Townsville Airport (TSV) is the airport for Townsville in North Queensland. It sits in the suburb of Garbutt, about a 10-minute drive from the Townsville city centre, and it is also known as Townsville International Airport or Garbutt Airport. It is a joint-user airport, shared between civil flights and RAAF Base Townsville. Passengers use one integrated terminal building, with flights to capital cities and to regional Queensland towns. The operator describes TSV as the gateway for the region's tourism, mining and defence sectors.

This guide covers the airlines at the terminal, the ways into Townsville and across to Magnetic Island, parking, opening hours, facilities and tips for your departure day.

Terminals and airlines at Townsville Airport

Every passenger at Townsville Airport goes through the same building. You check in at the counters inside the terminal, pass security, and wait in the departure lounge for your gate. The building also has an international departure lounge, but the airlines listed below run domestic and regional services. Airline arrangements change from time to time, so check your e-ticket before you travel.

Townsville Airport terminal

The operator's airline information page lists these scheduled carriers at Townsville Airport:

• Qantas
• QantasLink
• Virgin Australia
• Jetstar
• Rex (Regional Express)
• Airnorth
• Hinterland Aviation
• Skytrans
• Aerlink

The mix reflects what Townsville is: an airport with capital-city routes as well as flights to regional Queensland towns. Some charter services for mining and resource workers also use the airport, but they are not open for public booking and are not covered here.

On a codeshare booking, the operating airline is the one whose counter you need. QantasLink, for example, flies under Qantas flight numbers, so check which carrier your e-ticket names.

Getting to and from Townsville Airport

Townsville Airport is close to the city, and most ground transport waits right outside the terminal at the end of arrivals. Fares are set by each operator and shown at the stop, at the rank or in the operator's app.

Taxi

Taxis wait directly outside the terminal at the end of arrivals. The drive to the city centre takes about 10 minutes.

Rideshare

The designated rideshare area is outside the terminal, also at the end of arrivals. Expect about 10 minutes to the city centre, similar to a taxi.

Public bus (route 222)

Translink route 222 stops at Townsville Airport and links it with Townsville City, the Breakwater ferry terminal, Palmer Street and the stadium. It runs seven days a week. The operator does not publish a journey time, so check the timetable before you set off.

Townsville Shuttle Service

The Townsville Shuttle Service runs to city hotels and to the Magnetic Island ferry terminal, timed to meet major flights. It needs to be booked in advance, and it is a practical choice if you are heading straight over to the island.

Private transfers, coaches and limousines

Local operators listed by the airport offer private transfers, coaches and limousines. All of these are pre-booked, which suits groups or travellers who want to be met on arrival.

Car rental

The rental desks are inside the terminal, so you can collect a car right after baggage claim. Free luggage trolleys are available in the car rental area too.

Parking at Townsville Airport

Townsville Airport has two main car parks that can be booked ahead, and both are open 24 hours:

• Select, covered, about a 1-minute walk from the terminal, suited to short stays
• Saver, open-air, about a 5-minute walk, suited to longer trips

For quick visits, a short-term car park near the terminal gives a short free period for drop-offs. If you are collecting someone, there is a free 30-minute holding area where you can wait until they call. Accessible bays are provided in all car parks.

Car park expansion works are under way. While they continue, parking availability, access routes and pedestrian paths may change temporarily, so allow extra time and follow the signs. Rates vary with the length of stay, so check the airport's parking pages before you go.

Opening hours at Townsville Airport

Townsville Airport's terminal is not open 24 hours. It opens at 4:30 am and closes after the last flight movement of the day. Overnight, the building is locked down, and no one may enter or sleep in the terminal.

The car parks stay open 24 hours, so you can still leave or collect a car outside terminal hours. The overnight closure applies to the terminal building itself. If you land on the last flight, have your transport arranged in advance.

Facilities at Townsville Airport

Townsville Airport covers the basics for a domestic or regional flight. Most facilities are after security, with a few in the public area for people meeting flights.

Shopping and souvenirs

A convenience and gift store after security sells local souvenirs, snacks and travel essentials. A tech accessories store is also after security, handy if you have left a charger behind.

Terminal layout

Check-in counters are inside the terminal. After security screening you enter the departure lounge. Most domestic departure gates are on the upper mezzanine level, and the rest are on the ground floor, so check the screens for your gate. The building has separate domestic and international departure lounges.

Lounges

The Qantas Club is in the domestic departure lounge. It is open to Qantas Club members and eligible partner members flying with Qantas or Jetstar, and it is the only airline lounge the operator lists.

Food and drink

Cafés and a bar are after security. Before security, a café in the public area serves people waiting to meet arriving passengers.

Luggage storage

Self-service luggage lockers are outside the terminal, next to the main car park on Stinson Avenue, before security. They are available 24/7. Note that luggage and keys cannot be left inside the terminal for someone else to collect.

ATMs

There is an ATM inside the departure lounges. The operator does not list a currency exchange counter.

Free Wi-Fi and charging

Free Wi-Fi covers the whole terminal, and you log in with an email address or a social media account. A charging bench sits just past the security screening point.

Families and accessibility

Parent and baby care rooms are at check-in, in the domestic departures lounge and at baggage collection, with accessible toilets in each of these areas. Free luggage trolleys are in arrivals, the Saver car park, the car rental area and at the pick-up and drop-off points.

Tips for departing and arriving at Townsville Airport

Most domestic airlines require you to be at the check-in counter at Townsville Airport at least 60 minutes before departure. Check your own airline's guidelines, as some set different cut-offs. With the car park works under way, add a few extra minutes for parking.

If you are on the first flight of the day, remember the terminal opens at 4:30 am, so there is no point arriving earlier. After check-in, go through security and look for your gate on the screens, since gates are split between the mezzanine and the ground floor.

Arriving in Townsville, you will find taxis, rideshare and the shuttle at the end of arrivals, and rental desks inside. For live departure and arrival information on the day, use the Traveloka flight status page.

Flights and flight schedule from Townsville Airport

This page doubles as a planning tool for trips from TSV. The fare cards show fares from Townsville to popular destinations, so you can compare city and regional routes in one place. In the schedule tables, upcoming departures and arrivals at Townsville Airport are grouped by date, with the operating airline and scheduled times beside each one. They show a selection of flights, not every service.

Pick a route, compare airlines and times for your dates, and choose the flight that suits you. If the fare is not right yet, set a Price Alert and Traveloka will tell you when it changes. After booking, your e-ticket is emailed to you and saved in the app.

Popular routes from Townsville Airport include:

• Townsville to Brisbane flights
• Townsville to Sydney flights
• Townsville to Melbourne flights
• Townsville to Cairns flights
• Townsville to Darwin flights
• Townsville to Mount Isa flights
• Townsville to Mackay flights
• Townsville to Rockhampton flights

Whether you are off to the city or out to the regions, compare flights from Townsville Airport on Traveloka and book the one that suits your trip.