Cheap flights from Darwin to Cairns from $293

This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a Cheapflights user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight departing on 26/1. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel.
DRW — CNS
18 Dec — 25 Dec1
1 adult
1 adult, Economy, 0 bags

Cheapflights Tip: The best prices from Darwin to Cairns are usually found in February or January, booked 36 days in advance, depart on a Sunday or Monday and return on a Thursday

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Cheapest flights from Darwin to Cairns
Explore the most affordable flight options available from Darwin to Cairns. Find the lowest fares from popular airlines and budget airlines, with prices last updated on 18 November 2025.

Wed 3/1206:00DRW - CNS
Nonstop2h 35mMultiple Airlines
Wed 10/1206:00CNS - DRW
1 stop9h 45mMultiple Airlines
Deal found 16/11$712
Wed 31/1214:20DRW - CNS
1 stop8h 15mVirgin Australia
Wed 7/106:00CNS - DRW
1 stop8h 05mVirgin Australia
Deal found 16/11$715
Wed 3/1212:20DRW - CNS
1 stop16h 55mJetstar
Wed 10/1206:00CNS - DRW
1 stop9h 45mJetstar
Deal found 16/11$735
Wed 31/1214:20DRW - CNS
1 stop8h 15mMultiple Airlines
Wed 7/109:45CNS - DRW
Nonstop2h 35mMultiple Airlines
Deal found 16/11$748
Wed 31/1206:00DRW - CNS
Nonstop2h 35mQantas Airways
Wed 7/109:45CNS - DRW
Nonstop2h 35mQantas Airways
Deal found 16/11$749
Tue 30/1206:00DRW - CNS
Nonstop2h 35mQantas Airways
Tue 6/109:45CNS - DRW
Nonstop2h 35mQantas Airways
Deal found 15/11$752
Wed 3/1206:00DRW - CNS
Nonstop2h 35mQantas Airways
Wed 10/1209:45CNS - DRW
Nonstop2h 35mQantas Airways
Deal found 16/11$754
Sun 30/1115:55DRW - CNS
1 stop16h 55mJetstar
Thu 4/1206:00CNS - DRW
1 stop9h 45mJetstar
Deal found 15/11$806
Tue 30/1214:20DRW - CNS
1 stop8h 15mVirgin Australia
Tue 6/106:00CNS - DRW
1 stop8h 05mVirgin Australia
Deal found 15/11$815
Tue 30/1214:20DRW - CNS
1 stop20h 10mMultiple Airlines
Tue 6/109:45CNS - DRW
Nonstop2h 35mMultiple Airlines
Deal found 15/11$854
Sun 30/1107:20DRW - CNS
1 stop3h 30mMultiple Airlines
Thu 4/1209:45CNS - DRW
Nonstop2h 35mMultiple Airlines
Deal found 15/11$860
Fri 21/1108:00DRW - CNS
1 stop3h 30mAirnorth
Thu 27/1112:20CNS - DRW
1 stop3h 30mAirnorth
Deal found 16/11$883

Cheap flight deals from Darwin to Cairns

Discover tips and strategies to find the most affordable flight options for your journey from Darwin (DRW) to Cairns (CNS). Learn about various techniques such as flexible date searches, comparing prices across and setting up price alerts. Use these methods to find the cheapest flights available for your travel needs. Data last updated 18 November 2025.

Round-trip from

$688

One-way from

$293

Popular in

July

Cheapest in

February

Average price

$791

Good round-trip deal

$869 or less

Good one-way deal

$409 or less
Virgin Australia
  • Virgin Australia
  • 1/1-8/1
  • 2 total stops
  • 16h 20m total
  • Darwin to Cairns
Jetstar
  • Jetstar
  • 26/1
  • 1 total stop
  • 18h 55m total
  • Darwin to Cairns
Highest demand for flights based on searches. 10% potential increase in price ($138 potential increase over avg. return price).
Cheapest flight prices on average. 2% potential price decrease ($26 potential savings vs. average return price).
Average for round-trip flights in November 2025
Price to beat on a round-trip flight from Darwin to Cairns.
Price to beat on a one-way flight from Darwin to Cairns.

Cheapflights Fare Finder

 
Customise your flight search to find flights from Darwin to Cairns that fit within your specific budget. Explore options based on user searches and filter the results based on your desired price range. Find flights that match your budget for a cost-effective journey. Over the last 7 days, Cheapflights users made 647,157 searches. Data last updated 18 November 2025.
Use the filters below to find and compare flights from Darwin to Cairns that are best for you.

