Airports
 Cairns International Airport is a key gateway into Queensland's northern tropics region. The facility handles a number of domestic and international flights. Flights connect Cairns to Auckland in New Zealand; Tokyo in Japan; Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea; and Incheon in South Korea.
Airlines operating at Cairns International include Air New Zealand, Continental Airlines, Cathay Pacific and Airfast Indonesia. Qantas, one of Australia's primary national airlines, handles a significant portion of domestic travel to destinations such as Alice Springs, Brisbane, Darwin, Perth, Melbourne, Sydney and Yulara. The other domestic carriers—Jetstar, Mac-Air and Virgin Blue—fly mainly to Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney, through which a greater selection of international flights are routed.
This dual-terminal facility sits five miles north of Cairns city centre and is well equipped to handle its annual throughput of nearly three million visitors. Abundant facilities cater for tourists and business travellers alike.
An hourly airport shuttle to the city centre departs from outside the Arrivals hall. Taxis are also on hand, though are typically double the price of a shuttle ticket, and take passengers to specific destinations throughout Cairns.
Public Transport
There are several other means of reaching Cairns from other regions of Australia. Of these, buses are probably the least desirable, as conditions can be cramped and travel time is relatively long. Trinity Wharf Centre (in the city centre) is the transport hub for long-haul coaches, and Greyhound Australia is the primary service provider.
 Long-distance trains are a popular mode of travel in Cairns. There is only one railway that approaches Cairns, and Brisbane is the next important stop along this line. Traveltrain and the Sunlander both provide service to Brisbane, though the journey takes more than 30 hours. The faster Tilt Train express service can complete the trip in as little as 25 hours. Generally, all trains have nice entertainment facilities and offer passengers sleeping berths as well as plenty of room to move about.
Once you have settled into Cairns, getting around town is very convenient. Sunbus, the public commuter, plies several routes heading out of the city centre to several of the beaches and outlying suburbs. Tickets are purchased upon boarding. There are a few weekend routes available that link the city centre with popular night spots, and service generally lasts until midnight.
 The Skyrail Rainforest Cableway is a thrilling way to travel from Cairns, though the service emphasises the view over actual transportation. Six-person cable cars rise out of Smithfield and soar over the coastal foothills for more than four miles before settling in Kuranda Rainforest Village. Passengers enjoy 90 minutes of startlingly beautiful scenery along the way.
Cairns city centre is quite compact (only five blocks deep) and most visitors opt to get around on foot whenever possible. Most of the restaurants, hotels and local attractions are situated on the Esplanade, a lovely coastal boardwalk in the downtown district.
Visiting some of the more secluded or distant attractions outside of Cairns city proper may require you to hire a car or charter a long-distance taxi. A number of car-hire firms are on hand at Cairns International Airport, and vehicle-hire can also be arranged through any number of local travel agencies.
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