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$73+ 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 9/9. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel.
SYD — CNS
Jun 17 — Jun 241
Tue 6/17
Tue 6/24
1 adult, Economy
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Cheapflights Tip: The best prices from Sydney Kingsford Smith to Cairns are usually found in March or February, booked 79 days in advance, depart on a Tuesday or Wednesday and return on a Friday

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 June 12, 2025.

Round-trip from

$137
(Jetstar)

One-way from

$73
(Mytrip)

Popular in

December

Cheapest in

March

Average price

$185

Good round-trip deal

$179 or less

Good one-way deal

$101 or less
From Sydney Kingsford Smith to Cairns
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One-way flight from Sydney Kingsford Smith to Cairns
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Highest demand for flights based on searches. 9% potential increase in price ($23 potential increase over avg. RT price).
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Cheapest flight prices on average. 2% potential price decrease ($6 potential savings vs. average RT price).
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Average for round-trip flights in June 2025
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Price to beat on a round-trip flight from Sydney Kingsford Smith to Cairns.
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Price to beat on a one-way flight from Sydney Kingsford Smith to Cairns.
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Find 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 June 12, 2025.

This Jetstar deal was found by Cheapflights users on 6/10. 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.
Tue 6/176:10 amSYD - CNS
Nonstop3h 05mJetstar
Sat 6/217:00 pmCNS - SYD
Nonstop2h 55mJetstar
Deal found 6/10$137
This Kiwi.com deal was found by Cheapflights users on 6/10. 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 7/217:45 pmSYD - CNS
Nonstop3h 05mMultiple Airlines
Sun 11/303:45 pmCNS - SYD
Nonstop3h 00mMultiple Airlines
Deal found 6/10$171
This Virgin Australia deal was found by Cheapflights users on 6/10. 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.
Mon 11/32:40 pmSYD - CNS
Nonstop3h 05mVirgin Australia
Fri 11/75:35 pmCNS - SYD
Nonstop3h 00mVirgin Australia
Deal found 6/10$190

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 June 12, 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

Sun 9/7

3:10 pm-6:15 pm

Nonstop3h 05m

Cairns

Fri 9/12

7:00 pm-9:55 pm

Nonstop2h 55m

$137

SydneyCairns

SYD - CNS

SYDCNS

Sydney Kingsford Smith

Mon 7/21

7:45 pm-10:50 pm

Nonstop3h 05m

Cairns

Sun 11/30

3:45 pm-7:45 pm

Nonstop3h 00m

$171

SydneyCairns

SYD - CNS

SYDCNS

Sydney Kingsford Smith

Mon 11/3

2:40 pm-4:45 pm

Nonstop3h 05m

Cairns

Fri 11/7

5:35 pm-9:35 pm

Nonstop3h 00m

$190

SydneyCairns

SYD - CNS

SYDCNS

Sydney Kingsford Smith

Tue 11/4

5:30 pm-10:45 pm

1 stop6h 15m

Cairns

Sat 11/8

6:30 am-6:25 pm

1 stop10h 55m

$349

SydneyCairns

SYD - CNS

SYDCNS

Sydney Kingsford Smith

Tue 9/9

6:10 am-9:15 am

Nonstop3h 05m

$73

SydneyCairns

SYD - CNS

SYDCNS

Sydney Kingsford Smith

Fri 11/14

8:10 am-10:15 am

Nonstop3h 05m

$98

SydneyCairns

SYD - CNS

SYDCNS

Sydney Kingsford Smith

Sat 11/15

8:10 am-8:55 pm

1 stop13h 45m

$131

SydneyCairns

SYD - CNS

SYDCNS

Sydney Kingsford Smith

Mon 8/4

6:30 am-6:10 pm

1 stop11h 40m

$183

SydneyCairns

SYD - CNS

SYDCNS

Sydney Kingsford Smith

Tue 11/25

9:05 am-8:50 pm

2 stops12h 45m

$634

Flights are sorted by cheapest round-trip flights first.

Deals found on 6/9

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 June 9, 2025.

To ensure you get the cheapest price possible for a flight from Sydney to Cairns, you should look to book at least 79 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, February is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from Sydney to Cairns (average of $1,136). Flying from Sydney to Cairns in December is currently the most expensive (average of $1,981). 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 June 12, 2025.

