Cairns-Kuranda Train and Skyrail Tickets – For people who have their own car

Type: Tours - Kuranda TRAIN and SKYRAIL

These are the options for people who have their own vehicle and want to travel on the Cairns-Kuranda Train and Skyrail without being part of a tour group. The Train and Skyrail Stations in Cairns are 15 minutes drive apart, so along with your train and Skyrail tickets, you will need a one way bus ticket, either at the start or at the end of your day.

Departure Dates: This tour normally operates everyday of the year except for the following dates due to maintenance, or closure of either the Train or Skyrail parts of the tour: 29 Aug, 3/4 Nov, 8/9, 19/20 & 25 Dec.  Advance bookings are essential because it can sometimes be  difficult to arrange these ticket packages on the day. There are only two train times each day and there are only limited places on the transfer shuttle bus between the train and skyrail stations each day, so you can't rely on places being available on the day.

How to book:  You can book online via the rates table's "Add to Itinerary" button, or, call to book on + 61 7 4036 3562 from overseas or 1800 681 685 (free call) from within Australia (8am-6pm, 7 days a week). A 25% deposit is required for option 1 and a 10% deposit is required for option 2 & 3. The remaining balance is just payable on the day of travel. Please specify what start time you want to book for at the time of booking. When you book online, your tickets will be emailed to you very shortly after the booking is received.

More Information: The Three Options

There are three different ways of doing this and the advantages and disadvantages will be explained here, but the main thing to note is that:

All Three Options below include:

• One way shuttle bus between the Skyrail and Train Stations in Cairns- (we will provide self drive directions as to where you need to start from and that's where you'll leave your car for the day).
• One way ticket on the Scenic Train: Freshwater to Kuranda or Kuranda to Freshwater Station. Train times are 8.45am or 9.45am from Freshwater Station and 2pm or 3.30pm from Kuranda Station. Optional Extras: Upgrade to a Gold Class Seat on the Train: $50 per person or $200 per family.
• One way ticket on the Skyrail: Cairns to Kuranda or Kuranda to Cairns

Option 1: Drive Car to Skyrail/ Bus to Train Station/ Train Up/ Skyrail Down

Drive to the Cairns Skyrail station at Caravonica (20 minutes north of Cairns city centre) and leave your car there; then you'll catch either a 7.40am or 8.50am shuttle bus to the Cairns or Freshwater train station, take the train to Kuranda, and then come down on the Kuranda Skyrail back to your car at the Skyrail car park. Bookings are essental.

Advantages:

1. You get to travel up on the train first which is the most desirable, and because the Skyrail is departing every 30 seconds you can come down at a time when you are ready, and at your own pace. This is a lot more convenient and is the most popular way to do it. 2. Your car will be waiting for you at the end of the Skyrail journey for you to carry on with the rest of your day as soon as you arrive there.

Disadvantages:

1. You pay a little extra for the convenience.

Option 2:  Drive Car to Train Station/ Train Up/ Skyrail Down/ Bus Back to Car

Drive to the Cairns or Freshwater Train Station (15 minutes North west from Cairns city centre) and leave your car there; catch the first or second train at 8.30am from Cairns, 8.45am from Freshwater or 9.30am from Cairns, 9.45am from Freshwater to Kuranda, and then come down to Cairns on the Skyrail to meet either a 3pm, 4pm or 5pm bus back to your car at Freshwater train station. Bookings are essential.

Advantages:

1. A less expensive option available to self drive passengers

2. You have the option of spending more time at the Freshwater train station’s museum in the morning if you would like do so, before boarding the train.

Disadvantages:

You have to time your return on the Skyrail from Kuranda to coincide as closely as possible with the time of the bus to take you back to your car. This is a disadvantage because some people take 50 minutes to do the Skyrail and some take an hour and a half. There are two stops along the way on the Skyrail where there are rainforest boardwalks where you can either spend a little or a lot of time.

Option 3: Drive Car to Skyrail/ Skyrail Up/ Train Down/ Bus back to Car

Drive to the Cairns Skyrail station at Caravonica (20 minutes north of Cairns city centre) and leave your car there; catch the Skyrail to Kuranda at the time of your choice (between 8.30am-2.00pm); then catch either the 2.00pm or 3.30pm Train back to Cairns Freshwater Train Station and a shuttle bus will take you directly back to your car once you de-board at either 3.30pm or 5.00pm. Bookings are essential.

Advantages:

1. A less expensive option available to self drive passengers.

2. You have the option to start your trip any time from 8.30am – 2.00pm and can go at your own pace on the Skyrail going up. There are two stops along the way on the Skyrail where there are rainforest boardwalks where you can either spend a little or a lot of time, so long as you are there before the return train time of 2pm or 3.30pm.

Disadvantages:

1. Most people who’ve experienced it, prefer going up on the Train and coming down on the Skyrail. The Train only departs at 2.00pm or 3.30pm from Kuranda so you have to match your Skyrail departure time to one of those times.

Features & Inclusions

• Option to use your car or campervan to save you some money
• Choices of departure times and ways to do it!

Rates and Tariffs

Booking Information

A family is classed as 2 adults and 2 children (4 -14 years). Child age is 4 - 14 years and children 3 years and under travel for free.

Departure Dates: This tour operates everyday of the year except for the following dates due to maintenance, or closure of either the Train or Skyrail parts of the tour: 29 Aug, 3/4 Nov, 8/9, 19/20 & 25 Dec. Advance bookings are essential to save time and stress. There are only two train times each day and there are only limited places on the transfer shuttle bus between the train and skyrail stations each day, so you can't rely on places being available on the day.

How to book: You can book online via the rates table's "Add to Itinerary" button, or, call to book on + 61 7 4036 3562 from overseas or 1800 681 685 (free call) from within Australia (8am-6pm, 7 days a week). A 25% deposit is required for option 1 and a 10% deposit is required for option 2 & 3. The remaining balance is just payable on the day of travel. Please specify what start time you want to book for at the time of booking. When you book online, your tickets will be emailed to you shortly after the booking is received.

Start Times:
Option 1: 7.40am or 8.50am - You choose
Option 2: 8.30am or 9.30am check in - You choose the time and which station you want to depart from.
Option 3: You must decide: 8.30am – 2.00pm.

Return time to Cairns:
Option 1: between 2.30pm and 5pm (at your own pace)
Option 2: You must decide: 3pm, 4pm, 5pm
Option 3: You must decide: 2.00pm or 3.30pm

Pickup or Departure Point Details: Depends on the option you select.

Optional Extras:
Upgrade to a Gold Class Seat on the Train: $50 per person or $200 per family. Includes drinks, finger food, gold class attendant, a wonderful complimentary souvenir pack including a pewter stick-pin, a postcard and postage to anywhere in the world will complete the splendid KSR Gold Class experience.

What is not included:
Pick up from your holiday accommodation. You need a car to do one of these packages.
No meals or drinks are included in these ticket packages. You can purchase this separately.

Booking Policy

Important Information for all people interested in booking these ticket packages:
As these are ticket packages and not tours, no further discounts apply – with one exception. Australian resident pensioners and students are entitled to a 5% discount for the option 1 packages.

Cancellation by you will result in the loss of your deposit paid and cancellations received less than 24 hours prior to the travel date may result in a 100% cancellation fee. Travel insurance is recommended if you are concerned about needing to cancel last minute. Full refund will apply if the tour is cancelled by the operator due to weather or operational reasons beyond your control.

Please advise the following:
Your choice for the departure and return time – this is most important!
A mobile telephone contact or the telephone number for your holiday accommodation. We also book accommodation at the best locally available rates so if we can help you with that, please let us know.

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