Cairns to Brisbane train: Timetable, journey time & fare prices

The Cairns to Brisbane train has four departures per week, with a journey time of 24h25m. Spirit of Queensland fare prices start at around $221.

The Cairns to Brisbane train covers a journey that most people choose to either drive or fly. Traditionally, Cairns and Brisbane are the start and end points of a Queensland road trip, although it is much quicker to fly between the two cities.

Cairns brings Great Barrier Reef snorkelling cruises, World Heritage-listed rainforest adventures, glass bottom boat tours at Green Island and the Kuranda Scenic Railway into the mountains. To choose from a wide range of memorable Cairns tours and experiences, look here. To pick the Cairns accommodation best suited to you, book here.

Just want to get on with booking a Cairns to Brisbane train ticket? Step this way…

Choosing the Cairns to Brisbane train isn’t exactly about speed, comfort or seeing the sights along the way. The train from Cairns to Brisbane is a pretty bizarre choice from a visitor’s point of view, but rail nerds are likely to be unperturbed.

Cairns to Brisbane train timetable

The Cairns to Brisbane train run by Queensland Rail is known as the Spirit of Queensland, and it departs four times a week. According to the Spirit of Queensland timetable, these departures are at 08.35 on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. They arrive in Brisbane’s Roma Street Station the next day at 09.20. That’s a journey time of 24 hours and 45 minutes. Expect a thoroughly numb bum by the end of it.

Book a ticket or carry on to find out more about the fares.