$177 Cheap Flights from Cairns (CNS) to Darwin (DRW)

View $177 flight on Sat, Dec 27, 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 $177 for one-way flights and $355 for round trip, for the period specified. Prices and availability are subject to change. Additional terms apply.

Airnorth Regional
Wed, Aug 20 - Sat, Sep 6
CNS
Cairns
DRW
Darwin
$355 Roundtrip, found 1 day ago
$355
Roundtrip
found 1 day ago
Select Airnorth Regional flight, departing Wed, Aug 20 from Cairns to Darwin, returning Sat, Sep 6, priced at $355 found 1 day ago
Airnorth Regional
Sat, Aug 23 - Sat, Sep 6
CNS
Cairns
DRW
Darwin
$385 Roundtrip, found 1 day ago
$385
Roundtrip
found 1 day ago
Select Airnorth Regional flight, departing Sat, Aug 23 from Cairns to Darwin, returning Sat, Sep 6, priced at $385 found 1 day ago
Airnorth Regional
Tue, Aug 12 - Tue, Aug 19
CNS
Cairns
DRW
Darwin
$393 Roundtrip, found 3 days ago
$393
Roundtrip
found 3 days ago
Select Airnorth Regional flight, departing Tue, Aug 12 from Cairns to Darwin, returning Tue, Aug 19, priced at $393 found 3 days ago
Airnorth Regional
Wed, Aug 20 - Thu, Sep 11
CNS
Cairns
DRW
Darwin
$424 Roundtrip, found 1 day ago
$424
Roundtrip
found 1 day ago
Select Airnorth Regional flight, departing Wed, Aug 20 from Cairns to Darwin, returning Thu, Sep 11, priced at $424 found 1 day ago
Airnorth Regional
Mon, Oct 20 - Sun, Oct 26
CNS
Cairns
DRW
Darwin
$435 Roundtrip, found 2 days ago
$435
Roundtrip
found 2 days ago
Select Airnorth Regional flight, departing Mon, Oct 20 from Cairns to Darwin, returning Sun, Oct 26, priced at $435 found 2 days ago
Airnorth Regional
Tue, Aug 19 - Sat, Sep 6
CNS
Cairns
DRW
Darwin
$439 Roundtrip, found 1 day ago
$439
Roundtrip
found 1 day ago
Select Airnorth Regional flight, departing Tue, Aug 19 from Cairns to Darwin, returning Sat, Sep 6, priced at $439 found 1 day ago
Airnorth Regional
Sun, Aug 10 - Fri, Aug 15
CNS
Cairns
DRW
Darwin
$444 Roundtrip, found 3 days ago
$444
Roundtrip
found 3 days ago
Select Airnorth Regional flight, departing Sun, Aug 10 from Cairns to Darwin, returning Fri, Aug 15, priced at $444 found 3 days ago
Qantas Airways
Sun, Nov 16 - Tue, Nov 25
CNS
Cairns
DRW
Darwin
$478 Roundtrip, found 6 days ago
$478
Roundtrip
found 6 days ago
Select Qantas Airways flight, departing Sun, Nov 16 from Cairns to Darwin, returning Tue, Nov 25, priced at $478 found 6 days ago
Virgin Australia
Sun, Nov 16 - Tue, Nov 25
CNS
Cairns
DRW
Darwin
$508 Roundtrip, found 6 days ago
$508
Roundtrip
found 6 days ago
Select Virgin Australia flight, departing Sun, Nov 16 from Cairns to Darwin, returning Tue, Nov 25, priced at $508 found 6 days ago
Jetstar
Sat, Jul 26 - Thu, Aug 14
CNS
Cairns
DRW
Darwin
$545 Roundtrip, found 1 day ago
$545
Roundtrip
found 1 day ago
Select Jetstar flight, departing Sat, Jul 26 from Cairns to Darwin, returning Thu, Aug 14, priced at $545 found 1 day ago
Flights from Cairns (CNS) to Darwin (DRW)
Origin airport
Cairns Intl.
Destination airport
Darwin Intl.
Airlines serving
Airnorth Regional, Jetstar, Qantas Airways
Roundtrip price
$354
Distance
1040 mi
Average flight time
2 hours 26 mins

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 August. 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 $177 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.

 

Frequently asked questions

How much does a flight from Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) to Darwin Intl. Airport (DRW) cost?
You can find cheap return flights from Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) to Darwin Intl. Airport (DRW) starting at $606. Reserve your seat and set off on your next adventure. 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 CNS on June 21 2025 and touching down at DRW. The price was last updated on June 18 2025 and has not changed since.
What is the cheapest month to fly from CNS to DRW?
The cheapest flights from CNS to DRW 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 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 CNS to DRW?
With prices starting from $281 for a one-way flight from CNS to DRW, Qantas Airways is currently the cheapest airline flying this route. This fare is based on the lowest price found on Expedia departing within the next three months. The flight takes off from CNS on September 3 2025. Prices were last updated on June 18 2025 and have not changed since.
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.

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