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

Popular airlines from Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) to Brisbane Airport (BNE)

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Find available prices by choosing your travel dates.

Cheap Flights from Cairns to Brisbane (CNS-BNE)

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

Cairns to Brisbane Flights

The cheapest times to fly from Cairns to Brisbane

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

The best time to book a flight from Cairns to Brisbane

Sunday is one of the best days to book for cheap flights from Cairns to Brisbane: 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 Cairns to Brisbane

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 Cairns to Brisbane 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 Cairns to Brisbane 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 Cairns to Brisbane 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 Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) to Brisbane Airport (BNE) cost?
Cheap round-trip fares from Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) to Brisbane Airport (BNE) start at $130. 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 CNS on May 4 2025 and touching down at BNE. The price was last updated on April 24 2025 and has not changed since.
What is the cheapest month to fly from CNS to BNE?
The cheapest flights from CNS to BNE 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 Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) to Brisbane Airport (BNE)?
Take your pick of 3 airlines that fly direct from Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) to Brisbane Airport (BNE). These include:

  • Qantas
  • Virgin Australia
  • Jetstar

What is the cheapest airline that flies from CNS to BNE?
With tickets starting at $68 for a one-way flight from CNS to BNE, Jetstar is currently the cheapest airline flying this route. This fare is based on the lowest price found on Expedia departing within the next three months. The flight takes off from CNS on May 4 2025. Prices were last updated on April 24 2025 and have not changed since.
How many flights per day from Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) to Brisbane Airport (BNE)?
With, on average, 12 direct flights departing from Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) to Brisbane Airport (BNE) each day, you’ll be jetting off in no time.
What are the most popular departure times for flights from Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) to Brisbane Airport (BNE)?
The 12 PM departures from CNS to BNE are the most sought after. These flights can come with a higher price due to their popularity. If you’re hoping to save money, pick a less crowded time to fly.
What day of the week has the most flights from CNS to BNE?
Depart on a Friday if you’re looking for the biggest selection of flights from Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) to Brisbane Airport (BNE).
What is the earliest flight from Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) to Brisbane Airport (BNE)?
The earliest flight out of Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) is at around 6:00AM UTC+10. Hop on this flight and you’ll reach Brisbane Airport (BNE) at approximately 8:15AM UTC+10. The total flight duration is 2h 15m.
How long does it take to fly from Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) to Brisbane Airport (BNE)?
It takes approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes to cover the 870 mi from CNS to BNE.
What airline has the least delays from CNS to BNE?
With 100% of flights typically arriving as scheduled, Fiji Airways has the best on-time performance for direct flights from Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) to Brisbane Airport (BNE). To monitor your flight status and receive notifications about any changes, head to the Expedia App.
What is the best time to fly from Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) to Brisbane Airport (BNE)?
To reach Brisbane Airport (BNE) on schedule, opt for a flight that leaves Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) before 3 PM. The likelihood of cancellations is 22% higher, on average, for departures after this hour.**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 Brisbane from Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS)?
Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) has direct flights to Brisbane. These are a few of the airports you can fly to without layovers:

  • Brisbane Airport (BNE)
  • Coolangatta Airport (OOL)
  • Sunshine Coast Airport (MCY)

Is it cheaper to buy a plane ticket from Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) to Brisbane Airport (BNE) last-minute?
Holding off until right before your break to book a ticket from CNS to BNE generally means paying more. While you might find some last-minute discounts, there’s no guarantee. Keep your travel plans flexible to boost your chances of scoring a bargain.
Is it cheaper to book a CNS to BNE flight and hotel package?
Securing a CNS to BNE flight and hotel package tends to be cheaper than booking separately. With Expedia, you can enjoy the convenience of organizing your trip all in one place. Select from our extensive range of hotels and then add flights, activities and car rentals to your booking. Bundle everything together, and you could save hundreds of dollars.
Can I cancel or change the date of my flight from Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) to Brisbane Airport (BNE)?
You can usually cancel or reschedule your CNS to BNE flight. However, for bookings made more than 24 hours ago, additional charges may apply. Check your airline’s policies in your itinerary to see what changes are possible and if any costs are involved. You’ll also find more information on our Customer Service portal.

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