How much are direct flights to Cairns?

On average, a one-way direct flight to Cairns will cost users approximately $390. If you're looking for a direct return flight to Cairns, you can expect to pay around $1,255.

Which airlines fly direct to Cairns?

At the moment, Jetstar, Virgin Australia, Qantas Airways, Airnorth, Rex, Skytrans offer direct flights to Cairns. Jetstar is currently the most popular airline that flies direct to Cairns.

How long is a direct flight to Cairns?

While the flight duration depends heavily on the origin, travellers can expect non-stop flights to Cairns to last approximately 2h 38m on average. The quickest direct flight to Cairns at this time departs from Townsville (1h 00m), while the longest leaves from Perth (4h 10m).

What is the best time of year to fly direct to Cairns?

If you're seeking the lowest price on a direct flight to Cairns, May is worth consideration, as prices are usually at their lowest, on average. February may be most appealing to users looking for the quietest time to visit Cairns, when demand is typically at its lowest.

What is the most popular direct flight origin to Cairns?

Currently, the most popular direct flight origin to Cairns is Melbourne Airport. A return direct flight from Melbourne Airport to Cairns typically costs around $913.

At the moment, the best time to book a non-stop flight to Cairns is in March with an average price of $166. If you're looking to fly direct to Cairns in October, expect to pay the most, with an average price of $233. Keep in mind that different factors like airlines, departure airports, and times can affect the cost of your flight, so it's a good idea to compare these to find the best deal.

In terms of precipitation, rainfall in Cairns ranges from 20.0 - 430.0 mm per month. March is typically the wettest month, when rainfall can reach 430.0 mm. July is typically the driest time to visit Cairns when rainfall is around 20.0 mm.

Direct flights to Cairns

Find flight deals to Cairns

Cheapest flights to Cairns
Explore the most affordable flight options available to Cairns. Find the lowest fares based on data from user searches, with prices last updated on 18 July 2025.

Wed 30/719:45SYD - CNS

Nonstop3h 05mJetstar

Sat 2/819:00CNS - SYD

Nonstop2h 55mJetstar

Deal found 17/7$208

Mon 15/919:45SYD - CNS

Nonstop3h 05mMultiple Airlines

Mon 22/919:15CNS - SYD

Nonstop2h 55mMultiple Airlines

Deal found 16/7$261

Best flights to Cairns
Discover carefully curated flight deals to Cairns that have cost, travel time, and stopovers in mind to ensure you get the best travel experience. Data last updated 18 July 2025.

Wed 30/719:45SYD - CNS

Nonstop3h 05mJetstar

Sat 2/819:00CNS - SYD

Nonstop2h 55mJetstar

Deal found 17/7$208

Mon 15/919:45SYD - CNS

Nonstop3h 05mMultiple Airlines

Mon 22/919:15CNS - SYD

Nonstop2h 55mMultiple Airlines

Deal found 16/7$261

Last-minute flights to Cairns
Discover last-minute flight deals to Cairns. Data last updated 18 July 2025 and is based on user searches.

Wed 23/719:45SYD - CNS

Nonstop3h 05mJetstar

Wed 30/705:45CNS - SYD

Nonstop2h 55mJetstar

Deal found 16/7$211

Thu 24/715:10SYD - CNS

Nonstop3h 05mMultiple Airlines

Mon 28/717:35CNS - SYD

Nonstop2h 55mMultiple Airlines

Deal found 17/7$409

Thu 24/709:45SYD - CNS

Nonstop3h 10mQantas Airways

Wed 6/813:40CNS - SYD

Nonstop2h 55mQantas Airways

Deal found 17/7$3,528

Best time to book a flight to Cairns

Have a flexible travel schedule? Discover the best time to fly to Cairns with our price prediction graph.

Estimated return price

Rates are based on past data. Find the cheapest month and day to book your flight based on your travel requirements, then search for cheap deals.

Cheapflights Fare Finder

Use the filters below to find and compare direct flights to Cairns that are best for you.

Fly from

Route

Depart

Return

Price

SydneyCairns

SYD - CNS

SYDCNS

Sydney Kingsford Smith

Wed 30/7

19:45-22:50

Nonstop3h 05m

Cairns

Sat 2/8

19:00-21:55

Nonstop2h 55m

$208

SydneyCairns

SYD - CNS

SYDCNS

Sydney Kingsford Smith

Mon 15/9

19:45-22:50

Nonstop3h 05m

Cairns

Mon 22/9

19:15-22:10

Nonstop2h 55m

$261

SydneyCairns

SYD - CNS

SYDCNS

Sydney Kingsford Smith

Mon 13/10

06:10-08:15

Nonstop3h 05m

$114

SydneyCairns

SYD - CNS

SYDCNS

Sydney Kingsford Smith

Sun 10/8

15:20-18:35

Nonstop3h 15m

$147

SydneyCairns

SYD - CNS

SYDCNS

Sydney Kingsford Smith

Tue 25/11

09:45-11:50

Nonstop3h 05m

$250

Flights are sorted by cheapest return flights first.

