Taxi Fare

QLD · Queensland

Cairnstaxi & cab fares · 2026

Cairns taxi fares are set under the Queensland maximum-fare schedule administered by Transport and Main Roads (TMR). Cairns sits in the state's regional fare zone, which carries a slightly higher per-kilometre rate than South-East Queensland. There is no fixed airport fare — every trip runs on the regulated meter, whether it's the short hop to the CBD or a long run to the northern beaches.

In Cairns, "cab" and "taxi" refer to the same regulated vehicle — same Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) meter, same maximum tariff. The calculator below applies the 2026 schedule for sedan, maxi (5+ passengers) and wheelchair-accessible trips, and detects Uber-comparison scenarios automatically.

Last verified Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR)

How much is a taxi in Cairns?

A typical metered taxi in Cairns costs about A$19 for a short 5 km trip and around A$38 for a 12 km cross-town run on the Queensland daytime meter, which starts with a A$2.90 flagfall. After hours the night tariff lifts the same 5 km trip to about A$20. These are the regulated maximum rates set by Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR); use the calculator below for an exact fare on your route.

Popular Cairns routes

Cairns Airport (CNS)

Cairns Airport (CNS) is only about 7 km north of the city centre, which makes the metered run into the CBD one of the cheapest airport taxis in the country. The rank sits directly outside both the domestic and international terminals and is usually supervised at flight peaks. Trips to the northern beaches — Trinity Beach, Palm Cove — or up to Port Douglas (around 65 km) are long metered fares that cost far more than the CBD run, so check the distance before you set off.

How much is a taxi from Cairns Airport to Cairns CBD?

A metered Cairns taxi from Cairns Airport to the Cairns CBD is typically A$22 – A$34 on the day rate (typical A$26), running on the regulated Queensland meter set by Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR). The night, late-night and public-holiday tariffs add to that figure; tolls and airport access fees are passed through on top.

Night, weekend & peak rates in Cairns

After 7pm on weeknights and across the weekend the Queensland regional night and weekend tariffs apply, lifting the per-kilometre rate above the standard day meter; public holidays use the highest tariff of all.

Where to find a Cairns taxi rank

What's different in QLD

Cairns is billed on Queensland's regional maximum fare — a higher per-kilometre rate (about A$2.80/km) than the SEQ tariff used in Brisbane and the Gold Coast — and there is no fixed airport fare, so even the short airport-to-CBD trip runs on the meter.

Cairns taxi fares · frequently asked

How much is a taxi from Cairns Airport to the city?

A metered taxi from Cairns Airport (CNS) to the Cairns CBD is typically A$20–A$30 on the day rate — the airport is only about 7 km from the city, making it one of the cheapest airport runs in the country. There is no fixed fare; the Queensland regional meter applies and the night and weekend tariffs add a few dollars.

How much is a taxi from Cairns Airport to Palm Cove?

Palm Cove is about 25 km north of Cairns Airport, so a metered taxi is typically A$60–A$85 on the day rate. The northern-beaches run is a standard long metered trip on the Queensland regional tariff.

Are Cairns taxi fares different from Brisbane?

Yes — Cairns is billed on Queensland's regional maximum fare, which charges about A$2.80 per kilometre against roughly A$2.69/km on the South-East Queensland tariff used in Brisbane and the Gold Coast. The A$2.90 flagfall is the same in both zones.

How much does a Cairns taxi cost at night?

Cairns trips after 7pm and across the weekend move to the higher Queensland regional night and weekend tariffs, which lift the per-kilometre rate above the day meter; public holidays use the top tariff. A short CBD trip that is around A$15 by day costs a few dollars more after hours.

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