Flying from Cairns Airport (CNS) to Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport (SYD): what you need to know
Around 3 hours is how long you can expect to be in the air on a direct flight from Cairns Airport to Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport.
The timezone in Sydney is UTC+11, which is one hour ahead of Cairns.
Flights from CNS to SYD start at 06:35 — the first with Jetstar. The last departure is at 19:20 with Qantas. In total, there are 162 weekly Cairns Airport to Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport flights.
Arriving two hours before an international flight and one hour ahead of a domestic departure are golden rules for hassle-free flying. Be at the airport with enough time to board your CNS to SYD flight.
Travelling during a peak time such as July? Public holidays and other popular periods can lead to longer queues at security. Play it safe and arrive up to four hours before an international flight and two hours before domestic departures.
A range of airlines operate direct flights from Cairns Airport to Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport, so jetting to Sydney (and then visiting more of Australia!) is easy. Leading carriers that fly nonstop include:
The airline most travellers fly with on this route is Jetstar.
Virgin Australia Regional ranks as the leading on-time carrier for CNS to SYD flights, with 81.01% of its services reaching their destination on schedule.
We make it a cinch to book a flight with a stopover. To see all your options for tickets from Cairns Airport to Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport, deselect 'Direct flights only.' Then, choose a flight with a stop long enough to explore the city of your choice. Stopovers between CNS and SYD include:
Brisbane Airport
Townsville Airport
Gold Coast Airport
How to find the cheapest flights from Cairns Airport (CNS) to Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport (SYD)
The lowest price we've found for a one-way Cairns Airport to Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport flight is Rs19,750. A return plane ticket is currently Rs39,837. Depending on the availability and when you book, these fares can change.
To score cheap tickets from CNS to SYD, book your trip six months ahead of your departure.
The cheapest month for flights from Cairns Airport to Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport is May. Use the 'Whole month' tool to see the lowest airfares if you have a flexible travel schedule.
Snapping up cheap flights from CNS to SYD couldn't be easier with Price Alerts. Simply create one of these automatic alerts and we'll get in touch as soon as a lower fare pops up.
Pick your preferred departure and arrival times, number of stops and airlines with the filters. Or sort your results by 'Cheapest' to see the best deals on flights from Cairns Airport to Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport.
Handy information about Cairns Airport (CNS)
Of the departures from Cairns Airport, 71.55% land on schedule at their destination.
To reach Cairns Airport from central Cairns, it'll take around 10 minutes by car. This depends on traffic, however. It's approximately 6 kilometres from the airport to the city centre.
Taking public transport? Expect a trip time of around 1 hour 25 minutes.
Need a handy hotel near CNS? If you've booked an early flight from Cairns Airport to Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport, these stays will have you moments from check-in:
Arriving at Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport (SYD)
The last thing you want is a long journey to your hotel if you're landing late on a Cairns Airport to Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport flight. Check in to one of these accommodation options near SYD instead:
Grab a Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport rental car and explore Sydney and beyond with your own wheels. Simba car hire, Bargain Car Rentals and Yes Drive are well-known companies to choose from here.
For the lowest price, book your ride from Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport around two weeks before travelling.
Getting from Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport (SYD) to central Sydney
From Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport, Sydney is approximately 18 kilometres away. It takes around 20 minutes to reach the centre by car.
Travelling to the centre on public transport will take you roughly 25 minutes.
When to fly to Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport (SYD)
April is the busiest month for flights from Cairns Airport to Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport. To skip the crowds, go to Sydney in April.
When reserving your flight from Cairns Airport to Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport, consider the type of weather you enjoy. January is the warmest month in Sydney, with temperatures ranging from 17ºC to 32ºC.
If you want cooler conditions, look for a cheap ticket from CNS to SYD in July. Average temperatures are between 5ºC and 19ºC then.
Explore more of Australia
You've done Sydney, now it's time to explore more of Australia. Journey around 241 kilometres south-west to Canberra to check off its popular sights. From Australian War Memorial to National Gallery of Australia and Parliament House, you've got a jam-packed schedule ahead.
Newcastle is another essential stop in Australia and is around 121 kilometres north-east of Sydney. No journey is complete without dropping by Newcastle Beach, Nobbys Beach and Merewether Beach.