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

View $78 flight on Wed, Nov 19, 2025Opens in a new window

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

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Cheap Flights from Sydney to Cairns (SYD-CNS)

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
Sun, Jan 25 - Tue, Jan 27
SYD
Sydney
CNS
Cairns
$155 Roundtrip, found 1 hour ago
$155
Roundtrip
found 1 hour ago
Select Jetstar flight, departing Sun, Jan 25 from Sydney to Cairns, returning Tue, Jan 27, priced at $155 found 1 hour ago
Jetstar
Sat, Jan 31 - Mon, Feb 2
SYD
Sydney
CNS
Cairns
$161 Roundtrip, found 1 hour ago
$161
Roundtrip
found 1 hour ago
Select Jetstar flight, departing Sat, Jan 31 from Sydney to Cairns, returning Mon, Feb 2, priced at $161 found 1 hour ago
Jetstar
Tue, Oct 21 - Thu, Oct 23
SYD
Sydney
CNS
Cairns
$167 Roundtrip, found 4 hours ago
$167
Roundtrip
found 4 hours ago
Select Jetstar flight, departing Tue, Oct 21 from Sydney to Cairns, returning Thu, Oct 23, priced at $167 found 4 hours ago
Jetstar
Sun, Jan 25 - Tue, Jan 27
SYD
Sydney
CNS
Cairns
$167 Roundtrip, found 1 hour ago
$167
Roundtrip
found 1 hour ago
Select Jetstar flight, departing Sun, Jan 25 from Sydney to Cairns, returning Tue, Jan 27, priced at $167 found 1 hour ago
Jetstar
Tue, Oct 21 - Thu, Oct 23
SYD
Sydney
CNS
Cairns
$173 Roundtrip, found 4 hours ago
$173
Roundtrip
found 4 hours ago
Select Jetstar flight, departing Tue, Oct 21 from Sydney to Cairns, returning Thu, Oct 23, priced at $173 found 4 hours ago
Jetstar
Sat, Mar 7 - Sun, Mar 8
SYD
Sydney
CNS
Cairns
$179 Roundtrip, just found
$179
Roundtrip
just found
Select Jetstar flight, departing Sat, Mar 7 from Sydney to Cairns, returning Sun, Mar 8, priced at $179 just found
Jetstar
Wed, Dec 10 - Fri, Dec 12
SYD
Sydney
CNS
Cairns
$180 Roundtrip, found 5 hours ago
$180
Roundtrip
found 5 hours ago
Select Jetstar flight, departing Wed, Dec 10 from Sydney to Cairns, returning Fri, Dec 12, priced at $180 found 5 hours ago
Jetstar
Thu, Mar 12 - Sun, Mar 15
SYD
Sydney
CNS
Cairns
$185 Roundtrip, just found
$185
Roundtrip
just found
Select Jetstar flight, departing Thu, Mar 12 from Sydney to Cairns, returning Sun, Mar 15, priced at $185 just found
Virgin Australia
Sat, Jan 31 - Mon, Feb 2
SYD
Sydney
CNS
Cairns
$208 Roundtrip, found 1 hour ago
$208
Roundtrip
found 1 hour ago
Select Virgin Australia flight, departing Sat, Jan 31 from Sydney to Cairns, returning Mon, Feb 2, priced at $208 found 1 hour ago
Qantas Airways
Fri, Jan 16 - Sat, Jan 17
SYD
Sydney
CNS
Cairns
$310 Roundtrip, found 6 days ago
$310
Roundtrip
found 6 days ago
Select Qantas Airways flight, departing Fri, Jan 16 from Sydney to Cairns, returning Sat, Jan 17, priced at $310 found 6 days ago

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

February is typically the cheapest month to fly

From $118 - $215 per traveler.

