HomeSearch by dateVacation packagesHotelsFlight dealsCar rentalTravel tips & news
Cairns

$90+ 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 8/20. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel.
SYD — CNS
Aug 31 — Sep 71
Mon 8/31
Mon 9/7
1 adult, Economy
We work with more than 300 partners to bring you better travel deals

Find cheap flights from Sydney to Cairns with Cheapflights

1. Tell us where you want to go

Enter your travel information like dates, passengers, trip type (one-way or round trip), and preferred cabin class then click “Find deals”

2. Select your favorite providers

We find the providers serving your travel needs. Choose up to four travel providers to compare side-by-side for flights, hotels, or car rentals.

3. Compare prices and book

Review each provider’s pricing and select the best option for you! Book through your favorite provider’s website for a seamless experience.
Cheapflights Tip: The best prices from Sydney Kingsford Smith to Cairns are usually found in January or August, booked 79 days in advance, depart on a Tuesday or Wednesday and return on a Saturday

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 August 1, 2026.

This Jetstar deal was found by Cheapflights users on 7/30. 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 9/53:15 pm
SYD
-
CNS
Nonstop3h 10m
Jetstar
Wed 9/97:10 pm
CNS
-
SYD
Nonstop2h 55m
Jetstar
Deal found 7/30$144
This Jetstar deal was found by Cheapflights users on 8/1. 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 8/296:10 am
SYD
-
CNS
Nonstop3h 10m
Jetstar
Sat 9/57:10 pm
CNS
-
SYD
Nonstop2h 55m
Jetstar
Deal found 8/1$145
This Super.com deal was found by Cheapflights users on 7/31. 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 Super.com is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Fri 8/287:15 pm
SYD
-
CNS
Nonstop3h 10m
Jetstar
Fri 9/47:10 pm
CNS
-
SYD
Nonstop2h 55m
Jetstar
Deal found 7/31$147
This Kiwi.com deal was found by Cheapflights users on 7/31. 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.
Fri 9/47:15 pm
SYD
-
CNS
Nonstop3h 10m
Jetstar
Mon 9/76:45 am
CNS
-
SYD
Nonstop3h 00m
Jetstar
Deal found 7/31$149
This Jetstar deal was found by Cheapflights users on 7/31. 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 9/147:15 pm
SYD
-
CNS
Nonstop3h 10m
Jetstar
Mon 9/217:10 pm
CNS
-
SYD
Nonstop2h 55m
Jetstar
Deal found 7/31$151
This Jetstar deal was found by Cheapflights users on 8/1. 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.
Fri 9/185:05 pm
SYD
-
CNS
Nonstop3h 10m
Jetstar
Wed 9/237:10 pm
CNS
-
SYD
Nonstop2h 55m
Jetstar
Deal found 8/1$152
This CheapOair deal was found by Cheapflights users on 7/31. 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 CheapOair is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Fri 9/47:15 pm
SYD
-
CNS
Nonstop3h 10m
Jetstar
Wed 9/96:45 am
CNS
-
SYD
Nonstop3h 00m
Jetstar
Deal found 7/31$153
This CheapOair deal was found by Cheapflights users on 8/1. 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 CheapOair is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Fri 9/47:15 pm
SYD
-
CNS
Nonstop3h 10m
Jetstar
Thu 9/107:10 pm
CNS
-
SYD
Nonstop2h 55m
Jetstar
Deal found 8/1$155
This Jetstar deal was found by Cheapflights users on 7/30. 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.
Wed 9/27:15 pm
SYD
-
CNS
Nonstop3h 10m
Jetstar
Thu 9/107:10 pm
CNS
-
SYD
Nonstop2h 55m
Jetstar
Deal found 7/30$156
This Jetstar deal was found by Cheapflights users on 7/27. 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.
Mon 9/77:15 pm
SYD
-
CNS
Nonstop3h 10m
Jetstar
Thu 9/107:10 pm
CNS
-
SYD
Nonstop2h 55m
Jetstar
Deal found 7/27$157
This OneTravel deal was found by Cheapflights users on 7/29. 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 OneTravel is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Sun 9/67:15 pm
SYD
-
CNS
Nonstop3h 10m
Jetstar
Wed 9/96:45 am
CNS
-
SYD
Nonstop3h 00m
Jetstar
Deal found 7/29$159

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 August 1, 2026.

Most accurate provider

FlightHub
3 stars

Most trusted provider

FlightHub
3 stars

Round-trip from

$144
(Jetstar)

One-way from

$90
(CheapOair)

Popular in

December

Cheapest in

January

Average price

$198

Good round-trip deal

$210 or less

Good one-way deal

$110 or less
Provider with most accurate pricing for Sydney Kingsford Smith-Cairns flight deals.
Search Deals
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
Highest demand for flights based on searches. 1% potential increase in price ($3 potential increase over avg. RT price).
Search Deals
Cheapest flight prices on average. 1% potential price decrease ($3 potential savings vs. average RT price).
Search Deals
Average for round-trip flights in August 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 August 1, 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

