Fly private between Cairns and Townsville from US$8,000 for a turboprop (Pilatus PC-12 NGX). Get an instant quote.
This route runs both ways — Cairns (CNS) to Townsville (TSV) and Townsville to Cairns — timed and priced alike.
The straight-line distance between Cairns and Townsville is about 285 km (177 miles), or 154 nautical miles.
From A$12,000 · Reply within the hour · No obligation
Expect US$8,000 – US$15,500 for a one-way charter between Cairns and Townsville, depending on the aircraft — a turboprop sits at the lower end, larger jets above. Pets are welcome in-cabin on every option.
Short-runway specialist — ideal for remote airstrips and island hops. 6-9 seats and 1,800 km of range make it a dependable fit here.
Efficient for short hops with two to four passengers. It seats 4-6 and is a frequent choice on sectors of this length.
| Category | Outbound | Return (±10% wind) | From (AUD) | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Turboprop · rec. | 58 min | 52 min – 1h 04m | A$12,000 | 6-9 |
| Very Light Jet | 48 min | 43 min – 53 min | A$15,000 | 4-6 |
| Aircraft | Flight time | Cost range (AUD) | Passengers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pilatus PC-12 NGX | 58 min | A$12,000 – A$17,000 (~US$8,000 – US$11,000) | 6-9 |
| King Air 350 | 56 min | A$14,000 – A$18,000 (~US$9,000 – US$12,000) | 8-11 |
| Aircraft | Flight time | Cost range (AUD) | Passengers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Embraer Phenom 100EV | 48 min | A$15,000 – A$21,000 (~US$9,500 – US$13,500) | 4-6 |
| Cessna Citation M2 | 47 min | A$16,000 – A$23,000 (~US$10,500 – US$15,000) | 4-6 |
| HondaJet Elite II | 46 min | A$18,000 – A$24,000 (~US$11,500 – US$16,000) | 4-6 |
The return leg uses the same aircraft and guide pricing; timings may shift up to ±10% depending on winds.
Guide prices are one-way estimates incl. positioning; taxes/handling extra. Round-trip and one-way both available. Currency conversion is approximate.
On Cairns–Townsville, pricing is a function of the route distance and headwinds, fuel costs at both ends, and handling charges at origin and destination. We verify against current aircraft availability before quoting a firm price.
Both cities are served by several airports, giving flexibility on slots and routing:
Cairns, Australia: Cairns International Airport.
Townsville, Australia: Townsville Airport / RAAF Base Townsville.
| Cairns International Airport | Townsville Airport / RAAF Base Townsville | |
|---|---|---|
| Code | YBCS / CNS | YBTL / TSV |
| Longest hard runway | 10,489 ft | 7,999 ft |
| Surface | Asphalt | Asphalt |
| Field elevation | 10 ft | 18 ft |
All 21 aircraft we quote for Cairns to Townsville can use both airfields and fly the route non-stop. Cairns International Airport has 10,489 ft and Townsville Airport / RAAF Base Townsville 7,999 ft, both comfortably beyond the 6,000 ft the largest types here need, so field length is not what decides the aircraft on this route — cabin size and range are. The leg is 285 km.
Alternates within range: Mareeba Airport (4,938 ft, 41 km) · Atherton Airport · Yalkulka Airport · Green Island Helipad · Ayr Airport (4,796 ft, 70 km) · Donnington Airpark · Bening Field Airport · Palm Island Airport (3,730 ft, 59 km)
No shared cabin, no middle seats, no compromise. 6-9 passengers, one aircraft, complete privacy.
Pets are welcome on every Cairns–Townsville charter, in the cabin, not the hold. Note them in your enquiry.
Every aircraft and crew we place is from a certified, audited operator. You fly with professionals, not unknowns.
Send your request and expect a real answer within the hour — not an automated holding reply, but live options with pricing.
Cairns–Townsville is a frequently chartered domestic sector for executives and families alike, prized for flexibility and time saved.
Budget US$8,000 – US$15,500 one-way depending on aircraft; a turboprop sits at the entry point. We confirm a firm figure against live availability.
About 58 min gate to gate over 285 km (177 miles), similar both ways; larger jets are marginally faster.
Turboprop, Very Light Jet are the usual choices here; our pick is a turboprop for value and comfort on this distance.
Yes — we handle last-minute Cairns–Townsville charters, often with as little as 4 hours' notice, subject to aircraft and crew availability.
Absolutely — pets travel in the cabin with you on this route; just tell us the details when you ask for a quote.
Of course: Townsville to Cairns runs on the same aircraft and pricing, so round trips are straightforward.
Other flights from Cairns | Townsville | Australia | Oceania
