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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 $188
Dep. Sat 12 SepRet. Thu 17 Sep$188
Dep. Wed 09 SepRet. Wed 16 Sep$188
JQShow more Flights
Dep. Mon 14 SepRet. Wed 16 Sep$188
Dep. Tue 15 SepRet. Thu 17 Sep$188
Dep. Sat 12 SepRet. Wed 16 Sep$188
Dep. Sun 13 SepRet. Tue 15 Sep$188
Dep. Wed 09 SepRet. Tue 15 Sep$188
Dep. Mon 14 SepRet. Tue 15 Sep$188
Dep. Sun 13 SepRet. Thu 17 Sep$188
Dep. Wed 09 SepRet. Thu 17 Sep$188
Dep. Sat 12 SepRet. Tue 15 Sep$188
Dep. Sun 13 SepRet. Wed 16 Sep$188
Dep. Mon 14 SepRet. Thu 17 Sep$188
Dep. Tue 15 SepRet. Wed 16 Sep$188
Dep. Wed 09 SepRet. Wed 07 Oct$198
Dep. Mon 14 SepRet. Mon 21 Sep$198
Dep. Sun 13 SepRet. Mon 28 Sep$198
Dep. Sun 13 SepRet. Wed 07 Oct$198
Dep. Sat 12 SepRet. Sun 13 Sep$198
Dep. Tue 15 SepRet. Mon 28 Sep$198
Dep. Sat 12 SepRet. Mon 21 Sep$198
Dep. Tue 15 SepRet. Wed 07 Oct$198
Dep. Sat 12 SepRet. Mon 28 Sep$198
Dep. Wed 09 SepRet. Mon 21 Sep$198
Dep. Wed 09 SepRet. Sun 13 Sep$198
Dep. Mon 14 SepRet. Mon 28 Sep$198
Dep. Sat 12 SepRet. Wed 07 Oct$198
Dep. Sun 13 SepRet. Mon 21 Sep$198
Dep. Mon 14 SepRet. Wed 07 Oct$198
Dep. Wed 09 SepRet. Mon 28 Sep$198
Dep. Tue 15 SepRet. Mon 21 Sep$198
Dep. Wed 16 SepRet. Thu 17 Sep$198
Dep. Fri 11 SepRet. Wed 16 Sep$208
Dep. Thu 10 SepRet. Tue 15 Sep$208
Dep. Sun 04 OctRet. Wed 07 Oct$208
Dep. Fri 11 SepRet. Tue 15 Sep$208
Dep. Wed 16 SepRet. Mon 21 Sep$208
Dep. Thu 10 SepRet. Thu 17 Sep$208
Dep. Fri 11 SepRet. Thu 17 Sep$208
JQ,VA Return flights from $199
Dep. Sat 15 AugRet. Wed 09 Sep$199
Dep. Fri 21 AugRet. Fri 28 Aug$227
JQ,VAShow more Flights
Dep. Sun 18 OctRet. Mon 19 Oct$244
Dep. Tue 08 DecRet. Tue 15 Dec$244
Dep. Thu 27 AugRet. Sun 30 Aug$262
Dep. Thu 24 SepRet. Mon 28 Sep$269
Dep. Mon 15 FebRet. Thu 25 Feb$311
Dep. Mon 13 JulRet. Thu 16 Jul$468
Dep. Tue 07 JulRet. Wed 08 Jul$974
VA Return flights from $224
Dep. Sun 18 OctRet. Mon 19 Oct$224
Dep. Tue 08 DecRet. Tue 15 Dec$225
VAShow more Flights
Dep. Sat 15 AugRet. Wed 09 Sep$244
Dep. Mon 15 FebRet. Thu 25 Feb$246
Dep. Fri 21 AugRet. Fri 28 Aug$265
Dep. Thu 24 SepRet. Mon 28 Sep$285
Dep. Thu 27 AugRet. Sun 30 Aug$333
Dep. Mon 13 JulRet. Thu 16 Jul$483
Dep. Tue 07 JulRet. Wed 08 Jul$1,045
JQ,QF Return flights from $296
Dep. Sat 15 AugRet. Wed 09 Sep$296
Dep. Fri 21 AugRet. Fri 28 Aug$300
JQ,QFShow more Flights
Dep. Thu 27 AugRet. Sun 30 Aug$311
Dep. Thu 24 SepRet. Mon 28 Sep$329
Dep. Tue 08 DecRet. Tue 15 Dec$339
Dep. Sun 18 OctRet. Mon 19 Oct$339
Dep. Mon 15 FebRet. Thu 25 Feb$350
Dep. Mon 13 JulRet. Thu 16 Jul$532
Dep. Tue 07 JulRet. Wed 08 Jul$1,013
QF,VA Return flights from $322
Dep. Sun 18 OctRet. Mon 19 Oct$322
Dep. Sat 15 AugRet. Wed 09 Sep$324
QF,VAShow more Flights
Dep. Tue 08 DecRet. Tue 15 Dec$329
Dep. Mon 15 FebRet. Thu 25 Feb$338
Dep. Fri 21 AugRet. Fri 28 Aug$344
Dep. Thu 27 AugRet. Sun 30 Aug$346
Dep. Thu 24 SepRet. Mon 28 Sep$355
Dep. Mon 13 JulRet. Thu 16 Jul$549
Dep. Tue 07 JulRet. Wed 08 Jul$1,064
QF Return flights from $400
Dep. Thu 27 AugRet. Sun 30 Aug$400
Dep. Thu 24 SepRet. Mon 28 Sep$401
QFShow more Flights
Dep. Sat 15 AugRet. Wed 09 Sep$401
