How Much Does It Cost to Get From Cairns Airport to Port Douglas?
Updated November 2026 · Ian Muir, The Guest Man, Cairns
Short answer
A taxi to Port Douglas typically costs about $160–$200, a shared shuttle bus charges per person, and a hire car costs a daily rate plus fuel. A private Cairns Airport to Port Douglas transfer is $273.90 for the whole vehicle (up to 8 people), so it's often the cheapest option per head for families and groups.
Port Douglas is about 67 km north of Cairns Airport, roughly an hour or a little more along the Captain Cook Highway. Because it's a longer trip, the option you choose makes a real difference to cost and comfort.
The options compared
| Option | Typical cost (as at Nov 2026) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Taxi | About $160–$200 one way | Metered; seats up to 4 (maxi taxis cost more) |
| Uber / DiDi | Variable, surges at peak times | Driver availability varies for long trips |
| Shared shuttle bus | Per-person fare | Set times, multiple hotel stops |
| Hire car | Daily rate + fuel + parking | Good if you'll explore; you drive after a flight |
| Private transfer (us) | $273.90 total for up to 8 | Door to door, flight tracked, child seats available |
Third-party prices are estimates from public sources and change often.
Per-person cost of a private transfer
- 2 people: about $137 each
- 4 people: about $68 each
- 6 people: about $46 each
- 8 people: about $34 each
For a couple, the shuttle bus is usually cheapest. For a family of four or more, a private airport transfer is often similar to or cheaper than buying shuttle seats, and it's direct.
Things that change the cost
- After-hours arrivals: pickups between 8pm and 5am add a fixed $25.
- Queensland public holidays: add a fixed $20.
- Child seats: $15 each.
- A stop on the way (supermarket or bottle shop): $20.
Booking both ways
Booking your arrival and departure together ("Both ways") is the best value and the easiest to schedule. Pickups from Port Douglas on their own are welcome too. Read planning an early flight out of Port Douglas for how timing affects the price. All Port Douglas bookings need at least 24 hours' notice online.
Heading out to the reef? See getting to the Port Douglas marina. Only visiting for the day? Read our Port Douglas day trip guide.
Common questions
How much is a taxi from Cairns Airport to Port Douglas?
Public fare guides put it at roughly $160–$200 one way. It's metered and varies with time of day.
How long is the drive?
About an hour, sometimes a little more, along the Captain Cook Highway.
Is a private transfer cheaper than the shuttle bus?
For 1–2 people the shuttle is usually cheaper. For 4 or more, a $273.90 private transfer for the whole group is often similar or cheaper per person.
How much notice do you need?
Port Douglas transfers need at least 24 hours' notice to book online. Inside that, call us.
Book your Port Douglas transfer
$273.90 for up to 8 passengers, door to door, flight tracked.