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Cheap Flights from Darwin to Cairns

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Reverse direction: CNS to DRW
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QF One-Way flights from $238
Dep. Sat 20 Feb$238
Dep. Thu 25 Feb$239
QFShow more Flights
Dep. Thu 15 Oct$390
Dep. Wed 14 Oct$398
Dep. Fri 11 Dec$404
VA One-Way flights from $268
Dep. Wed 14 Oct$268
Dep. Thu 15 Oct$268
VAShow more Flights
Dep. Thu 25 Feb$272
Dep. Sun 30 May$273
Dep. Tue 16 Mar$273
Dep. Mon 22 Mar$273
Dep. Fri 07 May$273
Dep. Wed 03 Mar$273
Dep. Wed 24 Feb$273
Dep. Fri 19 Mar$273
Dep. Tue 04 May$273
Dep. Thu 27 May$273
Dep. Tue 02 Mar$273
Dep. Mon 08 Mar$273
Dep. Fri 21 May$273
Dep. Wed 28 Apr$273
Dep. Mon 14 Jun$273
Dep. Sun 28 Feb$273
Dep. Wed 17 Mar$273
Dep. Wed 19 May$273
Dep. Wed 02 Jun$273
Dep. Thu 11 Mar$273
Dep. Sun 16 May$273
Dep. Tue 23 Mar$273
Dep. Mon 22 Feb$273
Dep. Sun 02 May$273
Dep. Tue 25 May$273
Dep. Fri 26 Feb$273
Dep. Mon 31 May$273
Dep. Tue 11 May$273
Dep. Fri 28 May$273
Dep. Tue 23 Feb$273
Dep. Wed 05 May$273
Dep. Thu 18 Mar$273
Dep. Mon 17 May$273
Dep. Thu 20 May$273
Dep. Tue 09 Mar$273
Dep. Mon 15 Mar$273
Dep. Fri 14 May$273
JQ,VA One-Way flights from $302
Dep. Sat 20 Feb$302
Dep. Thu 25 Feb$302
JQ,VAShow more Flights
Dep. Wed 14 Oct$306
Dep. Thu 15 Oct$345
Dep. Fri 11 Dec$403
JQ One-Way flights from $306
Dep. Mon 26 Oct$306
Dep. Wed 07 Oct$316
JQShow more Flights
Dep. Tue 08 Dec$332
Dep. Mon 12 Oct$346
Dep. Sun 29 Nov$346
Dep. Tue 06 Oct$346
Dep. Thu 29 Oct$346
Dep. Thu 22 Oct$346
Dep. Sat 28 Nov$346
Dep. Sun 25 Oct$346
Dep. Sun 18 Oct$346
Dep. Fri 23 Oct$346
Dep. Mon 30 Nov$349
Dep. Sun 11 Oct$349
Dep. Sat 17 Oct$349
Dep. Thu 08 Oct$352
Dep. Tue 13 Oct$362
Dep. Mon 19 Oct$363
Dep. Sun 06 Dec$363
Dep. Sat 05 Dec$363
Dep. Wed 14 Oct$367
Dep. Thu 26 Nov$368
Dep. Wed 21 Oct$368
Dep. Sat 10 Oct$376
Dep. Fri 16 Oct$382
Dep. Thu 03 Dec$382
Dep. Sat 24 Oct$382
Dep. Wed 28 Oct$386
Dep. Wed 02 Dec$390
Dep. Fri 09 Oct$392
Dep. Thu 15 Oct$401
Dep. Tue 20 Oct$416
Dep. Thu 10 Dec$436
Dep. Wed 30 Sep$442
Dep. Mon 05 Oct$450
Dep. Fri 11 Dec$450
Dep. Sun 04 Oct$450
Dep. Sat 03 Oct$466
Dep. Fri 25 Dec$466
QF,VA One-Way flights from $376
Dep. Sat 20 Feb$376
Dep. Thu 25 Feb$386
QF,VAShow more Flights
Dep. Thu 15 Oct$405
Dep. Wed 14 Oct$406
Dep. Fri 11 Dec$559
JQ,QF One-Way flights from $392
Dep. Wed 14 Oct$392
Dep. Thu 15 Oct$419
JQ,QFShow more Flights
Dep. Sat 20 Feb$427
Dep. Thu 25 Feb$484
Dep. Fri 11 Dec$489
TL One-Way flights from $491
Dep. Sat 20 Feb$491
Dep. Thu 25 Feb$496
TLShow more Flights
Dep. Fri 11 Dec$497
Dep. Thu 15 Oct$498
Dep. Wed 14 Oct$498
QF,TL One-Way flights from $558
Dep. Fri 11 Dec$558
Dep. Thu 25 Feb$681
QF,TLShow more Flights
Dep. Wed 14 Oct$684
Dep. Thu 15 Oct$746
Dep. Sat 20 Feb$1,733
JQ,PX One-Way flights from $957
Dep. Thu 25 Feb$957
SQ One-Way flights from $989
Dep. Thu 25 Feb$989
Dep. Sat 20 Feb$989
JQ,PX,QF One-Way flights from $3,115
Dep. Sat 20 Feb$3,115
Dep. Thu 25 Feb$3,130

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

Do you need to catch a flight to Darwin? Check out our domestic flights to Darwin. If Darwin 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 Darwin


Cheapest Time of Year to Fly from Darwin to Cairns

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

Aug 2026
$516
Sep 2026
$592
Oct 2026
$522
Dec 2026
$522
Mar 2027
$562

The cheapest month to fly to Cairns is August 2026, with return fares from $516 — 13% cheaper than the most expensive month (September 2026, from $592).

When Should You Fly to Cairns?

Based on the fares we've tracked, August is typically the cheapest month to fly to Cairns, with return fares from $516. September is the most expensive month, with the cheapest return fares around $592.

Across the year, return fares to Cairns average around $543. If you can travel in the off-peak months of August, October and December, you'll generally pay up to 5% less than the yearly average.


Cheapest Darwin to Cairns Return Prices

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

August 2026
$516
September 2026
$592
October 2026
$522
December 2026
$522
March 2027
$562

Average Darwin to Cairns Return Prices

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

August 2026
$987
October 2026
$931
January 2027
$902

Frequently Asked Questions about flying from Darwin to Cairns

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

The cheapest month to travel is typically August.

How much do return flights from Darwin to Cairns cost?

The best price we found for a return flight from Darwin to Cairns is $546.

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

Currently, the cheapest date for a return flight from Darwin to Cairns is 21 February 2027.

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

Currently, the cheapest airline that flys from Darwin to Cairns is Virgin Australia.

Which airlines fly direct from Darwin to Cairns?

Qantas, Alliance Air Pty and Airnorth Regional fly direct.

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

The shortest direct flight usually takes 2 hours and 30 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 Darwin 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 Darwin 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 Darwin 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 Darwin 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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