Next bus departures
| Operated by | Vehicle type | Departure time | Departure location | Trip duration | Arrival time | Arrival location | Recommended | Price and booking link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Bus | 142 Bunda St, Cairns Train Station, Bus stop (Platform 1) | Townsville | Cheapest | ||||
| Bus | 142 Bunda St, Cairns Train Station, Bus stop (Platform 1) | Townsville | Fastest | ||||
| Bus | 142 Bunda St, Cairns Train Station, Bus stop (Platform 1) | Townsville | No tags | ||||
| Bus | 142 Bunda St, Cairns Train Station, Bus stop (Platform 1) | Townsville | No tags |
Last refresh of the prices: Yesterday at 10:27 PM AEST.
Get from Cairns to Townsville
The journey takes about 5 hours 30 minutes, and with fares starting at just R 883, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.
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According to user feedback, the bus service is appreciated for its friendly drivers and onboard amenities such as air conditioning and Wi-Fi. Additionally, passengers enjoyed a brief stopover during their journey.
Greyhound Australia Cairns Townsville recent customer reviews
The greyhound bus was very clean, the driver was efficient with luggage arrangement and with seat allocation. The only negative was the luggage area was wet from recent rain and maybe previous luggage however I’m not sure how this could be avoided.
Tracee H.
There was an accident on the highway south of Tully which caused an unavoidable delay.
Alex B.
We enjoyed the air-conditioned, wifi and a little stopver.
Wilma A.
Frequently asked questions about travelling from Cairns to Townsville by bus
Please note that timetables, routes, or operator details shown here may be updated or differ at the time of your trip.
How much is the bus ticket from Cairns to Townsville?
The cheapest bus tickets from Cairns to Townsville start at R 883. The average price for this route is around R 962. Busbud recommends booking your tickets in advance for the best chance of getting the lowest possible price.
How long is the bus journey from Cairns to Townsville?
The average bus journey time from Cairns to Townsville is 5h 30m, covering a distance of 282 km. The fastest bus gets you there in 5h 30m and is operated by Greyhound Australia.
Which bus companies service the Cairns to Townsville route?
Several major bus companies operate on this route with 3 buses available per day.
What is the earliest and latest departure time for the bus from Cairns to Townsville?
The earliest bus departs from Cairns to Townsville at 07:00. And the latest bus departs at 15:00.
What are the CO₂ emissions for the bus trip from Cairns to Townsville?
A bus trip from Cairns to Townsville produces an estimated 7 kg of CO₂, making it a highly eco-friendly travel option and Busbud’s recommended way to travel.
Find cheapest prices for buses
Price is for a one-way ticket for one passenger and based on past searches.
The cheapest trip from Cairns to Townsville was searched and found on 11 Dec 2025 with a price of R 871To save money and be sure you have the best seat, it's a good idea to buy your bus tickets from Cairns to Townsville as early as possible.
You can expect to pay from R 871 to R 3 783 for a bus ticket from Cairns to Townsville based on the last 2 days. You can expect to find the cheapest price for the trip at R 871, which is on 2025-12-11.
