Rome2Rio

How to get fromCairns to Northern Territoryby plane, train, bus or car

Find Transport to Northern Territory

See all options

There are 8 ways to get from Cairns to Northern Territory 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.

  1. Fly to Darwin International Airport

    best
    1. Fly from Cairns (CNS) to Darwin International Airport (DRW)planeCNS - DRW
    5h 21m
    $372–786
  2. Fly to Alice Springs Airport

    cheapest
    1. Fly from Cairns (CNS) to Alice Springs Airport (ASP)planeCNS - ASP
    3h 57m
    $328–1,234
  3. Train via Sydney

    1. Take the train from Cairns Central Station to Roma Streettrain
    2. Take the train from Roma Street Station to Central Stationtrain
    3. Take the train from Sydney Central Station to Adelaide Parklandstrain
    4. Take the train from Adelaide Parklands to Darwintrain
    5d 1h
    $3,424–13,010
  4. Bus, train via Alice Springs

    1. Take the bus from Cairns Central Station to Brisbane Roma Streetbus
    2. Take the train from Brisbane to Adelaidetrain
    3. Take the bus from Adelaide to Alice Springsbus
    4. Take the bus from Alice Springs to Darwinbus
    5d 6h
    $2,924–6,802
  5. Drive 2,353.5 km

    1. Drive from Cairns to Darwincar2,353.5 km
    34h 36m
    $464–670
  6. Fly to Katherine

    1. Fly from Cairns (CNS) to Katherine (KTR)planeCNS - KTR
    23h 3m
    $1,072–1,842
  7. Train

    1. Take the train from Cairns Central Station to Roma Streettrain
    2. Take the train from Brisbane to Adelaidetrain
    3. Take the train from Adelaide Parklands to Darwintrain
    5d 13h
    $5,270–14,566
  8. Bus, train

    1. Take the bus from Cairns Central Station to Brisbane Roma Streetbus
    2. Take the train from Brisbane to Adelaidetrain
    3. Take the train from Adelaide Parklands to Darwintrain
    5d 17h
    $5,408–8,706

Cairns to Northern Territory by bus, foot, and train

Calendar1Weekly Services
Duration5d 6hAverage Duration
Ticket$2,924Cheapest Price
See schedules

Questions & Answers

What companies run services between Cairns, QLD, Australia and Northern Territory, 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, and Darwin in around 5d 1h.

Transport is disrupted due to the Russia-Ukraine war. Read more

Airlines
Train operators
Bus operators

Want to know more about travelling around Australia

Rome2Rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. Filled with useful and timely travel information, the guides answer all the hard questions - such as 'How do I buy a ticket?', 'Should I book online before I travel? ', 'How much should I expect to pay?', 'Do the trains and buses have Wifi?' - to help you get the most out of your next trip.

Related travel guides