Townsville City is on the northeastern coast of Queensland in Australia and attracts thousands of tourists every year thanks to its historical sites, beautiful and vast natural parks and variety of adventure sports. You can fly directly to Townsville Airport, which is only 7 km outside the city centre, from almost anywhere in Australia or some international airports.
The best transportation option to get from Townsville Airport to the city is with an airport taxi; it ensures 24/7 service and you’ll enjoy a smooth ride directly to your accommodation. For the ultimate stress-free arrival, you can pre-book your Townsville Airport taxi and avoid spending time in line at the taxi rank. The drive from Townsville Airport to the city takes only 10 minutes in average traffic and you can expect to pay around €12 (AUD 20) for a standard taxi.
If you prefer to use public transport, the bus is a good value-for-money option. Even though there is no Townsville Airport shuttle bus to the city, you can take local bus route 205 from a bus stop about 10 minutes from the airport. From there, the bus takes around 20 minutes to the city centre and a single ticket costs €1.45, which is great if you’re travelling on a tight budget.
2 options to go from Townsville Airport to city center
If you're travelling in a large group but still want to enjoy a private ride to your destination, a good idea is to book a Townsville Airport shuttle bus to the city with a private company that offers minivan and coach transfers. You can find relevant information on Townsville Airport's official website.
If you're arriving at Townsville Airport during peak time, like noon on a weekend, consider pre-booking your ride to avoid waiting in long queues at the airport taxi rank.
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How to get from Townsville Airport to the city by taxi
Taking an airport taxi or pre-booking a personalised transfer from Townsville Airport to the city is a great way to elevate your travel experience and ensure quick and comfortable transportation to your hotel or apartment. You will find taxis lined up 24/7 at the airport taxi rank and the ride only takes about 10 minutes in light traffic.
What's the cost of a taxi from Townsville Airport to the city?
Local Townsville taxis are required by law to use a taximeter to calculate their fares. Weekend and nighttime rides cost slightly more than during the week and daytime, but depending on your exact destination, you can expect to pay around €12 (AUD 20) for a ride from Townsville Airport to the city. For a fixed fare that you’ll know in advance, consider pre-booking a personalised private ride with Welcome Pickups.
Where do I take a taxi from?
The official airport taxi rank is right in front of the terminal after you exit the Arrivals Hall. You will find taxis there lined up 24/7, offering on-demand services.
Convenience
Getting a taxi from Townsville Airport to the city is by far the most convenient option and a good value for money thanks to the moderate fares of Townsville taxis. You can enjoy a quick ride to your hotel or apartment any time of the day, without having to check bus timetables or find the nearest stop to avoid carrying your luggage around. Also, local taxis are strictly regulated so you won’t need to worry about safety issues or scams; it’s a reliable option both for locals and tourists.
Useful Tips
You can pay for your taxi in Townsville by cash or card but there is a 5% card transaction surcharge.
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.
A taxi driver may legally require a deposit of the estimated fare in certain circumstances so don’t be alarmed if that happens to you.
Tipping your taxi driver isn't required in Townsville but you're free to do so for good service.
How to get from Townsville Airport to the city by bus
Taking a local bus or a Townsville Airport shuttle bus to the city is the only alternative to an airport taxi. Unlike other major airports around Australia, there is no express Townsville Airport shuttle bus to the city, but the local bus is a convenient and budget-friendly option. Bus route 205 will take you downtown quickly but you will need to walk about 10 minutes to reach the nearest bus stop on Meenan St.
What's the cost of a bus ticket from Townsville Airport to the city?
A single adult ticket for bus route 205 costs €1.45 (AUD 2.40) to get from Townsville Airport to the city. If you choose a private company to book a Townsville Airport shuttle bus to the city, the cost may vary from one operator to the next and it can be significantly higher.
Cost
€1.45
Trip Duration
30 Min.
The average waiting time for bus route 205 is about 90 minutes.
Convenience
Safety
Value for Money
Bus route 205 runs from 08:18 until 20:13 on weekdays and until 18:31 on Saturdays; it doesn't run on Sundays.
Where do I take the bus from?
There is no direct bus line from Townsville Airport to the city, however, if you’re up for walking 10 minutes from the airport to the bus stop at Meenan St near Halifax St hail ‘n’ ride, bus route 205 can take you from there to the city. It’s best to use a map application on your mobile to locate the bus stop.
Convenience
If you’re a solo traveller and you’re carrying light luggage, catching the bus can be a convenient option to reduce expenses and keep your trip’s budget lower. For larger groups, families with young children, travellers with more luggage, and those who simply don’t desire to take a long walk after a long flight, the bus might not be the best option. Also, keep in mind the need to get to your final destination in the city from the bus stop. Note that bus service isn’t available on Sundays; in that case, an airport taxi or private transfer is the best option.
Timetables
Bus route 205
From Meenan St near Halifax St hail 'n' ride to Townsville
Townsville fares, zones and tickets
Local bus fare information
Useful Tips
For local buses, a single ticket includes a 2-hour transfer time.
You can purchase a paper ticket onboard the bus using cash in Australian dollars (AUD).
Most local buses are accessible with a ramp and have an allocated space for wheelchairs and mobility scooters.
Frequently asked questions
How can I get from Townsville Airport to the city centre?
