There are 5 ways to get from Cardwell to Cooktown by bus (Greyhound), car, train, shuttle, plane, 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.
Bus via Cairns
best- Take the bus from Cardwell to CairnsCairns
- Take the bus from Cairns to CooktownCairns
8h 49m$111–180Train, bus
cheapest- Take the train from Cardwell to Cairns Central StationSpirit of Queensland
- Take the bus from Cairns to CooktownCairns
9h 16m$79–777Drive 484.7 km
- Drive from Cardwell to Cooktown484.7 km
5h 46m$95–136Train, shuttle, fly
- Take the train from Cardwell to Babinda
- Take a shuttle bus from Babinda to Cairns Airport
- Fly from Cairns (CNS) to Cooktown Airport (CTN)CNS - CTN
6h 56mBus
- Take the bus from Cardwell Brasenose Street to Cairns Central StationPm16
- Take the bus from Cairns to CooktownCairns
8h 50m$105–159
Cardwell to Cooktown by bus and foot
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Cardwell to Cooktown is to drive which costs $90 - $140 and takes 5h 46m.
The fastest way to get from Cardwell to Cooktown is to drive which takes 5h 46m and costs $90 - $140.
No, there is no direct bus from Cardwell to Cooktown. However, there are services departing from Cardwell and arriving at Cooktown via Cairns. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 8h 49m.
The distance between Cardwell and Cooktown is 541 km. The road distance is 484.7 km.
The best way to get from Cardwell to Cooktown without a car is to bus via Cairns which takes 8h 49m and costs $110 - $180.
It takes approximately 8h 49m to get from Cardwell to Cooktown, including transfers.
Cardwell to Cooktown bus services, operated by Greyhound Australia, depart from Cardwell station.
Cardwell to Cooktown bus services, operated by Greyhound Australia, arrive at Cairns station.
Yes, the driving distance between Cardwell to Cooktown is 485 km. It takes approximately 5h 46m to drive from Cardwell to Cooktown.
There are 27+ hotels available in Cooktown.
What companies run services between Cardwell, QLD, Australia and Cooktown, QLD, Australia?
You can take a bus from Cardwell to Cooktown via Cairns and Cairns in around 8h 49m.
Transport is disrupted due to the Russia-Ukraine war. Read more
- Website
- hinterlandaviation.com.au
Flights from Cairns to Cooktown Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 45 min
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $55–450
- Phone
- 1800 872 467
- Website
- queenslandrailtravel.com.au
Train from Cardwell to Babinda
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 23m
- Frequency
- 4 times a week
- Estimated price
- $6–449
- 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
- $85–170
- AChoice
- $6–29
- Gold Class
- $359
- Heritage Class
- $449
Train from Cardwell to Cairns Central Station
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 31m
- Frequency
- 4 times a week
- Estimated price
- $9–668
- 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
- $85–180
- AChoice
- $9–45
- Gold Class
- $533
- Heritage Class
- $668
- Phone
- 1300 473946
- Website
- greyhound.com.au
Bus from Cardwell to Cairns
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 55m
- Frequency
- 4 times a day
- Estimated price
- $40–70
- Website
- https://www.greyhound.com.au/
- Schedules at
- https://www.greyhound.com.au/timetables
- Early Bird
- $40–60
- Advantage
- $40–65
- Flexible
- $45–70
- Phone
- +61 7 3036 2070
- Website
- transnorthbus.com.au
Bus from Cairns to Cooktown
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 45m
- Frequency
- 6 times a week
- Estimated price
- $70–110
- Website
- https://www.transnorthbus.com.au/
- Book at
- https://www.tnbc.com.au/
- Phone
- +61 (0)407 337 661
- info@missionlink.com.au
- Website
- missionlink.com.au
Shuttle from Babinda to Cairns Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 35m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Schedules at
- missionlink.com.au
- Phone
- 13 34 10
- reservations@premierms.com.au
- Website
- premierms.com.au
Bus from Cardwell Brasenose Street to Cairns Central Station
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 5m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $35–50
- Website
- https://premierms.com.au/
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
10 amazing places to get away from it all in Australia
Read the travel guide
4 of the smartest ways to explore Australia
Read the travel guide










