Cheap flights from Brisbane to Cairns

Brisbane
BNE
Cairns
CNS

Flight deals from Brisbane to Cairns

Below you can see the best deals on flights Brisbane — 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 7 September, from $72.

Top 10 cheap flights from Brisbane to Cairns

JQ
$ 72

Brisbane — Cairns

06:30—09:00
7 Sep 2026
2 h 30 m
Direct flight
JQ
$ 72

Brisbane — Cairns

06:30—09:00
8 Sep 2026
2 h 30 m
Direct flight
JQ
$ 72

Brisbane — Cairns

06:30—09:00
13 Sep 2026
2 h 30 m
Direct flight
JQ
$ 73

Brisbane — Cairns

18:35—21:00
9 Sep 2026
2 h 25 m
Direct flight
JQ
$ 73

Brisbane — Cairns

06:30—09:00
9 Sep 2026
2 h 30 m
Direct flight
JQ
$ 79

Brisbane — Cairns

06:00—08:30
31 Aug 2026
2 h 30 m
Direct flight
JQ
$ 79

Brisbane — Cairns

06:00—08:30
14 Sep 2026
2 h 30 m
Direct flight
JQ
$ 82

Brisbane — Cairns

18:35—21:00
29 Aug 2026
2 h 25 m
Direct flight
JQ
$ 82

Brisbane — Cairns

06:00—08:30
29 Aug 2026
2 h 30 m
Direct flight
JQ
$ 86

Brisbane — Cairns

18:35—21:00
5 Sep 2026
2 h 25 m
Direct flight

Prices were found in the last 72 hours and may change — check the exact price when you continue.

About the Brisbane — Cairns flight

Looking for cheap flights from Brisbane to Cairns? Compare fares from different airlines, check the flight schedule and travel time — and book your Brisbane — Cairns ticket online at the best price.

The route has direct flights — around 294 flights per week, flights are operated by Qantas, Virgin Australia, Jetstar Airways, Cathay Pacific and 3 more airlines, a nonstop flight takes about 2 h 25 min, the distance between the cities is around 1,386 km.

Planning your trip? You may find our Cairns travel guide, how to get from the airport into town and Cairns weather forecast useful. To catch a low fare, use the low-price calendar and the monthly price chart on this page.

Facts about this route

from $65Min. price
OctoberCheapest
JunePeak season
YesDirect flights
1,386 kmDistance
2 h 25 minTravel time
7Airlines
294 / wkFlights

Flight schedule from Brisbane to Cairns

The table shows direct flights from Brisbane to Cairns on the selected date. The flight takes approximately 2 h 25 min. Regular flights are operated by Qantas, Virgin Australia, Jetstar Airways and Cathay Pacific. Departures from Brisbane 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.

Today
Any time
Last update: 15 Aug 2026

Flight ticket prices by day: Brisbane — Cairns

Below is a calendar of the lowest flight ticket prices for Brisbane — Cairns by day. Pick a convenient date and instantly see the fare. The cheapest flights on this route start from $65 in October, and the most expensive are around $93 in June. 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

Average one-way fares from Brisbane to Cairns by month. Tickets are usually cheapest in November (around $112) and priciest in July (about $187) — use the table and chart below to pick the best time to fly.

MonthAverage priceLevelMonthAverage priceLevelMonthAverage priceLevel
Jan$137mediumMay$140mediumSep$173high
Feb$115lowJun$166highOct$148medium
Mar$119lowJul$187highNov$112low
Apr$151mediumAug$180highDec$176high

Some values are estimated based on seasonality.

When to fly

Weather in Cairns: it is warmest in February (up to 28 °C on average) and coolest in July (around 22 °C). The driest month is August.

Tickets are usually cheapest in October and most expensive in June. Compare prices and weather by month in the charts below to pick the best time to fly.

Temperature · Cairns

Dry and wet days · Cairns

Wind speed and direction · Cairns

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

  • Book ahead: fares for Brisbane — Cairns are usually lower 3–8 weeks before departure than at the last minute.
  • Play with your dates — Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday departures are often cheaper than Friday and Sunday.
  • The cheapest month to fly to Cairns is usually October — plan your trip around it if your dates are flexible.
  • Compare direct and connecting flights: nonstop is faster, while a connection is sometimes noticeably cheaper.
  • Watch the low-price calendar and the monthly price trend on this page — they make it easier to catch a good date.
  • Travelling light? Pick a cabin-baggage-only fare — tickets without checked luggage are noticeably cheaper.
  • Get to the airport in good time — about 2–3 hours before an international departure and roughly an hour before a domestic one.

Airlines

Flights on the Brisbane — Cairns route are operated by 7 airlines; Qantas runs the most flights (around 44% of all flights). Compare carriers, flight shares and schedules below.

