Luggage storageCairns Airport

Luggage storage at Cairns Airport

A long layover or an early check-out before a late flight leaves plenty of travellers wondering what to do with their bags at Cairns Airport.

The airport's terminals differ more than you might expect: T1 International offers free trolleys at baggage claim, while T2 Domestic charges A$3 and takes cash only. Getting into Cairns City is straightforward on the Route 100 bus, which runs every 30 minutes for just 50 cents. The airport sits in the suburb of Aeroglen. It is one of Australia's leading regional airports and a gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and North Queensland's tropical rainforests. There is no official luggage storage facility within the T1 International Terminal. Cairns Airport provides a staffed luggage storage room at the Car Park Service Kiosk, open daily from 6am to 6pm. Baggage lockers are available in the public car park adjacent to the Car Park Service Kiosk at the T2 Domestic Terminal. A covered walkway links the T1 International and T2 Domestic Terminals over about 250 metres, taking roughly five minutes to walk. With Stasher, you can store bags from A$2.99 per bag per day.

There's no strict size limit, though prices can vary with bag size. Every booking comes with the Stasher Guarantee, which protects your bags up to A$19,000. Stasher storage in Cairns can be booked through the website or app.

Before you fly: trolleys, security and liquids

At the T2 Domestic Terminal, trolleys in the arrivals and departures areas cost A$3 and take cash in A$5, A$10 or A$20 notes only, so having the right note saves a hunt for change. At T1 International, trolleys in the baggage claim area are free, which is handy straight after a long flight.

For international departures, inorganic powders must be in containers of 350ml or 350g or less per person and need to come out separately at screening. Domestic flights are looser on liquids, aerosols and gels in carry-on, though aerosols still have to be separated for screening and kept with their lids on.

Getting between the airport and Cairns City

Route 100 is the public bus that links the airport with Cairns City, running every 30 minutes from 4am to 10:30pm, seven days a week. Its airport stop sits between the domestic and international terminals, and the one-way fare is just 50 cents, which is hard to beat. For a door-to-door ride, Cairns Taxis runs a regulated service from the airport and doesn't add a luggage surcharge. Coral Sea Coaches also runs a shuttle to Cairns City, though they suggest allowing at least 30 minutes for the journey. Cairns Airport is about 6 kilometres north of Cairns City.

Book luggage storage at Cairns Airport on Stasher.