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Cheap flights from Sydney to Cairns from $123

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 5/12. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel.
SYD — CNS
6 Dec — 13 Dec1
1 adult
1 adult, Economy, 0 bags

Cheapflights Tip: The best prices from Sydney Kingsford Smith to Cairns are usually found in March or May, booked 28 days in advance, depart on a Tuesday or Thursday and return on a Wednesday

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Cheapest flights from Sydney to Cairns
Explore the most affordable flight options available from Sydney to Cairns. Find the lowest fares from popular airlines and budget airlines, with prices last updated on 6 November 2025.

Fri 12/1220:25SYD - CNS
Nonstop3h 05mJetstar
Sun 14/1206:40CNS - SYD
Nonstop3h 00mJetstar
Deal found 4/11$222
Sun 7/1220:25SYD - CNS
Nonstop3h 05mJetstar
Mon 8/1206:40CNS - SYD
Nonstop3h 00mJetstar
Deal found 4/11$225
Tue 2/1206:20SYD - CNS
Nonstop3h 00mJetstar
Thu 4/1206:40CNS - SYD
Nonstop3h 00mJetstar
Deal found 5/11$230
Fri 5/1206:20SYD - CNS
Nonstop3h 00mJetstar
Fri 12/1218:05CNS - SYD
Nonstop3h 00mJetstar
Deal found 4/11$231
Sat 6/1206:20SYD - CNS
Nonstop3h 00mJetstar
Mon 8/1206:40CNS - SYD
Nonstop3h 00mJetstar
Deal found 4/11$233
Fri 5/1215:25SYD - CNS
Nonstop3h 05mJetstar
Mon 8/1206:40CNS - SYD
Nonstop3h 00mJetstar
Deal found 4/11$242
Sat 29/1106:20SYD - CNS
Nonstop3h 00mJetstar
Thu 4/1218:05CNS - SYD
Nonstop3h 00mJetstar
Deal found 5/11$243
Tue 2/1206:20SYD - CNS
Nonstop3h 00mJetstar
Sat 6/1218:05CNS - SYD
Nonstop3h 00mJetstar
Deal found 4/11$245
Wed 3/1215:25SYD - CNS
Nonstop3h 05mJetstar
Sat 6/1218:05CNS - SYD
Nonstop3h 00mJetstar
Deal found 5/11$246
Wed 3/1215:25SYD - CNS
Nonstop3h 05mJetstar
Wed 10/1218:05CNS - SYD
Nonstop3h 00mJetstar
Deal found 5/11$248

Cheap flight deals from Sydney to Cairns

Discover tips and strategies to find the most affordable flight options for your journey from Sydney (SYD) 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 6 November 2025.

Round-trip from

$222

One-way from

$123

Popular in

December

Cheapest in

March

Average price

$340

Good round-trip deal

$263 or less

Good one-way deal

$154 or less
Jetstar
  • Jetstar
  • 12/12-14/12
  • Nonstop
  • 6h 05m total
  • Sydney to Cairns
Search Deals
Jetstar
  • Jetstar
  • 5/12
  • Nonstop
  • 3h 00m total
  • Sydney to Cairns
Search Deals
Highest demand for flights based on searches. 11% potential increase in price ($62 potential increase over avg. return price).
Search Deals
Cheapest flight prices on average. 2% potential price decrease ($14 potential savings vs. average return price).
Search Deals
Average for round-trip flights in November 2025
Search Deals
Price to beat on a round-trip flight from Sydney Kingsford Smith to Cairns.
Search Deals
Price to beat on a one-way flight from Sydney Kingsford Smith to Cairns.
Search Deals

Cheapflights Fare Finder

 
Customise your flight search to find flights from Sydney 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 6 November 2025.
Use the filters below to find and compare flights from Sydney to Cairns that are best for you.

Fly from

Sydney

Fly to

Cairns

Route

Depart

Return

Price

SydneyCairns

SYD - CNS

SYDCNS

Sydney Kingsford Smith

Sat 28/2

06:20-08:20

Nonstop3h 00m

Cairns

Sat 7/3

06:40-10:40

Nonstop3h 00m

$236

SydneyCairns

SYD - CNS

SYDCNS

Sydney Kingsford Smith

Fri 13/3

06:20-08:20

Nonstop3h 00m

Cairns

Fri 20/3

18:05-22:05

Nonstop3h 00m

$237

SydneyCairns

SYD - CNS

SYDCNS

Sydney Kingsford Smith

Wed 26/11

06:20-08:20

Nonstop3h 00m

Cairns

Sat 29/11

18:05-22:05

Nonstop3h 00m

$313

SydneyCairns

SYD - CNS

SYDCNS

Sydney Kingsford Smith

Mon 24/11

15:25-17:30

Nonstop3h 05m

Cairns

Sat 29/11

18:05-22:05

Nonstop3h 00m

$313

SydneyCairns

SYD - CNS

SYDCNS

Sydney Kingsford Smith

Tue 16/12

09:00-14:00

1 stop6h 00m

Cairns

Fri 19/12

17:35-21:35

Nonstop3h 00m

$362

SydneyCairns

SYD - CNS

SYDCNS

Sydney Kingsford Smith

Tue 31/3

12:40-14:55

Nonstop3h 15m

Cairns

Wed 1/4

18:15-22:10

Nonstop2h 55m

$374

SydneyCairns

SYD - CNS

SYDCNS

Sydney Kingsford Smith

Tue 31/3

20:45-22:50

Nonstop3h 05m

Cairns

Wed 1/4

06:45-10:45

Nonstop3h 00m

$380

SydneyCairns

SYD - CNS

SYDCNS

Sydney Kingsford Smith

Tue 25/11

06:20-08:20

Nonstop3h 00m

Cairns

Fri 28/11

06:40-10:40

Nonstop3h 00m

$390

SydneyCairns

SYD - CNS

SYDCNS

Sydney Kingsford Smith

Thu 22/1

10:00-16:40

1 stop7h 40m

Cairns

Tue 27/1

11:40-18:40

1 stop6h 00m

$411

SydneyCairns

SYD - CNS

SYDCNS

Sydney Kingsford Smith

Sun 14/12

15:25-17:30

Nonstop3h 05m

$145

Flights are sorted by cheapest return flights first.

