Next bus departures
| Operated by | Vehicle type | Departure time | Departure location | Trip duration | Arrival time | Arrival location | Recommended | Price and booking link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Bus | Airlie Beach | 142 Bunda St, Cairns Train Station, Bus stop (Platform 1) | CheapestFastest |
Last refresh of the prices: 2025-11-23 AEST.
Get from Airlie Beach to Cairns
The journey takes about 11 hours 50 minutes, and with fares starting at just $117, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.
Compare bus companies
According to 17 reviews, Greyhound Australia received a 3.1-star rating for this journey. Travellers were especially satisfied with the seats and the temperature, but some complained about the timeliness. Greyhound Australia ticket prices on this trip start at $117
Greyhound Australia Airlie Beach Cairns recent customer reviews
Incredibly uncomfortable seats. Should provide blankets if its an overnight, and blankets as it got cold. also my charger got stolen.
Joelle S.
Very disappointed with the first driver. He ignored my questions and concerns and showed no effort to help me. I explained that I do get bus sick and was hoping to sit near the front but just told me my seat number (13B at the very back) and moved on to the next person. I now see that seat selection was an option when booking however it never showed when I was booking. We also only got 2 breaks for the whole 10hr trip even when stopping we were told not to get off the bus. The next bus driver we picked up from cairns was great! We was very nice funny and welcoming. I would give him 5 stars.
Renae M.
Sat opposite a bunch of teenagers who were drinking and mucking about. Then one of them was sick all down herself.
Matthew H.
Frequently asked questions about travelling from Airlie Beach to Cairns by bus
Please note that schedules, routes, or operator details shown here may be updated or vary at the time of your trip.
How much is the bus ticket from Airlie Beach to Cairns?
The cheapest bus tickets from Airlie Beach to Cairns start from $117. The average price for this route is around $154. Busbud recommends that you book your tickets in advance for a better chance to get the lowest possible price.
How long is the bus ride from Airlie Beach to Cairns?
The average bus travel time from Airlie Beach to Cairns is 11h 50m, covering a distance of 486 km. The quickest bus can get you there in 10h 10m and is operated by Greyhound Australia.
Which bus companies service the Airlie Beach to Cairns route?
Several major bus companies operate on this route with 3 buses available per day.
What are the earliest and latest departure times for the bus from Airlie Beach to Cairns?
The earliest bus departs from Airlie Beach to Cairns at 8:10am. And the latest bus departs at 8:00pm.
What are the CO₂ emissions for the bus trip from Airlie Beach to Cairns?
A bus trip from Airlie Beach to Cairns generates an estimated 12 kg of CO₂, making it a highly eco-friendly travel option and a mode of travel recommended by Busbud.
Find cheapest prices for buses
Price is for a one-way ticket for one passenger and based on past searches.
The cheapest trip from Airlie Beach to Cairns was searched and found on Dec 3, 2025 with a price of $177To save money and be sure you have the best seat, it's a good idea to buy your bus tickets from Airlie Beach to Cairns, as early as possible.
You can expect to pay from $177 to $202 for a bus ticket from Airlie Beach to Cairns based on the last 2 days. You can expect to find the cheapest price for the trip at $177 which is on 2025-12-03.
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