$76 Cheap Flights from Sydney (SYD) to Cairns (CNS)

View $76 flight on Thu, Sep 4, 2025Opens in a new window

Popular airlines from Sydney Airport (SYD) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS)

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Cheap Flights from Sydney to Cairns (SYD-CNS)

Prices were available within the past 7 days and start at $76 for one-way flights and $152 for round trip, for the period specified. Prices and availability are subject to change. Additional terms apply.

Jetstar
Thu, Sep 4 - Fri, Sep 5
SYD
Sydney
CNS
Cairns
$152 Roundtrip, just found
$152
Roundtrip
just found
Select Jetstar flight, departing Thu, Sep 4 from Sydney to Cairns, returning Fri, Sep 5, priced at $152 just found
Jetstar
Tue, Jul 29 - Wed, Jul 30
SYD
Sydney
CNS
Cairns
$158 Roundtrip, just found
$158
Roundtrip
just found
Select Jetstar flight, departing Tue, Jul 29 from Sydney to Cairns, returning Wed, Jul 30, priced at $158 just found
Jetstar
Tue, Aug 5 - Sat, Aug 9
SYD
Sydney
CNS
Cairns
$163 Roundtrip, found 3 hours ago
$163
Roundtrip
found 3 hours ago
Select Jetstar flight, departing Tue, Aug 5 from Sydney to Cairns, returning Sat, Aug 9, priced at $163 found 3 hours ago
Jetstar
Tue, Jul 29 - Wed, Jul 30
SYD
Sydney
CNS
Cairns
$164 Roundtrip, just found
$164
Roundtrip
just found
Select Jetstar flight, departing Tue, Jul 29 from Sydney to Cairns, returning Wed, Jul 30, priced at $164 just found
Jetstar
Tue, Jul 29 - Wed, Jul 30
SYD
Sydney
CNS
Cairns
$170 Roundtrip, just found
$170
Roundtrip
just found
Select Jetstar flight, departing Tue, Jul 29 from Sydney to Cairns, returning Wed, Jul 30, priced at $170 just found
Jetstar
Thu, Sep 4 - Fri, Sep 5
SYD
Sydney
CNS
Cairns
$174 Roundtrip, just found
$174
Roundtrip
just found
Select Jetstar flight, departing Thu, Sep 4 from Sydney to Cairns, returning Fri, Sep 5, priced at $174 just found
Jetstar
Tue, Mar 17 - Thu, Mar 19
SYD
Sydney
CNS
Cairns
$176 Roundtrip, found 8 hours ago
$176
Roundtrip
found 8 hours ago
Select Jetstar flight, departing Tue, Mar 17 from Sydney to Cairns, returning Thu, Mar 19, priced at $176 found 8 hours ago
Jetstar
Tue, Jul 29 - Wed, Jul 30
SYD
Sydney
CNS
Cairns
$180 Roundtrip, just found
$180
Roundtrip
just found
Select Jetstar flight, departing Tue, Jul 29 from Sydney to Cairns, returning Wed, Jul 30, priced at $180 just found
Virgin Australia
Wed, Sep 24 - Wed, Oct 1
SYD
Sydney
CNS
Cairns
$205 Roundtrip, found 3 hours ago
$205
Roundtrip
found 3 hours ago
Select Virgin Australia flight, departing Wed, Sep 24 from Sydney to Cairns, returning Wed, Oct 1, priced at $205 found 3 hours ago
Qantas Airways
Sun, Aug 24 - Sat, Aug 30
SYD
Sydney
CNS
Cairns
$308 Roundtrip, found 6 days ago
$308
Roundtrip
found 6 days ago
Select Qantas Airways flight, departing Sun, Aug 24 from Sydney to Cairns, returning Sat, Aug 30, priced at $308 found 6 days ago

Find the cheapest month to fly from Sydney (SYD) to Cairns (CNS)

September is typically the cheapest month to fly

From $137 - $227 per traveler.

Graph displaying average flight prices per month

Alternative airports near Cairns

Prices were available within the past 7 days. Prices and availability are subject to change.

Select flight to Cairns Intl. CNS. Cheapest and Closest option available. Average driving time to city center is 8 minutes. Flights from $322
CNS
Cairns Intl.
CheapestClosest
Average driving time to city center8 min
Flights from $322
Flights from Sydney (SYD) to Cairns (CNS)
Origin airport
Kingsford Smith Intl.
Destination airport
Cairns Intl.
Airlines serving
Jetstar, Qantas Airways, Virgin Australia
Roundtrip price
$151
Distance
1225 mi
Average flight time
3 hours 10 mins

Sydney to Cairns Flights

The cheapest times to fly from Sydney to Cairns

On average, Thursday can be the cheapest time to fly, according to data from the Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC), one of the world's biggest databases for global airline sales. The data reveals that you could save up to 16% by flying on a Thursday—the cheapest day to travel on average—instead of a Sunday—the most expensive. Some of the most affordable flights from Sydney to Cairns are during the month of September. You can find some of the cheapest flights from Sydney to Cairns with Expedia's search tool and vast selection of airlines.

 

The best time to book a flight from Sydney to Cairns

Sunday is one of the best days to book for cheap flights from Sydney to Cairns: Tickets reserved on a Sunday cost between 6% and 13% less than those reserved on a Friday, according to ARC data. The data also suggests booking early can also lead to cheaper airfares. You could save 24% by buying your tickets for domestic flights at least a month in advance and 10% by booking international flights 2 months in advance.