Cheapest round-trip
Quickest round-trip

SydneyCairns

SYD - CNS

SYDCNS

Sydney Kingsford Smith

Sat 9/5

3:15 pm-6:25 pm

Nonstop3h 10m

Cairns

Wed 9/9

7:10 pm-10:05 pm

Nonstop2h 55m

$144

SydneyCairns

SYD - CNS

SYDCNS

Sydney Kingsford Smith

Tue 9/8

6:10 am-9:20 am

Nonstop3h 10m

Cairns

Sat 9/12

6:45 am-9:45 am

Nonstop3h 00m

$169

SydneyCairns

SYD - CNS

SYDCNS

Sydney Kingsford Smith

Sun 1/24

2:40 pm-4:45 pm

Nonstop3h 05m

Cairns

Thu 1/28

3:45 pm-7:45 pm

Nonstop3h 00m

$214

SydneyCairns

SYD - CNS

SYDCNS

Sydney Kingsford Smith

Tue 9/1

7:15 pm-10:25 pm

Nonstop3h 10m

Cairns

Thu 9/17

7:10 pm-10:05 pm

Nonstop2h 55m

$215

SydneyCairns

SYD - CNS

SYDCNS

Sydney Kingsford Smith

Mon 8/24

7:15 pm-10:25 pm

Nonstop3h 10m

Cairns

Wed 8/26

6:45 am-9:45 am

Nonstop3h 00m

$241

SydneyCairns

SYD - CNS

SYDCNS

Sydney Kingsford Smith

Tue 12/15

2:40 pm-4:45 pm

Nonstop3h 05m

Cairns

Sun 1/3

6:00 am-1:40 pm

1 stop6h 40m

$259

SydneyCairns

SYD - CNS

SYDCNS

Sydney Kingsford Smith

Thu 10/8

8:15 pm-10:25 pm

Nonstop3h 10m

Cairns

Sat 10/10

6:45 am-10:45 am

Nonstop3h 00m

$259

SydneyCairns

SYD - CNS

SYDCNS

Sydney Kingsford Smith

Sun 10/4

8:15 pm-10:25 pm

Nonstop3h 10m

Cairns

Sat 10/17

6:10 pm-10:05 pm

Nonstop2h 55m

$273

SydneyCairns

SYD - CNS

SYDCNS

Sydney Kingsford Smith

Fri 12/25

8:30 pm-10:35 pm

Nonstop3h 05m

Cairns

Fri 1/1

6:40 am-10:40 am

Nonstop3h 00m

$278

SydneyCairns

SYD - CNS

SYDCNS

Sydney Kingsford Smith

Sat 10/10

1:00 pm-4:45 pm

1 stop4h 45m

Cairns

Sun 10/11

6:00 am-1:40 pm

1 stop6h 40m

$301

Flights are sorted by cheapest round-trip flights first.

Deals found on 7/31

Showing 1-10 of 21 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 August.
ProviderPrice AccuracyTrust Score*
FlightHubPrice Accuracy3 starsTrust Score*3 stars
eDreamsPrice Accuracy2 starsTrust Score*3 stars
OneTravelPrice Accuracy2 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?

To ensure you get the cheapest price possible for a flight from Sydney to Cairns, you should look to book at least 78 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, January is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from Sydney to Cairns (average of $191). Flying from Sydney to Cairns in December is currently the most expensive (average of $259). 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 August 1, 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 July 25, 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. Sunday 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?

Airfare is below average for this route at the moment.

Sydney to Cairns flights typically cost between $157 and $247 in September.
The cheapest round-trip price found within the last 5 days was $144 on Jetstar (Sep 5-Sep 9).

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 August 1, 2026.
Read reviews from past customers who have flown Virgin Australia,Qantas Airways, andJetstar 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
468 reviews

Food

6.4

Boarding

7.8

Comfort

7.5

Crew

8.2

Entertainment

6.4

Overall

7.6

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
468 reviews
Virgin Australia
7.6
Good
468 reviews

Food

6.4

Boarding

7.8

Comfort

7.5

Crew

8.2

Entertainment

6.4

Overall

7.6

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
1,074 reviews
Virgin Australia
7.6
Good
468 reviews

Food

6.4

Boarding

7.8

Comfort

7.5

Crew

8.2

Entertainment

6.4

Overall

7.6

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
562 reviews
Virgin Australia
7.6
Good
468 reviews

Food

6.4

Boarding

7.8

Comfort

7.5

Crew

8.2

Entertainment

6.4

Overall

7.6

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 7 times in the past calendar month.

  • How long is the flight from Sydney to Cairns?

    For as low as $216, Jetstar can have you in Cairns from Sydney in 3h 05m. 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 $133, 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 $144 and $239, respectively. These flights start at 40% 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 $71. Users have also found prices from $91 and $134 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 (87%), Alliance Airlines (83%), Virgin Australia (82%).

  • What are the cheapest flights from Sydney to Cairns?

    Looking at all options, your cheapest flight can be booked for $75. While the most popular route (Sydney Kingsford Smith - Cairns) can be booked for $177 on average, our data indicates $224 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, January is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from Sydney to Cairns (average of $191). Flying from Sydney to Cairns in December is currently the most expensive (average of $259). 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

Browse thousands of different options on Cheapflights for your next trip

Toggle through the tabs below to find thousands of options on Cheapflights for your next trip.

Alternative routes for Sydney to Cairns

See prices for flight routes from nearby airports that may be better suited for you.
Sydney to Brisbane flights
Sydney to Coolangatta flights
Sydney to Proserpine flights

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 August 1, 2026.
AirlineCheapestAverageFlexibilityOn-time
JetstarCheapest$133Average$225FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time74%
Virgin AustraliaCheapest$144Average$272FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time80%
Qantas AirwaysCheapest$239Average$382FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time74%

100% Free

Cheapflights is completely free to use, so you can start saving the moment you arrive.

Book with Flexibility

Our users can plan ahead with confidence and find flights with no change fees

Travel Smart

Millions of people come to us for their flight needs every year. We help make travel planning easy by providing useful insights and data-driven graphs that can inform your decisions.