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$80+ Cheap flights from Sydney to Cairns (SYD - CNS)

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 3/25. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel.
SYD — CNS
Mar 30 — Apr 61
Mon 3/30
Mon 4/6
1 adult, Economy
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Cheapflights Tip: The best prices from Sydney Kingsford Smith to Cairns are usually found in May or March, booked 29 days in advance, depart on a Sunday or Tuesday and return on a Thursday

Cheap flight deals from Sydney to Cairns

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 February 28, 2026.

This Jetstar deal was found by Cheapflights users on 2/25. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure Jetstar is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Sun 4/267:15 pm
SYD
-
CNS
Nonstop3h 10m
Jetstar
Thu 4/307:10 pm
CNS
-
SYD
Nonstop2h 55m
Jetstar
Deal found 2/25$149
This Jetstar deal was found by Cheapflights users on 2/27. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure Jetstar is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Sat 4/1810:30 am
SYD
-
CNS
Nonstop3h 10m
Jetstar
Sun 4/266:45 am
CNS
-
SYD
Nonstop3h 00m
Jetstar
Deal found 2/27$150
This Booking.com deal was found by Cheapflights users on 2/24. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure Booking.com is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Thu 4/236:10 am
SYD
-
CNS
Nonstop3h 10m
Jetstar
Sun 4/266:45 am
CNS
-
SYD
Nonstop3h 00m
Jetstar
Deal found 2/24$154
This Jetstar deal was found by Cheapflights users on 2/26. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure Jetstar is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Mon 4/277:15 pm
SYD
-
CNS
Nonstop3h 10m
Jetstar
Fri 5/17:10 pm
CNS
-
SYD
Nonstop2h 55m
Jetstar
Deal found 2/26$155
This Jetstar deal was found by Cheapflights users on 2/24. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure Jetstar is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Sat 3/216:20 am
SYD
-
CNS
Nonstop3h 00m
Jetstar
Sun 3/296:10 pm
CNS
-
SYD
Nonstop2h 55m
Jetstar
Deal found 2/24$159
This Jetstar deal was found by Cheapflights users on 2/26. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure Jetstar is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Sat 3/286:20 am
SYD
-
CNS
Nonstop3h 00m
Jetstar
Sat 4/43:35 pm
CNS
-
SYD
Nonstop2h 55m
Jetstar
Deal found 2/26$160
This Kiwi.com deal was found by Cheapflights users on 2/27. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure Kiwi.com is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Mon 6/18:10 am
SYD
-
CNS
Nonstop3h 15m
Virgin Australia
Fri 6/512:10 pm
CNS
-
SYD
Nonstop2h 55m
Virgin Australia
Deal found 2/27$161
This Kiwi.com deal was found by Cheapflights users on 2/27. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure Kiwi.com is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Thu 3/266:20 am
SYD
-
CNS
Nonstop3h 00m
Jetstar
Sun 3/296:10 pm
CNS
-
SYD
Nonstop2h 55m
Jetstar
Deal found 2/27$162
This Virgin Australia deal was found by Cheapflights users on 2/26. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure Virgin Australia is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Thu 8/133:10 pm
SYD
-
CNS
Nonstop3h 15m
Virgin Australia
Wed 8/194:35 pm
CNS
-
SYD
Nonstop2h 55m
Virgin Australia
Deal found 2/26$170
This Jetstar deal was found by Cheapflights users on 2/24. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure Jetstar is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Mon 3/236:20 am
SYD
-
CNS
Nonstop3h 00m
Jetstar
Thu 3/266:40 am
CNS
-
SYD
Nonstop3h 00m
Jetstar
Deal found 2/24$171

Find 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 February 28, 2026.

Most accurate provider

FlightHub
3 stars

Most trusted provider

FlightHub
3 stars

Round-trip from

$149
(Jetstar)

One-way from

$80
(Jetstar)

Popular in

April

Cheapest in

May

Average price

$191

Good round-trip deal

$197 or less

Good one-way deal

$100 or less
Provider with most accurate pricing for Sydney Kingsford Smith-Cairns flight deals.
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Provider most trusted by Cheapflights users for Sydney Kingsford Smith-Cairns flights.
Search Deals
From Sydney Kingsford Smith to Cairns
Search Deals
One-way flight from Sydney Kingsford Smith to Cairns
Search Deals
High demand for flights, 2% potential price rise
Search Deals
Cheapest flight prices on average. 2% potential price decrease ($6 potential savings vs. average RT price).
Search Deals
Average for round-trip flights in February 2026
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

 
Customize 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 2,558,603 searches. Data last updated February 28, 2026.
Use the filters below to find and compare flights from Sydney to Cairns that are best for you.

