$181 Cheap Flights from Cairns (CNS) to Darwin (DRW)

View $181 flight on Sun, Nov 9, 2025Opens in a new window

Popular airlines from Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) to Darwin International Airport (DRW)

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Cheap Flights from Cairns to Darwin (CNS-DRW)

Prices were available within the past 7 days and start at $181 for one-way flights and $361 for round trip, for the period specified. Prices and availability are subject to change. Additional terms apply.

Airnorth Regional
Sat, Nov 1 - Sun, Nov 16
CNS
Cairns
DRW
Darwin
$361 Roundtrip, found 5 days ago
$361
Roundtrip
found 5 days ago
Select Airnorth Regional flight, departing Sat, Nov 1 from Cairns to Darwin, returning Sun, Nov 16, priced at $361 found 5 days ago
Airnorth Regional
Sat, Nov 8 - Sun, Nov 23
CNS
Cairns
DRW
Darwin
$431 Roundtrip, found 5 days ago
$431
Roundtrip
found 5 days ago
Select Airnorth Regional flight, departing Sat, Nov 8 from Cairns to Darwin, returning Sun, Nov 23, priced at $431 found 5 days ago
Airnorth Regional
Thu, Jan 29 - Tue, Feb 10
CNS
Cairns
DRW
Darwin
$446 Roundtrip, found 5 days ago
$446
Roundtrip
found 5 days ago
Select Airnorth Regional flight, departing Thu, Jan 29 from Cairns to Darwin, returning Tue, Feb 10, priced at $446 found 5 days ago
Virgin Australia
Sat, Nov 1 - Sat, Nov 8
CNS
Cairns
DRW
Darwin
$477 Roundtrip, found 3 days ago
$477
Roundtrip
found 3 days ago
Select Virgin Australia flight, departing Sat, Nov 1 from Cairns to Darwin, returning Sat, Nov 8, priced at $477 found 3 days ago
Airnorth Regional
Sat, Nov 1 - Sat, Nov 8
CNS
Cairns
DRW
Darwin
$481 Roundtrip, found 3 days ago
$481
Roundtrip
found 3 days ago
Select Airnorth Regional flight, departing Sat, Nov 1 from Cairns to Darwin, returning Sat, Nov 8, priced at $481 found 3 days ago
Airnorth Regional
Sat, Nov 1 - Sat, Nov 8
CNS
Cairns
DRW
Darwin
$485 Roundtrip, found 3 days ago
$485
Roundtrip
found 3 days ago
Select Airnorth Regional flight, departing Sat, Nov 1 from Cairns to Darwin, returning Sat, Nov 8, priced at $485 found 3 days ago
Virgin Australia
Sat, Nov 22 - Wed, Dec 10
CNS
Cairns
DRW
Darwin
$500 Roundtrip, found 5 days ago
$500
Roundtrip
found 5 days ago
Select Virgin Australia flight, departing Sat, Nov 22 from Cairns to Darwin, returning Wed, Dec 10, priced at $500 found 5 days ago
Qantas Airways
Tue, Oct 28 - Tue, Nov 4
CNS
Cairns
DRW
Darwin
$508 Roundtrip, found 6 days ago
$508
Roundtrip
found 6 days ago
Select Qantas Airways flight, departing Tue, Oct 28 from Cairns to Darwin, returning Tue, Nov 4, priced at $508 found 6 days ago
Qantas Airways
Sat, Nov 1 - Sat, Nov 8
CNS
Cairns
DRW
Darwin
$509 Roundtrip, found 3 days ago
$509
Roundtrip
found 3 days ago
Select Qantas Airways flight, departing Sat, Nov 1 from Cairns to Darwin, returning Sat, Nov 8, priced at $509 found 3 days ago
Jetstar
Sun, Mar 29 - Mon, Apr 13
CNS
Cairns
DRW
Darwin
$512 Roundtrip, found 5 days ago
$512
Roundtrip
found 5 days ago
Select Jetstar flight, departing Sun, Mar 29 from Cairns to Darwin, returning Mon, Apr 13, priced at $512 found 5 days ago