Deals found on 5/11

Showing 1-10 of 21 results
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Best time to book a flight from Sydney to Cairns

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

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

Use this chart to determine the optimal time to book a return flight from Sydney to Cairns. Price data was last updated on 31 October 2025.

Booking 28 days in advance of your planned departure date is, on average, the best time to get cheap flights from Sydney to Cairns. The general trend is that the closer you book to the departure date, the more expensive your flight will be.

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

Currently, May is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from Sydney to Cairns (average of $120). Flying from Sydney to Cairns in July is currently the most expensive (average of $188). 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 SYD to CNS?

Find hourly flight availability from Sydney 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 6 November 2025.

When flying from Sydney 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 22% versus a flight at midday.

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

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

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

How much does it cost for a return flight from Sydney to Cairns?

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 6 November 2025.
Get a feel of what it's like to fly with Virgin Australia, Qantas Airways, andJetstar from Sydney 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.
Virgin Australia
7.6
Good
424 reviews
Check prices

Food

6.4

Boarding

7.7

Entertainment

6.4

Overall

7.6

Crew

8.2

Comfort

7.5

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
7.6
Good
424 reviews
Virgin Australia
7.6
Good
424 reviews
Check prices

Food

6.4

Boarding

7.7

Entertainment

6.4

Overall

7.6

Crew

8.2

Comfort

7.5

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.
Qantas Airways
7.5
Good
927 reviews
Virgin Australia
7.6
Good
424 reviews
Check prices

Food

6.4

Boarding

7.7

Entertainment

6.4

Overall

7.6

Crew

8.2

Comfort

7.5

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
6.6
Okay
480 reviews
Virgin Australia
7.6
Good
424 reviews
Check prices

Food

6.4

Boarding

7.7

Entertainment

6.4

Overall

7.6

Crew

8.2

Comfort

7.5

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.

Related info for your journey

Find useful and relevant information for your journey from Sydney 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 Sydney to Cairns?

    If you book a flight from Sydney to Cairns, you will be flying from Kingsford Smith to Cairns. Flights to Cairns (CNS) from Sydney Kingsford Smith (SYD) take 3h 00m for a nonstop flight. There are 30 flights from Kingsford Smith to Cairns per day from 3 airlines.

  • How popular is this Sydney to Cairns flight route?

    Flights from Sydney Kingsford Smith to Cairns have been viewed 8,663 times in the past calendar month.

  • How long is the flight from Sydney to Cairns?

    Airlines like Jetstar and Virgin Australia fly from Sydney to Cairns in about 3h. The time it takes to get you to your destination can typically vary by up to 3h. Sydney and Cairns are separated by a distance of 1970 km. This flight may include one or multiple stops.

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

    Cheapflights users have booked flights from Sydney to Cairns round-trip from $175. Other airlines that can offer you cheap pricing are Virgin Australia, from $199, and Qantas Airways, from $295. Jetstar is currently priced 44% below the average price you’ll pay for this route.

  • What are the most reliable airlines from Sydney to Cairns?

    Before booking your flight to Cairns from Sydney, have a look at the most reliable airlines to get you to your destination on time: Singapore Airlines (90%), Virgin Australia (89%), Air Canada( 87%).

  • What are the cheapest flights from Sydney to Cairns?

    While on average a flight from Sydney to Cairns is generally $1,533, our data shows the cheapest flight currently is $109. When looking at the most popular route, (Sydney Kingsford Smith - Cairns), you can expect to pay $208 for that flight.

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

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

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

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

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

    Yes. Cheapflights offers flight deals from Sydney 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 Sydney to Cairns?

    Currently, May is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from Sydney to Cairns (average of $120). Flying from Sydney to Cairns in July is currently the most expensive (average of $188). 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 Sydney to Cairns on these airlines

Choose from the following airlines for your flight from Sydney to Cairns. Flights are based on user searches made on Cheapflights and were last updated on 6 November 2025.
Jetstar flights from Sydney Kingsford Smith to Cairns
Virgin Australia flights from Sydney Kingsford Smith to Cairns
Qantas Airways flights from Sydney Kingsford Smith to Cairns

Top 3 airlines flying from Sydney to Cairns

Discover the top 3 airlines that operate flights from Sydney 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 6 November 2025.
AirlineCheapestAverageFlexibilityOn-time
JetstarCheapest$175Average$292FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time74%
Search Jetstar flights
Virgin AustraliaCheapest$199Average$379FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time80%
Search Virgin Australia flights
Qantas AirwaysCheapest$295Average$593FlexibilityNo 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 Sydney to Cairns?

Cheapflights goes through 900+ travel sites to look for the best flight deals for flights from Sydney to Cairns. Too many options? Cheapflights also provides filters for things like airlines, price ranges, and number of stops to help you make a decision easily.

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

Cheapflights simply makes it quick and affordable to book flights from Sydney to Cairns by bringing together all flight options from hundreds of airlines and agencies online — and put it in one place for you to choose from. Plus, Cheapflights is 100% free to use for all.

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

Cheapflights does show flights with no change fees to all users. To see these options for flights from Sydney to Cairns, users can toggle the no change fees filter when performing a flight search.

Can Cheapflights notify me if prices for flights from Sydney 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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