Car Rental at Cairns Airport

Airport travel guide

The gateway to Far North Queensland, Cairns has long served as a popular tourist destination. A gateway not only to the Great Barrier Reef but also the ancient rainforest of the Daintree, the cool hinterlands of Atherton, and the road to the remote Cape York Peninsula, Cairns holds the keys to some of the country's most remarkable natural wonders.

• Great Barrier Reef. A unique ecosystem and one of the seven natural wonders of the world, the Great Barrier Reef is the main attraction of Northern Australia. Whether you visit one of the islands, go scuba diving or snorkeling, or simply enjoy the views, this is one attraction that is not to be missed. A number of reef tours take off from Cairns, as well as some of the surrounding towns and villages.
• The Daintree. Where the forest meets the reef, the Daintree Rainforest some 100km north of Cairns is one of Australia’s most awe-inspiring natural wonders. The rainforest here is estimated to be over 135 million years old, some of the last remnants of the vast forest that once covered the entire continent of Australia. Its striking beauty, unfathomable age, and incredible diversity make it one of the country's most sought-after destinations. 
• The Atherton Tablelands. A high plateau behind coastal Cairns, the Atherton Tablelands is renowned for its lush rainforest, incredible waterfalls, native fauna, and local produce. The towns of Millaa Millaa, Yungerburra, and Kuranda and the waterfall circuit are just some of the highlights of this spectacular region.
• Cape York. The trip to the most northern point of Australia is no easy feat. One of the country's final frontiers, traversing this untamed wilderness makes for a challenging journey, one where self-sufficiency is demanded. Rough dirt roads, unpredictable weather and long stretches between outpost towns Cape York is a true adventure but one that will reward travelers with astonishing natural beauty.
• National Parks. While the reefs and beaches are undoubtedly amazing, there’s also a lot of nature to enjoy away from the coast. Cairns is surrounded by an absolute wealth of nature preserves a couple of hours' drive (or less) from the city. These include the Kuranda State Forest and Hann Tableland National Park to the north; Danbulla National Park to the west; and Gadgarra, Wooroonooran, Tully Falls, and Tully Gorge National Parks to the south. The most adventurous will also try to travel to the truly wild and pristine national parks of northernmost Queensland, though reaching these parts require a lot of planning and the help of a tour or a guide.
• Cairns Botanic Gardens. Though there are a lot of truly tropical areas and nature preserves within a day’s ride of Cairns, it’s also possible to enjoy true forest without leaving the city. Divided into different sections, like the Mangroves and Rainforest Boardwalks and the Aboriginal Plant Use Garden, the area also has both saltwater and freshwater lakes and is home to a large number of tropical birds. 
• Wooroonooran National Park. Located south of the city, Wooroonooran is one of the national parks in the Cairns area and notable as home of the high peak of Queensland, Mount Bartle Frere. Its peak can be accessed on foot, but the hike is 17 km (11 miles) long and can take over 12 hours, so some planning, as well as joining a tour or hiring a guide is advisable. Wooroonooran, which means ‘black rock’ in the indigenous Ngajanji language, is also home to one of the oldest rainforests on the planet. A car trip from Cairns to the national park takes about an hour.

Top international routes

• Brisbane
• Melbourne
• Sydney
• Townsville
• Adelaide
• Singapore
• Auckland
• Newcastle

Main airlines

Jetstar Airways, Regional Express Airlines, Air Niugini, QantasLink, Skytrans, and Virgin Australia

Terminals

Cairns Airport has two terminals. Terminal 1 is the international terminal and Terminal 2 is the domestic terminal. The two terminals are connected by a covered walkway. You can get from one to the other in about five minutes.

Location

Cairns Airport is about 6 km (3.7 mi) from the city of Cairns. National Highway 1 passes by the airport and takes travelers either to Cairns city itself or north to Kuranda or Highway 44 which leads to the coastal destinations of Palm Cove and Port Douglas.

There is no need to worry about toll roads unless you plan a road trip that includes traveling south to Brisbane or the states of New South Wales or Victoria. See their respective articles for more information about how to pay for the tolls.

Most popular types of rental car

• SUVs - from $20 per day
• Medium cars - from $29 per day
• Large cars - from $29 per day
• Vans - from $79 per day
• Station wagons - from $79 per day
• Small cars - from $25 per day

Car rental desks

Alamo and Europcar have desks both in the arrivals halls of both the international and domestic terminals. SIXT (serviced by East Coast), Atlas, and East Coast Car Rental are located just outside of the airport on National Highway 1 and can be reached via a shuttle.

Services and facilities

There is a small collection of restaurants, cafes and bars within the airport, as well as stores, and a duty-free outlet in T1. There are also ATMs, lounges, an on-site hotel, a currency exchange, and spa. You’ll find self-service luggage lockers next to the T2 car park. The airport is well-equipped for travelers with reduced mobility. You can find more information on the airport's official website.

Nearest gas station

A Mobil station located at 333 Sheridan Street (National Highway 1), which is open 24/7, is the most convenient station for filling up before returning a rental car if you are coming from the south. If coming from the north, then a Puma station on the left side of National Highway 1 is the most convenient station.

Popular one-way rentals

• Townsville (352 km / 219 miles)
• Mackay (738 km / 459 miles)
• Rockhampton (1,070 km / 665 miles)
• Brisbane (1,689 km / 1,050 miles)