The Cairns Region is serviced by a modern railway station (the Tilt Train and Sunlander operate between Brisbane and Cairns), coach transit station, a large rail freight terminal, a privately owned public bus transport system subsidised by the State Government and a taxi company with a fleet of 140 vehicles.

Cairns International Airport is the nation's sixth busiest in terms of combined international and domestic passenger movements.  It handles around 130,000 aircraft movements per annum, and brings in over 1 million visitors each year.  Qantas, Virgin Blue and Jetstar operate daily flights to and from cities all around Australia.  Most international airlines service the Cairns International Airport.

Cairns Seaport is the closest port to the Great Barrier Reef and is located on Trinity Inlet. This small, multi-purpose regional port is becoming increasingly popular with tourist craft, private craft, and as an international cruise ship destination, as well as an R&R destination for visiting Naval ships. 

The Cityport development, completed in May 2003, is a world-class waterfront facility with upgraded marine facilities and an urban waterfront tourism precinct adjacent to the Cairns Central Business District (CBD).