Townsville Airport serves Australia's largest city in the tropical north of Queensland, also serving as a base for access to nearby Magnetic Island and certain areas of the Great Barrier Reef less affected by mass tourism.
It is located just a few kilometers from Townsville city center.
How to get to Townsville Airport
By Car
By Train
By Bus
Average travel time to TSV
Parking near Townsville Airport
Close to the terminal is a parking area of limited size.
It is not attended; hourly rate from 5-10 AUD for short-term parking (first 15 minutes free for drop-off/pick-up), while long-term parking booked online costs roughly 80-120 AUD for 3 days.
How to get to Townsville from TSV
By Train
By Bus
By Taxi
Need an airport transfer?
Compare taxis and shuttles on Booking.com
Car rental at Townsville Airport
The arrivals area hosts desks from the major car rental brands.
Driving licence, passport, and credit card are required for rental, plus an IDP in most cases.
Hotels near Townsville Airport
Flinders Street and the centre
8-10 minutes by taxi or car from the airport; there are no dedicated airport trains or buses.
Best for: Those travelling on business or wanting restaurants, bars and the ferry to Magnetic Island within walking distance.
- Flinders Street Mall with restaurants and bars within walking distance
- SeaLink ferry terminal for Magnetic Island nearby
- A taxi or a 10-15 minute walk is still needed to reach the Strand and the beach
- Few international-standard hotels: the choice is mostly between motels and mid-range chain hotels
Recommended hotels
- Clarion Hotel Townsville On Sturt Street, a 5-minute walk from Flinders Street Mall; in-house restaurant and rooms renovated in 2015 in a 1960s building. View availability
- Mercure Townsville Set on 11 acres of tropical gardens overlooking the artificial lake The Lakes, with Townsville's largest infinity pool; about 4 km from the centre and 2 km from the airport. View availability
The Strand
10-15 minutes by taxi from the airport, or 10-15 minutes on foot or a few minutes by car from the city centre.
Best for: Those who want the beach, the free lagoon pool and walks along the waterfront, accepting a few extra minutes to the centre.
- Beach, free lagoon pool and cycle paths along the Strand within walking distance of the hotel
- A quieter area than the centre, away from the traffic of Flinders Street
- Few restaurants compared with the centre: for the evening you often go back towards Flinders Street
- From October to May, jellyfish season, open-sea swimming is limited to protected net enclosures
Recommended hotels
Airport services
Shopping & Duty Free
Lounges & relaxation
Connectivity & Wi-Fi
Families & Children
Terminal guide
The terminal is designed to handle regional traffic in northern Queensland.
Internal movements are quick thanks to the terminal's compact size.
Map of Townsville Airport
Frequently asked questions
Q. Is Townsville airport convenient for the Great Barrier Reef?
It's an alternative gateway to Cairns for the southern part of the reef, as well as for Magnetic Island.
Q. How do you get from Townsville airport to the city centre?
By public bus or taxi, both available right outside the terminal.
Q. Does Townsville airport have direct international flights?
Direct international options are limited: many international visitors arrive on a connecting flight from other Australian cities.
Q. How do you reach Magnetic Island from Townsville?
By ferry from the city port, reachable from the airport by taxi or bus.
Flight board
Real-time status of arriving and departing flights
