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Cheap flights from Darwin to Cairns from $251

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 19/8. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel.
DRW — CNS
23 Jul — 30 Jul1
1 adult

Cheapflights Tip: The best prices from Darwin to Cairns are usually found in October or January, booked 4 days in advance, depart on a Wednesday or Monday and return on a Wednesday

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 July 2025.

Round-trip from

$538

One-way from

$251

Popular in

July

Cheapest in

October

Average price

$905

Good round-trip deal

$888 or less

Good one-way deal

$387 or less
Jetstar
  • Jetstar
  • 19/8-27/8
  • 2 total stops
  • 18h 45m total
  • Darwin to Cairns
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Jetstar
  • Jetstar
  • 19/8
  • 1 total stop
  • 30h 25m total
  • Darwin to Cairns
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Highest demand for flights based on searches. 13% potential increase in price ($165 potential increase over avg. return price).
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Cheapest flight prices on average. 2% potential price decrease ($29 potential savings vs. average return price).
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Average for round-trip flights in July 2025
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Price to beat on a round-trip flight from Darwin to Cairns.
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Price to beat on a one-way flight from Darwin to Cairns.
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Find flight deals from Darwin to Cairns

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 July 2025.

Tue 19/801:30DRW - CNS
1 stop9h 15mJetstar
Wed 27/815:35CNS - DRW
1 stop9h 30mJetstar
Deal found 17/7$538
Sun 31/801:30DRW - CNS
1 stop9h 15mMultiple Airlines
Mon 8/911:50CNS - DRW
1 stop13h 15mMultiple Airlines
Deal found 18/7$612
Mon 1/906:15DRW - CNS
Nonstop2h 30mQantas Airways
Mon 8/917:45CNS - DRW
Nonstop2h 40mQantas Airways
Deal found 18/7$753
Thu 28/801:30DRW - CNS
1 stop21h 35mVirgin Australia
Mon 1/919:15CNS - DRW
2 stops29h 05mVirgin Australia
Deal found 18/7$801

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 July 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

Tue 19/8

01:30-11:15

1 stop9h 15m

Cairns

Wed 27/8

15:35-00:35

1 stop9h 30m

$538

DarwinCairns

DRW - CNS

DRWCNS

Darwin

Sun 31/8

01:30-11:15

1 stop9h 15m

Cairns

Mon 8/9

11:50-00:35

1 stop13h 15m

$612

DarwinCairns

DRW - CNS

DRWCNS

Darwin

Mon 1/9

06:15-09:15

Nonstop2h 30m

Cairns

Mon 8/9

17:45-19:55

Nonstop2h 40m

$753

DarwinCairns

DRW - CNS

DRWCNS

Darwin

Thu 28/8

01:30-23:35

1 stop21h 35m

Cairns

Mon 1/9

19:15-23:50

2 stops29h 05m

$801

DarwinCairns

DRW - CNS

DRWCNS

Darwin

Tue 19/8

01:30-08:25

1 stop30h 25m

$251

DarwinCairns

DRW - CNS

DRWCNS

Darwin

Wed 20/8

12:20-06:20

1 stop17h 30m

$335

DarwinCairns

DRW - CNS

DRWCNS

Darwin

Fri 24/10

06:15-09:15

Nonstop2h 30m

$378

DarwinCairns

DRW - CNS

DRWCNS

Darwin

Wed 3/9

00:35-18:35

2 stops17h 30m

$409

Flights are sorted by cheapest return flights first.

Deals found on 18/7

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 11 July 2025.

To ensure you get the cheapest price possible for a flight from Darwin to Cairns, you should look to book at least 4 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, March is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from Darwin to Cairns (average of $166). Flying from Darwin to Cairns in October is currently the most expensive (average of $233). 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 July 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 afternoon, which can drop the price by up to 7% 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 13 July 2025.

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

Weekly flight availability from Darwin to Cairns

Explore weekly flight availability from Darwin to Cairns. Discover flights operating on different days of the week, giving you the flexibility to choose a travel day that best fits your plans. Compare info to find the most convenient option for your journey. Data last updated 18 July 2025.

The most flights from DRW to CNS are scheduled on a Monday (4 on average). You will have fewer flight options on Tuesday, which is when the least amount of flights are scheduled (3 on average).

