Make it a trip · Cairns, Australia
What Cairns costs
once you land
Real prices, from the airport ride to a room for the night, each with where we found it. Checked October 2026, around Cairns Esplanade.
Prices as the source quoted them.
Arriving
-
Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) Fixed
For US, CA, SG passports.
Apply in the official Australian ETA app. The charge stayed at A$20 after the July 2026 visa fee rise.
Source: Tern Visa, Australian visa fees 2026 (2026-07)
A$20 -
UberX from the airport to Cairns city Many reports
Average fare over the past year. A taxi costs about 25 to 40 AUD. No public bus serves the airport.
Sources: Uber, Cairns Airport rides (2026), The Traveler, Cairns airport guide (2026-09)
-
eVisitor visa, free Fixed
For GB, IE, NL, DE, FR passports.
Apply online before you fly; there is no government charge.
Source: Tern Visa, Australian visa fees 2026 (2026-07)
Free -
Visa on arrival, free Fixed
For NZ passports.
New Zealand citizens get a visa when they arrive.
Source: All Blog, Australia visa guide 2026 (2026)
Free -
Free
Getting around
-
Sunbus city bus ride Fixed
Queensland flat fare on Cairns urban buses.
Source: TransLink, 50 cent fares (2026)
A$0.50
Eating and drinking
-
Lunch menu at a cheap restaurant Many reports
Source: LivingCost, Cairns (2026-06)
US$11.90 -
US$10.80
-
Dinner for two at a restaurant Many reports
Source: LivingCost, Cairns (2026-06)
US$51 -
Cappuccino Many reports
Source: LivingCost, Cairns (2026-06)
US$4.20 -
Beer at a pub, half a litre Many reports
Source: LivingCost, Cairns (2026-06)
US$6.30
At the supermarket
-
Water, 1 litre Many reports
Source: LivingCost, Cairns (2026-06)
US$1.40 -
Coca-Cola at a restaurant, half a litre Many reports
Source: LivingCost, Cairns (2026-06)
US$3.20 -
Beer from a shop, half a litre Many reports
Source: LivingCost, Cairns (2026-06)
US$3.70
Doing
-
Kuranda Scenic Railway and Skyrail package Fixed
Adult, Heritage Class. Valid to 31 March 2027.
Source: Kuranda Scenic Railway, Rainforest Experience (2026)
A$233 Get tickets -
Great Barrier Reef day trip, from Many reports
Usually 85 to 250 AUD. Per person from Cairns, depending on boat and reef.
Source: Cairns Port Douglas guide, taxi and rideshare (2026)
A$85 Book the tour
Sleeping, per night
-
Hostel dorm bed Range
Middle half of 18 central hostels on Hostelworld, 30 Oct 2026. The cheapest bed was 15 AUD. Weekends and peak season cost more.
Source: Hostelworld, Cairns hostels (2026-10)
A$28 to A$41 Find a hostel
Prices change. Fixed fees come from official or widely reported figures; ranges are what travellers and operators report for 2026. Some links are affiliate links: they never change what you pay. How we make money.
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