Alternative airports near Cairns

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

Select flight to Cairns Intl. CNS. Cheapest and Closest option available. Average driving time to city center is 8 minutes. Flights from $155
CNS
Cairns Intl.
CheapestClosest
Average driving time to city center8 min
Flights from $155

Frequently asked questions

How much does a flight from Kingsford Smith Intl. Airport (SYD) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) cost?
Grab a cheap one-way flight from $78 or cheap return flight from $155 from Kingsford Smith Intl. Airport (SYD) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) 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 Kingsford Smith Intl. Airport (SYD) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS)?
January is the cheapest month to fly from SYD to CNS. Planning your trip for the off-season is often the key to finding a great deal.
Which airlines fly direct from Kingsford Smith Intl. Airport (SYD) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS)?
Take the express route to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS). 3 carriers offer nonstop flights from Kingsford Smith Intl. Airport (SYD), including:

  • Jetstar
  • Virgin Australia
  • Qantas

What is the cheapest airline that flies from Kingsford Smith Intl. Airport (SYD) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS)?
While prices can change depending on your travel dates, budget airlines like Jetstar and Virgin Australia are often the cheapest options for flights between Kingsford Smith Intl. Airport (SYD) and Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS). Use Expedia's search tool to compare carriers and find the one that offers the best deal for your SYD to CNS flight.
How many flights per day from Kingsford Smith Intl. Airport (SYD) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS)?
Every day, an average of 5 nonstop flights take off from Kingsford Smith Intl. Airport (SYD) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS). Select the departure time that best suits your travel plans.
What are the most popular departure times for flights from Kingsford Smith Intl. Airport (SYD) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS)?
More people fly between SYD and CNS at 6 AM than at any other time of day. Rather skip the crowds? Consider flying outside peak hours and there's a chance you'll save on your fare as well.
What day of the week has the most flights from SYD to CNS?
Jet off on a Saturday if you're after the best selection of flights from Kingsford Smith Intl. Airport (SYD) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS).
What is the earliest flight from Kingsford Smith Intl. Airport (SYD) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS)?
Kingsford Smith Intl. Airport (SYD)'s first flight to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) is at approximately 6:00AM UTC+11. With a travel time of 3h, you'll touch down at around 8:00AM UTC+10.
How long does it take to fly from Kingsford Smith Intl. Airport (SYD) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS)?
Flights from SYD to CNS have an average travel time of 3 hours and 2 minutes. The total distance between the two is 1,250 mi.
What airline has the least delays from SYD to CNS?
Consider traveling with Virgin Australia if you'd like to go straight from Kingsford Smith Intl. Airport (SYD) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) without any interruptions. This carrier has the best track record for punctuality, with an on-time performance of 84%. Want real-time updates? You can check your flight status using the Expedia App.
What is the best time to fly from Kingsford Smith Intl. Airport (SYD) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS)?
Opt for a flight from Kingsford Smith Intl. Airport (SYD) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) that leaves before 3 PM to reduce the likelihood of delays and cancellations. Later departures have a 22% higher chance of being canceled, on average.**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 Kingsford Smith Intl. Airport (SYD)?
If you've booked a direct flight from Kingsford Smith Intl. Airport (SYD) to Cairns, Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) is the only airport you can touch down at.
Is it cheaper to buy a plane ticket from Kingsford Smith Intl. Airport (SYD) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) last-minute?
Holding off until just before your departure to book your flight from SYD to CNS often results in higher prices. Although you may find some last-minute offers, they're not always guaranteed. Keep your travel schedule open for the best chance of landing a bargain.
Is it cheaper to book a SYD to CNS flight and hotel package?
Compared with arranging flights and hotels separately, booking a SYD to CNS flight and hotel package with Expedia could lead to significant savings. Better yet, having everything in one place will take the stress out of travel planning. Just secure your flights and select from our extensive range of stays, then tailor your trip with other add-ons like tours, activities and car rentals.
Can I cancel or change the date of my flight from Kingsford Smith Intl. Airport (SYD) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS)?
It's usually possible to cancel or reschedule your SYD to CNS flight. However, if the booking was made more than 24 hours ago, additional fees may apply. Check your airline's policies in your itinerary to see what changes are allowed and if any costs are involved. You'll also find more details on our Customer Service portal.

Travel information

Travel information

Origin airport
Kingsford Smith Intl.
Destination airport
Cairns Intl.
Airlines serving
Jetstar, Qantas Airways, Virgin Australia
Roundtrip price
$154
Distance
1225 mi
Average flight time
2 hours 9 mins

Book with confidence

Book with confidence

Sydney to Cairns Flights

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

 

The best time to book a flight from Sydney to Cairns

Sunday is one of the best days to book for cheap flights from Sydney 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 Sydney 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 Sydney to Cairns 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 Sydney 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 Sydney 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.

 

Sydney to Cairns Flights

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