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Cheap Flights from Brisbane to Cairns

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Reverse direction: CNS to BNE
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JQ Return flights from $178
Dep. Thu 23 JulRet. Tue 28 Jul$178
Dep. Sat 08 AugRet. Wed 19 Aug$178
JQShow more Flights
Dep. Wed 22 JulRet. Wed 29 Jul$178
Dep. Thu 16 JulRet. Tue 28 Jul$178
Dep. Thu 27 AugRet. Wed 02 Sep$178
Dep. Tue 04 AugRet. Sat 08 Aug$178
Dep. Sat 15 AugRet. Wed 19 Aug$178
Dep. Sun 23 AugRet. Wed 09 Sep$178
Dep. Thu 06 AugRet. Wed 19 Aug$178
Dep. Thu 13 AugRet. Wed 19 Aug$178
Dep. Sat 29 AugRet. Wed 02 Sep$178
Dep. Thu 06 AugRet. Sat 08 Aug$178
Dep. Tue 08 SepRet. Wed 09 Sep$178
Dep. Wed 05 AugRet. Wed 19 Aug$178
Dep. Sun 19 JulRet. Wed 29 Jul$178
Dep. Wed 26 AugRet. Wed 02 Sep$178
Dep. Mon 17 AugRet. Wed 19 Aug$178
Dep. Mon 03 AugRet. Wed 19 Aug$178
Dep. Mon 31 AugRet. Wed 02 Sep$178
Dep. Mon 20 JulRet. Tue 28 Jul$178
Dep. Tue 01 SepRet. Wed 09 Sep$178
Dep. Sat 25 JulRet. Tue 28 Jul$178
Dep. Sat 18 JulRet. Tue 28 Jul$178
Dep. Tue 28 JulRet. Wed 29 Jul$178
Dep. Mon 10 AugRet. Wed 19 Aug$178
Dep. Tue 25 AugRet. Wed 09 Sep$178
Dep. Mon 03 AugRet. Sat 08 Aug$178
Dep. Thu 16 JulRet. Wed 29 Jul$178
Dep. Sun 02 AugRet. Wed 19 Aug$178
Dep. Wed 05 AugRet. Sat 08 Aug$178
Dep. Sat 25 JulRet. Wed 29 Jul$178
Dep. Wed 15 JulRet. Tue 28 Jul$178
Dep. Thu 27 AugRet. Wed 09 Sep$178
Dep. Sat 18 JulRet. Wed 29 Jul$178
Dep. Sat 29 AugRet. Wed 09 Sep$178
Dep. Thu 23 JulRet. Wed 29 Jul$178
Dep. Wed 22 JulRet. Tue 28 Jul$178
Dep. Thu 03 SepRet. Wed 09 Sep$178
Dep. Mon 27 JulRet. Tue 28 Jul$178
VA Return flights from $288
Dep. Tue 29 DecRet. Mon 04 Jan$288
Dep. Fri 19 JunRet. Tue 23 Jun$356
VAShow more Flights
Dep. Fri 19 JunRet. Sun 28 Jun$511
Dep. Sat 20 JunRet. Sat 27 Jun$680
Dep. Sat 13 JunRet. Sun 14 Jun$1,197
JQ,VA Return flights from $309
Dep. Tue 29 DecRet. Mon 04 Jan$309
Dep. Fri 19 JunRet. Tue 23 Jun$409
JQ,VAShow more Flights
Dep. Fri 19 JunRet. Sun 28 Jun$511
Dep. Sat 20 JunRet. Sat 27 Jun$619
Dep. Sat 13 JunRet. Sun 14 Jun$1,189
QF,VA Return flights from $353
Dep. Tue 29 DecRet. Mon 04 Jan$353
Dep. Fri 19 JunRet. Tue 23 Jun$440
QF,VAShow more Flights
Dep. Fri 19 JunRet. Sun 28 Jun$555
Dep. Sat 20 JunRet. Sat 27 Jun$705
Dep. Sat 13 JunRet. Sun 14 Jun$986
JQ,QF Return flights from $363
Dep. Tue 29 DecRet. Mon 04 Jan$363
Dep. Fri 19 JunRet. Tue 23 Jun$546
JQ,QFShow more Flights
Dep. Sat 20 JunRet. Sat 27 Jun$592
Dep. Fri 19 JunRet. Sun 28 Jun$676
Dep. Sat 13 JunRet. Sun 14 Jun$1,099
QF Return flights from $383
Dep. Tue 29 DecRet. Mon 04 Jan$383
Dep. Sat 20 JunRet. Sat 27 Jun$663
QFShow more Flights
Dep. Fri 19 JunRet. Tue 23 Jun$679
Dep. Fri 19 JunRet. Sun 28 Jun$810
Dep. Sat 13 JunRet. Sun 14 Jun$1,087
JQ,QF,VA Return flights from $614
Dep. Fri 19 JunRet. Sun 28 Jun$614
Dep. Tue 29 DecRet. Mon 04 Jan$630
JQ,QF,VAShow more Flights
Dep. Sat 20 JunRet. Sat 27 Jun$781
Dep. Fri 19 JunRet. Tue 23 Jun$814
Dep. Sat 13 JunRet. Sun 14 Jun$1,088
PX,VA Return flights from $758
Dep. Tue 29 DecRet. Mon 04 Jan$758
Dep. Fri 19 JunRet. Tue 23 Jun$792
PX,VAShow more Flights
Dep. Fri 19 JunRet. Sun 28 Jun$992
JQ,PX Return flights from $780
Dep. Tue 29 DecRet. Mon 04 Jan$780
Dep. Fri 19 JunRet. Tue 23 Jun$814
JQ,PXShow more Flights
Dep. Fri 19 JunRet. Sun 28 Jun$951
PX,QF Return flights from $856
Dep. Tue 29 DecRet. Mon 04 Jan$856
Dep. Fri 19 JunRet. Tue 23 Jun$862
PX,QFShow more Flights
Dep. Fri 19 JunRet. Sun 28 Jun$976
Dep. Sat 20 JunRet. Sat 27 Jun$3,040
JQ,QN Return flights from $866
Dep. Tue 29 DecRet. Mon 04 Jan$866
JQ,QF,QN Return flights from $927
Dep. Tue 29 DecRet. Mon 04 Jan$927
QN,VA Return flights from $946
Dep. Fri 19 JunRet. Sun 28 Jun$946
VA,W2 Return flights from $1,027
Dep. Fri 19 JunRet. Sun 28 Jun$1,027
PX Return flights from $1,217
Dep. Fri 19 JunRet. Tue 23 Jun$1,217

