$78 Cheap Flights from Cairns (CNS) to Sydney (SYD)

View $78 flight on Thu, Mar 12, 2026Opens in a new window

Popular airlines from Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) to Sydney Airport (SYD)

    notification illustration

    Be in the know

    Get alerts if flight prices drop or rise*
    deals illustration

    Book smarter

    Save up to 30% on select hotels after you book a flight*
    trophy illustration

    Earn twice

    Earn your airline miles on top of our OneKeyCash
    Learn about One Key

Cheap Flights from Cairns to Sydney (CNS-SYD)

Prices were available within the past 7 days and start at $78 for one-way flights and $155 for round trip, for the period specified. Prices and availability are subject to change. Additional terms apply.

Jetstar
Mon, Apr 20 - Wed, Apr 22
CNS
Cairns
SYD
Sydney
$155 Roundtrip, found 1 day ago
$155
Roundtrip
found 1 day ago
Select Jetstar flight, departing Mon, Apr 20 from Cairns to Sydney, returning Wed, Apr 22, priced at $155 found 1 day ago
Jetstar
Thu, Dec 4 - Fri, Dec 5
CNS
Cairns
SYD
Sydney
$161 Roundtrip, found 14 hours ago
$161
Roundtrip
found 14 hours ago
Select Jetstar flight, departing Thu, Dec 4 from Cairns to Sydney, returning Fri, Dec 5, priced at $161 found 14 hours ago
Jetstar
Thu, Dec 4 - Fri, Dec 5
CNS
Cairns
SYD
Sydney
$167 Roundtrip, found 14 hours ago
$167
Roundtrip
found 14 hours ago
Select Jetstar flight, departing Thu, Dec 4 from Cairns to Sydney, returning Fri, Dec 5, priced at $167 found 14 hours ago
Jetstar
Fri, Feb 6 - Sun, Feb 8
CNS
Cairns
SYD
Sydney
$167 Roundtrip, found 11 hours ago
$167
Roundtrip
found 11 hours ago
Select Jetstar flight, departing Fri, Feb 6 from Cairns to Sydney, returning Sun, Feb 8, priced at $167 found 11 hours ago
Jetstar
Thu, Dec 4 - Fri, Dec 5
CNS
Cairns
SYD
Sydney
$173 Roundtrip, found 14 hours ago
$173
Roundtrip
found 14 hours ago
Select Jetstar flight, departing Thu, Dec 4 from Cairns to Sydney, returning Fri, Dec 5, priced at $173 found 14 hours ago
Jetstar
Thu, Dec 4 - Fri, Dec 5
CNS
Cairns
SYD
Sydney
$179 Roundtrip, found 14 hours ago
$179
Roundtrip
found 14 hours ago
Select Jetstar flight, departing Thu, Dec 4 from Cairns to Sydney, returning Fri, Dec 5, priced at $179 found 14 hours ago
Jetstar
Thu, Mar 5 - Tue, Mar 10
CNS
Cairns
SYD
Sydney
$180 Roundtrip, found 2 days ago
$180
Roundtrip
found 2 days ago
Select Jetstar flight, departing Thu, Mar 5 from Cairns to Sydney, returning Tue, Mar 10, priced at $180 found 2 days ago
Jetstar
Thu, Mar 5 - Tue, Mar 10
CNS
Cairns
SYD
Sydney
$183 Roundtrip, found 2 days ago
$183
Roundtrip
found 2 days ago
Select Jetstar flight, departing Thu, Mar 5 from Cairns to Sydney, returning Tue, Mar 10, priced at $183 found 2 days ago
Virgin Australia
Mon, Dec 8 - Wed, Dec 10
CNS
Cairns
SYD
Sydney
$187 Roundtrip, found 6 days ago
$187
Roundtrip
found 6 days ago
Select Virgin Australia flight, departing Mon, Dec 8 from Cairns to Sydney, returning Wed, Dec 10, priced at $187 found 6 days ago
Qantas Airways
Mon, Dec 8 - Wed, Dec 10
CNS
Cairns
SYD
Sydney
$223 Roundtrip, found 6 days ago
$223
Roundtrip
found 6 days ago
Select Qantas Airways flight, departing Mon, Dec 8 from Cairns to Sydney, returning Wed, Dec 10, priced at $223 found 6 days ago

Find the cheapest month to fly from Cairns (CNS) to Sydney (SYD)

March is typically the cheapest month to fly

From $139 - $255 per traveler.

Alternative airports near Sydney

Prices were available within the past 7 days. Prices and availability are subject to change.

Select flight to Kingsford Smith Intl. SYD. Cheapest option available. Average driving time to city center is 16 minutes. Flights from $339
SYD
Kingsford Smith Intl.
Cheapest
Average driving time to city center16 min
Flights from $339

Frequently asked questions

How much does a flight from Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) to Kingsford Smith Intl. Airport (SYD) cost?
Lock in a cheap one-way flight from $78 or cheap return flight from $155 from Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) to Kingsford Smith Intl. Airport (SYD) with Expedia. Enter your travel dates and sort by "Price (lowest to highest)" to find our cheapest flight deals on this route.
What is the cheapest month to fly from Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) to Kingsford Smith Intl. Airport (SYD)?
Flying in April can help you save, as it's the cheapest month for flights between CNS and SYD. You'll typically find the lowest fares during off-peak months.
Which airlines fly direct from Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) to Kingsford Smith Intl. Airport (SYD)?
Take your pick of 3 airlines that fly nonstop from Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) to Kingsford Smith Intl. Airport (SYD). Including:

  • Jetstar
  • Virgin Australia
  • Qantas

What is the cheapest airline that flies from Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) to Kingsford Smith Intl. Airport (SYD)?
While prices can vary depending on when you travel, low-cost airlines like Jetstar and China Southern Airlines are often the most affordable options for flights between Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) and Kingsford Smith Intl. Airport (SYD). Use Expedia's search tool to compare carriers and find the one that offers the best deal for your CNS to SYD flight.
How many flights per day from Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) to Kingsford Smith Intl. Airport (SYD)?
With, on average, 5 nonstop flights that operate from Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) to Kingsford Smith Intl. Airport (SYD) daily, you'll be on your way in no time.
What are the most popular departure times for flights from Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) to Kingsford Smith Intl. Airport (SYD)?
More passengers fly between CNS and SYD at 6 AM than at any other point in the day. Rather go when it's quieter? Try choosing a quieter departure window and there's a chance you'll save on your ticket as well.
What day of the week has the most flights from CNS to SYD?
If you travel on a Saturday, you'll get the largest range of choices for flights from Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) to Kingsford Smith Intl. Airport (SYD).
What is the earliest flight from Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) to Kingsford Smith Intl. Airport (SYD)?
Take the earliest flight at around 6:40AM UTC+10, heading out of Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS). You'll be traveling for around 3h, reaching Kingsford Smith Intl. Airport (SYD) at approximately 10:40AM UTC+11.
How long does it take to fly from Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) to Kingsford Smith Intl. Airport (SYD)?
It takes about 2 hours and 57 minutes to cover the 1,250 mi from CNS to SYD.
What airline has the least delays from CNS to SYD?
With 92% of flights typically landing on time, Hainan Airlines has the best on-time performance for nonstop flights from Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) to Kingsford Smith Intl. Airport (SYD). To check your flight status and receive notifications about any changes, head to the Expedia App.
What is the best time to fly from Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) to Kingsford Smith Intl. Airport (SYD)?
To avoid possible delays on the Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) to Kingsford Smith Intl. Airport (SYD) route, aim to fly before 3 PM. Later departures have a 22% higher chance of being canceled.**Most reliable time of the day and month to travel recommendation is based on January through August 2024 flight status data sourced from OAG's global flight data platform.
What airports do you fly into for Sydney from Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS)?
Kingsford Smith Intl. Airport (SYD) is the only airport in Sydney with direct flights from Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS). Compare the options and discover affordable fares on Expedia.
Is it cheaper to buy a plane ticket from Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) to Kingsford Smith Intl. Airport (SYD) last-minute?
Holding off until just before your departure to book a ticket from CNS to SYD often results in higher prices. While you might find some last-minute offers, there's no guarantee. Be flexible with your itinerary for the best chance of landing a bargain.
Is it cheaper to book a CNS to SYD flight and hotel package?
Opting for a CNS to SYD flight and hotel package tends to be cheaper than booking separately. With Expedia, you can enjoy the convenience of organizing your travels all in one place. Choose from our wide range of stays and then add car rentals, flights and activities to your booking. Bundle everything together, and you could save hundreds of dollars.
Can I cancel or change the date of my flight from Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) to Kingsford Smith Intl. Airport (SYD)?
If you booked your CNS to SYD flight in the last 24 hours, you may be able to cancel or modify it without any fees. Depending on the airline and the type of fare you have, additional charges may apply for changes after that time. Airline policies and contact information can be found in your itinerary or confirmation email. Or, head to our Customer Service portal for further details.

Travel information

Origin airport
Cairns Intl.
Destination airport
Kingsford Smith Intl.
Airlines serving
Jetstar, Qantas Airways, Virgin Australia
Roundtrip price
$154
Distance
1225 mi
Average flight time
3 hours 58 mins

Book with confidence

Cairns to Sydney Flights

The cheapest times to fly from Cairns to Sydney

On average, Thursday can be the cheapest time to fly, according to data from the Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC), one of the world's biggest databases for global airline sales. The data reveals that you could save up to 16% by flying on a Thursday—the cheapest day to travel on average—instead of a Sunday—the most expensive. Some of the most affordable flights from Cairns to Sydney are during the month of April. You can find some of the cheapest flights from Cairns to Sydney with Expedia's search tool and vast selection of airlines.

 

The best time to book a flight from Cairns to Sydney

Sunday is one of the best days to book for cheap flights from Cairns to Sydney: Tickets reserved on a Sunday cost between 6% and 13% less than those reserved on a Friday, according to ARC data. The data also suggests booking early can also lead to cheaper airfares. You could save 24% by buying your tickets for domestic flights at least a month in advance and 10% by booking international flights 2 months in advance.

 

How to find cheap round-trip tickets from Cairns to Sydney

Being flexible with your dates and using Expedia's Price Drop Protection and Price Tracking features are some of the best ways of finding a cheap ticket from Cairns to Sydney in 2025. You can also book with separate airlines for your outbound and return journeys, from $78 one-way. Expedia also offers Price Drop Protection, so if the cost of your airfare goes down after booking, you'll receive a credit for the difference*. This is available for a small fee, and is free to One Key Gold and Platinum tier members.

 

Expedia's Price Tracking feature means you can stay on top of airfares without manually checking every day. It sends you automated price alerts for cheap Cairns to Sydney flights and uses historical data to indicate when the best time to book is. Download Expedia's free app to activate this handy tool in a few easy taps.

 

You could also save big by booking one of Expedia's vacation packages. Bundling together your Cairns to Sydney airfare with your accommodations and car rental is often cheaper than booking everything separately. There’s also One Key, Expedia's generous rewards program. Join for free and you could earn One Key cash on most bookings to save on future adventures.

 

*Terms apply.

 

Disclaimer: ARC The statistics are based on average round-trip ticket prices between January and August 2023. The percentages you see are averages.

 

Cairns to Sydney Flights

Explore a world of travel with Expedia

*Available to One Key members.