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Cheap Flights from Sydney to Cairns

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Reverse direction: CNS to SYD
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JQ Return flights from $241
Dep. Tue 18 AugRet. Thu 10 Sep$241
Dep. Wed 26 AugRet. Tue 08 Sep$241
JQShow more Flights
Dep. Wed 02 SepRet. Tue 08 Sep$241
Dep. Sun 16 AugRet. Tue 08 Sep$241
Dep. Wed 19 AugRet. Thu 03 Sep$241
Dep. Tue 25 AugRet. Thu 10 Sep$241
Dep. Tue 11 AugRet. Thu 10 Sep$241
Dep. Mon 24 AugRet. Thu 03 Sep$241
Dep. Mon 24 AugRet. Wed 09 Sep$241
Dep. Wed 02 SepRet. Wed 09 Sep$241
Dep. Wed 19 AugRet. Wed 09 Sep$241
Dep. Wed 26 AugRet. Thu 03 Sep$241
Dep. Tue 18 AugRet. Tue 08 Sep$241
Dep. Tue 18 AugRet. Thu 03 Sep$241
Dep. Sun 16 AugRet. Wed 09 Sep$241
Dep. Wed 26 AugRet. Thu 10 Sep$241
Dep. Tue 11 AugRet. Wed 09 Sep$241
Dep. Mon 24 AugRet. Thu 10 Sep$241
Dep. Tue 11 AugRet. Thu 03 Sep$241
Dep. Tue 25 AugRet. Thu 03 Sep$241
Dep. Wed 19 AugRet. Thu 10 Sep$241
Dep. Tue 18 AugRet. Wed 09 Sep$241
Dep. Tue 25 AugRet. Wed 09 Sep$241
Dep. Mon 24 AugRet. Tue 08 Sep$241
Dep. Wed 02 SepRet. Thu 10 Sep$241
Dep. Sun 16 AugRet. Thu 10 Sep$241
Dep. Wed 19 AugRet. Tue 08 Sep$241
Dep. Wed 26 AugRet. Wed 09 Sep$241
Dep. Sun 16 AugRet. Thu 03 Sep$241
Dep. Tue 25 AugRet. Tue 08 Sep$241
Dep. Wed 02 SepRet. Thu 03 Sep$241
Dep. Tue 11 AugRet. Tue 08 Sep$241
Dep. Wed 12 AugRet. Wed 09 Sep$248
Dep. Sat 05 SepRet. Tue 08 Sep$248
Dep. Tue 08 SepRet. Wed 09 Sep$248
Dep. Wed 12 AugRet. Tue 08 Sep$248
Dep. Sun 23 AugRet. Thu 10 Sep$248
Dep. Sat 05 SepRet. Thu 10 Sep$248
Dep. Sun 23 AugRet. Wed 09 Sep$248
JQ,VA Return flights from $258
Dep. Mon 24 AugRet. Fri 28 Aug$258
Dep. Thu 23 JulRet. Wed 29 Jul$275
JQ,VAShow more Flights
Dep. Thu 17 SepRet. Sun 20 Sep$303
Dep. Tue 20 OctRet. Tue 03 Nov$308
Dep. Sat 01 AugRet. Tue 11 Aug$368
Dep. Thu 25 JunRet. Tue 30 Jun$380
Dep. Fri 10 JulRet. Mon 13 Jul$382
Dep. Mon 22 JunRet. Sat 27 Jun$403
Dep. Sun 19 JulRet. Sun 19 Jul$456
Dep. Sun 28 JunRet. Thu 02 Jul$512
VA Return flights from $287
Dep. Thu 17 SepRet. Sun 20 Sep$287
Dep. Thu 23 JulRet. Wed 29 Jul$293
VAShow more Flights
Dep. Tue 20 OctRet. Tue 03 Nov$293
Dep. Mon 24 AugRet. Fri 28 Aug$351
Dep. Thu 25 JunRet. Tue 30 Jun$393
Dep. Sat 01 AugRet. Tue 11 Aug$416
Dep. Fri 10 JulRet. Mon 13 Jul$424
Dep. Sun 19 JulRet. Sun 19 Jul$432
Dep. Mon 22 JunRet. Sat 27 Jun$527
Dep. Sun 28 JunRet. Thu 02 Jul$547
QF,VA Return flights from $322
Dep. Thu 17 SepRet. Sun 20 Sep$322
Dep. Thu 23 JulRet. Wed 29 Jul$371
QF,VAShow more Flights
Dep. Mon 24 AugRet. Fri 28 Aug$390
Dep. Tue 20 OctRet. Tue 03 Nov$393
Dep. Sat 01 AugRet. Tue 11 Aug$420
Dep. Thu 25 JunRet. Tue 30 Jun$546
Dep. Fri 10 JulRet. Mon 13 Jul$554
Dep. Mon 22 JunRet. Sat 27 Jun$586
Dep. Sun 19 JulRet. Sun 19 Jul$587
Dep. Sun 28 JunRet. Thu 02 Jul$663
JQ,QF Return flights from $342
Dep. Thu 17 SepRet. Sun 20 Sep$342
Dep. Thu 23 JulRet. Wed 29 Jul$346
JQ,QFShow more Flights
Dep. Sat 01 AugRet. Tue 11 Aug$367
Dep. Tue 20 OctRet. Tue 03 Nov$399
Dep. Mon 24 AugRet. Fri 28 Aug$422
Dep. Sun 19 JulRet. Sun 19 Jul$553
Dep. Thu 25 JunRet. Tue 30 Jun$597
Dep. Fri 10 JulRet. Mon 13 Jul$609
Dep. Mon 22 JunRet. Sat 27 Jun$621
Dep. Sun 28 JunRet. Thu 02 Jul$655
QF Return flights from $405
Dep. Sat 01 AugRet. Tue 11 Aug$405
Dep. Thu 23 JulRet. Wed 29 Jul$462
QFShow more Flights
Dep. Thu 17 SepRet. Sun 20 Sep$465
Dep. Tue 20 OctRet. Tue 03 Nov$486
Dep. Mon 24 AugRet. Fri 28 Aug$576
Dep. Sun 19 JulRet. Sun 19 Jul$733
Dep. Fri 10 JulRet. Mon 13 Jul$789
Dep. Mon 22 JunRet. Sat 27 Jun$906
Dep. Sun 28 JunRet. Thu 02 Jul$907
Dep. Thu 25 JunRet. Tue 30 Jun$954
JQ,QF,VA Return flights from $432
Dep. Thu 23 JulRet. Wed 29 Jul$432
Dep. Mon 24 AugRet. Fri 28 Aug$450
JQ,QF,VAShow more Flights
Dep. Tue 20 OctRet. Tue 03 Nov$465
Dep. Thu 17 SepRet. Sun 20 Sep$480
Dep. Sat 01 AugRet. Tue 11 Aug$487
Dep. Mon 22 JunRet. Sat 27 Jun$613
Dep. Thu 25 JunRet. Tue 30 Jun$646
Dep. Fri 10 JulRet. Mon 13 Jul$665
Dep. Sun 19 JulRet. Sun 19 Jul$712
Dep. Sun 28 JunRet. Thu 02 Jul$872
JQ,ZL Return flights from $544
Dep. Sat 01 AugRet. Tue 11 Aug$544
Dep. Thu 25 JunRet. Tue 30 Jun$856
JQ,VA,ZL Return flights from $599
Dep. Sat 01 AugRet. Tue 11 Aug$599
JQ,PX Return flights from $970
Dep. Mon 22 JunRet. Sat 27 Jun$970
JQ,PX,VA Return flights from $1,032
Dep. Tue 20 OctRet. Tue 03 Nov$1,032
PX,VA Return flights from $1,081
Dep. Mon 22 JunRet. Sat 27 Jun$1,081
NZ,VA Return flights from $1,143
Dep. Thu 17 SepRet. Sun 20 Sep$1,143
Dep. Sun 28 JunRet. Thu 02 Jul$1,212
NZ,VAShow more Flights
Dep. Mon 22 JunRet. Sat 27 Jun$1,347
Dep. Thu 25 JunRet. Tue 30 Jun$2,770
JQ,NZ Return flights from $1,204
Dep. Sun 28 JunRet. Thu 02 Jul$1,204
Dep. Thu 17 SepRet. Sun 20 Sep$1,210
JQ,NZShow more Flights
Dep. Mon 22 JunRet. Sat 27 Jun$1,236
Dep. Thu 25 JunRet. Tue 30 Jun$2,813
EK,VA Return flights from $1,216
Dep. Sun 19 JulRet. Sun 19 Jul$1,216