Fly from

Darwin

Fly to

Cairns

Route

Depart

Return

Price

DarwinCairns

DRW - CNS

DRWCNS

Darwin

Thu 8/1

12:50-21:00

1 stop7h 40m

Cairns

Sun 11/1

09:45-11:50

Nonstop2h 35m

$688

DarwinCairns

DRW - CNS

DRWCNS

Darwin

Wed 3/12

06:00-09:05

Nonstop2h 35m

Cairns

Wed 10/12

06:00-15:15

1 stop9h 45m

$712

DarwinCairns

DRW - CNS

DRWCNS

Darwin

Wed 31/12

14:20-23:05

1 stop8h 15m

Cairns

Wed 7/1

06:00-13:35

1 stop8h 05m

$715

DarwinCairns

DRW - CNS

DRWCNS

Darwin

Thu 1/1

06:00-09:05

Nonstop2h 35m

Cairns

Thu 8/1

06:00-13:35

1 stop8h 05m

$717

DarwinCairns

DRW - CNS

DRWCNS

Darwin

Wed 3/12

12:20-05:45

1 stop16h 55m

Cairns

Wed 10/12

06:00-15:15

1 stop9h 45m

$735

DarwinCairns

DRW - CNS

DRWCNS

Darwin

Thu 1/1

06:00-09:05

Nonstop2h 35m

Cairns

Thu 8/1

09:45-11:50

Nonstop2h 35m

$751

DarwinCairns

DRW - CNS

DRWCNS

Darwin

Wed 3/12

12:20-05:45

1 stop16h 55m

Cairns

Sun 7/12

09:05-14:15

1 stop29h 40m

$765

DarwinCairns

DRW - CNS

DRWCNS

Darwin

Wed 3/12

06:00-09:05

Nonstop2h 35m

Cairns

Sun 7/12

09:45-11:50

Nonstop2h 35m

$771

DarwinCairns

DRW - CNS

DRWCNS

Darwin

Wed 7/1

00:10-22:30

1 stop21h 50m

Cairns

Sun 11/1

09:45-11:50

Nonstop2h 35m

$772

DarwinCairns

DRW - CNS

DRWCNS

Darwin

Sun 10/5

01:20-18:20

1 stop16h 30m

Cairns

Wed 13/5

09:40-00:50

1 stop15h 40m

$788

Flights are sorted by cheapest return flights first.

Deals found on 16/11

Showing 1-10 of 20 results
1
2

Best time to book a flight from Darwin to Cairns

Have a flexible travel schedule? Discover the best time to fly to Cairns from Darwin 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 Insights

Everything you need to know about your flight from Darwin to Cairns

How far ahead should I book a flight from Darwin to Cairns?

Use this chart to determine the optimal time to book a return flight from Darwin to Cairns. Price data was last updated on 14 November 2025.

To ensure you get the cheapest price possible for a flight from Darwin to Cairns, you should look to book at least 36 days in advance of your intended travel date. The price of your flight may increase if you delay and leave booking until a week or so before departure.

What is the cheapest month to book a flight from Darwin to Cairns?

Currently, December is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from Darwin to Cairns (average of $282). Flying from Darwin to Cairns in October is currently the most expensive (average of $645). There are several factors that can impact the price of a flight, so comparing airlines, departure airports and flight times can provide users with more options.

What is the cheapest time of day to fly from DRW to CNS?

Find hourly flight availability from Darwin to Cairns. Discover flight options and departure times throughout the day, allowing you to choose a departure time that suits your schedule. Data last updated 18 November 2025.

When flying from Darwin to Cairns, the time of day you fly usually plays a role in the price. Save by searching for a flight in the evening, which can drop the price by up to 26% versus a flight at midday.

What is the cheapest day to fly from Darwin to Cairns?

Use this chart to determine the cheapest time to fly return from Darwin to Cairns. Price data was last updated on 2 November 2025.

Travellers seeking maximum savings on their Darwin to Cairns flight should consider departing on Friday evenings when fares are most often at their lowest. Thursday evenings flights should be avoided if possible as fares are typically the most expensive at this time.

Reviews of airlines servicing Cairns

Get insights into the airlines that provide service to Cairns. Read reviews, discover amenities, and learn about the overall travel experience offered by airlines. Use this information to make informed decisions when choosing an airline for your flight to Cairns. Reviews last updated 18 November 2025.
Get a feel of what it's like to fly with Qantas Airways, Virgin Australia, andJetstar from Darwin to Cairns by reading reviews from past customers. Users have also rated airlines in terms of entertainment options, comfort, food, crew/service, and boarding process.

Food

7.0

Entertainment

7.2

Overall

7.6

Boarding

7.7

Crew

8.2

Comfort

7.5

Reviews

1 / 20
10.0
Excellent

Carol,Oct 2025

ADL - MEL

Smooth flight, good onboard staff who were very caring when I didn’t feel very well.

Food

7.0

Entertainment

7.2

Overall

7.6

Boarding

7.7

Crew

8.2

Comfort

7.5

Reviews

1 / 20
10.0
Excellent

Carol,Oct 2025

ADL - MEL

Smooth flight, good onboard staff who were very caring when I didn’t feel very well.

Food

7.0

Entertainment

7.2

Overall

7.6

Boarding

7.7

Crew

8.2

Comfort

7.5

Reviews

1 / 20
10.0
Excellent

Carol,Oct 2025

ADL - MEL

Smooth flight, good onboard staff who were very caring when I didn’t feel very well.

