Cheap Flights from Sydney to Cairns

Your route at a glance

Cheapest dealRs36,030

Cheapest monthFebruary

Average flight duration3 hours and 9 minutes

Flight deals from Sydney to Cairns

Looking for a cheap last-minute deal or the best return flight from Sydney to Cairns? Find the lowest prices on one-way and return tickets right here.

Cairns.Rs17,936 per passenger.Departing Fri, 30 Jan.One-way flight with Jetstar.Outbound direct flight with Jetstar departs from Sydney on Fri, 30 Jan, arriving in Cairns.Price includes taxes and charges.From Rs17,936, select.

Cairns.Rs17,936 per passenger.Departing Mon, 2 Feb.One-way flight with Jetstar.Outbound direct flight with Jetstar departs from Sydney on Mon, 2 Feb, arriving in Cairns.Price includes taxes and charges.From Rs17,936, select.

Cairns.Rs18,389 per passenger.Departing Thu, 30 Apr.One-way flight with Jetstar.Outbound direct flight with Jetstar departs from Sydney on Thu, 30 Apr, arriving in Cairns.Price includes taxes and charges.From Rs18,389, select.

Cairns.Rs18,389 per passenger.Departing Tue, 2 Jun.One-way flight with Jetstar.Outbound direct flight with Jetstar departs from Sydney on Tue, 2 Jun, arriving in Cairns.Price includes taxes and charges.From Rs18,389, select.

Cairns.Rs18,389 per passenger.Departing Sun, 3 May.One-way flight with Jetstar.Outbound direct flight with Jetstar departs from Sydney on Sun, 3 May, arriving in Cairns.Price includes taxes and charges.From Rs18,389, select.

Cairns.Rs20,802 per passenger.Departing Mon, 17 Aug.One-way flight with Jetstar.Outbound direct flight with Jetstar departs from Sydney on Mon, 17 Aug, arriving in Cairns.Price includes taxes and charges.From Rs20,802, select.

Cairns.Rs20,802 per passenger.Departing Tue, 10 Mar.One-way flight with Jetstar.Outbound direct flight with Jetstar departs from Sydney on Tue, 10 Mar, arriving in Cairns.Price includes taxes and charges.From Rs20,802, select.

Cairns.Rs20,802 per passenger.Departing Tue, 8 Sep.One-way flight with Jetstar.Outbound direct flight with Jetstar departs from Sydney on Tue, 8 Sep, arriving in Cairns.Price includes taxes and charges.From Rs20,802, select.

Find the cheapest month to fly from Sydney to Cairns

We’re always keeping an eye on fares, so you can find the best one in seconds. It looks like Sydney to Cairns flights are currently cheapest in January.

Dec

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Direct flights from Sydney to Cairns

Sydney to Cairns: Alternative routes

Compare routes from Sydney to Cairns below. You may find an airport to fly into that's cheaper, faster, or easier than Cairns.

Finding cheap flights from Sydney to Cairns: Frequently asked questions

How much are return flights from Sydney to Cairns?

The best price we found for a return flight from Sydney to Cairns is Rs36,030. This is an estimate based on information collected from different airlines and travel providers over the last 4 days and is subject to change and availability.

How long does it take to fly from Sydney to Cairns?

3 hours and 9 minutes is the average flight time from Sydney to Cairns.

Which airlines fly direct from Sydney to Cairns?

Qatar Airways, Qantas and Hawaiian Airlines fly direct from Sydney to Cairns.

How many flights are there a week from Sydney to Cairns?

As of December 2025, there are 280 flights per week flying from Sydney to Cairns.

When is the cheapest time to fly from Sydney to Cairns?

The cheapest month to fly from Sydney to Cairns is usually February.

Which upcoming date is cheapest to fly from Sydney Airport to Cairns Airport on?

After crunching the numbers on our flight calendar, we found that it's currently cheapest to fly from Sydney Airport to Cairns Airport on Monday, 2 February 2026.

Can I get a direct flight from Sydney Airport to Cairns Airport?

Yes – the average flight time is 3 hours and 9 minutes.

How can I find the best flight deal to Cairns?

We show every price from over 1,200 airlines and travel agents, comparing them all so you don’t have to. If you know you want to fly to Cairns but you’re not ready to book, set up a Price Alert. We’ll track prices for you, and let you know when they rise or fall.

When is the best time to book flights to Cairns?

We crunched all the numbers in our flight calendar and it looks like the cheapest time to book a flight to Cairns is around 40 days in advance, so don’t leave your flight to the last minute.