A simple way to save on the total cost of your ticket is to fly from Sydney to Cairns in the afternoon. If you’re flexible enough to do this you can expect to save up to 17% on your trip compared to booking a flight in the evening.

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 June 8, 2025.

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

Weekly flight availability from Sydney to Cairns

Explore weekly flight availability from Sydney 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 June 12, 2025.

The most flights from SYD to CNS are scheduled on a Thursday (32 on average). You will have fewer flight options on Monday, which is when the least amount of flights are scheduled (18 on average).

Rainfall in Cairns by month

Plan your trip to Cairns by taking into account the average rainfall totals by month.

In terms of precipitation, rainfall in Cairns ranges from 0.8 - 16.9 inches per month. March is typically the wettest month, when rainfall can reach 16.9 in. July is typically the driest time to visit Cairns when rainfall is around 0.8 in.

Temperature in Cairns by month

Plan your trip to Cairns by taking into account the average temperature totals by month.

If weather is an important factor for your trip to Cairns, use this chart to help with planning. For those seeking warmer temperatures, January is the ideal time of year to visit, when temperatures reach an average of 80.6 F. Travelers looking to avoid the cold should look outside of June, when temperatures are typically at their lowest (around 69.8 F).

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 June 12, 2025.
To help decide which airline to fly from Sydney to Cairns, see what other customers have to say about Air New Zealand, Qantas Airways and Virgin Australia. Reviews also offer insight into each airline's entertainment options, comfort, food, crew/service, and boarding process.
Air New Zealand
8.0
Very good
483 reviews

Entertainment

7.4

Overall

8.0

Food

7.3

Boarding

8.2

Crew

8.5

Comfort

8.0

Reviews

1 / 20
6.0
Good

Anonymous,May 2025

AKL - SFO

It was a United plane, the seating was too tight.
Air New Zealand
8.0
Very good
483 reviews
Air New Zealand
8.0
Very good
483 reviews

Entertainment

7.4

Overall

8.0

Food

7.3

Boarding

8.2

Crew

8.5

Comfort

8.0

Reviews

1 / 20
6.0
Good

Anonymous,May 2025

AKL - SFO

It was a United plane, the seating was too tight.
Qantas Airways
7.5
Good
854 reviews
Air New Zealand
8.0
Very good
483 reviews

Entertainment

7.4

Overall

8.0

Food

7.3

Boarding

8.2

Crew

8.5

Comfort

8.0

Reviews

1 / 20
6.0
Good

Anonymous,May 2025

AKL - SFO

It was a United plane, the seating was too tight.
Virgin Australia
7.5
Good
407 reviews
Air New Zealand
8.0
Very good
483 reviews

Entertainment

7.4

Overall

8.0

Food

7.3

Boarding

8.2

Crew

8.5

Comfort

8.0

Reviews

1 / 20
6.0
Good

Anonymous,May 2025

AKL - SFO

It was a United plane, the seating was too tight.
Jetstar
6.6
Okay
449 reviews
Air New Zealand
8.0
Very good
483 reviews

Entertainment

7.4

Overall

8.0

Food

7.3

Boarding

8.2

Crew

8.5

Comfort

8.0

Reviews

1 / 20
6.0
Good

Anonymous,May 2025

AKL - SFO

It was a United plane, the seating was too tight.

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 25 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 21 times in the past calendar month.

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

    Currently priced at $137, 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 $243 and $366, respectively. These flights start at 34% 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 $73. Users have also found prices from $98 and $183 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: Qatar Airways (94%), Virgin Australia (90%), Air Canada (90%).

  • What are the cheapest flights from Sydney to Cairns?

    Looking at all options, your cheapest flight can be booked for $74. While the most popular route (Sydney Kingsford Smith - Cairns) can be booked for $177 on average our data indicates $248 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, February is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from Sydney to Cairns (average of $1,136). Flying from Sydney to Cairns in December is currently the most expensive (average of $1,981). 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.

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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 June 12, 2025.
AirlineCheapestAverageFlexibilityOn-time
JetstarCheapest$132Average$205FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time74%
Virgin AustraliaCheapest$145Average$240FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time80%
Qantas AirwaysCheapest$213Average$370FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time74%

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