$179 Cheap Flights from Darwin (DRW) to Cairns (CNS)

View $179 flight on Wed, Jan 28, 2026Opens in a new window

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

Cheap Flights from Darwin to Cairns (DRW-CNS)

Prices were available within the past 7 days and start at $179 for one-way flights and $505 for round trip, for the period specified. Prices and availability are subject to change. Additional terms apply.

Airnorth Regional
Wed, Dec 10 - Thu, Dec 18
DRW
Darwin
CNS
Cairns
$505 Roundtrip, found 5 days ago
$505
Roundtrip
found 5 days ago
Select Airnorth Regional flight, departing Wed, Dec 10 from Darwin to Cairns, returning Thu, Dec 18, priced at $505 found 5 days ago
Airnorth Regional
Wed, Dec 10 - Thu, Dec 18
DRW
Darwin
CNS
Cairns
$520 Roundtrip, found 5 days ago
$520
Roundtrip
found 5 days ago
Select Airnorth Regional flight, departing Wed, Dec 10 from Darwin to Cairns, returning Thu, Dec 18, priced at $520 found 5 days ago
Airnorth Regional
Fri, Nov 21 - Sun, Nov 23
DRW
Darwin
CNS
Cairns
$528 Roundtrip, found 1 day ago
$528
Roundtrip
found 1 day ago
Select Airnorth Regional flight, departing Fri, Nov 21 from Darwin to Cairns, returning Sun, Nov 23, priced at $528 found 1 day ago
Airnorth Regional
Wed, May 6 - Wed, May 13
DRW
Darwin
CNS
Cairns
$548 Roundtrip, found 6 days ago
$548
Roundtrip
found 6 days ago
Select Airnorth Regional flight, departing Wed, May 6 from Darwin to Cairns, returning Wed, May 13, priced at $548 found 6 days ago
Jetstar
Mon, Nov 24 - Wed, Nov 26
DRW
Darwin
CNS
Cairns
$553 Roundtrip, found 1 hour ago
$553
Roundtrip
found 1 hour ago
Select Jetstar flight, departing Mon, Nov 24 from Darwin to Cairns, returning Wed, Nov 26, priced at $553 found 1 hour ago
Airnorth Regional
Wed, May 6 - Wed, May 13
DRW
Darwin
CNS
Cairns
$560 Roundtrip, found 6 days ago
$560
Roundtrip
found 6 days ago
Select Airnorth Regional flight, departing Wed, May 6 from Darwin to Cairns, returning Wed, May 13, priced at $560 found 6 days ago
Qantas Airways
Wed, May 6 - Wed, May 13
DRW
Darwin
CNS
Cairns
$560 Roundtrip, found 6 days ago
$560
Roundtrip
found 6 days ago
Select Qantas Airways flight, departing Wed, May 6 from Darwin to Cairns, returning Wed, May 13, priced at $560 found 6 days ago
Airnorth Regional
Mon, Nov 24 - Tue, Nov 25
DRW
Darwin
CNS
Cairns
$562 Roundtrip, found 1 hour ago
$562
Roundtrip
found 1 hour ago
Select Airnorth Regional flight, departing Mon, Nov 24 from Darwin to Cairns, returning Tue, Nov 25, priced at $562 found 1 hour ago
Airnorth Regional
Wed, May 6 - Wed, May 13
DRW
Darwin
CNS
Cairns
$565 Roundtrip, found 6 days ago
$565
Roundtrip
found 6 days ago
Select Airnorth Regional flight, departing Wed, May 6 from Darwin to Cairns, returning Wed, May 13, priced at $565 found 6 days ago
Virgin Australia
Mon, Apr 13 - Mon, Apr 20
DRW
Darwin
CNS
Cairns
$577 Roundtrip, found 6 days ago
$577
Roundtrip
found 6 days ago
Select Virgin Australia flight, departing Mon, Apr 13 from Darwin to Cairns, returning Mon, Apr 20, priced at $577 found 6 days ago
Flights from Darwin (DRW) to Cairns (CNS)
Origin airport
Darwin Intl.
Destination airport
Cairns Intl.
Roundtrip price
$505
Distance
1040 mi
Average flight time
3 hours 32 mins