Prices are from searches made in the last 24 hours and current prices may differ.

Do you need to catch a flight to Brisbane? Check out our domestic flights to Brisbane. If Brisbane is not your closest airport, then here are all our flights to Cairns from Australia. Maybe a different destination? Here are all the flights from Brisbane


Cheapest Time of Year to Fly from Brisbane to Cairns

Return fares from Brisbane to Cairns by month, based on the cheapest return airfares found for each month.

Jul 2026
$152
Aug 2026
$389
Nov 2026
$284
Dec 2026
$222
Jan 2027
$209
Mar 2027
$322

The cheapest month to fly to Cairns is July 2026, with return fares from $152 — 61% cheaper than the most expensive month (August 2026, from $389).

When Should You Fly to Cairns?

Based on the fares we've tracked, July is typically the cheapest month to fly to Cairns, with return fares from $152. August is the most expensive month, with the cheapest return fares around $389.

Across the year, return fares to Cairns average around $263. If you can travel in the off-peak months of July, January and December, you'll generally pay up to 42% less than the yearly average.


Cheapest Brisbane to Cairns Return Prices

These are the cheapest prices for Brisbane to Cairns return airfares.

July 2026
$152
August 2026
$389
November 2026
$284
December 2026
$222
January 2027
$209
March 2027
$322

Average Brisbane to Cairns Return Prices

These are the average prices for Brisbane to Cairns return airfares.

July 2026
$528
August 2026
$473
September 2026
$545
October 2026
$581
November 2026
$476
December 2026
$596
January 2027
$423

Frequently Asked Questions about flying from Brisbane to Cairns

When is the cheapest time to travel from Brisbane to Cairns?

The cheapest month to travel is typically July.

How much do return flights from Brisbane to Cairns cost?

The best price we found for a return flight from Brisbane to Cairns is $178.

What is the cheapest date to fly from Brisbane to Cairns?

Currently, the cheapest date for a return flight from Brisbane to Cairns is 15 July 2026.

What is the cheapest airline that flys from Brisbane to Cairns?

Currently, the cheapest airline that flys from Brisbane to Cairns is Jetstar.

Which airlines fly direct from Brisbane to Cairns?

Jetstar, Qantas, Alliance Air Pty and Virgin Australia fly direct.

How long does a direct flight from Brisbane to Cairns take?

The shortest direct flight usually takes 2 hours and 15 minutes.

What is the IATA airport code for Cairns?

The IATA code for Cairns is CNS. It is located in Australia at coordinates -16.87469, 145.7537.

When should you book flights to Cairns?

From our data, you should book flights to Cairns 30 days out.


How I Want That Flight can help you

What's the benefit of using I Want That Flight for my Brisbane to Cairns flight?

Think of us as your personal shortcut to a great deal. Instead of you opening fifty different tabs, we instantly cross-check rates across heaps of airlines and booking sites to score you the sweet spot on pricing. Millions of holidaymakers count on us every year to get them airborne, so you're running with a pretty savvy crowd.

Can you sort me out with direct flights from Brisbane to Cairns?

100%. As soon as the page finishes loading your options, hit the "Direct" filter. The layovers will vanish, leaving you with only the non-stop routes.

How does I Want That Flight find me the best Brisbane to Cairns flights?

Once you punch your details into our search tool, we unlock all kinds of handy tricks to map out your journey. We’ll map out the most budget-friendly calendar dates and takeoff slots, and let you slice and dice the data until you pinpoint the exact itinerary that works for you.

I'm still in the planning phase. Can you ping me if Brisbane to Cairns fares drop?

No worries at all. Just kick off a quick search, drop your email into our price tracker, and we’ll send a heads-up straight to your inbox the moment the price drops.

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