Cheap flights from Sydney to Cairns

Kingsford Smith
SYD
Cairns
CNS

Flight deals from Sydney to 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 15 September, from $82.

Top 10 cheap flights from Sydney to Cairns

JQ
$ 84

Sydney — Cairns

19:15—22:25
9 Sep 2026
3 h 10 m
Direct flight
JQ
$ 84

Sydney — Cairns

19:15—22:25
7 Sep 2026
3 h 10 m
Direct flight
JQ
$ 84

Sydney — Cairns

19:15—22:25
14 Sep 2026
3 h 10 m
Direct flight
JQ
$ 84

Sydney — Cairns

19:15—22:25
11 Sep 2026
3 h 10 m
Direct flight
JQ
$ 84

Sydney — Cairns

17:05—20:15
11 Sep 2026
3 h 10 m
Direct flight
JQ
$ 84

Sydney — Cairns

15:15—18:25
11 Sep 2026
3 h 10 m
Direct flight
JQ
$ 84

Sydney — Cairns

19:15—22:25
10 Sep 2026
3 h 10 m
Direct flight
JQ
$ 84

Sydney — Cairns

19:15—22:25
6 Sep 2026
3 h 10 m
Direct flight
JQ
$ 84

Sydney — Cairns

06:10—09:20
6 Sep 2026
3 h 10 m
Direct flight
JQ
$ 84

Sydney — Cairns

15:15—18:25
12 Sep 2026
3 h 10 m
Direct flight

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

About the Sydney — Cairns flight

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

The route has direct flights — around 121 flights per week, flights are operated by Jetstar Airways, Virgin Australia, Qantas, Indigo Air and 8 more airlines, a nonstop flight takes about 3 h 10 min, the distance between the cities is around 1,955 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 $76Min. price
DecemberCheapest
JunePeak season
YesDirect flights
1,955 kmDistance
3 h 10 minTravel time
12Airlines
121 / wkFlights

Flight schedule from Sydney to Cairns

The table shows direct flights from Sydney to 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.

Today
Any time
Last update: 14 Aug 2026

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 $76 in December, and the most expensive are around $189 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 Sydney to Cairns by month. Tickets are usually cheapest in February (around $157) and priciest in July (about $254) — use the table and chart below to pick the best time to fly.

MonthAverage priceLevelMonthAverage priceLevelMonthAverage priceLevel
Jan$193mediumMay$169lowSep$205medium
Feb$157lowJun$230highOct$169low
Mar$157lowJul$254highNov$157low
Apr$181mediumAug$205mediumDec$242high

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 December 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 Sydney — Cairns ticket

  • Book ahead: fares for Sydney — 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.
  • Sydney is served by more than one airport — compare fares and travel time to each before you book.
  • The cheapest month to fly to Cairns is usually December — 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 Sydney — Cairns route are operated by 12 airlines; Jetstar Airways runs the most flights (around 41% of all flights). Compare carriers, flight shares and schedules below.

  • Jetstar AirwaysJQ
    16x/week
    WebsiteFleet: 8120M pax/year
    • Direct flight SYD → CNS16x/week
      Duration
      3h 10m
      Days
      MTWTFSS
    40.5%Open →
  • Virgin AustraliaVA
    12x/week
    WebsiteFleet: 9231M pax/year
    • Direct flight SYD → CNS12x/week
      Duration
      3h 15m
      Days
      MTWTFSS
    29.8%Open →
  • QantasQF
    8x/week
    WebsiteFleet: 33646M pax/year
    • Direct flight SYD → CNS8x/week
      Duration
      3h 10m
      Days
      MTWTFSS
    19.0%Open →
  • Indigo Air6E
    1x/week
    WebsiteFleet: 434118M pax/year
    • Direct flight SYD → CNS1x/week
      Days
      MTWTFSS
    2.5%Open →
  • Qatar AirwaysQR
    1x/week
    WebsiteFleet: 26640M pax/year
    • Direct flight SYD → CNS1x/week
      Days
      MTWTFSS
    1.7%Open →
  • Singapore AirlinesSQ
    1x/week
    WebsiteFleet: 16325M pax/year
    • Direct flight SYD → CNS1x/week
      Days
      MTWTFSS
    1.7%Open →
  • Air NiuginiPX
    1x/week
    WebsiteFleet: 241M pax/year
    • Direct flight SYD → CNS1x/week
      Days
      MTWTFSS
    0.8%Open →
  • China SouthernCZ
    1x/week
    WebsiteFleet: 850165M pax/year
    • Direct flight SYD → CNS1x/week
    0.8%Open →
  • United AirlinesUA
    1x/week
    WebsiteFleet: 956165M pax/year
    • Direct flight SYD → CNS1x/week
    0.8%Open →
  • Latam Airlines GroupLA
    1x/week
    WebsiteFleet: 34782M pax/year
    • Direct flight SYD → CNS1x/week
    0.8%Open →
  • Air CanadaAC
    1x/week
    WebsiteFleet: 20346M pax/year
    • Direct flight SYD → CNS1x/week
    0.8%Open →
  • All Nippon AirwaysNH
    1x/week
    WebsiteFleet: 21648M pax/year
    • Direct flight SYD → CNS1x/week
    0.8%Open →

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

Sydney

SYD
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 Sydney — Cairns flight

How long is the flight from Sydney to Cairns?

A nonstop Sydney — Cairns flight takes about 3 h 10 min — the distance between the cities is around 1,955 km.

How far is it from Sydney to Cairns?

The distance from Sydney to Cairns is about 1,955 km, which a nonstop flight covers in around 3 h 10 min.

Are there direct flights from Sydney to Cairns?

Yes, there are nonstop flights Sydney — Cairns — around 121 flights per week.

Which airlines fly from Sydney to Cairns?

Airlines operating Sydney — Cairns include Jetstar Airways, Virgin Australia, Qantas, Indigo Air, Qatar Airways. See the full list with schedules in the "Airlines" section on this page.

Which airports do Sydney — Cairns flights use?

Flights from Sydney depart from Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport, Western Sydney International 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 Sydney to Cairns?

The price of a Sydney — Cairns ticket depends on your travel date, season and demand: it is usually cheapest to fly in December, and most expensive in June. Tickets typically cost between $76 and $189. Check the current lowest fare and low-price calendar on this page.

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

Flights Sydney — 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 December. Compare prices by month in the price trend chart on this page.

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

To catch a low fare Sydney — 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 December.

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.

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Where else you can fly from Cairns

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BrisbaneMelbourneTownsvilleAdelaideWeipaDarwinGold CoastDenpasarPort MoresbyPerthHorn IslandTokyoSingaporeYularaOsakaAucklandSunshine CoastHong KongNadiBamagaChristchurchMackayProserpineLockhart RiverKowanyamaEdward RiverRockhamptonAurukun

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