Deals found on 18/7

Reviews of airlines flying non-stop to Cairns

Check out reviews from past customers who have flown Virgin Australia and Jetstar to Australia to help guide your decision. You can also see how each airline stacks up in terms of entertainment options, comfort, food, crew/service, and boarding process.

Virgin Australia

7.5

Good

408 reviews

Check prices

Reviews

1 / 20

6.0

Good

Andrew,June 2025

MEL - CNS

We didn’t eat or drink, but feel like a sardine. No room at all.

Virgin Australia

7.5

Good

408 reviews

Virgin Australia

7.5

Good

408 reviews

Check prices

Reviews

1 / 20

6.0

Good

Andrew,June 2025

MEL - CNS

We didn’t eat or drink, but feel like a sardine. No room at all.

Jetstar

6.5

Okay

458 reviews

Virgin Australia

7.5

Good

408 reviews

Check prices

Reviews

1 / 20

6.0

Good

Andrew,June 2025

MEL - CNS

We didn’t eat or drink, but feel like a sardine. No room at all.

Temperature and rainfall in Cairns by month

CNS Temperature	21 - 27 °C

CNS

Temperature

21 - 27 °C

If weather is an important factor for your trip to Cairns, use this chart to help with planning. For those seeking warmer temperatures, January is the ideal time of year to visit, when temperatures reach an average of 27.0 C. Travellers hoping to avoid the cold should look outside of June, when temperatures are typically at their lowest (around 21.0 C).

FAQ about direct flights to Cairns

How much are direct flights to Cairns?
On average, a one-way direct flight to Cairns will cost users approximately $390. If you're looking for a direct return flight to Cairns, you can expect to pay around $1,255.
Which airlines fly direct to Cairns?
At the moment, Jetstar, Virgin Australia, Qantas Airways, Airnorth, Rex, Skytrans offer direct flights to Cairns. Jetstar is currently the most popular airline that flies direct to Cairns.
How long is a direct flight to Cairns?
While the flight duration depends heavily on the origin, travellers can expect non-stop flights to Cairns to last approximately 2h 38m on average. The quickest direct flight to Cairns at this time departs from Townsville (1h 00m), while the longest leaves from Perth (4h 10m).
What is the best time of year to fly direct to Cairns?
If you're seeking the lowest price on a direct flight to Cairns, May is worth consideration, as prices are usually at their lowest, on average. February may be most appealing to users looking for the quietest time to visit Cairns, when demand is typically at its lowest.
What is the most popular direct flight origin to Cairns?
Currently, the most popular direct flight origin to Cairns is Melbourne Airport. A return direct flight from Melbourne Airport to Cairns typically costs around $913.

See more FAQs

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$114+ Direct flights to Cairns

This is the cheapest price on a non-stop flight to Cairns found by a Cheapflights user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight departing on 13/10. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel.

Find flight deals to Cairns

Cheapest flights to CairnsExplore the most affordable flight options available to Cairns. Find the lowest fares based on data from user searches, with prices last updated on 18 July 2025.

Explore the most affordable flight options available to Cairns. Find the lowest fares based on data from user searches, with prices last updated on 18 July 2025.

Best time to book a flight to Cairns

Have a flexible travel schedule? Discover the best time to fly to Cairns with our price prediction graph.

Cheapflights Fare Finder

Use the slider to find non-stop flights to Cairns within your budget. Price data is based on user searches made on Cheapflights. Over the past seven days, Cheapflights users made 647,157 searches and data was last updated on 18 July 2025.

Use the filters below to find and compare direct flights to Cairns that are best for you.

Reviews of airlines flying non-stop to Cairns

Check out reviews from past customers who have flown Virgin Australia and Jetstar to Australia to help guide your decision. You can also see how each airline stacks up in terms of entertainment options, comfort, food, crew/service, and boarding process.

Temperature and rainfall in Cairns by month

Plan your trip to Cairns by taking into account the average temperature and rainfall totals by month.

FAQ about direct flights to Cairns

Find answers to frequently asked questions about direct flights to Cairns to unlock the best deals on Cheapflights.

How much are direct flights to Cairns?

Which airlines fly direct to Cairns?

How long is a direct flight to Cairns?

What is the best time of year to fly direct to Cairns?

What is the most popular direct flight origin to Cairns?

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Cheapest flights to Cairns
Explore the most affordable flight options available to Cairns. Find the lowest fares based on data from user searches, with prices last updated on 18 July 2025.