Cairns Airport Guide

Cairns Domestic Terminal 2 checkin

Cairns Airport is a surprisingly large airport - the largest airport in northern Queensland - in a remote part of the tropics, and with an unexpected number of international flights.

Cairns Airport, located dense mangrove swamps just 4 miles (7km) north of the city centre of Cairns, in the dedicated suburb of Aeroglen (great name - and chosen for it) right under the vast palm tree lined bulk of Mount Whitfield. It only has one runway, but two terminals, and Cairns is the seventh busiest airport in Australia. 4.1 million passengers a year pass through.

Shopping and catering are remarkably good, considering the small size of the airport terminal. Indeed, the bars in domestic are generally better than in International, and many passengers with a long time to wait stop off here first.

Cairns International Terminal 1

From International, by far and away the most popular destination out of Cairns is Japan, with nearly a quarter of a million passengers a year. Papua New Guinea (PNG) gets a mere 100 thousand, and Hong Kong 78k. Oddly, Cairns Airport is also a remote arm of extended United flights across the Pacific via Guam, with a mere 17 thousand passengers a year flying this route. Cairns was the main hub for Australian Airlines, before it met its end in 2006.

Domestic routes are however the mainstay, with 1.2 million a year flying to Brisbane, and 1 million to Sydney.

Cairns Airport has two separate terminals - domestic and international - with a small 500 metre long footpath running between them; however in the wet season that walk can seem like an eternity; thankfully the walkway is now covered most of the way, but there are still some open sections. And it really is half a kilometre; ignore the signs saying it is a short walk.

Cairns Airport Domestic Terminal 2

Cairns Domestic Terminal 2 airside

A $200 million redevelopment of the Domestic terminal started in August 2007 and was completed in 2010.

The Domestic terminal number 2 is by far the busiest terminal at Cairns, and now boasts a whopping five jet bridges and 17 gates, thanks to the 2010 redevelopment. Check-in facilities are still fairly basic, in a long line opposite the doors, and have been expanded into a common-user facility for all airlines. Paid-for Wi-Fi internet access is provided throughout, and there are internet kiosks within the departures areas of the terminals The domestic terminal now is much better for shopping and eating than it was before. There are several shops selling 'gifts of Queensland', a sandwich cafe, a Hungry Jacks burger bar, a Coffee Club which serves Pizza, and best of all a large airport Brewery, the Blue Sky, which is by far the most pleasant place to wait and which has a large outdoor area.

Cairns Airport International Terminal 1

Cairns International Terminal 1 checkin

Cairns International Airport Terminal number 1 has six jet bridges and ten gates in total. At busy times, many of them are full with passengers flying to China. And yet there is a major lull during the day, between about noon and 5pm when the terminal is pretty much closed. On arrival, there are Airport Ambassadors dressed in turquoise uniforms who help passengers find their way. ATMs are located in the arrivals area of the international terminal. There is one café in the public area of the international terminal, to the right of the checkin and opposite the customs exit, and an additional small eatery post-security. Most regular passengers however make their way to the domestic terminal for nibbles. Duty-free items can be purchased at an outlet in the international terminal.

Cairns Airport Pay in, First & Business Class lounges

Cairns Airport Terminal Map

Cairns Airport transportation

Cairns Airport is only a short distance from the city, however note that it is not generally regarded as walkable, mainly due to the heat, humidity, and the crocodile infested swap around the airport.

Cairns Airport shuttle bus services

These are small minibuses and are available at the front of the arrivals areas of both terminals and can also be pre-booked online.

Separately, most of the hotels in the region operate their own courtesy shuttle bus services to and from Cairns Airport.

Cairns Airport taxi services

The fare into central Cairns is about A$27.

Taxi ranks are immediately outside the arrivals area of both terminals, but during the day the rank outside international is generally empty, and you have to walk to domestic.

Cairns Domestic Taxi rank

Car Hire at Cairns Airport

Cairns Airport Hotel

There are no hotels at Cairns Airport; however as the city is so close, this isn't usually a problem.

Cairns Airport Left Luggage

Cairns airport luggage storage is handled by a company called Smart Carte Australia (tel: 0407 359 678). The Cairns Airport Left Luggage desk is beside the arrival hall.

Car parking

Cairns airport car parking is quite good, with both short and long-term parking adjacent to Terminal 1, while there is a budget car park is opposite Terminal 2. The first ten minutes in each car park is free of charge to enable the pick-up and drop-off of passengers. From Central Cairns, head north on Sheridan Street for approximately 5km (3 miles), then turn right onto Airport Avenue which leads to Cairns Airport.

Blue Sky Brewery Bar At Cairns Airport, a great place to wait

Cairns Airport Bars and Restaurants

Blue Sky Brewery Bar

Cairns Coffee Club

Coffee Club Cairns Airport

Skybury Coffee Cairns Airpor

Skybury Coffee Cairns Airport

Cafe T1 Cairns Airpor

Cairns Airport international Cafe