There are 5 ways to get from Sydney to Cairns by plane, train, bus (Greyhound), 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 Sydney International Airport (SYD) to Cairns (CNS)SYD - CNS
5h 38m$138–522Train
- Take the train from Central Station to Roma Street Station31
- Take the train from Roma Street to Cairns Central StationSpirit of Queensland
40h 26m$155–6,749Bus via Brisbane
- Take the bus from Central Station to BrisbaneBrisbane
- Take the bus from Brisbane Roma Street to Cairns Central StationPm16
44h 39m$352–620Drive 2,396.7 km
- Drive from Sydney to Cairns2,396.7 km
27h 33m$469–677Bus
- Take the bus from Central Station to Brisbane Roma StreetPm12
- Take the bus from Brisbane Roma Street to Cairns Central StationPm16
2d$345–494
Sydney to Cairns by train
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Sydney to Cairns is to fly which costs $130 - $550 and takes 5h 38m.
The fastest way to get from Sydney to Cairns is to fly which takes 5h 38m and costs $130 - $550.
No, there is no direct bus from Sydney station to Cairns station. However, there are services departing from Central Station and arriving at Cairns Central Station via Brisbane Roma Street. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 44h 39m.
No, there is no direct train from Sydney station to Cairns station. However, there are services departing from Central Station and arriving at Cairns Central Station via Roma Street. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 40h 26m.
The distance between Sydney and Cairns is 1990 km. The road distance is 2396.7 km.
The best way to get from Sydney to Cairns without a car is to train which takes 40h 26m and costs $150 - $7,000.
It takes approximately 5h 38m to get from Sydney to Cairns, including transfers.
Sydney to Cairns bus services, operated by Greyhound Australia, depart from Central Station.
Sydney to Cairns train services, operated by NSW TrainLink XPT, depart from Central Station.
The best way to get from Sydney to Cairns is to fly which takes 5h 38m and costs $130 - $550. Alternatively, you can train, which costs $150 - $7,000 and takes 40h 26m, you could also bus via Brisbane, which costs $350 - $650 and takes 44h 39m.
What companies run services between Sydney, NSW, Australia and Cairns, QLD, Australia?
Jetstar, Virgin Australia, and Qantas fly from Sydney International Airport (SYD) to Cairns (CNS) hourly. Alternatively, you can take a train from Central Station to Cairns Central Station via Roma Street Station and Roma Street in around 40h 26m.
Transport is disrupted due to the Russia-Ukraine war. Read more
- Website
- qantas.com
Flights from Sydney International Airport to Cairns
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 4m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $120–800
Flights from Sydney International Airport to Cairns via Brisbane
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 56m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $320–800
- Website
- virginaustralia.com
Flights from Sydney International Airport to Cairns
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 5m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $210–490
Flights from Sydney International Airport to Cairns via Brisbane
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 1m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $210–490
- Website
- jetstar.com
Flights from Sydney International Airport to Cairns
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 3m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $120–480
- Phone
- 131 500
- Website
- transportnsw.info
Train from Central Station to Roma Street Station
- Ave. Duration
- 14h 6m
- 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
- Phone
- 1800 872 467
- Website
- queenslandrailtravel.com.au
Train from Roma Street to Cairns Central Station
- 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
- 1300 473946
- Website
- greyhound.com.au
Bus from Central Station to Brisbane
- Ave. Duration
- 14h
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- $130–300
- Website
- https://www.greyhound.com.au/
- Schedules at
- https://www.greyhound.com.au/timetables
- Early Bird
- $130–190
- Advantage
- $160–240
- Flexible
- $190–300
- Phone
- 13 34 10
- reservations@premierms.com.au
- Website
- premierms.com.au
Bus from Brisbane Roma Street to Cairns Central Station
- Ave. Duration
- 29h 30m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $220–320
- Website
- https://premierms.com.au/
Bus from Central Station to Brisbane Roma Street
- Ave. Duration
- 17h 35m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $120–180
- 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
Best ways to travel around Australia
Read the travel guide
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
More Questions & Answers
Sydney to Cairns bus services, operated by Greyhound Australia, arrive at Brisbane station.
Cairns is 1h behind Sydney. It is currently 11:17 AM in Sydney and 10:17 AM in Cairns.
Sydney to Cairns train services, operated by NSW TrainLink XPT, arrive at Roma Street Station.
Yes, the driving distance between Sydney to Cairns is 2397 km. It takes approximately 27h 33m to drive from Sydney to Cairns.
There are 990+ hotels available in Cairns.












