North Queensland, with its Great Barrier Reef, forests and the Whitsunday Islands, has much to offer visitors. The heart of this region is the city of Townsville. With numerous attractions including The Strand, an aquarium, museums and much more, Townsville is a good place to explore the nearby Magnetic Island National Park. When your adventures in this area are complete, head north along the Sunshine Coast to the city of Cairns, the starting point of the Great Barrier Reef. The warm tropical climate makes it a good place for daytime swimming and nightly socializing in hotels and bars, but it’s also a laid-back city that attracts backpackers and cruise ship passengers. Read on for the best options to get from Townsville to Cairns.
Spirit of Queensland Train at Tully Station between Townsville and Cairns © designium / Shutterstock.com
Travel options from Townsville to Cairns
It’s easy to forget how far apart Australia’s cities can be. If you look at a map, the distance between Townsville and Cairns may seem small, but the truth is that there are 350 kilometers (219 miles) between these cities by road. Fortunately, this is quite a popular route and there are various options for traveling between these two destinations. Flying is one of them. And although the plane is a fast means of transport, it is much more expensive than the other transport options. The bus is much cheaper, but also slower. Finally, you can choose from the different types of tickets offered by the train.
Townsville to Cairns flights
Qantas flights between Townsville and Cairns are operated by Qantaslink using the Bombardier Dash 8 – Q400 aircraft © PomInOz / Shutterstock.com
When you’re traveling in such a large country, flying often makes sense because you can cover long distances in a reasonable amount of time. There is a direct flight from Townsville to Cairns that only takes an hour, saving you a few hours by car or train. However, there are only a few airlines that serve the Townsville to Cairns route, which translates into quite high prices. It is this cost that deters many travelers from choosing this option.
Still, if you’re in a hurry and want to get to Cairns as soon as possible, flying is the best alternative. You can fly directly with Qantas Airways and Rex. Qantas offers more flights per day, so their schedules may better suit your plans. Of the five daily flights they have, three are scheduled in the morning, one at noon and one in the afternoon. Remember that morning flights are usually the most expensive. Therefore, if you want to fly but save some money, try to book your tickets as far in advance as possible and be a little flexible with your flight day and time, as traveling in the morning and on weekends is usually much more expensive. .
Townsville Airport is easily accessible from the city. It is located just a few kilometers from the center, and public buses run on this route. Cairns Airport is also quite close to the city and is served by bus and taxi services. Ask your accommodation in Cairns if they have an airport pickup service as this is quite common in this city.
Bus from Townsville to Cairns
Bus Greyhound Australia © ArliftAtoz2205 / Shutterstock.com
Traveling by bus from Townsville to Cairns saves money compared to flying. But unlike what happens in other countries, traveling by bus in Australia is not particularly cheap. The market is dominated by Greyhound Australia, which operates a fleet of comfortable modern buses with air conditioning, but not much else. Buses are safe and reliable, with Townsville to Cairns running several times a day to various destinations. Depending on where you get off, journey times will range from 4 hours to 45 minutes to 5 hours and 35 minutes.
One of the biggest advantages of traveling by bus is that you can enjoy fantastic landscapes along the way. The bus follows the Bruce Highway, passing through small towns and several national parks.
You can book flight and bus tickets from Townsville to Cairns online 12Go.asiawhere you can book tickets with instant confirmation. In addition, you will be able to compare the prices of all transport options, see different timetables and read the opinions of other passengers.
From Townsville to Cairns by train
During certain times of the year, you can also book a train ticket from Townsville to Cairns through 12Go, although this can also be done directly with Queensland Railway. Times are subject to change, but at the time of writing, trains from Townsville to Cairns depart on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays, departing Townsville at 9:53 AM and arriving in Cairns at 4:30 PM. This means that the train journey is longer than the bus, but if you want to be able to get around and do some walking on the way, the train can be a good option.
It can be said that trains are generally more comfortable than buses, and besides, they allow you to enjoy the scenery. Several ticket options are available, both in economy class. The B Quick fare is an early purchase option that has limited availability, while the A Choice fare is sold at regular price, so the first option offers a better price. It is possible to buy both options online, but QueenslandRail states that there is no need to book in advance. Still, we advise you to shop over time so you can find better deals.
With three great options to travel from Townsville to Cairns, the cost of your tickets will play a role in your decision. If you are traveling in a hurry, it is best to travel by plane, but it is a much more expensive option than the rest. Trains and buses have similar prices, but the journey by train is longer than by bus.