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Flights Sydney — Cairns

Sydney
SYD
Cairns
CNS

Cheap flights Sydney — Cairns

Below you can see the best deals on flights Sydney — Cairns for upcoming dates. Direct and connecting flights from various airlines — compare prices and choose the right ticket.

The lowest price for the next 2 months is on 14 August, from AED 283.

Top 10 cheap flights Sydney — Cairns

Direct flights Sydney — Cairns

Direct flight options for Sydney — Cairns with no stopovers on upcoming dates. A direct flight is faster and more convenient — especially when travelling with luggage or children.

The fastest direct flight is operated by Qantas — travel time is 2 h 56 min.

Top 10 direct flights Sydney — Cairns

About the Sydney — Cairns flight

On this page, you can book flights from Sydney to Cairns. There are about 40 flights per week between these cities, covering a distance of 1,955 km.

Flights are operated by Qantas, Jetstar, and Virgin Australia. Prices are constantly changing, so use the low-price calendar to find the best deals. You can also check out information on how to get to the airport of departure and the most convenient way to get from Cairns airport to the city center.

Flight schedule Sydney — Cairns

The table shows direct flights Sydney → Cairns on the selected date. The flight takes approximately 3 h 10 min. Regular flights are operated by Jetstar Airways, Virgin Australia, Qantas and Indigo Air. Departures from Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport and Western Sydney International Airport airports, arrivals at Cairns Airport.

For each flight, the following details are shown: departure time (local), arrival city and airport, flight number and airline, terminal or gate, and status. Click on a flight to open its details and go to ticket search. To view flights on a different day, change the date above the table.

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Flight ticket prices by day: Sydney — Cairns

Below is a calendar of the lowest flight ticket prices for Sydney — Cairns by day. Pick a convenient date and instantly see the fare. The cheapest flights on this route start from AED 283 in ,, and the most expensive are around AED 501 in r. If your travel dates are flexible, the calendar will help you find the best price for your preferred period. To view round-trip fares, switch to the "Round trip" tab above the calendar, select your departure date — and the right-hand calendar will highlight the lowest prices for return flights on each day.

 
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Prices by month

Sydney → Cairns, average one-way price

MonthAverage priceLevelMonthAverage priceLevelMonthAverage priceLevel
JanAED 805mediumMayAED 704lowSepAED 855medium
FebAED 654lowJunAED 956highOctAED 704low
MarAED 654lowJulAED 1,056highNovAED 654low
AprAED 755mediumAugAED 855mediumDecAED 1,006high

Some values are estimated based on seasonality.

When to fly

The weather in Cairns is characterized by a warm tropical climate throughout the year. The hottest month is January, with temperatures up to 28°C and high humidity, while the most comfortable and dry conditions are seen in August and September, when rainfall is minimal.

Flight prices vary significantly depending on the month. The most budget-friendly time to fly is August, with tickets starting AED 283, while June is the most expensive month to fly — starting AED 501.

The optimal time for a trip is between July and October. During these months, affordable prices (averaging AED 352) are combined with favorable weather conditions, while it is best to avoid the period from December to March due to the rainy season.

Temperature · Cairns

Dry and wet days · Cairns

Wind speed and direction · Cairns

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How to get the best deal on a Sydney — Cairns ticket

  • Choose low-cost carriers: The majority of flights on this route are operated by Jetstar and Virgin Australia, offering hand-luggage-only fares that can start AED 283.
  • Book 4–6 weeks in advance: Statistics show that purchasing a ticket a month and a half before departure allows for significant savings compared to booking on the eve of the flight.
  • Watch for Qantas promotions: The national carrier often holds sales where full-service tickets with included baggage cost only slightly more than budget airline offers.
  • Check mid-week departures: Flights on Tuesdays and Wednesdays are usually cheaper than Friday and Sunday departures from Sydney.

Airlines

About 12 airlines operate on this route, with the leading carriers being Qantas, Jetstar, and Virgin Australia. Most of the 40 weekly flights are direct, providing a quick connection between the cities. To view a detailed schedule and choose the right fare type, check the interactive list and airline cards below.

