Cairns Airport to Port Douglas Shuttle Bus & Transfers
From $66 · Daily departures both ways · Also Palm Cove & Cairns City
Daily from Cairns Airport (CNS) through Cairns City and Palm Cove to Port Douglas — and back again. Your driver meets you in arrivals, luggage is included, and the coach drops you directly at your accommodation door.
View Timetable & BookPort Douglas airport transfers by shuttle bus
The Tropic Wings airport shuttle transfer runs multiple times daily from Cairns Airport (CNS), with stops through Cairns City and Palm Cove and continuing to Port Douglas — about 1 hour 45 minutes via the scenic Captain Cook Highway, including hotel drop-offs. Your driver meets you in the arrivals hall, one standard suitcase and one carry-on per passenger are included at no extra charge, and the coach drops you directly at your accommodation.
Operating since 1981 and Ecocertified for over 20 years, Tropic Wings is one of the most established shuttle transfer operators in tropical North Queensland. Services run in both directions, so we can get you where you need to go along the coast.
Timetable and fares last updated June 2026.
Pricing
Fares
One way per person · AUD incl. GST · Luggage & airport meet & greet included · Infant under 2 free.
Route
Airport ↔ Cairns City
Day
Mon–Fri 7am–6pm
$26
Child $13
Evening
Mon–Fri 6pm–7am
$28
Child $14
Weekend
Sat–Sun all times
$29
Child $14.50
Public Holiday
All times
$31
Child $15.50
Route
Airport ↔ Palm Cove
Day
Mon–Fri 7am–6pm
$37
Child $18.50
Evening
Mon–Fri 6pm–7am
$40
Child $20
Weekend
Sat–Sun all times
$42
Child $21
Public Holiday
All times
$44
Child $22
Route
Airport ↔ Port Douglas
Day
Mon–Fri 7am–6pm
$66
Child $33
Evening
Mon–Fri 6pm–7am
$70
Child $35
Weekend
Sat–Sun all times
$73
Child $36.50
Public Holiday
All times
$76
Child $38
Child fares apply ages 2–14. Infant under 2 travels free (on lap).
Cairns Airport to Port Douglas — how to get there
Comparing your options for the ~70 km journey via the Captain Cook Highway.
Option
Typical fare
Time
Best for
Tropic Wings airport shuttle transfer
From $66/adult
~1 hr 45 min
Solo travellers, couples & families wanting the most affordable option
Private transfer (VW ID. Buzz)
From $220 (vehicle)
~70 min
Groups of 3–6 wanting a direct, no-stops service
Taxi / rideshare
$180–$250+
~70 min
Late arrivals when scheduled services have finished
Hire car
$80–$150/day + fuel
~70 min
Extended stays needing a car throughout their trip
Port Douglas to Cairns Airport shuttle bus transfer
The shuttle bus runs in both directions — 10 departures daily from Port Douglas back to Cairns Airport, from 03:15 for early flights to 17:45. We collect you from selected Port Douglas hotels, every service also picks up in Palm Cove, and the trip takes about 1 hour 30 minutes.
Booking the return? Choose a pick-up that gets you to the airport at least 75 minutes before a domestic flight or 2.5 hours before an international flight.
Departs Port Douglas
Arrives Airport
Cairns Airport to Palm Cove shuttle transfer
Palm Cove is a scheduled stop on selected Tropic Wings airport shuttle transfer services — approximately 30 minutes from Cairns Airport. If you're staying in Palm Cove, this is the most direct and affordable way in from the airport.
Not all departures stop at Palm Cove — check the timetable above and look for the Palm Cove column. The return runs the same route in reverse.
Good to Know
Shuttle Transfer FAQ
How do I get from Cairns Airport to Port Douglas?
The Tropic Wings airport shuttle transfer runs daily from Cairns Airport (CNS) to Port Douglas — about 1 hour 45 minutes along the Captain Cook Highway, including the Palm Cove stop and drop-offs at Port Douglas hotels. Your driver will meet you in the arrivals hall, luggage is included, and the coach drops you at your accommodation door. Adult fares from $66.
How much does the bus from Cairns Airport to Port Douglas cost?
Adult fares start at $66 (weekday daytime), $70 (weekday evenings), $73 (weekends) and $76 (public holidays). Child fares (ages 2–14) are half the adult fare. Infants under 2 travel free on lap.
What is the cheapest way to get from Cairns to Port Douglas?
A shared shuttle bus is the cheapest door-to-door option. Tropic Wings adult fares start at $66 one way — far less than a taxi ($180–$250+) or a hire car for the 70 km journey. Groups of 3 or more may find a private transfer comparable in total cost.
Is there a free shuttle from Cairns to Port Douglas?
There's no free public shuttle between Cairns Airport and Port Douglas. Some Port Douglas resorts include transfers in their packages, so check with your accommodation first. Otherwise a shared shuttle bus is the cheapest way up — Tropic Wings adult fares start at $66 one way, and children travel at half price.
Is there a public bus from Cairns to Port Douglas?
No. Cairns public buses (Translink) run as far north as Palm Cove but not to Port Douglas. The Tropic Wings shuttle bus runs scheduled daily departures between Cairns Airport, Palm Cove and Port Douglas in both directions.
How do I get from Port Douglas to Cairns Airport?
Tropic Wings runs the same airport shuttle transfer in both directions. The coach departs Port Douglas multiple times daily, picks up in Palm Cove on the way, and reaches Cairns Airport in about 1 hour 30 minutes. When booking, choose a pick-up that gets you to the airport at least 75 minutes before a domestic flight or 2.5 hours before an international flight.
Does the coach stop at Palm Cove?
Yes — most departures stop at Palm Cove, about 30 minutes from Cairns Airport. The full trip from the airport to Port Douglas takes about 1 hour 45 minutes. Check the timetable above for which departures serve Palm Cove.
Is luggage included?
Yes — one standard suitcase and one carry-on bag per passenger at no extra charge.
Do children travel at a discounted fare?
Yes. Children aged 2–14 travel at a reduced fare. Infants under 2 travel free (on lap).
Travelling as a group?
Upgrade to a Private Transfer
Just your group in a fully electric VW ID. Buzz (subject to availability). No other passengers, no stops — often comparable in price to individual coach fares for groups.