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 July 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.
Qantas Airways
7.5
Good
879 reviews
Check prices

Comfort

7.4

Food

6.9

Overall

7.5

Crew

8.2

Boarding

7.7

Entertainment

7.2

Reviews

1 / 20
4.0
Okay

Hendrik Bernardus,May 2025

SYD - PER

These economy class seats must be as cramped as they can possibly get? It's almost impossible for two adults to sit next to each other. The blonde Australian air hostess at the back was rude. Despite Qantas' bad service overall I've now had a few experiences where the attitude of the team on board just makes up for their flights always being late. This was not one of those flights. The ice cream is a nice touch!
Qantas Airways
7.5
Good
879 reviews
Qantas Airways
7.5
Good
879 reviews
Check prices

Comfort

7.4

Food

6.9

Overall

7.5

Crew

8.2

Boarding

7.7

Entertainment

7.2

Reviews

1 / 20
4.0
Okay

Hendrik Bernardus,May 2025

SYD - PER

These economy class seats must be as cramped as they can possibly get? It's almost impossible for two adults to sit next to each other. The blonde Australian air hostess at the back was rude. Despite Qantas' bad service overall I've now had a few experiences where the attitude of the team on board just makes up for their flights always being late. This was not one of those flights. The ice cream is a nice touch!
Virgin Australia
7.5
Good
408 reviews
Qantas Airways
7.5
Good
879 reviews
Check prices

Comfort

7.4

Food

6.9

Overall

7.5

Crew

8.2

Boarding

7.7

Entertainment

7.2

Reviews

1 / 20
4.0
Okay

Hendrik Bernardus,May 2025

SYD - PER

These economy class seats must be as cramped as they can possibly get? It's almost impossible for two adults to sit next to each other. The blonde Australian air hostess at the back was rude. Despite Qantas' bad service overall I've now had a few experiences where the attitude of the team on board just makes up for their flights always being late. This was not one of those flights. The ice cream is a nice touch!
Jetstar
6.5
Okay
458 reviews
Qantas Airways
7.5
Good
879 reviews
Check prices

Comfort

7.4

Food

6.9

Overall

7.5

Crew

8.2

Boarding

7.7

Entertainment

7.2

Reviews

1 / 20
4.0
Okay

Hendrik Bernardus,May 2025

SYD - PER

These economy class seats must be as cramped as they can possibly get? It's almost impossible for two adults to sit next to each other. The blonde Australian air hostess at the back was rude. Despite Qantas' bad service overall I've now had a few experiences where the attitude of the team on board just makes up for their flights always being late. This was not one of those flights. The ice cream is a nice touch!

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 3 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?

    Within the past month, 295 users have taken a look at flights from Darwin to Cairns.

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

    Currently priced at $538, 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 Qantas Airways and Virgin Australia - these airlines can fly you to your destination from $753 and $801, respectively. Jetstar is currently priced 24% below the average price you’ll pay for this route.

  • What are the cheapest airlines to fly from Darwin to Cairns one-way?

    To fly one-way, consider booking your trip with Jetstar, which is currently one of the cheapest options available, starting at $251. Qantas Airways flights start at $378 while deals on Virgin Australia start at $409 one-way.

  • What are the cheapest flights from Darwin to Cairns?

    Looking for the cheapest flight from Darwin to Cairns? While on average our users pay $707, our data indicates the cheapest price to be $326. The most popular route (Darwin - Cairns), is priced around $614.

  • 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, March is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from Darwin to Cairns (average of $166). Flying from Darwin to Cairns in October is currently the most expensive (average of $233). 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
Trinity Beach
Mission 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 July 2025.
Qantas Airways flights from Darwin to Cairns
Jetstar flights from Darwin to Cairns
Airnorth flights from Darwin to Cairns

Top 3 airlines flying from Darwin to Cairns

Discover the top 3 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 July 2025.
AirlineCheapestAverageFlexibilityOn-time
JetstarCheapest$282Average$625FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time74%
Search Jetstar flights
AirnorthCheapest$396Average$696FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-timeN/A
Search Airnorth flights
Qantas AirwaysCheapest$538Average$757FlexibilityNo 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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