Darwin to Cairns Flights

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

 

The best time to book a flight from Darwin to Cairns

Sunday is one of the best days to book for cheap flights from Darwin 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 Darwin 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 Darwin to Cairns in 2025. You can also book with separate airlines for your outbound and return journeys, from $179 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 Darwin 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 Darwin 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 Darwin Intl. Airport (DRW) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) cost?
Snag a cheap one-way flight from $179 or cheap return flight from $505 from Darwin Intl. Airport (DRW) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) with Expedia. Enter your travel dates and sort by "Price (lowest to highest)" to see our cheapest flight deals on this route.
What is the cheapest month to fly from Darwin Intl. Airport (DRW) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS)?
The cheapest month to fly from DRW to CNS is December, when demand is low. Off-peak season is generally when airlines offer better prices between these airports.
Which airlines fly direct from Darwin Intl. Airport (DRW) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS)?
If you're departing from Darwin Intl. Airport (DRW), you can hop on a nonstop flight to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) with Qantas.
What is the cheapest airline that flies from Darwin Intl. Airport (DRW) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS)?
Expedia's filter tool lets you easily compare travel time, airlines and fares all in one place. Choose your preferences, then sort by "Price (lowest to highest)" to see which carrier offers the cheapest DRW to CNS flight.
How many flights per day from Darwin Intl. Airport (DRW) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS)?
On average, Darwin Intl. Airport (DRW) only offers 1 direct flight to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) each day. For more options, try our easy-to-use filter tool. Just enter your dates, then choose "1 Stop" or "2+ Stops" to discover flights offering layovers.
What are the most popular departure times for flights from Darwin Intl. Airport (DRW) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS)?
More passengers fly between DRW and CNS at 6 PM than at any other time of day. Prefer a quieter experience? Pick a flight outside the busiest times and you're likely to save on your ticket as well.
What day of the week has the most flights from DRW to CNS?
Friday has the most flights from Darwin Intl. Airport (DRW) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS). Consider taking off on this day and you'll have the best chance of finding a departure that fits your itinerary.
What is the earliest flight from Darwin Intl. Airport (DRW) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS)?
Darwin Intl. Airport (DRW)'s earliest flight to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) takes off at approximately 6:00PM UTC+9. With a travel duration of 2h 25m, you'll touch down at around 8:55PM UTC+10.
How long does it take to fly from Darwin Intl. Airport (DRW) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS)?
Typically, it takes 2 hours and 25 minutes to travel the 1,050 mi from DRW to CNS.
What airline has the least delays from DRW to CNS?
Airnorth has the best performance for on-time direct flights from Darwin Intl. Airport (DRW) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS), with an on-time score of 100%. Use the Expedia App to check your flight schedule before you leave and get immediate updates about any trip changes.
What is the best time to fly from Darwin Intl. Airport (DRW) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS)?
To avoid possible delays on the Darwin Intl. Airport (DRW) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) route, fly before 3 PM. Flights after this time 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 Cairns from Darwin Intl. Airport (DRW)?
Explore your flight options from Darwin Intl. Airport (DRW) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS). This is the only Cairns airport you can arrive at if you're taking a direct flight.
Is it cheaper to buy a plane ticket from Darwin Intl. Airport (DRW) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) last-minute?
Waiting until just before your departure to book a flight from DRW to CNS generally means paying more. While you may find some last-minute offers, there's no guarantee. Keep your travel plans flexible to boost your chances of getting a bargain.
Is it cheaper to book a DRW to CNS flight and hotel package?
Compared with arranging hotels and flights separately, booking a DRW to CNS flight and hotel package with Expedia could lead to significant savings. Better still, having everything in one place takes the hassle out of travel planning. Just pick your flights and choose from our extensive range of hotels, then personalize your trip with other add-ons like car rentals and activities.
Can I cancel or change the date of my flight from Darwin Intl. Airport (DRW) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS)?
If you booked your DRW to CNS 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 purchased, additional charges may apply for changes after that time. Airline policies and contact information can be found in your itinerary or confirmation email. Or, go to our Customer Service portal if you'd like more information.

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*Available to One Key members.