Food

7.0

Entertainment

7.2

Overall

7.6

Boarding

7.7

Crew

8.2

Comfort

7.5

Reviews

1 / 20
10.0
Excellent

Carol,Oct 2025

ADL - MEL

Smooth flight, good onboard staff who were very caring when I didn’t feel very well.

Related info for your journey

Find useful and relevant information for your journey from Darwin to Cairns. Access travel guides, tips, and recommendations to enhance your travel experience. Get information about local attractions, weather, transportation options, and more.
  • What airports do I use to fly from Darwin to Cairns?

    If you wish to fly to Cairns from Darwin, then you need to book flights from Darwin to Cairns. There are 3 flights from Darwin (DRW) to Cairns (CNS) per day to choose from. Flights to Cairns from Darwin are available from 4 different airlines, which means you should have some options if you want to compare airfare deals. 2h 30m is how long a nonstop flight from Darwin to Cairns typically takes.

  • How popular is this Darwin to Cairns flight route?

  • How long is the flight from Darwin to Cairns?

    Departing from Darwin to Cairns will take you 7h 40m. Darwin and Cairns are separated by a distance of 1674 km. Both multi-stop and direct flights can be found to your destination and back.

  • What are the cheapest airlines flying from Darwin to Cairns round-trip?

    Currently priced at $261, Jetstar will fly you from Darwin to Cairns and back. In addition to Jetstar, many other airlines offer competitively priced options for your trip. Search Cheapflights for deals from Airnorth and Virgin Australia - these airlines can fly you to your destination from $400 and $530, respectively. Jetstar is currently priced 66% below the average price you’ll pay for this route.

  • What are the cheapest flights from Darwin to Cairns?

    Looking for the cheapest flight from Darwin to Cairns? While on average our users pay $660, our data indicates the cheapest price to be $374. The most popular route (Darwin - Cairns), is priced around $634.

  • Can I find deals for flights from Darwin to Cairns that include hotel bookings?

    Yes. In addition to deals on Darwin to Cairns flights, Cheapflights offers holiday packages that include both flights and hotel.

  • How can I find direct flights from Darwin to Cairns?

    After entering your origin and destination, apply the non-stop filter on the search result page to find direct flights from Darwin to Cairns.

  • Can I find deals for business class flights from Darwin to Cairns?

    Yes. Cheapflights offers flight deals from Darwin to Cairns by cabin class. In addition to browsing deals, you can also filter by cabin class on the search results page after making a search.

  • What is the cheapest month to book a flight from Darwin to Cairns?

    Currently, December is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from Darwin to Cairns (average of $282). Flying from Darwin to Cairns in October is currently the most expensive (average of $645). There are several factors that can impact the price of a flight, so comparing airlines, departure airports and flight times can provide users with more options.

See more FAQs

Travelling to a place near Cairns?

Book flights to Cairns if you plan to visit one of these locations
Mission Beach
Trinity Beach

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Fly from Darwin to Cairns on these airlines

Choose from the following airlines for your flight from Darwin to Cairns. Flights are based on user searches made on Cheapflights and were last updated on 18 November 2025.

Top 4 airlines flying from Darwin to Cairns

Discover the top 4 airlines that operate flights from Darwin to Cairns. Compare their services, reliability, and customer satisfaction ratings to choose the airline that best suits your travel preferences and needs. Over the last 7 days, Cheapflights users made 647,157 searches. Data last updated 18 November 2025.
AirlineCheapestAverageFlexibilityOn-time
JetstarCheapest$261Average$682FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time74%
Search Jetstar flights
AirnorthCheapest$400Average$632FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-timeN/A
Search Airnorth flights
Virgin AustraliaCheapest$530Average$745FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time80%
Search Virgin Australia flights
Qantas AirwaysCheapest$559Average$785FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time74%
Search Qantas Airways flights

Fly with Cheapflights

Find the best flight deals on Cheapflights, where travellers can enjoy low prices and a wide availability of flights to their desired destinations.

How does Cheapflights help users find flights from Darwin to Cairns?

Deals for Darwin to Cairns flights are sourced from 900+ travel sites when you use Cheapflights. When all flight results come back, Cheapflights lets you sort and filter flights using different criteria to choose better, like price, airport, cabin class, and plenty of other options.

Why should you use Cheapflights to find cheap flight tickets from Darwin to Cairns?

By finding flights from multiple airlines and providers at completely no cost, Cheapflights helps millions of users like you annually find the best flights to Cairns from Darwin.

Can Cheapflights find flights from Darwin to Cairns with no change fees?

Certainly. Search results for flights to Cairns from Darwin shown to you on Cheapflights can be narrowed down with different useful search filters, which includes flexible booking options.

Can Cheapflights notify me if prices for flights from Darwin to Cairns become cheaper?

Yes, and it’s super simple to set up. Click the bell icon next to the flight deals above and provide a valid email address to enable Price Alerts. That’s it!

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