Port Douglas sits about 68 km north of Cairns Airport, and there's no train and no regular public bus to the airport — so almost everyone arrives by road. Most people choose between a shared shuttle that stops at multiple hotels along the way and a private transfer that goes straight to your door. (For taxis, Uber, the coach and hire cars, see how to get from Cairns to Port Douglas.)
A shared shuttle is the cheapest per-person option if you're travelling solo, but expect 90+ minutes with several other pickups and drop-offs. A private transfer costs one flat rate for the whole vehicle and takes 60–80 minutes, non-stop.
Whichever option you choose, the route itself is one of the most scenic airport drives in Australia. The Captain Cook Highway hugs the coastline the whole way, running past Palm Cove, Ellis Beach and Wangetti Beach with the Coral Sea on one side and the rainforest-covered Macalister Range on the other.
Our current fixed pricing for the Cairns Airport to Port Douglas route:
We only run private transfers. Shared shuttles are run by other companies and cost roughly $45–$60 per person.
Every private transfer includes free real-time flight tracking (so pickup adjusts automatically if you're early or delayed), meet-and-greet with a name board at arrivals, free child seats and boosters, and a fixed price agreed before you travel — no meter, no surge pricing.
At the international terminal, meet-and-greet happens just after you clear customs. At the domestic terminal, your driver waits just outside the baggage claim area with a sign showing your name — no need to find a shuttle desk or wait in a queue.
Book at least 48 hours ahead, especially in peak season (June–September). We operate 6:00am–7:00pm daily; pickups before 6am are by arrangement and add $50. Booking a return transfer at the same time locks in your ride back to the airport.
Fixed pricing, free flight tracking, door-to-door — booked in under 2 minutes.