Fly from

Fly to

Route

Depart

Return

Price

SydneyCairns

SYD - CNS

SYDCNS

Sydney Kingsford Smith

Mon 6/1

3:15 pm-6:25 pm

Nonstop3h 10m

Cairns

Thu 6/4

7:10 pm-10:05 pm

Nonstop2h 55m

$155

SydneyCairns

SYD - CNS

SYDCNS

Sydney Kingsford Smith

Thu 3/19

6:20 am-8:20 am

Nonstop3h 00m

Cairns

Sun 3/22

6:40 am-10:40 am

Nonstop3h 00m

$172

SydneyCairns

SYD - CNS

SYDCNS

Sydney Kingsford Smith

Wed 6/24

10:35 am-5:10 pm

1 stop6h 35m

Cairns

Wed 6/24

7:10 pm-10:05 pm

Nonstop2h 55m

$223

SydneyCairns

SYD - CNS

SYDCNS

Sydney Kingsford Smith

Sun 5/24

8:10 am-11:25 am

Nonstop3h 15m

Cairns

Thu 5/28

1:55 pm-7:40 pm

1 stop5h 45m

$230

SydneyCairns

SYD - CNS

SYDCNS

Sydney Kingsford Smith

Thu 3/19

6:20 am-8:20 am

Nonstop3h 00m

Cairns

Tue 3/24

6:05 pm-10:05 pm

Nonstop3h 00m

$230

SydneyCairns

SYD - CNS

SYDCNS

Sydney Kingsford Smith

Wed 3/11

11:45 am-1:50 pm

Nonstop3h 05m

Cairns

Fri 3/20

6:05 pm-10:05 pm

Nonstop3h 00m

$240

SydneyCairns

SYD - CNS

SYDCNS

Sydney Kingsford Smith

Sun 5/17

8:10 am-11:25 am

Nonstop3h 15m

Cairns

Wed 5/20

11:50 am-5:40 pm

1 stop5h 50m

$247

SydneyCairns

SYD - CNS

SYDCNS

Sydney Kingsford Smith

Fri 7/3

7:15 pm-10:25 pm

Nonstop3h 10m

Cairns

Fri 7/10

7:10 pm-10:05 pm

Nonstop2h 55m

$280

SydneyCairns

SYD - CNS

SYDCNS

Sydney Kingsford Smith

Mon 4/27

6:00 am-11:10 am

1 stop5h 10m

Cairns

Thu 4/30

4:55 pm-9:40 pm

1 stop4h 45m

$285

SydneyCairns

SYD - CNS

SYDCNS

Sydney Kingsford Smith

Sat 5/16

12:40 pm-3:55 pm

Nonstop3h 15m

Cairns

Wed 5/20

12:10 pm-3:05 pm

Nonstop2h 55m

$290

Flights are sorted by cheapest round-trip flights first.

Deals found on 2/24

Showing 1-10 of 23 resultsSorted by cheapest first
1
2
3

Compare providers for flights from Sydney to Cairns

Provider information is updated monthly. Please note that these providers often have deals for this flight, but the availability may vary on a day-by-day basis on Cheapflights.
Use the table below to compare price accuracy, trust ratings, and cancellation policies for each provider offering flight deals from Sydney to Cairns in February.
ProviderPrice AccuracyTrust Score*
FlightHubPrice Accuracy3 starsTrust Score*3 stars
eDreamsPrice Accuracy3 starsTrust Score*3 stars
OneTravelPrice Accuracy3 starsTrust Score*3 stars

*The Trust Score is based on feedback from users after their booking experience. It measures overall satisfaction, helping us identify issues like hidden fees, problems during the ticketing process, and the quality of customer service. This score is our best indicator of the provider's quality and reliability.

  • Most accurate provider: When it comes to deals on Sydney-Cairns flights, users find the pricing of FlightHub to be most consistent on Cheapflights vs. FlightHub Users can find the same prices on Sydney-Cairns flight deals on Cheapflights vs. FlightHub >95% of the time. Price accuracy is based on data collected from Sydney-Cairns flight searches over the past month and is updated monthly.
  • Most trusted provider: When it comes to deals on Sydney-Cairns flights, Cheapflights users trust FlightHub the most. FlightHub has received a user feedback score of 3 out of 3 stars (3 being the best), meaning they have been trusted the most by Cheapflights users looking for Sydney-Cairns flight deals. Provider user feedback score is based on Cheapflights searches over the past month and is updated monthly.

