Getting There and Away

Written by Callum Taylor, Camille Laurent, Marika Maslanka
25/08/2025
Daintree Rainforest, Queensland, Australia
Robert Linsdell from St. Andrews, Canada, Wikimedia Commons

Cairns Airport (CNS) serves as the primary air hub for accessing the Daintree Rainforest, with Cairns city and Port Douglas acting as key regional departure points.

Self-Drive (Car Rental):

Renting a car is highly recommended for exploring the Daintree region due to limited public transport.

  • From Cairns, the drive takes approximately 2 to 2.5 hours to reach the Daintree River Ferry.
  • From Port Douglas, the drive is about 1 to 1.5 hours to the Daintree River Ferry.
  • Car rental costs typically range from $42 to $96 per day.
  • Daintree River Ferry:: To enter the main Daintree Rainforest area north of the river, a vehicular cable ferry crossing is essential.
  • The ferry operates daily from 5 AM to midnight, including holidays.
  • The crossing itself takes about 5 to 15 minutes.
  • As of the 2024/2025 schedule, a return ticket for a standard car/utility costs $49. Payment can be made via EFTPOS during certain hours or cash. Pre-purchasing tickets online is also an option.
  • A 4WD vehicle is not necessary for driving to Cape Tribulation, as the road is sealed.

Bus Services:

  • Trans North Bus & Coach offers services from Cairns to the Daintree Crocodylus area three times per week, with journeys lasting about 2 hours and 22 minutes and costing $90–140.
  • A direct bus service from Cairns to Cape Tribulation (bypassing Daintree Village) operates on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, returning on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
  • Trans North Bus & Coach also runs services from Port Douglas to the Daintree River Ferry three times weekly, taking around 52 minutes and costing $19–27.

Organized Tours:

Numerous tour operators provide day trips from Cairns or Port Douglas. These tours typically include transport, the Daintree Ferry crossing, and guided activities, with prices varying (some services around $110 per person return).

Check out our other pages on Daintree Rainforest

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