  • QantasQF
    43x/week
    WebsiteFleet: 33646M pax/year
    • Direct flight BNE → CNS43x/week
      Duration
      2h 30m
      Days
      MTWTFSS
    44.2%Open →
  • Virgin AustraliaVA
    25x/week
    WebsiteFleet: 9231M pax/year
    • Direct flight BNE → CNS25x/week
      Duration
      2h 30m
      Days
      MTWTFSS
    25.9%Open →
  • Jetstar AirwaysJQ
    15x/week
    WebsiteFleet: 8120M pax/year
    • Direct flight BNE → CNS15x/week
      Duration
      2h 28m
      Days
      MTWTFSS
    15.3%Open →
  • Cathay PacificCX
    8x/week
    WebsiteFleet: 18018M pax/year
    • Direct flight BNE → CNS8x/week
      Days
      MTWTFSS
    7.8%Open →
  • EmiratesEK
    6x/week
    WebsiteFleet: 26051.9M pax/year
    • Direct flight BNE → CNS6x/week
      Days
      MTWTFSS
    5.8%Open →
  • Fiji AirwaysFJ
    1x/week
    WebsiteFleet: 212.2M pax/year
    • Direct flight BNE → CNS1x/week
      Days
      MTWTFSS
    0.7%Open →
  • Qatar AirwaysQR
    1x/week
    WebsiteFleet: 26640M pax/year
    • Direct flight BNE → CNS1x/week
      Duration
      2h 30m
      Days
      MTWTFSS
    0.3%Open →

Cities and airports on the Brisbane — Cairns route

Flights Brisbane — Cairns depart from Brisbane Airport and arrive at Cairns Airport. Below are pages for the cities, countries, and airports on the route: airlines, schedules, and travel guides.

Departure

Brisbane

BNE
Australia
About the cityHow to get thereWeatherAll about the country Australia
Arrival

Cairns

CNS
Australia
About the cityHow to get thereWeatherAll about the country Australia
Departure airports
Arrival airports

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Frequently asked questions about the Brisbane — Cairns flight

How long is the flight from Brisbane to Cairns?

A nonstop Brisbane — Cairns flight takes about 2 h 25 min — the distance between the cities is around 1,386 km.

How far is it from Brisbane to Cairns?

The distance from Brisbane to Cairns is about 1,386 km, which a nonstop flight covers in around 2 h 25 min.

Are there direct flights from Brisbane to Cairns?

Yes, there are nonstop flights Brisbane — Cairns — around 294 flights per week.

Which airlines fly from Brisbane to Cairns?

Airlines operating Brisbane — Cairns include Qantas, Virgin Australia, Jetstar Airways, Cathay Pacific, Emirates. See the full list with schedules in the "Airlines" section on this page.

Which airports do Brisbane — Cairns flights use?

Flights from Brisbane depart from Brisbane Airport, and arrive at Cairns Airport. If a city has more than one airport, check which one your ticket uses before you travel.

How much is a ticket from Brisbane to Cairns?

The price of a Brisbane — Cairns ticket depends on your travel date, season and demand: it is usually cheapest to fly in October, and most expensive in June. Tickets typically cost between $65 and $93. Check the current lowest fare and low-price calendar on this page.

When is the best time to book flights Brisbane — Cairns?

Flights Brisbane — Cairns are usually cheaper when booked in advance — a few weeks before departure and away from peak dates; the most budget-friendly month to fly is October. Compare prices by month in the price trend chart on this page.

How can I find the cheapest flights from Brisbane to Cairns?

To catch a low fare Brisbane — Cairns, book a few weeks in advance, keep your dates flexible, and compare airlines and connecting options. The low-price calendar and monthly price chart on this page show the cheapest days and months at a glance: the most budget-friendly month to fly is usually October.

How early should I arrive at the airport?

For international flights, plan to be at the airport about 2–3 hours before departure, and around an hour before a domestic flight. Allow extra time during busy travel seasons and at large hubs, where check-in and security lines can be longer.

Where else you can fly from Brisbane

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SydneyMelbourneTownsvilleAucklandPerthAdelaideCanberraMackayRockhamptonNewcastleSingaporeDarwinQueenstownHobartHervey BayHong KongChristchurchWellingtonDenpasarNadiPort VilaHamilton IslandLos AngelesPort MoresbyProserpineTokyoGladstoneGuangzhouMount IsaDubaiManilaBundabergLauncestonDallasHoniaraDohaNouméaSeoulShanghaiAlbury

Where else you can fly from Cairns

See all
SydneyMelbourneTownsvilleAdelaideDarwinWeipaGold CoastPort MoresbyDenpasarPerthHorn IslandTokyoSingaporeYularaOsakaAucklandSunshine CoastHong KongBamagaNadiChristchurchProserpineMackayKowanyamaLockhart RiverEdward RiverRockhamptonAurukun

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