Find coaches from Mackay to Cairns

Next departures

Next departures from Mackay to Cairns on 31 October
Operated byVehicle typeDeparture timeDeparture locationTrip durationArrival timeArrival locationRecommendedPrice and booking link
Greyhound Australia
Victoria St
142 Bunda St, Cairns Train Station, Bus stop (Platform 1)CheapestFastest

Last refresh of the prices: Yesterday at 6:16 PM AEST.

Accepted payments

  • Visa
  • MasterCard
  • American Express
  • China Union Pay
  • Diners Club Canada
  • Discover Click to Pay
  • JCB payment
  • Klarna (Pay over time)
  • Google Pay

Get from Mackay to Cairns

busbud logoThis route is served by bus only

The journey takes about 13 hours 50 minutes, and with fares starting at just US$162, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.

2bus per day
13h 50mAverage duration
591 kmDistance
15kgCO₂ emissions

Bus Mackay to Cairns: Trip Overview

Average ticket priceUS$179
Average bus trip duration13h 50m
Number of daily buses2
Earliest bus departure02:55
Distance591 km
Latest bus departure07:50

Mackay to Cairns Bus

Busbud helps you find a bus from Mackay to Cairns. Get the best fare and schedule, book a round trip ticket or find buses with WiFi and electrical outlets.

We make sure you can find a bus service from Mackay to Cairns from the most reliable bus companies operating this trip.

Discover how much the bus trip from Mackay to Cairns will cost you. Use our filters and sorting features to find the cheapest bus tickets or luxury buses.

Frequently asked questions on the trip Mackay - Cairns

  1. How much does a bus ticket from Mackay to Cairns cost?

    The bus ticket price from Mackay to Cairns starts at US$162. The best way to find cheap bus tickets from Mackay to Cairns is to book your tickets as early as possible. Prices tend to rise as your travel date approaches, so book in advance to secure the best prices!

  2. How long is the bus ride from Mackay to Cairns?

    The average travel time between Mackay and Cairns is around 13h 50m, although the fastest bus will take about 12h 10m. This is the time it takes to travel the 592 km that separates the two cities.

  3. How many daily bus connections are there between Mackay and Cairns?

    The number of buses from Mackay to Cairns can differ depending on the day of the week. On average, there are 2 on this route. Some buses run direct routes, while others have layovers. Simplify your bus trip from Mackay to Cairns by comparing and selecting the bus that fits your travel style and budget on Busbud.

  4. Which bus companies travel from Mackay to Cairns?

    When taking the bus from Mackay to Cairns, you can travel comfortably and safely with Greyhound Australia.

Find cheapest prices for buses

Price is for a one-way ticket for one passenger and based on past searches.

Best price found
29/10
US$174
30/10
US$116
Today
US$174
01/11
US$169
02/11
No data
03/11
US$157
04/11
US$155
05/11
No data
busbud logoThe cheapest trip from Mackay to Cairns was searched and found on 30 Oct 2025 with a price of US$116

To save money and be sure you have the best seat, it's a good idea to buy your bus tickets from Mackay to Cairns as early as possible.

You can expect to pay from US$116 to US$187 for a bus ticket from Mackay to Cairns based on the last 2 days. You can expect to find the cheapest price for the trip at US$155, which is on 2025-11-04.

About Bus Travel

Bus Travel Tips

Make friends with the driver. They usually know a lot about your destination and may even recommend which side of the bus to sit on to get the best views on the road between Mackay and Cairns!

Start sightseeing the minute your bus leaves the station. If you're on the night bus from Mackay to Cairns, get comfy and count the stars.

Buses have the smallest carbon footprint of all motorized transport modes. A bus going from Mackay to Cairns will emit half the CO2 emitted by a train, and radically less than a car or an airplane.

Tune out to the fine sounds of your best music playlist on your bus trip from Mackay to Cairns while indulging in miles on end of beautiful scenic views.

Did you know?

It takes 27 hours to go by bus from Lima to Cusco, one of the craziest bus trips on the world. This route is used daily by locals and backpackers.

Did you know there are on average 4,400 intercity bus departures every day in the US only? This number has been growing for 9 years in a row, yay!

Did you know that 80% of the buses in North America are equipped with WiFi and power outlets ? And 60% of bus travellers have used their electronic device on board during 2014.

Will you be returning to Mackay by bus?

Bus from Cairns to Mackay

Why choose Busbud?

The Best Way To Book Bus and Train Tickets

Busbud helps you easily search, compare and book intercity bus tickets on a worlwide scale with our comprehensive list of bus routes and schedules. With several language and currency options available, Busbud seeks to cater to international bus travellers no matter where they are in the world. Busbud prides itself on its worldwide partnerships. We make it possible for you to buy tickets with its large network of trustworthy bus partners like Greyhound, Eurolines, ALSA, OUIBUS (BlaBlaBus), National Express and many others.

People from around the world trust Busbud

‌

Popular Buses Connecting Mackay

Buses Leaving from Mackay

Buses Going to Mackay

Popular Buses Connecting Cairns

Buses Leaving from Cairns

Buses Going to Cairns