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 round-trip 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 round-trip flight from Sydney to Cairns. Price data was last updated on February 20, 2026.

To ensure you get the cheapest price possible for a flight from Sydney to Cairns, you should look to book at least 29 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 Sydney to Cairns?

Currently, May is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from Sydney to Cairns (average of $76). Flying from Sydney to Cairns in February is currently the most expensive (average of $123). 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 February 28, 2026.

A simple way to save on the total cost of your ticket is to fly from Sydney to Cairns in the evening. If you’re flexible enough to do this you can expect to save up to 25% on your trip compared to booking a flight at noon.

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

Use this chart to determine the cheapest time to fly round-trip from Sydney to Cairns. Price data was last updated on February 21, 2026.

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

How much does it cost to fly round-trip 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 February 28, 2026.
Read reviews from past customers who have flown Virgin Australia, Qantas Airways, and Jetstar from Sydney to Cairns. Users can see the overall rating for each airline as well as how each is rated in terms of entertainment options, comfort, food, crew/service, and boarding process.
Virgin Australia
7.6
Good
445 reviews

Comfort

7.5

Overall

7.6

Crew

8.2

Entertainment

6.4

Boarding

7.7

Food

6.4

Reviews

1 / 20
8.0
Excellent

Elio,Jan 2026

MEL - ADL

Starting to be as efficient as qantas… bar the food offerings Virgin is up there now
Virgin Australia
7.6
Good
445 reviews
Virgin Australia
7.6
Good
445 reviews

Comfort

7.5

Overall

7.6

Crew

8.2

Entertainment

6.4

Boarding

7.7

Food

6.4

Reviews

1 / 20
8.0
Excellent

Elio,Jan 2026

MEL - ADL

Starting to be as efficient as qantas… bar the food offerings Virgin is up there now
Qantas Airways
7.5
Good
1,000 reviews
Virgin Australia
7.6
Good
445 reviews

Comfort

7.5

Overall

7.6

Crew

8.2

Entertainment

6.4

Boarding

7.7

Food

6.4

Reviews

1 / 20
8.0
Excellent

Elio,Jan 2026

MEL - ADL

Starting to be as efficient as qantas… bar the food offerings Virgin is up there now
Jetstar
6.5
Okay
526 reviews
Virgin Australia
7.6
Good
445 reviews

Comfort

7.5

Overall

7.6

Crew

8.2

Entertainment

6.4

Boarding

7.7

Food

6.4

Reviews

1 / 20
8.0
Excellent

Elio,Jan 2026

MEL - ADL

Starting to be as efficient as qantas… bar the food offerings Virgin is up there now

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 05m for a nonstop flight. There are 29 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 9 times in the past calendar month.

  • How long is the flight from Sydney to Cairns?

    For as low as $149, Jetstar can have you in Cairns from Sydney in 3h 10m. There are 1224 mi between Sydney and Cairns. Generally, flights for this route are nonstop.

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

    Currently priced at $130, Jetstar will fly you from Sydney to Cairns 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 $137 and $195, respectively. These flights start at 36% lower than the current average price 3 months from now.

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

    For one-way options, check prices for Jetstar. According to our data, you can fly for as low as $68. Users have also found prices from $80 and $120 on Virgin Australia and Qantas Airways, respectively.

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

    Looking for the most reliable airlines to get you to your destination on time? Our data shows these are most likely to get you from Sydney to Cairns on time: Air India (93%), Qatar Airways (92%), United Airlines (91%).

  • What are the cheapest flights from Sydney to Cairns?

    Looking at all options, your cheapest flight can be booked for $80. While the most popular route (Sydney Kingsford Smith - Cairns) can be booked for $177 on average, our data indicates $233 when flying from Sydney to Cairns.

  • 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 vacation 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 $76). Flying from Sydney to Cairns in February is currently the most expensive (average of $123). 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

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Alternative routes for Sydney to Cairns

See prices for flight routes from nearby airports that may be better suited for you.
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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 2,558,603 searches. Data last updated February 28, 2026.
AirlineCheapestAverageFlexibilityOn-time
JetstarCheapest$130Average$213FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time74%
Virgin AustraliaCheapest$138Average$264FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time80%
Qantas AirwaysCheapest$195Average$365FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time74%

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