Cairns Airport Transfers
Budget transfers from Cairns Airport (CNS) to Cairns City, Port Douglas, Palm Cove & all Far North Queensland destinations. Pre-booked service from $65 for first 10km - 30% cheaper than premium transfers.
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Cairns Airport Transfers - Cairns Airport (CNS)
Cairns Airport (CNS) is Far North Queensland's major airport serving over 5 million passengers annually. Located just 7km northwest of Cairns city centre, the airport is the gateway to tropical North Queensland, the Great Barrier Reef, and the Daintree Rainforest. Our budget airport transfer service provides reliable, pre-booked transportation from CNS to any Far North Queensland destination.
Our Cairns airport transfer service covers all major destinations including Cairns City CBD, Port Douglas, Palm Cove, Trinity Beach, Kuranda, the Northern Beaches, and Atherton Tablelands. We also service popular attractions like the Cairns Esplanade, Reef Fleet Terminal, Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, and various resort accommodations. With a minimum fare of $65 for the first 10km and no surge charges, you'll always know exactly what your Cairns airport transfer will cost.
Choose Drivision Direct for your Cairns airport transfers and experience the convenience of pre-booked, budget-friendly transportation with professional drivers who know the tropical far north's beaches, rainforest, and reef access points inside and out. Our kerbside pickup service saves you money while providing reliable, comfortable transport to any destination from the city to the reef.
📍 Pickup Locations
Terminal 1: Domestic Arrivals
Terminal 2: International Arrivals
Ground Level: Both Arrivals Halls
⏱️ Wait Times
International: 60 minutes from landing
Domestic: 30 minutes from landing
Includes: Immigration, baggage, walk time
💰 Pricing
First 10km: $65 minimum
To Cairns City: From $65
To Palm Cove: From $85
🚗 Service Type
Kerbside pickup - no meet & greet
Pre-booked only - minimum 2 hours
App payments - credit cards only
Cairns Airport Transfer Pricing
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Minimum fare $65 for first 10km. Prices vary by exact destination. Get instant quote through our booking widget above.
💡 Pricing Information
Fares shown are base transfer prices with $65 minimum for first 10km.
Additional costs that may apply: Tolls (forwarded at cost if route requires), airport parking fees (if required), and waiting time beyond standard allowances.
Your toll charges will be clearly shown on your final invoice.
Cairns Airport Terminal Guide
🛫 Cairns Airport (CNS) Pickup Instructions
Terminal 1 (Domestic)
- Jetstar, Virgin Australia, Qantas
- Ground Level Arrivals Hall
- Exit to pickup bay area
- Meet at designated kerbside zone
- Look for SMS with exact bay number
Terminal 2 (International)
- All international arrivals
- Immigration and customs clearance
- Ground Level Arrivals Hall
- Follow Ground Transport signs
- Driver will text location details
🌴 Tropical Gateway
Cairns Airport serves as the main gateway to tropical Far North Queensland. The compact two-terminal layout makes navigation easy, with both domestic and international terminals featuring ground-level arrivals with direct access to pickup areas. The airport's location provides quick access to the city, northern beaches, and reef tour departure points.
Popular Cairns Destinations
🏖️ Northern Beaches
- Palm Cove & Clifton Beach
- Trinity Beach & Kewarra Beach
- Yorkeys Knob & Holloways Beach
- Ellis Beach & Captain Cook Highway
- Port Douglas & Four Mile Beach
🐠 Reef & Attractions
- Reef Fleet Terminal
- Cairns Esplanade Lagoon
- Skyrail Rainforest Cableway
- Kuranda Scenic Railway
- Daintree Discovery Centre
🏨 Accommodation Hubs
- Cairns City CBD Hotels
- Palm Cove Resorts
- Port Douglas Luxury
- Pullman Cairns International
- Shangri-La Marina
Cairns Airport Transfer Comparison
| Service | Airport to Cairns City | Meet & Greet | Wait Time | Booking | Payment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drivision Direct | $65 | Kerbside (included) | 60min Intl / 30min Dom | App only | Credit card |
| Premium Chauffeur | $90-120 | +$25 fee | 45min Intl / 15min Dom | Phone/Online | Multiple |
| Airport Taxi | $70-90 | None | None | On-demand | Cash/Card |
| Rideshare (Uber) | $50-80* | None | 5min max | App | Credit card |
| Airport Shuttle | $20-30 | None | None | Online/Counter | Cash/Card |
*Rideshare prices vary with surge pricing. Airport shuttle requires shared transport and multiple stops. Drivision Direct offers fixed rates with door-to-door service and $65 minimum fare.
Why Choose Drivision Direct for Cairns Airport Transfers?
💰 Cairns-Specific Savings
- 30% cheaper than premium Cairns chauffeur services
- $65 minimum fare covers Cairns city and close suburbs
- Fixed pricing - no surge during reef tour peak times
- No airport pickup fees (save $15-25)
🚗 Local Tropical Knowledge
- Beach expertise - drivers know all northern beach routes
- Reef access - direct routes to marina and reef terminals
- Weather awareness - monsoon season and road conditions
- Tourism knowledge - attraction locations and timings
Cairns Airport Transfer FAQs
Journey times from Cairns Airport to the city centre are relatively short due to the proximity:
- Off-peak hours: 12-18 minutes via Airport Avenue
- Peak hours: 18-25 minutes depending on traffic
- Early morning: 10-15 minutes with light traffic
- Tourist season: Allow extra 10-15 minutes during peak periods
Distance is approximately 7km from the airport to Cairns CBD. Our drivers use the most efficient routes via Airport Avenue and Sheridan Street to avoid congestion around the Esplanade area.
Yes! We service all popular northern beach destinations and Port Douglas:
- Palm Cove: $85-95 from CNS (25km, 30-35 mins)
- Trinity Beach: $75-85 from CNS (20km, 25-30 mins)
- Port Douglas: $150-170 from CNS (65km, 60-75 mins)
- Ellis Beach: $95-105 from CNS (35km, 40-45 mins)
🌴 Scenic route: Journey to northern beaches follows the beautiful Captain Cook Highway with ocean views. Port Douglas transfers include the scenic coastal drive through sugar cane fields and rainforest.
Absolutely! We provide transfers to all major reef tour departure locations:
- Reef Fleet Terminal: Main departure point for Great Barrier Reef tours
- Cairns Esplanade: Various tour operators and boat charters
- Marlin Marina: Premium reef tour departures
- Port Douglas Marina: Northern reef access and Quicksilver cruises
🐠 Reef tour tip: Allow extra time for reef tour check-ins (usually 30 minutes prior). Our drivers know the specific pickup and drop-off points for different tour operators.
Yes, we provide transfers to mountain and rainforest destinations:
- Kuranda Village: $120-150 from CNS (scenic mountain route)
- Skyrail Rainforest Terminal: $110-130 from CNS
- Atherton Tablelands: $140-180 depending on specific location
- Kuranda Railway Station: $120-150 from CNS
🌿 Mountain access: Routes to Kuranda involve winding mountain roads with spectacular rainforest views. Journey time is approximately 45-60 minutes depending on destination.
We operate year-round but adjust for tropical weather conditions:
- Wet Season (Nov-Apr): May have delays due to heavy rain
- Cyclone Warnings: Service suspended for safety during severe weather
- Road Flooding: Alternative routes used when possible
- Airport Closures: Service resumes when flights restart
🌧️ Weather planning: We monitor Bureau of Meteorology warnings and will contact you if weather affects your transfer. Allow extra time during heavy rain periods.