A taxi from Cairns Airport to the city center (CBD) generally costs between $25 and $35 AUD, depending on the exact destination and the time of day. The journey is remarkably short, usually taking only 10 to 15 minutes as the airport is located just 6 kilometers (about 3.7 miles) from the heart of the town. Travelers should be aware that there is a mandatory airport ground access fee (currently around $5 AUD) added to the metered fare for all taxi pickups from the terminal. For those traveling solo on a budget, an airport shuttle bus is a cheaper alternative at roughly $15–$17 per person, but for groups of two or more, a taxi or a rideshare service like Uber is often more cost-effective and convenient, providing door-to-door service to hotels or the Esplanade.