 

How to find cheap round-trip tickets from Sydney to Cairns

Being flexible with your dates and using Expedia's Price Drop Protection and Price Tracking features are some of the best ways of finding a cheap ticket from Sydney to Cairns in 2025. You can also book with separate airlines for your outbound and return journeys, from $76 one-way. Expedia also offers Price Drop Protection, so if the cost of your airfare goes down after booking, you'll receive a credit for the difference*. This is available for a small fee, and is free to One Key Gold and Platinum tier members.

 

Expedia's Price Tracking feature means you can stay on top of airfares without manually checking every day. It sends you automated price alerts for cheap Sydney to Cairns flights and uses historical data to indicate when the best time to book is. Download Expedia's free app to activate this handy tool in a few easy taps.

 

You could also save big by booking one of Expedia's vacation packages. Bundling together your Sydney to Cairns airfare with your accommodations and car rental is often cheaper than booking everything separately. There’s also One Key, Expedia's generous rewards program. Join for free and you could earn One Key cash on most bookings to save on future adventures.

 

*Terms apply.

 

Disclaimer: ARC The statistics are based on average round-trip ticket prices between January and August 2023. The percentages you see are averages.

 

Frequently asked questions

How much does a flight from Kingsford Smith Intl. Airport (SYD) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) cost?
Cheap return flights from Kingsford Smith Intl. Airport (SYD) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) start at $149. This information is based on the cheapest price found on Expedia for this return journey departing within the next three months. This airfare is for a Jetstar flight leaving SYD on August 6 2025 and touching down at CNS. The price was last updated on July 15 2025 and has not changed since.
What is the cheapest month to fly from SYD to CNS?
The cheapest flights from SYD to CNS are usually during off-peak season, when demand is lower. To save money, avoid flying during public holidays, school breaks and major local events.
Which airlines fly direct from Kingsford Smith Intl. Airport (SYD) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS)?
Take the express route to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS). 3 carriers offer nonstop flights from Kingsford Smith Intl. Airport (SYD), including:

  • Jetstar
  • Virgin Australia
  • Qantas

What is the cheapest airline that flies from SYD to CNS?
Right now, the cheapest airline operating one-way flights from SYD to CNS is Jetstar. You can jet off on this route from $76. This fare is based on the lowest price found on Expedia departing within the next three months. The flight takes off from SYD on September 15 2025. Prices were last updated on July 15 2025 and have not changed since.
How many flights per day from Kingsford Smith Intl. Airport (SYD) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS)?
Every day, an average of 5 nonstop flights take off from Kingsford Smith Intl. Airport (SYD) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS). Select the departure time that best suits your travel plans.
What are the most popular departure times for flights from Kingsford Smith Intl. Airport (SYD) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS)?
More people fly between SYD and CNS at 6 AM than at any other time of day. Rather skip the crowds? Consider flying outside peak hours and there's a chance you'll save on your fare as well.
What day of the week has the most flights from SYD to CNS?
Jet off on a Saturday if you're after the best selection of flights from Kingsford Smith Intl. Airport (SYD) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS).
What is the earliest flight from Kingsford Smith Intl. Airport (SYD) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS)?
Kingsford Smith Intl. Airport (SYD)'s first flight to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) is at approximately 6:00AM UTC+11. With a travel time of 3h, you'll touch down at around 8:00AM UTC+10.
How long does it take to fly from Kingsford Smith Intl. Airport (SYD) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS)?
Flights from SYD to CNS have an average travel time of 3 hours and 2 minutes. The total distance between the two is 1,250 mi.
What airline has the least delays from SYD to CNS?
Consider traveling with Virgin Australia if you'd like to go straight from Kingsford Smith Intl. Airport (SYD) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) without any interruptions. This carrier has the best track record for punctuality, with an on-time performance of 84%. Want real-time updates? You can check your flight status using the Expedia App.
What is the best time to fly from Kingsford Smith Intl. Airport (SYD) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS)?
Opt for a flight from Kingsford Smith Intl. Airport (SYD) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) that leaves before 3 PM to reduce the likelihood of delays and cancellations. Later departures have a 22% higher chance of being canceled, on average.**Most reliable time of the day and month to travel recommendation is based on January through August 2024 flight status data sourced from OAG's global flight data platform.
What airports do you fly into for Cairns from Kingsford Smith Intl. Airport (SYD)?
If you've booked a direct flight from Kingsford Smith Intl. Airport (SYD) to Cairns, Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) is the only airport you can touch down at.
Is it cheaper to buy a plane ticket from Kingsford Smith Intl. Airport (SYD) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) last-minute?
Holding off until just before your departure to book your flight from SYD to CNS often results in higher prices. Although you may find some last-minute offers, they're not always guaranteed. Keep your travel schedule open for the best chance of landing a bargain.
Is it cheaper to book a SYD to CNS flight and hotel package?
Compared with arranging flights and hotels separately, booking a SYD to CNS flight and hotel package with Expedia could lead to significant savings. Better yet, having everything in one place will take the stress out of travel planning. Just secure your flights and select from our extensive range of stays, then tailor your trip with other add-ons like tours, activities and car rentals.
Can I cancel or change the date of my flight from Kingsford Smith Intl. Airport (SYD) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS)?
It's usually possible to cancel or reschedule your SYD to CNS flight. However, if the booking was made more than 24 hours ago, additional fees may apply. Check your airline's policies in your itinerary to see what changes are allowed and if any costs are involved. You'll also find more details on our Customer Service portal.

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