You can easily get from Townsville Airport to the city by taxi or bus. Taking an airport taxi is the fastest and most convenient option as you can find one 24/7 at the airport taxi rank or pre-book a private transfer at the same cost as a regular taxi. For a taxi from Townsville Airport to the city, you can expect to pay around €12 (AUD 20) for up to 4 passengers and the ride takes about 10 minutes in light traffic.
There is no bus from the airport to Townsville, but you can walk about 10 minutes to a nearby bus stop on Meenan St and catch a bus to the city centre. The bus takes about 20 minutes to reach the city and a single ticket costs €1.45 (AUD 2.40) per traveller.
What’s the cost of a taxi from Townsville Airport to the city of Townsville?
Townsville taxis use a taximeter to calculate their fares based on distance and time of day, with weekends, nighttime, and public holidays being slightly more expensive. You can expect to pay around €12 (AUD 20) for a weekday ride from Townsville Airport to the city, but this is only an estimate as there can be additional fees, such as the Airport Toll of €2.30 (AUD 3.80).
How far is Townsville city centre from Townsville Airport?
Townsville Airport is approximately 7 km west of the city centre. The ride from Townsville Airport to the city should take only about 10 minutes in light traffic conditions.
Taking an airport taxi or pre-booking a personalised transfer from Townsville Airport to the city is a great way to elevate your travel experience and ensure quick and comfortable transportation to your hotel or apartment. You will find taxis lined up 24/7 at the airport taxi rank and the ride only takes about 10 minutes in light traffic.
What's the cost of a taxi from Townsville Airport to the city?
Local Townsville taxis are required by law to use a taximeter to calculate their fares. Weekend and nighttime rides cost slightly more than during the week and daytime, but depending on your exact destination, you can expect to pay around €12 (AUD 20) for a ride from Townsville Airport to the city. For a fixed fare that you’ll know in advance, consider pre-booking a personalised private ride with Welcome Pickups.
Where do I take a taxi from?
The official airport taxi rank is right in front of the terminal after you exit the Arrivals Hall. You will find taxis there lined up 24/7, offering on-demand services.
Convenience
Getting a taxi from Townsville Airport to the city is by far the most convenient option and a good value for money thanks to the moderate fares of Townsville taxis. You can enjoy a quick ride to your hotel or apartment any time of the day, without having to check bus timetables or find the nearest stop to avoid carrying your luggage around. Also, local taxis are strictly regulated so you won’t need to worry about safety issues or scams; it’s a reliable option both for locals and tourists.
Useful Tips
Book a trusted, English-speaking driver to pick you up at the same price as a regular taxi
Learn moreTaking a local bus or a Townsville Airport shuttle bus to the city is the only alternative to an airport taxi. Unlike other major airports around Australia, there is no express Townsville Airport shuttle bus to the city, but the local bus is a convenient and budget-friendly option. Bus route 205 will take you downtown quickly but you will need to walk about 10 minutes to reach the nearest bus stop on Meenan St.
What's the cost of a bus ticket from Townsville Airport to the city?
A single adult ticket for bus route 205 costs €1.45 (AUD 2.40) to get from Townsville Airport to the city. If you choose a private company to book a Townsville Airport shuttle bus to the city, the cost may vary from one operator to the next and it can be significantly higher.
Bus route 205 runs from 08:18 until 20:13 on weekdays and until 18:31 on Saturdays; it doesn't run on Sundays.
Where do I take the bus from?
There is no direct bus line from Townsville Airport to the city, however, if you’re up for walking 10 minutes from the airport to the bus stop at Meenan St near Halifax St hail ‘n’ ride, bus route 205 can take you from there to the city. It’s best to use a map application on your mobile to locate the bus stop.
Convenience
If you’re a solo traveller and you’re carrying light luggage, catching the bus can be a convenient option to reduce expenses and keep your trip’s budget lower. For larger groups, families with young children, travellers with more luggage, and those who simply don’t desire to take a long walk after a long flight, the bus might not be the best option. Also, keep in mind the need to get to your final destination in the city from the bus stop. Note that bus service isn’t available on Sundays; in that case, an airport taxi or private transfer is the best option.
Timetables
Bus route 205
From Meenan St near Halifax St hail 'n' ride to Townsville
Townsville fares, zones and tickets
Local bus fare information
Useful Tips
Frequently asked questions
How can I get from Townsville Airport to the city centre?
You can easily get from Townsville Airport to the city by taxi or bus. Taking an airport taxi is the fastest and most convenient option as you can find one 24/7 at the airport taxi rank or pre-book a private transfer at the same cost as a regular taxi. For a taxi from Townsville Airport to the city, you can expect to pay around €12 (AUD 20) for up to 4 passengers and the ride takes about 10 minutes in light traffic.
There is no bus from the airport to Townsville, but you can walk about 10 minutes to a nearby bus stop on Meenan St and catch a bus to the city centre. The bus takes about 20 minutes to reach the city and a single ticket costs €1.45 (AUD 2.40) per traveller.
What’s the cost of a taxi from Townsville Airport to the city of Townsville?
Townsville taxis use a taximeter to calculate their fares based on distance and time of day, with weekends, nighttime, and public holidays being slightly more expensive. You can expect to pay around €12 (AUD 20) for a weekday ride from Townsville Airport to the city, but this is only an estimate as there can be additional fees, such as the Airport Toll of €2.30 (AUD 3.80).
How far is Townsville city centre from Townsville Airport?
Townsville Airport is approximately 7 km west of the city centre. The ride from Townsville Airport to the city should take only about 10 minutes in light traffic conditions.
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