How far is Airlie Beach from Cairns by coach?

The distance between Cairns and Airlie Beach by coach is approximately 301 miles (486 km).

Is there a way to reach Airlie Beach from Cairns without flying?

You have the option to select the coach for your journey on this route. Choosing the coach guarantees a comfortable and sustainable travel experience, allowing you to admire the views on your way to your destination. You might also find carpooling options to travel between the two cities.

Bus Cairns to Airlie Beach from £62 | Refundable Tickets

Next bus departures

Next departures from Cairns to Airlie Beach on 18 November
Operated by	Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended	Price and booking link
	Bus	15:00	142 Bunda St, Cairns Train Station, Bus stop (Platform 1)	21h 15m	12:15	Airlie Beach	Cheapest
	Bus	07:00	142 Bunda St, Cairns Train Station, Bus stop (Platform 1)	10h 30m	17:30	Airlie Beach	Fastest

Next departures from Cairns to Airlie Beach on 19 November
Operated by	Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended	Price and booking link
	Bus	15:00	142 Bunda St, Cairns Train Station, Bus stop (Platform 1)	21h 15m	12:15	Airlie Beach	CheapestFastest

Next departures from Cairns to Airlie Beach on 20 November
Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
Bus	15:00	142 Bunda St, Cairns Train Station, Bus stop (Platform 1)	21h 15m	12:15	Airlie Beach	Cheapest
Bus	11:00	142 Bunda St, Cairns Train Station, Bus stop (Platform 1)	9h 30m	20:30	Airlie Beach	Fastest
Bus	07:00	142 Bunda St, Cairns Train Station, Bus stop (Platform 1)	10h 30m	17:30	Airlie Beach	No tags
Bus	11:00	142 Bunda St, Cairns Train Station, Bus stop (Platform 1)	9h 30m	20:30	Airlie Beach	No tags
Bus	07:00	142 Bunda St, Cairns Train Station, Bus stop (Platform 1)	13h 30m	20:30	Airlie Beach	No tags

Next departures from Cairns to Airlie Beach on 21 November
Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
Bus	15:00	142 Bunda St, Cairns Train Station, Bus stop (Platform 1)	21h 15m	12:15	Airlie Beach	Cheapest
Bus	07:00	142 Bunda St, Cairns Train Station, Bus stop (Platform 1)	10h 30m	17:30	Airlie Beach	Fastest
Bus	07:00	142 Bunda St, Cairns Train Station, Bus stop (Platform 1)	10h 30m	17:30	Airlie Beach	No tags
Bus	15:00	142 Bunda St, Cairns Train Station, Bus stop (Platform 1)	21h 15m	12:15	Airlie Beach	No tags
Bus	15:00	142 Bunda St, Cairns Train Station, Bus stop (Platform 1)	21h 15m	12:15	Airlie Beach	No tags

Next departures from Cairns to Airlie Beach on 22 November
Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
Bus	15:00	142 Bunda St, Cairns Train Station, Bus stop (Platform 1)	21h 15m	12:15	Airlie Beach	Cheapest
Bus	11:00	142 Bunda St, Cairns Train Station, Bus stop (Platform 1)	9h 30m	20:30	Airlie Beach	Fastest
Bus	07:00	142 Bunda St, Cairns Train Station, Bus stop (Platform 1)	10h 30m	17:30	Airlie Beach	No tags
Bus	11:00	142 Bunda St, Cairns Train Station, Bus stop (Platform 1)	9h 30m	20:30	Airlie Beach	No tags
Bus	11:00	142 Bunda St, Cairns Train Station, Bus stop (Platform 1)	9h 30m	20:30	Airlie Beach	No tags

Next departures from Cairns to Airlie Beach on 23 November
Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
Bus	15:00	142 Bunda St, Cairns Train Station, Bus stop (Platform 1)	21h 15m	12:15	Airlie Beach	CheapestFastest
Bus	15:00	142 Bunda St, Cairns Train Station, Bus stop (Platform 1)	21h 15m	12:15	Airlie Beach	No tags
Bus	15:00	142 Bunda St, Cairns Train Station, Bus stop (Platform 1)	21h 15m	12:15	Airlie Beach	No tags

Next departures from Cairns to Airlie Beach on 24 November
Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
Bus	15:00	142 Bunda St, Cairns Train Station, Bus stop (Platform 1)	21h 15m	12:15	Airlie Beach	Cheapest
Bus	11:00	142 Bunda St, Cairns Train Station, Bus stop (Platform 1)	9h 30m	20:30	Airlie Beach	Fastest
Bus	07:00	142 Bunda St, Cairns Train Station, Bus stop (Platform 1)	10h 30m	17:30	Airlie Beach	No tags
Bus	07:00	142 Bunda St, Cairns Train Station, Bus stop (Platform 1)	10h 30m	17:30	Airlie Beach	No tags
Bus	11:00	142 Bunda St, Cairns Train Station, Bus stop (Platform 1)	9h 30m	20:30	Airlie Beach	No tags

Last refresh of the prices: Yesterday at 17:45 AEST.

Get from Cairns to Airlie Beach

This route is served by bus only

The journey takes about 12 hours 30 minutes, and with fares starting at just £65, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.

3bus per day

12h 30mAverage duration

301 milesDistance

12kgCO₂ emissions

Compare bus companies

Greyhound Australia

4/52,354 reviews

Staff4.7

Timeliness3.9

Cleanliness4.7

WiFi3.8

According to the users, the driver provided an excellent experience and was very enjoyable. However, there were some concerns about the seats being uncomfortable and small.

Greyhound Australia Cairns Airlie Beach recent customer reviews

Overall good! The only thing to improve is the seats... very uncomfortable and small.

Gonzalo Joaquin M.

5 December 2022

Very good trip. Only opportunity is to reduce the number of stops, that are too many.

Bruno B.

13 December 2019

Very good drivers and comfterble coach

Heidi K.

29 July 2025

AU Bus Companies: FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus, ALSA, Greyhound, Intercape, Trenitalia, Sindbad

Frequently asked questions about travelling by bus from Cairns to Airlie Beach

How far is Airlie Beach from Cairns by coach?
The distance between Cairns and Airlie Beach by coach is approximately 301 miles (486 km).
Is there a way to reach Airlie Beach from Cairns without flying?
You have the option to select the coach for your journey on this route. Choosing the coach guarantees a comfortable and sustainable travel experience, allowing you to admire the views on your way to your destination. You might also find carpooling options to travel between the two cities.

Find cheapest prices for buses

Price is for a one-way ticket for one passenger and based on past searches.

Best price found

16/11

£99

17/11

£101

Today

£106

19/11

£105

20/11

£79

21/11

£79

22/11

£73

23/11

£74

The cheapest trip from Cairns to Airlie Beach was searched and found on 22 Nov 2025 with a price of £73

To save money and be sure you have the best seat, it's a good idea to buy your bus tickets from Cairns to Airlie Beach as early as possible.

You can expect to pay from £73 to £111 for a bus ticket from Cairns to Airlie Beach based on the last 2 days. You can expect to find the cheapest price for the trip at £73, which is on 2025-11-22.