Rome2Rio

How to get fromNorthern Territory to Cairnsby plane, train, bus or car

Find Transport to Cairns

See all options

There are 8 ways to get from Northern Territory to Cairns 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 from Alice Springs Airport

    best
    1. Fly from Alice Springs Airport (ASP) to Cairns (CNS)planeASP - CNS
    3h 38m
    $325–1,241

  2. Train via Sydney

    1. Take the train from Darwin to Adelaide Parklandstrain
    2. Take the train from Adelaide Station to Southern Cross Stationtrain
    3. Take the train from Southern Cross to Central Stationtrain
    4. Take the train from Central Station to Roma Street Stationtrain
    5. Take the train from Roma Street to Cairns Central Stationtrain
    4d 19h

  3. Bus, train

    1. Take the bus from Darwin to Alice Springsbus
    2. Take the bus from Alice Springs to Adelaidebus
    3. Take the train from Adelaide to Brisbanetrain
    4. Take the bus from Brisbane Roma Street to Cairns Central Stationbus
    5d 9h
    $2,937–6,810

  4. Drive 2,353.4 km

    1. Drive from Darwin to Cairnscar2,353.4 km
    34h 37m
    $460–665

  5. Fly from Darwin International Airport

    1. Fly from Darwin International Airport (DRW) to Cairns (CNS)planeDRW - CNS
    5h 5m
    $360–800

  6. Fly from Katherine

    1. Fly from Katherine (KTR) to Cairns (CNS)planeKTR - CNS
    17h 28m
    $1,034–1,841

  7. Train

    1. Take the train from Darwin to Adelaide Parklandstrain
    2. Take the train from Adelaide to Brisbanetrain
    3. Take the train from Roma Street to Cairns Central Stationtrain
    5d 13h
    $5,271–14,892

  8. Train, bus

    1. Take the train from Darwin to Adelaide Parklandstrain
    2. Take the train from Adelaide to Brisbanetrain
    3. Take the bus from Brisbane Roma Street to Cairns Central Stationbus
    5d 18h
    $5,405–8,711

Northern Territory to Cairns by bus, foot, and train

Calendar1Weekly Services
Duration5d 9hAverage Duration
Ticket$2,937Cheapest Price
See schedules

Questions & Answers

What companies run services between Northern Territory, Australia and Cairns, QLD, Australia?

Airnorth flies from Alice Springs Airport (ASP) to Cairns (CNS) 3 times a week. Alternatively, you can take a vehicle from Darwin to Cairns Central Station via Darwin, Adelaide Parklands, Adelaide Station, Southern Cross, Central Station, Roma Street Station, and Roma Street in around 4d 19h.

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

Where to next?

Trips from Northern Territory

Trips to Cairns

Popular routes