station to Brisbane Roma Street
- Take the train from Brisbane to Adelaide
- Take the train from Adelaide Station to Darwin
5d 18h$5,403–8,701
Cairns to Darwin by bus, foot, and train
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Cairns to Darwin is to fly which costs $390 - $850 and takes 3h 56m.
The fastest way to get from Cairns to Darwin is to fly which takes 3h 56m and costs $390 - $850.
The distance between Cairns and Darwin is 1692 km. The road distance is 2353.5 km.
The best way to get from Cairns to Darwin without a car is to train via Sydney which takes 5 days 2h and costs $3,400 - $13,000.
It takes approximately 3h 56m to get from Cairns to Darwin, including transfers.
The best way to get from Cairns to Darwin is to fly which takes 3h 56m and costs $390 - $850. Alternatively, you can train via Sydney, which costs $3,400 - $13,000 and takes 5 days 2h.
Darwin is 30 min behind Cairns. It is currently 6:33 AM in Cairns and 6:03 AM in Darwin.
Yes, the driving distance between Cairns to Darwin is 2353 km. It takes approximately 34h 35m to drive from Cairns to Darwin.
There are 467+ hotels available in Darwin.
What companies run services between Cairns, QLD, Australia and Darwin, NT, Australia?
Qantas and Airnorth fly from Cairns (CNS) to Darwin International Airport (DRW) twice daily. Alternatively, you can take a train from Cairns Central Station to Darwin via Roma Street, Roma Street Station, Central Station, Sydney Central Station, Adelaide Parklands, Adelaide Station, and Darwin in around 5d 2h.
- Website
- qantas.com
Flights from Cairns to Darwin International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 35m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $400–1,100
Flights from Cairns to Darwin International Airport via Gove
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 30m
- When
- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $370–800
- Website
- flyairnorth.com
Flights from Cairns to Darwin International Airport via Gove
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 30m
- When
- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $370–800
- Phone
- 1800 872 467
- Website
- queenslandrailtravel.com.au
Train from Cairns Central Station to Roma Street
- Ave. Duration
- 25h 20m
- Frequency
- 4 times a week
- Estimated price
- $85–6,171
- 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
- $85–390
- AChoice
- $85–390
- Gold Class
- $4,927
- Heritage Class
- $6,171
- Phone
- 131 500
- Website
- transportnsw.info
Train from Roma Street Station to Central Station
- Ave. Duration
- 14h 10m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $70–250
- Website
- https://transportnsw.info/regional
- Book at
- https://transportnsw.info/regional/regional-train-coach-facilities/xpt-regional-trains
- Economy
- $80–110
- First
- $110–150
- Sleeper
- $220–250
Train from Sydney Central Station to Adelaide Parklands
- Ave. Duration
- 25h 50m
- Frequency
- Once a week
- Estimated price
- $400–3,700
- Book at
- https://bookings.journeybeyondrail.com.au/
- Everyday Daynighter Seat
- $400
- Advanced Gold Single Cabin
- $650–900
- Low Gold Single Cabin
- $700–950
- Everyday Gold Single Cabin
- $850–1,100
- GOLD TWIN
- $1,100–2,100
- GOLD SINGLE
- $1,000–1,900
- PLATINUM
- $2,400–3,700
- GOLD PREMIUM TWIN
- $1,400–2,500
Train from Adelaide Station to Darwin
- Ave. Duration
- 2d 6h
- Frequency
- Twice a week
- Estimated price
- $2,839
- Book at
- https://bookings.greatsouthernrail.com.au/?_ga=2.27793852.1430812322.1538203551-1884130056.1538203551
- Saver Gold Single Cabin
- $2,839
- Everyday Gold Single Cabin
- $2,989
Train from Brisbane to Adelaide
- Ave. Duration
- 2d 4h
- Frequency
- Once a week
- Estimated price
- $2,365–5,390
- Book at
- https://bookings.greatsouthernrail.com.au/?_ga=2.27793852.1430812322.1538203551-1884130056.1538203551
- Gold
- $2,365
- Gold Premium
- $3,390
- Platinum
- $5,390
- Phone
- 13 34 10
- reservations@premierms.com.au
- Website
- premierms.com.au
Bus from Cairns Central Station to Brisbane Roma Street
- Ave. Duration
- 29h 5m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $220–320
- Website
- https://premierms.com.au/
- Phone
- 1300 473946
- Website
- greyhound.com.au
Bus from Adelaide to Alice Springs
- Ave. Duration
- 20h 30m
- Frequency
- 6 times a week
- Estimated price
- $200–500
- Website
- https://www.greyhound.com.au/
- Schedules at
- https://www.greyhound.com.au/timetables
- Early Bird
- $200–300
- Advantage
- $250–380
- Flexible
- $330–500
Bus from Alice Springs to Darwin
- Ave. Duration
- 21h 35m
- Frequency
- 6 times a week
- Estimated price
- $200–490
- Website
- https://www.greyhound.com.au/
- Schedules at
- https://www.greyhound.com.au/timetables
- Early Bird
- $200–290
- Advantage
- $250–370
- Flexible
- $320–490
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