Port Douglas is served by just a single airport, Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS).

A flight to Port Douglas means touching down at CNS or PTI. The first is 56 kilometres away from downtown. The second one is 2 kilometres away.

There are a total of 11 air carriers connecting Port Douglas with 28 airports from all over the globe.

Port Douglas receives the largest number of flights from Virgin Australia, Qantas and Jetstar with Virgin Australia being the number one choice of carrier. Brisbane is the most popular city for passengers to depart from.

Organizing an awesome Port Douglas escape is a piece of cake when there are 386 direct flights every week to get you there.

Flights to Port Douglas from Brisbane, Sydney and Townsville airports are always popular.

Where you depart from determines how much of the in-flight entertainment you’ll get to see. From Brisbane to Port Douglas, the average flight time is 2 hours and 21 minutes. From Sydney it’s more like 3 hours and 1 minute, and from Melbourne it’s 3 hours and 20 minutes.

Don’t leave booking your flight to Port Douglas until the last minute. That’s one trick well-versed jet-setters use to get the best deals. Booking in advance means more choices and less expensive flights. Also, do some online research and compare your options. If your destination has a few airports, you may be able to pick up a fantastic price by flying into one that’s farther away. Lastly, be prepared to book quickly if you find an irresistible price. It might not be available for too long! With a bit of knowledge and some luck, the perfect fare can be yours.

Wherever you’re jetting in from, flying can be an enjoyable experience if you’ve prepared well enough. Check out these essential travel tips that will help get your Port Douglas escape started on the right foot.What to pack in your hand luggage:

• Air travel can be a comfortable experience if you bring the right things. Firstly, you’ll need basic toiletries, such as lip balm and hand cream, a fresh change of clothes and a good read. Secondly, find room in your bag for your phone and charger, any vital medications and perhaps a blow-up neck pillow too. Lastly, remember to take your passport, travel papers and some cash.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Leave all your full-sized bottles of shampoo and hairspray in your checked baggage. Any gels or liquids in your carry-on bag larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) will be confiscated by authorities. Sharp objects, like your treasured Swiss Army knife, and dangerous goods which are flammable or explosive, such as aerosol cans, spray paint and fireworks, are also not allowed.

What to wear on a flight:

• Comfort should always be your number one priority when deciding what to wear during your flight. Consider your choice of footwear with care too, as swollen feet and ankles are a common side effect of flying. Roomy, closed-toed shoes work well.
• Unfortunately, one risk of long flights is developing DVT (deep vein thrombosis), a blood clotting condition caused by prolonged inactivity. To prevent this from happening, make the most of every opportunity to stretch your legs and walk around the cabin. Compression socks and tights are also a great idea to help lower your risk.

As seasoned travelers know, the secret is to be well organized before you arrive at airport security. That way, you’ll be stepping onto that plane to Port Douglas in next to no time. Follow these helpful tips and get your vacation off to a great start:

• Be sure to keep your boarding pass and ID someplace easily accessible. They’re the first items you’ll be asked to show at security.
• After that, both you and your carry-on bag will be X-rayed. To make the process quick and painless, take off anything that is likely to set the alarm off. Items such as your belt, coat and headphones need to go through the machine.
• All your electronic devices, including your tablet and phone, will also need to be separately scanned.
• Remove all liquids and gels from your carry-on bag. They usually need to be sent through the X-ray machine separately. Each item should be no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) and everything must fit in a quart-size (one liter), clear zip-close bag.
• There’s a good chance you’ll be required to remove your shoes for scanning, so wearing slip-on shoes is always a good idea.
• Sharp items like knives are prohibited in the cabin. They’ll be confiscated at security, so put them in your checked suitcase.