Getting Around Cairns
Cairns is a compact tropical city on the northeast coast of Queensland, and its centre is small enough to cover on foot. For the surrounding attractions — the reef, the rainforest, the beaches to the north and south — you'll need a car or a tour. Expect morning and evening congestion in the city centre as day trippers flock in and out of town.
On Foot
The heart of Cairns is walkable. Cairns Station sits right in the city centre, easily within walking distance of the waterfront and most hotels, so if you arrive by train you can step off and be among the accommodation and dining areas almost immediately. Many visitors find they can base themselves centrally and walk to most of what they need day to day.
Public Buses
Kinetic operates the public bus network, with routes running through the city. The terminal for all routes is at the corner of Lake and Shield Street in the centre, which makes it straightforward to find your starting point or to change services.
- Tickets are extremely cheap — a flat fare per trip, with day and weekly tickets also available.
- Buses accept both card and cash.
Note that this applies to the public buses; some other transport providers in Cairns do not take credit cards, so it's wise to carry some cash as a backup.
Rail
Cairns has no metro or tram network, but it does have a railway station in the city centre, served by Queensland Rail. The long-distance Spirit of Queensland connects Cairns to Brisbane via Townsville and Rockhampton. It's designed primarily for tourists to take in the scenery at a leisurely pace, with a "railbed" class featuring seats that recline into a bed for the night. If you're pressed for time, driving yourself will often be quicker.
Two scenic rail experiences also depart from Cairns:
- Kuranda Scenic Railway — operated by Queensland Rail, it runs from Cairns to Kuranda, stopping over the Barron Gorge so passengers can leave the train and enjoy the view over the water. Trains depart Cairns in the morning daily.
- The Savannahlander — travels from Cairns to Kuranda and then continues on to the outback town of Forsayth, with a compulsory overnight stop at Almaden (transfers available to Chillagoe). It leaves Cairns early on Wednesday mornings and does not run between December and March.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Cairns Taxis depart from Cairns Airport, and a trip into Cairns City may involve a small wait. Taxis are a convenient option if you're arriving with luggage or late at night. For general getting around, the compact centre means you won't often need one once you're settled.
Car Hire
A car is needed to see the surrounding attractions if you are not taking a tour. Numerous car rental agencies are available from the airport or in the city centre, including Hertz and SIXT, with other rental options located around Abbott Street and Shields, and Sheridan and Alpine. During peak season, make sure to book your car in advance.
If you're driving long distance, the Bruce Highway runs south along the coast to Brisbane. The road usually runs a few kilometres inland, and on the entire drive you'll only see the ocean at two spots along the route — Bowen and Cardwell.
Getting from Cairns Airport into the City
Cairns International Airport is the primary gateway into the region and is also served by many domestic flights. It has two terminals — a domestic terminal and an international terminal — which are within walking distance of each other. The airport has a paid Wi-Fi service.
To reach the city from the airport, you have two main options:
- Shuttle bus transfers — available from the airport, with one-way and return fares to Cairns city. Shuttle buses typically depart the airport hourly. If you don't book a shuttle transfer before arriving, there is only one company you can travel with, so it's worth researching the different shuttle companies in advance to get a cheaper price. Operators offering transfers from Cairns Airport include Airport Connections and Coral Sea Coaches.
- Taxis — Cairns Taxis depart from the airport, with fares into Cairns City. There may be a small wait.
Whichever you choose, booking ahead generally gives you more choice and a better price.