Frequently asked questions

How much does a flight from Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) to Darwin Intl. Airport (DRW) cost?
Lock in a cheap one-way flight from $181 or cheap return flight from $361 from Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) to Darwin Intl. Airport (DRW) with Expedia. Enter your travel dates and sort by "Price (lowest to highest)" to see our cheapest flight offers on this route.
What is the cheapest month to fly from Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) to Darwin Intl. Airport (DRW)?
November is the most affordable month to fly from CNS to DRW. Traveling during quieter months is often the key to finding a great deal.
Which airlines fly direct from Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) to Darwin Intl. Airport (DRW)?
Fly nonstop from Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) to Darwin Intl. Airport (DRW) on a Qantas flight.
What is the cheapest airline that flies from Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) to Darwin Intl. Airport (DRW)?
Expedia's filter tool lets you easily compare different airlines, flight durations and fares all in one place. Choose your preferences, then sort by "Price (lowest to highest)" to find out which carrier offers the cheapest CNS to DRW flight.
How many flights per day from Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) to Darwin Intl. Airport (DRW)?
On average, Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) only offers 1 nonstop flight to Darwin Intl. Airport (DRW) each day. For additional options, try Expedia's easy-to-use filter tool. Just enter your preferred travel dates, then select "1 Stop" or "2+ Stops" to find flights with layovers.
What are the most popular departure times for flights from Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) to Darwin Intl. Airport (DRW)?
The 2 PM departures from CNS to DRW are the busiest. These flights can come with a higher price due to their popularity. If you want to save money, book during off-peak hours.
What day of the week has the most flights from CNS to DRW?
Fly on a Friday if you're looking for the best choice of flights from Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) to Darwin Intl. Airport (DRW).
What is the earliest flight from Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) to Darwin Intl. Airport (DRW)?
Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS)'s earliest flight to Darwin Intl. Airport (DRW) leaves at approximately 2:50PM UTC+10. With a total flight time of 2h 35m, you'll touch down at around 4:55PM UTC+9.
How long does it take to fly from Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) to Darwin Intl. Airport (DRW)?
It usually takes 2 hours and 35 minutes to travel the 1,050 mi from CNS to DRW.
What airline has the least delays from CNS to DRW?
Consider booking with Qantas if you'd like to go straight from Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) to Darwin Intl. Airport (DRW) without any interruptions. This carrier has the strongest track record for punctuality, with an on-time performance of 84%. Want to be updated if anything changes? You can keep an eye on your flight status using the Expedia App.
What is the best time to fly from Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) to Darwin Intl. Airport (DRW)?
To avoid possible delays on the Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) to Darwin Intl. Airport (DRW) route, aim to fly before 3 PM. Flights after this time have a 22% higher chance of cancellation.**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 Darwin from Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS)?
Compare your flight options from Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) to Darwin Intl. Airport (DRW). This is the only Darwin airport you can land at if you're taking a direct flight.
Is it cheaper to buy a plane ticket from Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) to Darwin Intl. Airport (DRW) last-minute?
Last-minute fares from CNS to DRW are typically more expensive. To lock in the lowest rates, start searching for flights as early as possible. That said, if you can play around with your travel dates, it's possible to land a cheap fare right before you leave.
Is it cheaper to book a CNS to DRW flight and hotel package?
Opting for a CNS to DRW flight and hotel package is typically cheaper than booking separately. With Expedia, you can enjoy the ease of organizing your travels all in one place. Pick from our impressive range of stays and then add flights, car rentals 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 Darwin Intl. Airport (DRW)?
If you reserved your CNS to DRW flight in the last 24 hours, you may be able to modify or cancel it without any fees. Depending on the airline and the type of fare you have, additional charges may apply for changes beyond this timeframe. Airline policies and contact information can be found in your itinerary or confirmation email. Or, visit our Customer Service portal for further details.

Travel information

Travel information

Origin airport
Cairns Intl.
Destination airport
Darwin Intl.
Airlines serving
Airnorth Regional, Qantas Airways, Virgin Australia
Roundtrip price
$361
Distance
1040 mi
Average flight time
2 hours 26 mins

Book with confidence

Book with confidence

Cairns to Darwin Flights

The cheapest times to fly from Cairns to Darwin

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 Darwin are during the month of November. You can find some of the cheapest flights from Cairns to Darwin with Expedia's search tool and vast selection of airlines.

 

The best time to book a flight from Cairns to Darwin

Sunday is one of the best days to book for cheap flights from Cairns to Darwin: 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 Darwin

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 Darwin in 2025. You can also book with separate airlines for your outbound and return journeys, from $181 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 Darwin 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 Darwin 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 Darwin Flights

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