$72 Cheap Flights from Sydney (SYD) to Cairns (CNS)

View $72 flight on Sun, Feb 8, 2026Opens in a new window

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

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Find available prices by choosing your travel dates.

Cheap Flights from Sydney to Cairns (SYD-CNS)

Prices were available within the past 7 days and start at $72 for one-way flights and $144 for round trip, for the period specified. Prices and availability are subject to change. Additional terms apply.

Jetstar
Sat, May 10 - Tue, May 13
SYD
Sydney
CNS
Cairns
$144 Roundtrip, found 7 hours ago
$144
Roundtrip
found 7 hours ago
Select Jetstar flight, departing Sat, May 10 from Sydney to Cairns, returning Tue, May 13, priced at $144 found 7 hours ago
Jetstar
Thu, Jun 19 - Mon, Jun 23
SYD
Sydney
CNS
Cairns
$150 Roundtrip, found 4 hours ago
$150
Roundtrip
found 4 hours ago
Select Jetstar flight, departing Thu, Jun 19 from Sydney to Cairns, returning Mon, Jun 23, priced at $150 found 4 hours ago
Jetstar
Thu, Jun 19 - Mon, Jun 23
SYD
Sydney
CNS
Cairns
$156 Roundtrip, found 4 hours ago
$156
Roundtrip
found 4 hours ago
Select Jetstar flight, departing Thu, Jun 19 from Sydney to Cairns, returning Mon, Jun 23, priced at $156 found 4 hours ago
Jetstar
Fri, May 9 - Tue, May 13
SYD
Sydney
CNS
Cairns
$156 Roundtrip, found 9 hours ago
$156
Roundtrip
found 9 hours ago
Select Jetstar flight, departing Fri, May 9 from Sydney to Cairns, returning Tue, May 13, priced at $156 found 9 hours ago
Jetstar
Thu, Jun 19 - Mon, Jun 23
SYD
Sydney
CNS
Cairns
$162 Roundtrip, found 4 hours ago
$162
Roundtrip
found 4 hours ago
Select Jetstar flight, departing Thu, Jun 19 from Sydney to Cairns, returning Mon, Jun 23, priced at $162 found 4 hours ago
Jetstar
Thu, Jun 19 - Mon, Jun 23
SYD
Sydney
CNS
Cairns
$166 Roundtrip, found 4 hours ago
$166
Roundtrip
found 4 hours ago
Select Jetstar flight, departing Thu, Jun 19 from Sydney to Cairns, returning Mon, Jun 23, priced at $166 found 4 hours ago
Jetstar
Fri, May 30 - Mon, Jun 2
SYD
Sydney
CNS
Cairns
$168 Roundtrip, found 16 hours ago
$168
Roundtrip
found 16 hours ago
Select Jetstar flight, departing Fri, May 30 from Sydney to Cairns, returning Mon, Jun 2, priced at $168 found 16 hours ago
Jetstar
Thu, Jun 19 - Mon, Jun 23
SYD
Sydney
CNS
Cairns
$172 Roundtrip, found 4 hours ago
$172
Roundtrip
found 4 hours ago
Select Jetstar flight, departing Thu, Jun 19 from Sydney to Cairns, returning Mon, Jun 23, priced at $172 found 4 hours ago
Virgin Australia
Wed, Sep 24 - Wed, Oct 1
SYD
Sydney
CNS
Cairns
$187 Roundtrip, found 2 hours ago
$187
Roundtrip
found 2 hours ago
Select Virgin Australia flight, departing Wed, Sep 24 from Sydney to Cairns, returning Wed, Oct 1, priced at $187 found 2 hours ago
Qantas Airways
Thu, Feb 5 - Sun, Feb 8
SYD
Sydney
CNS
Cairns
$307 Roundtrip, found 1 hour ago
$307
Roundtrip
found 1 hour ago
Select Qantas Airways flight, departing Thu, Feb 5 from Sydney to Cairns, returning Sun, Feb 8, priced at $307 found 1 hour ago

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 $144. 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 May 20 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 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 $72. This fare is based on the lowest price found on Expedia departing within the next three months. The flight takes off from SYD on June 19 2025. Prices were last updated on April 24 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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