There are 6 ways to get from Cairns to Mount Isa by plane, bus (Greyhound), train, car, or bus
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 Mount Isa Airport (ISA)plane CNS - ISA
3h 23m$374–877Train
cheapest- Take the train from Cairns Central Station to Townsvilletrain Spirit of Queensland
- Take the train from Townsville station to Mount Isa stationtrain Inlander
27h 56m$146–4,967Bus (Greyhound)
- Take the bus from Cairns to Townsvillebus Townsville / ...
- Take the bus from Townsville to Mount Isabus Mount Isa
18h 30m$197–430Drive 1,098.8 km
- Drive from Cairns to Mount Isacar 1,098.8 km
12h 43m$197–285Bus via Cairns Central Station
- Take the bus from Cairns Central Station to Townsvillebus Pm19
- Take the bus from Townsville to Mount Isabus Mount Isa
18h 55m$184–375Train, bus
- Take the train from Cairns Central Station to Townsvilletrain Spirit of Queensland
- Take the bus from Townsville to Mount Isabus Mount Isa
19h 26m$177–1,568
Cairns to Mount Isa by bus (Greyhound)
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Cairns to Mount Isa is to drive which costs $190 - $290 and takes 12h 43m.
The fastest way to get from Cairns to Mount Isa is to fly which takes 3h 23m and costs $370 - $900.
No, there is no direct bus from Cairns to Mount Isa. However, there are services departing from Cairns and arriving at Mount Isa via Townsville. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 18h 30m.
No, there is no direct train from Cairns station to Mount Isa station. However, there are services departing from Cairns Central Station and arriving at Mount Isa station via Townsville station. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 27h 56m.
The distance between Cairns and Mount Isa is 796 km. The road distance is 1098.8 km.
The best way to get from Cairns to Mount Isa without a car is to bus which takes 18h 30m and costs $190 - $430.
It takes approximately 3h 23m to get from Cairns to Mount Isa, including transfers.
Cairns to Mount Isa bus services, operated by Greyhound Australia, depart from Cairns station.
Cairns to Mount Isa train services, operated by Queensland Rail Travel, depart from Cairns Central Station.
The best way to get from Cairns to Mount Isa is to fly which takes 3h 23m and costs $370 - $900. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs $190 - $430 and takes 18h 30m, you could also train, which costs $140 - $5,000 and takes 27h 56m.
What companies run services between Cairns, QLD, Australia and Mount Isa, QLD, Australia?
Regional Express flies from Cairns (CNS) to Mount Isa Airport (ISA) 5 times a week. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Cairns to Mount Isa via Townsville in around 18h 30m.
- Website
- rex.com.au
Flights from Cairns to Mount Isa Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 5m
- When
- Monday to Friday
- Estimated price
- $340–750
- Phone
- 1800 872 467
- Website
- queenslandrailtravel.com.au
Train from Cairns Central Station to Townsville
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 1m
- Frequency
- 4 times a week
- Estimated price
- $45–1,267
- 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
- $45–70
- AChoice
- $60–80
- Gold Class
- $1,012
- Heritage Class
- $1,267
Train from Townsville station to Mount Isa station
- Ave. Duration
- 20h 55m
- Frequency
- Twice a week
- Estimated price
- $100–3,653
- 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
- $100–150
- AChoice
- $180–240
- Gold Class
- $2,916
- Heritage Class
- $3,653
- Phone
- 1300 473946
- customerservice@greyhound.com.au
- Website
- greyhound.com.au
Bus from Cairns to Townsville
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 30m
- Frequency
- 4 times a day
- Estimated price
- $65–130
- Website
- https://www.greyhound.com.au/
- Schedules at
- https://www.greyhound.com.au/timetables
- Early Bird
- $65–95
- Advantage
- $75–110
- Flexible
- $90–130
Bus from Townsville to Mount Isa
- Ave. Duration
- 12h
- Frequency
- 3 times a week
- Estimated price
- $130–300
- Website
- https://www.greyhound.com.au/
- Schedules at
- https://www.greyhound.com.au/timetables
- Early Bird
- $130–200
- Advantage
- $160–250
- Flexible
- $210–300
- Phone
- 13 34 10
- reservations@premierms.com.au
- Website
- premierms.com.au
Bus from Cairns Central Station to Townsville
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 55m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $50–75
- Website
- https://premierms.com.au/
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More Questions & Answers
Cairns to Mount Isa bus services, operated by Greyhound Australia, arrive at Townsville station.
Cairns to Mount Isa train services, operated by Queensland Rail Travel, arrive at Townsville station.
Yes, the driving distance between Cairns to Mount Isa is 1099 km. It takes approximately 12h 43m to drive from Cairns to Mount Isa.
There are 28+ hotels available in Mount Isa.