Which is the cheapest airline to fly from Sydney Airport to Cairns with?

Currently, Jetstar offers the cheapest flight tickets to Cairns.

Flying from Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport (SYD) to Cairns Airport (CNS): what you need to know

Jump on a direct flight from Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport to Cairns Airport and you'll be travelling for an average of 3 hours 5 minutes.
Cairns's timezone is UTC+10, which makes Cairns one hour behind Sydney.
Choose from 163 weekly Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport to Cairns Airport flights. The 06:00 departure with Jetstar is the earliest available. Jetstar operates the latest service of the day at 20:45.
Arriving two hours before an international flight and one hour ahead of a domestic departure are golden rules for stress-free travel. Be at the airport on time to catch your SYD to CNS flight.
Be prepared for longer lines during popular months like April. Arriving up to four hours ahead of an international flight and two hours for a domestic departure is a smart move.
With direct flights from Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport to Cairns Airport available from numerous airlines, flying to Cairns (and then other parts of Australia) is easy. Here's who you can travel nonstop with:
The airline with the highest number of bookings on this route is Jetstar.
With a dependable 82.78% of services landing on schedule, Virgin Australia Regional is the most punctual carrier offering SYD to CNS flights.
Consider adding a stopover when booking your ticket from Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport to Cairns Airport. Simply deselect 'Direct flights only' to break up your journey, or maybe even explore a new city along the way. Check out these options between SYD and CNS:
- Brisbane Airport
- Canberra Airport
- Townsville Airport

How to find the cheapest flights from Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport (SYD) to Cairns Airport (CNS)

The lowest price we've found for a one-way Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport to Cairns Airport flight is Rs17,936. A return fare is currently Rs36,030. Depending on the availability when you book, these fares could change.
Score cheap tickets from SYD to CNS by booking six months ahead. According to our research, that's the sweet spot for finding a bargain.
May is the cheapest month for flights from Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport to Cairns Airport. If you prefer to travel at a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will give you the lowest prices across every month.
There's no need to check every day to find out if fares have dropped when you set up a Price Alert. We'll notify you the moment there's a better deal on cheap flights from SYD to CNS.
Tailor your flights using filters. Select your departure and arrival times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort your results by 'Fastest,' 'Cheapest' or 'Best' flights from Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport to Cairns Airport.

Handy information about Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport (SYD)

69.62% of flights taking off from Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport land at their destination on time.
Central Sydney to Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport is approximately 18 kilometres. Depending on traffic, it'll take about 20 minutes to get there if you're driving, catching a cab or ride-sharing.
Taking public transport? You can expect a journey time of around 25 minutes.
Get your holiday off to a hassle-free start by staying near SYD. Whether you're catching an early flight from Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport to Cairns Airport or just don't like being rushed, these hotels have you covered:

Arriving at Cairns Airport (CNS)

Consider booking a hotel close to CNS if you have a late Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport to Cairns Airport flight. Pick one of these accommodation options and avoid the hassle of a long transfer:
Fast-track your adventure by picking up a Cairns Airport rental car. Grab a set of wheels from simba car hire, Bargain Car Rentals or East Coast to explore Cairns and beyond.
Lock in the best deal by reserving your ride from Cairns Airport around two weeks ahead of your trip.

Getting from Cairns Airport (CNS) to central Cairns

From Cairns Airport, Cairns is approximately 6 kilometres away. It takes around 10 minutes to reach the centre by car.
It'll take around 1 hour 25 minutes when travelling by public transport.

When to fly to Cairns Airport (CNS)

The quietest month for a flight from Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport to Cairns Airport is February, while July is the most popular. Choose the best time to go to Cairns based on whether you prefer a laid-back vibe or a more bustling atmosphere.
Lock in your flight from Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport to Cairns Airport for January if you'd like to visit Cairns during its warmest month. Expect temperatures of between 23ºC and 31ºC.
If you'd rather travel in cooler conditions, search for a cheap ticket from SYD to CNS in August. Temperatures average between 16ºC and 25ºC then.

Explore more of Australia

Cairns is easy to fall in love with, but there are so many other parts of Australia just waiting to be explored. About 290 kilometres south of Cairns, a visit to Townsville will keep your itinerary busy. Start with popular sights like The Strand Beach, Castle Hill and Big Mama Sailing- Magnetic Island & Townsville.
If you're eager to discover another well-known destination in Australia, head for Bowen, about 434 kilometres south-east of Cairns. Holbourne Island National Park, The Big Mango and Grays Bay are among the biggest draws.