Quick answer. Cairns Airport is about 7 kilometres north of the city, with separate domestic and international terminals a short walk apart. There is no train: a taxi to the Esplanade costs roughly A$25 to A$35, and shuttle buses run to hotels in town and on to Port Douglas. Everything takes cards. If you want Australian dollars, use a big-four bank machine, and with a Bank of America card choose Westpac, the Global ATM Alliance partner. Budget for the reef charge, a per-person fee added to every Great Barrier Reef tour.
Where to get Australian dollar at CNS
As everywhere in Australia, a big-four bank machine is the cheapest source of cash, and Cairns needs little of it. Figures assume the Australian-dollar equivalent of $100.
| Option | Where | Markup | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Big-four bank ATM with a no-FX-fee card | Both terminals and the city | Network rate; any fee shown on screen | ~$100-101 |
| Westpac ATM with a Bank of America card | Terminals and the city | Network rate; BoA's flat fee waived, its 3% still applies | ~$103 |
| Standalone machine | Terminals and Esplanade shops | Surcharge plus a DCC pitch | ~$104-110 |
| Exchange counter | International arrivals | 5-12% off the network rate | ~$105-112 |
Bank machines at Cairns (CNS), and getting into town
Cairns has two terminals side by side: the domestic terminal, the busier one, with flights from Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne, and the international terminal, with flights from Asia, New Zealand and the Pacific. Bank machines are in the public areas of both. Westpac is Bank of America's Global ATM Alliance partner in Australia, so a BoA debit card avoids BoA's flat non-network withdrawal fee at its machines. BoA's 3 percent international transaction fee still applies and is never waived. Cairns is a tour town: almost everyone heads out to the Great Barrier Reef, the rainforest at Kuranda or the Daintree, and all of those are booked and paid by card. The Australia money guide covers card surcharges and tipping nationally.
Domestic terminal
Qantas, Virgin Australia, Jetstar and regional carriers
Bank machines are in the public areas. Tour desks and shuttle operators have counters in arrivals, and most reef and rainforest transfers meet flights here.
International terminal
Flights from Asia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and the Pacific
A short walk from the domestic terminal. After customs, use a bank machine, Westpac for a BoA card, rather than the exchange counter. Australia's biosecurity checks are strict: declare food and anything made of plants or wood.
Ground transport area
Taxis, shuttles, ride-hail and hire cars
Shuttle buses to Cairns hotels and to Palm Cove and Port Douglas leave from outside both terminals; book online or at the counter by card. Hire-car desks take a credit card for the bond.
Do you actually need cash at Cairns (CNS)?
No. Taxis, shuttles and tour transfers all take cards:
Taxi to the Cairns Esplanade (roughly A$25-35): About 10-15 minutes; a card surcharge applies.
Shuttle bus to city hotels (roughly A$15-25): Shared, door-to-door; book online or at the counter.
Transfer to Port Douglas (roughly A$40-60 per person shared): About 1 hour along the coast road; private transfers cost more.
Uber and other ride-hail (roughly A$20-30): Pick-up zones outside both terminals.
⚠ DCC trap. When the ATM or terminal asks if you want to be charged in your home currency instead of the local currency, always decline and choose the local currency. Accepting locks in a 3-13 percent markup that your no-FX-fee card cannot undo. Full DCC explainer →
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need cash to get from Cairns (CNS) to Cairns?
No. Taxis, shuttles, ride-hail and tour transfers take cards, and so do the reef and rainforest tours. Keep a small float for the night markets and the odd cafe with a card minimum.
Can I order Australian dollar before flying?
Rarely needed. Cairns is card-first, and a bank machine at the airport gives Australian dollars at the network rate. CEI Currency Exchange ships Australian dollars to a US address in 2-5 days if you want some before you land.
What is the reef tax on Great Barrier Reef tours?
The Environmental Management Charge, a fee per person per day that Great Barrier Reef Marine Park operators collect on behalf of the marine park authority. It is usually added to the tour price as a separate line, a few Australian dollars for a day trip. It is legitimate and funds management of the reef.
How do I get from Cairns Airport to Port Douglas?
By shuttle bus or private transfer along the coast road, about an hour. Shared shuttles cost roughly 40 to 60 Australian dollars a person, and private cars more. Book online or at the counters in arrivals; all take cards.
Is there a train from Cairns Airport?
No. Cairns Airport has no rail link. Use a taxi, a shuttle bus or ride-hail; the centre is only about 7 kilometres away. The Kuranda Scenic Railway runs from Cairns station in town, and the Skyrail cableway from Smithfield, north of the airport.