  • Jetstar Airways
    Jetstar AirwaysJQ
    16x/week
    WebsiteFleet: 8120M pax/year
    • Direct flight SYD → CNS16x/week
      Duration
      3h 9m
      Days
      un,MonS
  • Virgin Australia
    Virgin AustraliaVA
    12x/week
    WebsiteFleet: 9231M pax/year
    • Direct flight SYD → CNS12x/week
      Duration
      3h 15m
      Days
      un,MonS
  • Qantas
    QantasQF
    8x/week
    WebsiteFleet: 33646M pax/year
    • Direct flight SYD → CNS8x/week
      Duration
      3h 9m
      Days
      un,MonS
  • Indigo Air
    Indigo Air6E
    1x/week
    WebsiteFleet: 434118M pax/year
    • Direct flight SYD → CNS1x/week
      Duration
      2h 56m
      Days
      un,MonS
  • Qatar Airways
    Qatar AirwaysQR
    1x/week
    WebsiteFleet: 26640M pax/year
    • Direct flight SYD → CNS1x/week
      Duration
      3h 5m
      Days
      un,MonS
  • Singapore Airlines
    Singapore AirlinesSQ
    1x/week
    WebsiteFleet: 16325M pax/year
    • Direct flight SYD → CNS1x/week
      Duration
      3h 5m
      Days
      un,MonS
  • Air Niugini
    Air NiuginiPX
    1x/week
    WebsiteFleet: 241M pax/year
    • Direct flight SYD → CNS1x/week
      Days
      un,MonS
  • China Southern
    China SouthernCZ
    1x/week
    WebsiteFleet: 850165M pax/year
    • Direct flight SYD → CNS1x/week
      Duration
      3h 5m
      Days
      un,MonS
  • United Airlines
    United AirlinesUA
    1x/week
    WebsiteFleet: 956165M pax/year
    • Direct flight SYD → CNS1x/week
      Duration
      3h 5m
      Days
      un,MonS
  • Latam Airlines Group
    Latam Airlines GroupLA
    1x/week
    WebsiteFleet: 34782M pax/year
    • Direct flight SYD → CNS1x/week
      Duration
      2h 56m
      Days
      un,MonS
  • Air Canada
    Air CanadaAC
    1x/week
    WebsiteFleet: 20346M pax/year
    • Direct flight SYD → CNS1x/week
      Duration
      3h 5m
      Days
      un,MonS
  • All Nippon Airways
    All Nippon AirwaysNH
    1x/week
    WebsiteFleet: 21648M pax/year
    • Direct flight SYD → CNS1x/week
      Duration
      3h 5m
      Days
      un,MonS

Cities and airports on the Sydney — Cairns route

Flights Sydney — Cairns depart from Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport and Western Sydney International Airport and arrive at Cairns Airport. Below are pages for the cities, countries, and airports on the route: airlines, schedules, and travel guides.

Departure airports
Arrival airports

Interesting articles about Cairns

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Frequently asked questions about the Sydney — Cairns flight

How long is the flight from Sydney to Cairns?

A direct flight covers the 1,955 km distance in approximately 3 hours and 10 minutes. Travel time may vary slightly depending on weather conditions and aircraft type.

Which airlines fly the Sydney — Cairns route?

The main carriers are Qantas, Jetstar, and Virgin Australia. Other international airlines may also offer flight options through partnership agreements.

Are there direct flights on this route?

Yes, there are many direct flights operating daily between the cities. This is the fastest and most convenient way to reach Cairns without extra layovers.

Which airport does the flight arrive at?

All flights arrive at Cairns International Airport (CNS). It is located in close proximity to the city, allowing for a quick trip to your hotel by taxi or public transport.

How can I find the cheapest ticket?

Airfares are dynamic and depend on the season and demand. You can always find the current minimum in the low-price calendar on this page, which is updated in real-time.