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Cheap flights from Cairns to Sydney from $121

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 18/9. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel.
CNS — SYD
12 Oct — 19 Oct1
1 adult
1 adult, Economy

Cheapflights Tip: The best prices from Cairns to Sydney Kingsford Smith are usually found in March or June, booked 83 days in advance, depart on a Thursday or Saturday and return on a Tuesday

Cheap flight deals from Cairns to Sydney

Discover tips and strategies to find the most affordable flight options for your journey from Cairns (CNS) to Sydney (SYD). 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 12 September 2025.

Round-trip from

$211

One-way from

$121

Popular in

April

Cheapest in

March

Average price

$296

Good round-trip deal

$230 or less

Good one-way deal

$161 or less
Jetstar
  • Jetstar
  • 1/10-14/10
  • Nonstop
  • 6h 00m total
  • Cairns to Sydney
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Jetstar
  • Jetstar
  • 18/9
  • Nonstop
  • 2h 55m total
  • Cairns to Sydney
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High demand for flights, 6% potential price rise
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Cheapest flight prices on average. 2% potential price decrease ($11 potential savings vs. average return price).
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Average for round-trip flights in September 2025
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Price to beat on a round-trip flight from Cairns to Sydney Kingsford Smith.
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Price to beat on a one-way flight from Cairns to Sydney Kingsford Smith.
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Find flight deals from Cairns to Sydney

Cheapest flights from Cairns to Sydney
Explore the most affordable flight options available from Cairns to Sydney. Find the lowest fares from popular airlines and budget airlines, with prices last updated on 12 September 2025.

Wed 1/1005:45CNS - SYD
Nonstop2h 55mJetstar
Tue 14/1020:45SYD - CNS
Nonstop3h 05mJetstar
Deal found 10/9$211
Fri 17/1018:00CNS - SYD
Nonstop2h 55mJetstar
Sun 19/1006:10SYD - CNS
Nonstop3h 05mJetstar
Deal found 11/9$213
Wed 15/1005:45CNS - SYD
Nonstop2h 55mJetstar
Sat 18/1020:45SYD - CNS
Nonstop3h 05mJetstar
Deal found 10/9$214
Wed 15/1005:45CNS - SYD
Nonstop2h 55mJetstar
Fri 17/1020:45SYD - CNS
Nonstop3h 05mJetstar
Deal found 11/9$217
Wed 17/905:45CNS - SYD
Nonstop2h 55mJetstar
Sun 21/919:45SYD - CNS
Nonstop3h 05mJetstar
Deal found 10/9$222
Thu 18/919:00CNS - SYD
Nonstop2h 55mJetstar
Mon 22/919:45SYD - CNS
Nonstop3h 05mJetstar
Deal found 11/9$223
Wed 10/1218:05CNS - SYD
Nonstop3h 00mJetstar
Sun 14/1206:20SYD - CNS
Nonstop3h 00mJetstar
Deal found 11/9$225
Fri 17/1018:00CNS - SYD
Nonstop2h 55mJetstar
Mon 20/1020:45SYD - CNS
Nonstop3h 05mJetstar
Deal found 10/9$231
Thu 11/1218:05CNS - SYD
Nonstop3h 00mJetstar
Mon 15/1220:25SYD - CNS
Nonstop3h 05mJetstar
Deal found 12/9$234
Fri 19/919:00CNS - SYD
Nonstop2h 55mJetstar
Tue 23/906:10SYD - CNS
Nonstop3h 05mJetstar
Deal found 12/9$235

Cheapflights Fare Finder

 
Customise your flight search to find flights from Cairns to Sydney 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 12 September 2025.
Use the filters below to find and compare flights from Cairns to Sydney that are best for you.