Dep. Fri 21 AugRet. Fri 28 Aug$401
Dep. Sun 18 OctRet. Mon 19 Oct$409
Dep. Tue 08 DecRet. Tue 15 Dec$413
Dep. Mon 15 FebRet. Thu 25 Feb$413
Dep. Mon 13 JulRet. Thu 16 Jul$604
Dep. Tue 07 JulRet. Wed 08 Jul$989
JQ,QF,VA Return flights from $536
Dep. Sat 15 AugRet. Wed 09 Sep$536
Dep. Thu 27 AugRet. Sun 30 Aug$588
JQ,QF,VAShow more Flights
Dep. Mon 13 JulRet. Thu 16 Jul$705
Dep. Tue 07 JulRet. Wed 08 Jul$939
JQ,VA,ZL Return flights from $681
Dep. Mon 13 JulRet. Thu 16 Jul$681
JQ,ZL Return flights from $695
Dep. Mon 13 JulRet. Thu 16 Jul$695
Dep. Thu 24 SepRet. Mon 28 Sep$1,289
JQ,PX Return flights from $697
Dep. Sat 15 AugRet. Wed 09 Sep$697
Dep. Thu 27 AugRet. Sun 30 Aug$736
JQ,PXShow more Flights
Dep. Tue 08 DecRet. Tue 15 Dec$740
Dep. Thu 24 SepRet. Mon 28 Sep$749
Dep. Mon 13 JulRet. Thu 16 Jul$878
Dep. Tue 07 JulRet. Wed 08 Jul$1,374
PX,VA Return flights from $729
Dep. Sat 15 AugRet. Wed 09 Sep$729
Dep. Tue 08 DecRet. Tue 15 Dec$734
PX,VAShow more Flights
Dep. Thu 24 SepRet. Mon 28 Sep$781
Dep. Thu 27 AugRet. Sun 30 Aug$804
Dep. Mon 13 JulRet. Thu 16 Jul$859
Dep. Tue 07 JulRet. Wed 08 Jul$1,325
JQ,QF,ZL Return flights from $821
Dep. Mon 13 JulRet. Thu 16 Jul$821
PX,QF Return flights from $822
Dep. Thu 27 AugRet. Sun 30 Aug$822
Dep. Sat 15 AugRet. Wed 09 Sep$834
PX,QFShow more Flights
Dep. Thu 24 SepRet. Mon 28 Sep$835
Dep. Tue 08 DecRet. Tue 15 Dec$835
Dep. Mon 13 JulRet. Thu 16 Jul$1,023
Dep. Fri 21 AugRet. Fri 28 Aug$1,100
Dep. Mon 15 FebRet. Thu 25 Feb$1,109
Dep. Tue 07 JulRet. Wed 08 Jul$1,255
Dep. Sun 18 OctRet. Mon 19 Oct$3,068
VA,ZL Return flights from $1,049
Dep. Mon 15 FebRet. Thu 25 Feb$1,049
PX Return flights from $1,121
Dep. Fri 21 AugRet. Fri 28 Aug$1,121
Dep. Mon 15 FebRet. Thu 25 Feb$1,143
PXShow more Flights
Dep. Thu 27 AugRet. Sun 30 Aug$1,191
Dep. Mon 13 JulRet. Thu 16 Jul$1,405
Dep. Thu 24 SepRet. Mon 28 Sep$1,468

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
$158
Aug 2026
$362
Sep 2026
$209
Nov 2026
$284
Jan 2027
$209
Mar 2027
$322

The cheapest month to fly to Cairns is July 2026, with return fares from $158 — 56% cheaper than the most expensive month (August 2026, from $362).

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 $158. August is the most expensive month, with the cheapest return fares around $362.

Across the year, return fares to Cairns average around $257. If you can travel in the off-peak months of July, September and January, you'll generally pay up to 39% less than the yearly average.


Cheapest Brisbane to Cairns Return Prices

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

July 2026
$158
August 2026
$362
September 2026
$209
November 2026
$284
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
$609
August 2026
$461
September 2026
$470
October 2026
$568
November 2026
$529
January 2027
$403

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 $188.

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

Currently, the cheapest date for a return flight from Brisbane to Cairns is 09 September 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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