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

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


Cheapest Time of Year to Fly from Sydney to Cairns

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

Jul 2026
$190
Aug 2026
$355
Sep 2026
$224
Jan 2027
$242
Feb 2027
$112
Mar 2027
$467

The cheapest month to fly to Cairns is February 2027, with return fares from $112 — 76% cheaper than the most expensive month (March 2027, from $467).

When Should You Fly to Cairns?

Based on the fares we've tracked, February is typically the cheapest month to fly to Cairns, with return fares from $112. March is the most expensive month, with the cheapest return fares around $467.

Across the year, return fares to Cairns average around $265. If you can travel in the off-peak months of February, July and September, you'll generally pay up to 58% less than the yearly average.


Cheapest Sydney to Cairns Return Prices

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

July 2026
$190
August 2026
$355
September 2026
$224
January 2027
$242
February 2027
$112
March 2027
$467

Average Sydney to Cairns Return Prices

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

July 2026
$524
August 2026
$471
September 2026
$435
October 2026
$484
November 2026
$404
December 2026
$524
January 2027
$429
February 2027
$408
March 2027
$401
April 2027
$459

Frequently Asked Questions about flying from Sydney to Cairns

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

The cheapest month to travel is typically February.

How much do return flights from Sydney to Cairns cost?

The best price we found for a return flight from Sydney to Cairns is $241.

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

Currently, the cheapest date for a return flight from Sydney to Cairns is 11 August 2026.

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

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

Which airlines fly direct from Sydney to Cairns?

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

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

The shortest direct flight usually takes 3 hours and 10 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 Sydney 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 Sydney 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 Sydney 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 Sydney 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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