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Transportation Options from Townsville Airport to the Ferry Terminal

Catching a ferry from the Breakwater Ferry Terminal in Townsville is the easiest way to get to Magnetic Island and explore nature in its sparkling crystal bays, hiking paths and walking trails. You can get directly from Townsville Airport to the ferry terminal by taxi or the airport shuttle bus.

Taking an airport taxi from the rank or pre-booking a personalised airport transfer is the best option to ensure you won’t miss your ferry. The ride takes only 15 minutes in light traffic and the average fare is €14 (AUD 23) for up to 4 passengers. The shared shuttle bus from Townsville Airport to the ferry terminal is a cheaper option, starting at €6 (AUD 10) for solo travellers and the more passengers are on board, the cheaper it gets, but take note that this option must be booked in advance.

Welcome Pickups offers meet and greet services and a friendly introduction to Townsville at the same price as a regular taxi. Click here to see the cost.

Comparison of the options

PRICE FOR 2PASSENGERS
OPTION PRICE DURATION AVAILABILITY
Taxi €14 15min 24/7
Bus €9 15min 06:30–19:00

How to get from Townsville Airport to the ferry terminal by taxi

The best way to ensure you will catch your ferry is to take an airport taxi or pre-book a private transfer from Townsville Airport to the ferry terminal. You can find taxis suitable both for small and large groups lined up 24/7 at the airport taxi rank and the ride takes only about 15 minutes in light traffic.

What's the cost of a taxi from Townsville Airport to the ferry terminal?

Official Townsville taxis are required by law to use a taximeter to calculate their fares and it’s illegal to charge more than the maximum fares set by the local authorities. Daytime and weekday rides are slightly cheaper than nighttime, weekend, and holiday rides. For a weekday taxi from Townsville Airport to the ferry terminal, you can expect to pay around €14 (AUD 23). Pre-booking your ride with Welcome Pickups will ensure a fixed fare and save you the trouble of currency exchange or card payment fees.

Cost

€14

Trip Duration

15 Min.

*Fares will vary unless the taxi is booked in advance.

Convenience
Safety
Value for Money

Taxis are available 24/7 at Townsville Airport (TSV).

Where do I take a taxi from?

You will find taxis lined up 24/7 at Townsville Airport, offering on-demand services. Follow the relevant taxi signs inside the Arrivals Hall and you should find the official airport taxi rank right in front of the terminal.

Convenience

The most convenient option to get from Townsville Airport to the ferry terminal quickly and comfortably is an airport taxi. You can either keep things flexible and hop in a taxi at the airport taxi rank, or secure a taxi no matter the passenger traffic and time of day by booking your private transfer in advance. Either way, it’s a good value-for-money option and it’s worth it to ensure your peace of mind.

Editor’s Note

Pre-booking your airport taxi is the best option to enjoy peace of mind, even if your flight is delayed and you're in a hurry to reach the Ferry Terminal; you will still have a driver waiting for you at the new flight arrival time and you will secure fast transportation to your destination.

Useful Tips

There is a 5% card transaction surcharge if you pay for your taxi using a credit or debit card unless booked in advance.
Multiple hiring is permitted in Queensland but if you prefer a private ride you can politely ask the driver to not take any more passengers.
Tipping your taxi driver isn't required or expected in Townsville but you're free to do so for good service.

How to get from Townsville Airport to the ferry terminal by bus

The shuttle bus from Townsville Airport to the ferry terminal is a cheaper alternative to an airport taxi, ideal for solo travellers or large groups that want to stick together. To ensure you will get a seat on board and arrive at the ferry terminal on time, it’s best to make a booking at least 3 hours in advance through the online booking page; for last-minute bookings, you can call +61 (4) 7816 0036, but be aware that service isn’t guaranteed.

What's the cost of the Townsville Airport shuttle bus to Breakwater Ferry Terminal?

The fare for the shuttle bus from Townsville Airport to the ferry terminal starts at €6 (AUD 10) for single travellers and can be as low as €3 per passenger for groups of more than 4 people.

Cost

€3 - €6

Trip Duration

15 Min.

Shuttle bus service is usually available every 30 minutes but a booking is required to secure a seat on board.

Convenience
Safety
Value for Money

Shuttle bus service is available from 06:30 until 19:00 daily.

Where do I take the shuttle bus from?

The shared shuttle bus is parked in front of the Terminal; all vehicles are White Toyota Hiace Commuter vans with “Hotel-Ferry-Airport Shuttle” signage. You will see staff members at the door after baggage claim, wearing green shirts and holding a “Shuttle” sign. Note that you will need to check in with the driver on arrival before you collect your luggage.

Convenience

Taking the shuttle bus from Townsville Airport to the ferry terminal is a great value-for-money option if you’re looking to reduce transportation expenses. It’s a convenient option, especially for large groups, as there is no limit or additional luggage fees. Note that the airport shuttle can be shared with other travellers; if you prefer a private ride, you can pre-book a private transfer with Welcome Picksups and have a vehicle all to yourself.

Editor’s Note

The shuttle bus is a great option for solo travellers as it's cheaper than hiring a taxi on your own. You can also look for other travellers heading to the ferry terminal as the more passengers are on board the shuttle bus, the cheaper the fare per person.

Useful Tips

Both cash and card payments are accepted; you can pay the driver directly on the day of your arrival.
If you make a booking in advance, your flight will be monitored and your pickup time rescheduled if there's a delay; however, service isn't guaranteed in that case.

Welcome Pickups has a Net Safety Score of 99 of 100

We’ve introduced a metric indicating how safe travellers feel when using our services during the COVID-19 pandemic. After every ride, we ask each traveller to leave a review.

  • 20 minute gap between transfers

  • Regular Car Sanitisation

  • Contactless ride

  • Sanitiser in every car

Read More

Frequently asked questions

How can I get to the Breakwater Ferry Terminal from Townsville Airport?

The easiest way to get from Townsville Airport to the ferry terminal is by taking an airport taxi from the rank or booking a private transfer in advance. The average fare is around €14 (AUD 23) for up to 4 passengers and it’s only a 15-minute drive. A cheaper alternative is the Townsville Airport shuttle bus to Breakwater Ferry Terminal, which costs €6 (AUD 10) per traveller; for larger groups, the price per person gets lower.

What’s the cost of a taxi from Townsville Airport to the ferry terminal?

Taxis in Townsville are metered so you don’t need to worry about negotiating the fare or being scammed. From Townsville Airport to the ferry terminal, you can expect to pay around €14 (AUD 23). The exact fare also depends on the time of day; a higher fare applies from 19:00 to 07:00, on weekends, and public holidays.

How far is Townsville Airport from the ferry terminal?

Breakwater Ferry Terminal in Townsville is approximately 8 km east of the airport. Getting from Townsville Airport to the ferry terminal by car or taxi should take about 15 minutes in light traffic conditions.

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