$119 Cheap Flights from Adelaide (ADL) to Cairns (CNS)

Popular airlines from Adelaide, SA Airport (ADL) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS)

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Cheap Flights from Adelaide to Cairns (ADL-CNS)

Prices were available within the past 7 days and start at $119 for one-way flights and $237 for round trip, for the period specified. Prices and availability are subject to change. Additional terms apply.

Jetstar
Jetstar
Jetstar
Jetstar
Jetstar
Jetstar
Jetstar
Jetstar
Virgin Australia
Qantas Airways
Flights from Adelaide (ADL) to Cairns (CNS)
Origin airport
Adelaide
Destination airport
Cairns Intl.
Airlines serving
Qantas Airways, Virgin Australia
Roundtrip price
$237
Distance
1325 mi
Average flight time
3 hours 33 mins

Adelaide to Cairns Flights

The cheapest times to fly from Adelaide to Cairns

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

 

The best time to book a flight from Adelaide to Cairns

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

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 Adelaide to Cairns in 2025. You can also book with separate airlines for your outbound and return journeys, from $119 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 Adelaide to Cairns 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 Adelaide to Cairns 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.

 

Frequently asked questions

How much does a flight from Adelaide Airport (ADL) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) cost?
You can book cheap return tickets starting at $388 from Adelaide Airport (ADL) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS). This information is based on the cheapest price found on Expedia for this return journey departing within the next three months. This airfare is for a Qantas Airways flight leaving ADL on July 24 2025 and touching down at CNS. The price was last updated on July 9 2025 and has not changed since.
What is the cheapest month to fly from ADL to CNS?
The cheapest flights from ADL to CNS are usually during off-peak season, when demand is lower. To save money, avoid flying during public holidays, school breaks and major local events.
Which airlines fly direct from Adelaide Airport (ADL) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS)?
If you're departing from Adelaide Airport (ADL), you can board a nonstop flight to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) with Jetstar.
What is the cheapest airline that flies from ADL to CNS?
Right now, the cheapest airline operating one-way flights from ADL to CNS is Virgin Australia. You can book a seat on this route from $198. This fare is based on the lowest price found on Expedia departing within the next three months. The flight takes off from ADL on August 7 2025. Prices were last updated on July 9 2025 and have not changed since.
How many flights per day from Adelaide Airport (ADL) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS)?
On average, Adelaide Airport (ADL) only offers 1 direct flight to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) each day. For more choices, try Expedia's easy-to-use filters. Simply enter your travel details, then select "1 Stop" or "2+ Stops" to discover flights offering layovers.
What are the most popular departure times for flights from Adelaide Airport (ADL) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS)?
More passengers fly between ADL and CNS at 6 AM than at any other time. Looking to skip the crowds? Travel outside of rush hours and you're likely to save on your fare as well.
What day of the week has the most flights from ADL to CNS?
Jet off on a Friday if you're looking for the biggest selection of flights from Adelaide Airport (ADL) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS).
What is the earliest flight from Adelaide Airport (ADL) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS)?
Take the earliest flight at around 6:00AM UTC+10, leaving from Adelaide Airport (ADL). You'll be in the air for roughly 3h, coming in to land at Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) at approximately 8:30AM UTC+10.
How long does it take to fly from Adelaide Airport (ADL) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS)?
Flights from ADL to CNS have an average travel time of 3 hours. The distance between the two airports is 1,350 mi.
What airline has the least delays from ADL to CNS?
Virgin Australia has the best track record for on-time direct flights from Adelaide Airport (ADL) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS), with an on-time score of 100%. Use the Expedia App to view your flight schedule before you head off and get notified of any trip changes.
What is the best time to fly from Adelaide Airport (ADL) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS)?
To avoid possible delays on the Adelaide Airport (ADL) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) route, fly before 3 PM. Departures 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 Cairns from Adelaide Airport (ADL)?
Browse your flight options from Adelaide Airport (ADL) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS). This is the only airport in Cairns you can touch down at if you're taking a direct flight.
Is it cheaper to buy a plane ticket from Adelaide Airport (ADL) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) last-minute?
Booking your ticket from ADL to CNS right before your trip is usually more expensive. But if you're flexible with your travel times and dates, you could score a cheap last-minute fare.
Is it cheaper to book an ADL to CNS flight and hotel package?
Compared with arranging flights and hotels separately, booking an ADL to CNS flight and hotel package with Expedia could result in significant savings. Better still, having everything in one easy place will take the hassle out of planning your trip. Simply pick your flights and choose from our extensive range of hotels, then customize your trip with other add-ons like activities, tours and car rentals.
Can I cancel or change the date of my flight from Adelaide Airport (ADL) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS)?
In most cases, you can cancel or modify your ADL to CNS flight. However, additional charges may apply, especially if you booked more than 24 hours ago. Double-check your itinerary for the airline's fees and policies on flight changes, or if you want further details, go to our Customer Service portal.

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