Cheap Brisbane to Cairns flights (BNE to CNS)

Arriving at Cairns Airport

Central Cairns is approximately 6.3 kilometres from Cairns Airport. Commute options include taxi and rideshare, shuttle bus services with Excellence Coaches, hotel transfers where included, limousine, and car hire.

Transfer times and cost guide (to Cairns City)

• Taxi: 10mins - $25-$30 to Cairns City ($65 to Palm Cove)
• Bus Transfer: 20-40mins - $16

Departing from Brisbane Airport

Located 12km from Brisbane City, Brisbane Airport is best accessed by the 20-minute Airtrain journey, which runs every 15-30 minutes. Either tap on with your Translink go card or pre-book your Airtrain ticket online.

Alternatively travel to Brisbane Airport via taxi, rideshare, shuttle bus – or the option to self-drive and utilise the airport parking facilities.

In non-peak time the drive is approximately 20-minutes from central Brisbane to Brisbane Airport, however it’s always recommended to allow additional time for travel during peak times.

Virgin Australia operates from Brisbane Domestic Airport for the flight from Brisbane to Cairns.

What time do you need to arrive at Brisbane Airport?

If you’re planning to check in luggage, we’d suggest arriving at the airport 60 minutes prior to your flight time. This should allow you enough time to drop your bags the recommended 45 minutes before departure, grab a coffee or snack, and make your way to the departure gate.

Cairns Itinerary – What to do in a day?

Only have 24 hours to explore Cairns? Here’s our handy guide to make every minute count, squeezing in lots of attractions and things to do, without feeling like you’re a contender on The Amazing Race.

7.30am – Breakfast at Caffiend

After a restful night in your Cairns hotel (we love The Sebel Cairns Harbour Lights), make your way to Caffiend for breakfast. Tucked away in a graffitied alleyway off Grafton Street, this café serving up the local Tattooed Sailor Coffee Roasters coffee is bursting with hipsters.

8.30am – Choose your day

Option A: Cairns Esplanade, Botanic Gardens, Shopping, Atherton Tablelands

9.00am – Time to walk off breakfast and take a walk along the Cairns Esplanade, a focal point with the enormous saltwater swimming lagoon acting as the city’s ‘beach’. If here on a Saturday have a peek at the markets, selling everything from jewellery to pottery.

10.00am – Next up you’re off to the Botanic Gardens, an easy 5-minute walk away, boasting an incredible display of tropical plants. Join the free tour that starts at 10.00am or make the 1.5 hour self-trek on the walking trail Red Arrow, for spectacular views overlooking the City and Green Island from the lookout.

12.00pm – Time for a spot of shopping in the city before lunch. From local crafts at the markets, indigenous paintings at Yarraabah Arts and Cultural Precinct, to street fashion at Cairns Central Shopping Centre, and even vintage at the legendary Crackerbox Palace - Cairns city offers a range of shopping to uncover.

1.00pm – It’s lunch time and today you’re off to Salthouse, a restaurant perched in a stunning location on the Cairns Marina, boasting mountain and ocean views. Enjoy fresh local seasonal produce cooked on their Argentinian wood fire grill.

2.30pm – Time to glide above the rainforest, an easy 15-minute drive and you’re ready to hop on board the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway gondola to Kuranda – known as the ‘village in the rainforest’. Enjoy some time in this artsy town - take a walk through the rainforest or have time at the Heritage Markets - then make your way back down to Cairns via Kuranda Scenic Railway.

7.00pm – After time back at your hotel to freshen up you’re off to dinner at Vivo in Palm Cove, a 20-minute drive away. Catering for all dietary needs Vivo offers fresh flavoursome local produce in an idyllic beachfront setting.

9.00pm – Back to Cairns for a sneaky nightcap at Three Wolves. Hidden down a red-brick laneway in the heart of Cairns CBD Three Wolves offers an extensive menu, and next time you’re in Cairns, book in for one of their Cocktail or Whiskey Master Classes.

Option B: Explore the Great Barrier Reef with Reef Magic Cruises

Check-in at Reef Magic Cruises inside the Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal on Spence Street for your departure at 9.00am. Enjoy the 90-minute catamaran trip to Marine World on the Outer Great Barrier Reef, where you’ll have 5 hours to snorkel or scuba-dive the wonder that is world-heritage listed Great Barrier Reef. Your catamaran will arrive back in Cairns at 5.00pm.

Option C: Explore nature at Cape Tribulation

Renowned for its scenic landscape, remote beaches and world heritage-listed rainforest of the Daintree National Park, Cape Tribulation is towards the end of the sealed road, 35 kilometres north of Daintree River Ferry. Today is a self-drive expedition, with the trip to Cape Tribulation taking approximately 2.5 hours each way, so you’re best to hit the road early – or add on an extra day and spend the night in Cape Tribulation.

Where to stay in Cairns?

Cairns, and the surrounding beaches to its north, offers an incredible range of accommodation to suit all styles and budgets.

Central Cairns

Always busy, Central Cairns is a central area to stay for little-city-vibes, great amenities, and ease of access to local attractions and tours. You’ll find everything from backpackers to luxury accommodation.

Palm Cove

For a more resort-feel, stay in Palm Cove, an easy 20-minute drive north of Cairns, with its palm-fringed coastline, fantastic eateries, day spas, and relaxed atmosphere. Here you’ll find iconic Peppers Beach Club & Spa Palm Cove, and The Reef House – M Gallery Hotel Collection, amongst the great range of accommodation options.

Port Douglas

Port Douglas is the ideal place to stay with a diverse range of accommodation, plenty of eateries and amenities, and great access for tours. Located a 1-hour drive north of Cairns, the scenery absolutely stunning as you wind along the coastline. You’ll find a great range from 3.5 star, to 5-star luxury boutique apartments in Port Douglas.

Explore more with our Cairns Travel Guide.

When to visit Cairns?

Cairns and surrounding Port Douglas and Palm Cove offers plenty of things to do year-round, although you may find the summer months a tad humid, even for those used to it in Brisbane.

April to September is the best time to visit Cairns for the ideal blend of warm dry weather (temperatures rarely dip below 24 degrees), less crowds, and great value hotel prices. By visiting Cairns after summer you’ll also miss the Christmas crowds and high humidity too. Ideal weather for exploring neighbouring islands, Daintree rainforest, and of course being a beach bum.

During the summer months (December through to March) it’s the wet season and you’ll experience the wonder of Queensland’s stunning storms, but with it you’ll also grab great deals on your accommodation and tours. Be mindful that summer is stinger season in Cairns, and some beaches may close as a result during this time.

June through to November is ideal for snorkelling and trips to the Great Barrier Reef, with little chance of rain. It’s also an ideal time for riding the Kuranda Scenic Railway for clear views from the carriages.

What to pack for your trip to Cairns?

With hot weather year-round (even in the winter months) and an even more casual vibe than Brisbane, you’ll only need to pack summer clothes for this humid destination, such as shorts, t-shirts, singlets, havaianas, and swimwear. Bring some outfits for going out to restaurants or clubs, but you’ll find the attire is casual.

A light rain jacket is essential if travelling to Cairns in the wet season, walking shoes if you’re planning to hike, and a light jacket for the winter evenings (if you need one at all).

Don’t forget your sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen, and mosquito repellent. And make sure you bring your own eco-friendly water bottle for your day trips.

Must pack

• Summer: lightweight clothes in breathable fabrics, sunscreen, waterproof jacket, comfortable casual dresses for women, short-sleeved/ T-shirts for the men
• Autumn: similar packing to summer
• Winter: similar packing to summer but throw in a light jacket for the evening
• Spring: similar packing to summer