Fly from

Cairns

Fly to

Sydney

Route

Depart

Return

Price

CairnsSydney

CNS - SYD

CNSSYD

Cairns

Sat 18/10

18:00-21:55

Nonstop2h 55m

Sydney Kingsford Smith

Sun 19/10

06:10-08:15

Nonstop3h 05m

$213

CairnsSydney

CNS - SYD

CNSSYD

Cairns

Wed 15/10

05:45-09:40

Nonstop2h 55m

Sydney Kingsford Smith

Sat 18/10

20:45-22:50

Nonstop3h 05m

$214

CairnsSydney

CNS - SYD

CNSSYD

Cairns

Wed 11/3

06:40-10:40

Nonstop3h 00m

Sydney Kingsford Smith

Sun 15/3

06:20-08:20

Nonstop3h 00m

$216

CairnsSydney

CNS - SYD

CNSSYD

Cairns

Sat 10/1

09:00-12:55

Nonstop2h 55m

Sydney Kingsford Smith

Mon 12/1

20:25-22:30

Nonstop3h 05m

$216

CairnsSydney

CNS - SYD

CNSSYD

Cairns

Tue 2/12

18:05-22:05

Nonstop3h 00m

Sydney Kingsford Smith

Tue 9/12

06:20-08:20

Nonstop3h 00m

$225

CairnsSydney

CNS - SYD

CNSSYD

Cairns

Wed 10/12

18:05-22:05

Nonstop3h 00m

Sydney Kingsford Smith

Fri 12/12

06:20-08:20

Nonstop3h 00m

$225

CairnsSydney

CNS - SYD

CNSSYD

Cairns

Sat 25/10

18:00-21:55

Nonstop2h 55m

Sydney Kingsford Smith

Sat 1/11

06:20-08:20

Nonstop3h 00m

$270

CairnsSydney

CNS - SYD

CNSSYD

Cairns

Wed 10/12

18:05-22:05

Nonstop3h 00m

Sydney Kingsford Smith

Wed 17/12

20:25-22:30

Nonstop3h 05m

$273

CairnsSydney

CNS - SYD

CNSSYD

Cairns

Sun 9/11

17:35-21:35

Nonstop3h 00m

Sydney Kingsford Smith

Tue 11/11

06:20-08:20

Nonstop3h 00m

$302

CairnsSydney

CNS - SYD

CNSSYD

Cairns

Fri 17/10

18:00-21:55

Nonstop2h 55m

$122

Flights are sorted by cheapest return flights first.

Deals found on 10/9

Showing 1-10 of 19 results
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Best time to book a flight from Cairns to Sydney

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

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

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

Use this chart to determine the optimal time to book a return flight from Cairns to Sydney. Price data was last updated on 29 August 2025.

The best time to book flights from Cairns to Sydney is 83 days before your desired departure date. The cost of your flight will likely increase significantly if you book two weeks in advance of your flight.

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

Currently, May is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from Cairns to Sydney (average of $129). Flying from Cairns to Sydney in October is currently the most expensive (average of $171). 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 CNS to SYD?

Find hourly flight availability from Cairns to Sydney. Discover flight options and departure times throughout the day, allowing you to choose a departure time that suits your schedule. Data last updated 12 September 2025.

A simple way to save on the total cost of your ticket is to fly from Cairns to Sydney in the evening. If you’re flexible enough to do this you can expect to save up to 88% on your trip compared to booking a flight at midday.

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

Use this chart to determine the cheapest time to fly return from Cairns to Sydney. Price data was last updated on 7 September 2025.

Travellers seeking maximum savings on their Cairns to Sydney flight should consider departing on Wednesday evenings 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.

Reviews of airlines servicing Sydney

Get insights into the airlines that provide service to Sydney. 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 Sydney. Reviews last updated 12 September 2025.
See what other customers who have flown with Virgin Australia, Qantas Airways, andJetstar from Cairns to Sydney have to say. You can also see how each airline compares in terms of entertainment options, comfort, food, crew/service, and boarding process.
Virgin Australia
7.6
Good
416 reviews
Check prices

Crew

8.2

Overall

7.6

Entertainment

6.4

Comfort

7.5

Food

6.4

Boarding

7.7

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
416 reviews
Virgin Australia
7.6
Good
416 reviews
Check prices

