QLD · Queensland
Townsville taxi & cab fares · 2026
Townsville taxi fare calculator
Enter your pickup and destination for an exact Townsville taxi estimate on the 2026 Queensland meter — the same regulated rate a Townsville cab charges.
Townsville taxi fares are set under the Queensland maximum-fare schedule administered by Transport and Main Roads (TMR). Townsville sits in the state’s regional fare zone, which carries a higher per-kilometre rate than South-East Queensland (Brisbane and the Gold Coast). There is no fixed airport fare — every trip runs on the regulated meter — but because the airport is unusually close to the city, the airport run is one of the cheapest in the country.
In Townsville, "cab" and "taxi" refer to the same regulated vehicle — same Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) meter, same maximum tariff. The calculator above applies the 2026 schedule for sedan, maxi (5+ passengers) and wheelchair-accessible trips, and detects Uber-comparison scenarios automatically.
How much is a taxi in Townsville?
A typical metered taxi in Townsville 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 above for an exact fare on your route.
Popular Townsville routes
Townsville Airport (TSV)
Townsville Airport (TSV) at Garbutt is only about 5–6 km from the CBD, so the metered run into the city is short and inexpensive — typically well under A$25. The rank sits directly outside the terminal and is busiest at the morning and evening flight peaks; Townsville has had well-publicised taxi shortages at those times, so booking ahead or using an operator app can save a wait.
How much is a taxi from Townsville Airport to Townsville CBD?
A metered Townsville taxi from Townsville Airport to the Townsville CBD is typically A$16 – A$28 on the day rate (typical A$21), 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 Townsville
Queensland’s regional night tariff (7pm–5am) and the higher weekend/public-holiday rate lift the meter above the weekday day rate; a $1.60 booking fee applies to phone/app bookings and a 5% card surcharge may apply.
Where to find a Townsville taxi rank
- 01Flinders Street — the main CBD rank, near the mall and casino
- 02The Strand — beachfront rank for the hotels, restaurants and rock pool
- 03Townsville Airport (TSV), Garbutt — rank outside the terminal, meets flights
- 04Breakwater Ferry Terminal (Sir Leslie Thiess Drive) — for the Magnetic Island ferry
- 05Willows Shopping Centre, Kirwan — the busiest suburban rank
- 06Townsville University Hospital / JCU, Douglas — reliable ranks on the university side
What's different in QLD
Townsville is billed on Queensland’s regional maximum fare — a higher per-kilometre rate than the SEQ tariff used in Brisbane — but its airport is only a few kilometres out, so the airport taxi is cheap rather than the usual long metered run. Magnetic Island is reached by ferry, not by road, so an “island” taxi means a cab to the Breakwater ferry terminal (there are separate taxis on the island itself).
Townsville taxi fares · frequently asked
How much is a taxi from Townsville Airport to the city?
A Townsville Airport (TSV) to CBD taxi is typically A$16–A$25 on the regulated Queensland regional meter — the airport at Garbutt is only about 5–6 km from Flinders Street, so it is one of the cheaper airport taxis in the country. There is no fixed fare; the meter runs the whole way, plus a $1.60 booking fee if you call ahead.
How do I book a taxi in Townsville?
Call 13 10 08, use the Black & White Cabs or 13cabs app, or join a rank at Flinders Street, The Strand, the airport or Willows. Townsville has had well-publicised taxi shortages at flight peaks and on weekend nights, so booking ahead helps — Uber also operates in Townsville as a backup.
Can you get a taxi to Magnetic Island?
Not directly — Magnetic Island is reached by passenger ferry from the Breakwater Terminal in Townsville, so a taxi takes you to the ferry terminal rather than across the water. Magnetic Island has its own taxis and shuttle services once you arrive.
Is a taxi or Uber cheaper in Townsville?
Townsville has both, so they are worth comparing. On short CBD and airport runs the regulated taxi meter and Uber land close; Uber is usually cheaper off-peak, while a taxi can win when Uber surge pricing kicks in on Friday and Saturday nights or during airport rushes.
Are Townsville taxi fares the same as Brisbane?
No. Townsville is on Queensland’s regional tariff, which has a higher per-kilometre rate than the South-East Queensland meter used in Brisbane and the Gold Coast. This calculator uses the regional rate for Townsville.