Cairns International Airport: where to stay, areas and recommended…

Cairns Airport is just 7 km from the city centre, among the closest of any major Australian airport: a taxi or an Uber reaches the Esplanade in 10-15 minutes for 25-35 Australian dollars, with no trains or buses to organise. This is why in Cairns it doesn't make much sense to look for an "airport hotel": even those with a stopover of just a few hours or a dawn departure end up sleeping on the waterfront or in the centre anyway, a stone's throw from the Reef Fleet Terminal, from which the boats to the Great Barrier Reef depart. It's almost always worth staying between the Esplanade and the centre, simply choosing according to budget.

The Esplanade and the centre

City centre · 10-15 minutes by taxi or rideshare from the airport, about 25-35 Australian dollars; there are no dedicated direct trains or buses to the terminals.

Best for: Any kind of stay: it's Cairns's only real tourist area, 10-15 minutes by taxi from the airport and a stone's throw from the boats to the Great Barrier Reef.

Pros

Reef Fleet Terminal, the Esplanade's lagoon pool and the Night Markets within walking distance
The same distance from the airport as any other part of the city, since Cairns is very compact

Cons

The Esplanade isn't a real swimming beach (muddy bottom at low tide): for swimming you use the lagoon pool or take a boat out
On high-season nights the venues along the Esplanade stay noisy until late

Recommended hotels in this area

DoubleTree by Hilton Cairns: On the Esplanade, a minute's walk from the waterfront and 900 metres from the Reef Fleet Terminal; tropical atrium with a barramundi pond and an outdoor pool.
Pullman Cairns International: On Abbott Street, a few steps from the Esplanade and Cairns railway station; rooftop terrace pool and the city's largest conference centre.
Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort: A lagoon pool with a small sandy beach and swim-up bar, the only one in Cairns; a few minutes' walk from the Esplanade and the centre.

See more hotels in this area →