$62 Cheap Flights from Brisbane (BNE) to Cairns (CNS)

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Find available prices by choosing your travel dates.

Cheap Flights from Brisbane to Cairns (BNE-CNS)

Prices were available within the past 7 days and start at $62 for one-way flights and $124 for round trip, for the period specified. Prices and availability are subject to change. Additional terms apply.

Jetstar
Jetstar
Jetstar
Jetstar
Jetstar
Jetstar
Jetstar
Jetstar
Virgin Australia
Qantas Airways
Flights from Brisbane (BNE) to Cairns (CNS)
Origin airport
Brisbane
Destination airport
Cairns Intl.
Airlines serving
Jetstar, Qantas Airways, Virgin Australia
Roundtrip price
$124
Distance
865 mi

Brisbane to Cairns Flights

The cheapest times to fly from Brisbane 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 Brisbane to Cairns are during the month of May. You can find some of the cheapest flights from Brisbane to Cairns with Expedia's search tool and vast selection of airlines.

The best time to book a flight from Brisbane to Cairns

Sunday is one of the best days to book for cheap flights from Brisbane 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 Brisbane 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 Brisbane to Cairns in 2025. You can also book with separate airlines for your outbound and return journeys, from $62 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 Brisbane 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 Brisbane 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 Brisbane Airport (BNE) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) cost?
Find affordable return tickets from Brisbane Airport (BNE) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) starting at $130. Reserve your seat and get ready to go. 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 BNE on April 28 2025 and touching down at CNS. The price was last updated on April 24 2025 and has not changed since.
What is the cheapest month to fly from BNE to CNS?
The cheapest flights from BNE 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 Brisbane Airport (BNE) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS)?
Select from 3 carriers that fly direct from Brisbane Airport (BNE) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS). Including:

  • Qantas
  • Virgin Australia
  • Jetstar

What is the cheapest airline that flies from BNE to CNS?
Fly from BNE to CNS with Jetstar. This airline currently offers the lowest one-way fare for this route, starting at $62. This fare is based on the lowest price found on Expedia departing within the next three months. The flight takes off from BNE on June 15 2025. Prices were last updated on April 24 2025 and have not changed since.
How many flights per day from Brisbane Airport (BNE) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS)?
When departing from Brisbane Airport (BNE), you can take your pick from an average of 12 daily direct flights to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS).
What are the most popular departure times for flights from Brisbane Airport (BNE) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS)?
Flights between BNE and CNS are their busiest at 2 PM. If you’re after a quieter trip and possibly cheaper tickets, choose a time outside the usual busy windows.
What day of the week has the most flights from BNE to CNS?
Jet off on a Friday if you’re after the largest selection of flights from Brisbane Airport (BNE) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS).
What is the earliest flight from Brisbane Airport (BNE) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS)?
Brisbane Airport (BNE)’s earliest flight to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) departs at approximately 6:00AM UTC+10. With a travel time of 2h 20m, you’ll land at around 8:20AM UTC+10.
How long does it take to fly from Brisbane Airport (BNE) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS)?
Flights from BNE to CNS have an average travel time of 2 hours and 21 minutes. The total distance between the two is 870 mi.
What airline has the least delays from BNE to CNS?
With 100% of flights typically landing on time, Cathay Pacific has the best on-time performance for nonstop flights from Brisbane Airport (BNE) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS). To monitor your flight status and receive notifications about any changes, simply head to the Expedia App.
What is the best time to fly from Brisbane Airport (BNE) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS)?
Book a flight from Brisbane Airport (BNE) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) that takes off before 3 PM to reduce the likelihood of delays. Departures after this hour 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 Brisbane Airport (BNE)?
Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) is the only airport in Cairns with direct flights from Brisbane Airport (BNE). Explore your options and find affordable fares on Expedia.
Is it cheaper to buy a plane ticket from Brisbane Airport (BNE) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) last-minute?
Booking your ticket from BNE to CNS right before your getaway is usually more expensive. But if you’re flexible with your itinerary, you could grab a cheap last-minute fare.
Is it cheaper to book a BNE to CNS flight and hotel package?
Compared with arranging flights and hotels separately, booking a BNE to CNS flight and hotel package with Expedia could lead to significant savings. Better still, having everything in one convenient place will take the stress out of planning your trip. Just secure your flights and choose from our extensive range of stays, then customize your trip with other add-ons like tours, activities and car rentals.
Can I cancel or change the date of my flight from Brisbane Airport (BNE) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS)?
If you booked your BNE to CNS flight in the last 24 hours, you may be able to modify or cancel it at no cost. Depending on the airline and the type of ticket you have, additional charges may apply for changes beyond this timeframe. Airline policies and contact information can be found in your itinerary or confirmation email. Or, visit our Customer Service portal for more information.

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*Available to One Key members.