Crew

8.2

Overall

7.6

Entertainment

6.4

Comfort

7.5

Food

6.4

Boarding

7.7

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
905 reviews
Virgin Australia
7.6
Good
416 reviews
Check prices

Crew

8.2

Overall

7.6

Entertainment

6.4

Comfort

7.5

Food

6.4

Boarding

7.7

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
474 reviews
Virgin Australia
7.6
Good
416 reviews
Check prices

Crew

8.2

Overall

7.6

Entertainment

6.4

Comfort

7.5

Food

6.4

Boarding

7.7

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 Cairns to Sydney. 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 Cairns to Sydney?

    If you wish to fly to Sydney from Cairns, then you need to book flights from Cairns to Sydney Kingsford Smith. There are 32 flights from Cairns (CNS) to Kingsford Smith (SYD) per day to choose from. Flights to Sydney from Cairns are available from 3 different airlines, which means you should have some options if you want to compare airfare deals. 2h 55m is how long a nonstop flight from Cairns to Sydney Kingsford Smith typically takes.

  • How popular is this Cairns to Sydney flight route?

    The Cairns to Sydney Kingsford Smith flight path was viewed by 2,296 users in the past month. Keep an eye out for changes in search interest prior to high and low season.

  • How long is the flight from Cairns to Sydney?

    Departing from Cairns to Sydney will take you 2h 55m. The distance from Cairns to Sydney is about 1970 km. Most flights are nonstop.

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

    Currently priced at $128, Jetstar will fly you from Cairns to Sydney and back. In addition to Jetstar, many other airlines offer competitively priced options for your trip. Search Cheapflights for deals from Virgin Australia and Qantas Airways - these airlines can fly you to your destination from $148 and $189, respectively. You may be able to fly from Cairns to Sydney for 56% less than the average price by searching for these airlines.

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

    No one likes to see their flight delayed. When booking a flight from Cairns to Sydney consider choosing IndiGo(100%), Qantas Airways(81%) or Air Canada(79%), as they are the most reliable in getting you off to your destination on time.

  • What are the cheapest flights from Cairns to Sydney?

    While on average a flight from Cairns to Sydney is generally $296, our data shows the cheapest flight currently is $103. When looking at the most popular route, (Cairns - Sydney Kingsford Smith), you can expect to pay $213 for that flight.

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Currently, May is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from Cairns to Sydney (average of $129). Flying from Cairns to Sydney in October is currently the most expensive (average of $171). 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 Sydney?

Book flights to Sydney if you plan to visit one of these locations
Parramatta
Wollongong
Katoomba
Penrith
Terrigal
Manly
Lithgow
Randwick
Bondi Beach
Coogee
Cronulla
Leura

Browse thousands of different options on Cheapflights for your next trip

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Fly from Cairns to Sydney on these airlines

Choose from the following airlines for your flight from Cairns to Sydney. Flights are based on user searches made on Cheapflights and were last updated on 12 September 2025.
Jetstar flights from Cairns to Sydney Kingsford Smith
Virgin Australia flights from Cairns to Sydney Kingsford Smith
Qantas Airways flights from Cairns to Sydney Kingsford Smith

Top 3 airlines flying from Cairns to Sydney

Discover the top 3 airlines that operate flights from Cairns to Sydney. 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 12 September 2025.
AirlineCheapestAverageFlexibilityOn-time
JetstarCheapest$128Average$290FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time74%
Search Jetstar flights
Virgin AustraliaCheapest$148Average$352FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time80%
Search Virgin Australia flights
Qantas AirwaysCheapest$189Average$616FlexibilityNo 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 Cairns to Sydney?

Cheapflights goes through 900+ travel sites to look for the best flight deals for flights from Cairns to Sydney. 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 Cairns to Sydney?

It’s simple! Cheapflights, which is free to use for everyone, saves millions of users time and money every year by helping them find the cheapest and most suitable flights from Cairns to Sydney.

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

Certainly. Search results for flights to Sydney from Cairns 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 Cairns to Sydney 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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