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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. Tue 08 SepRet. Wed 09 Sep$178
Dep. Sat 05 SepRet. Wed 09 Sep$178
JQShow more Flights
Dep. Thu 03 SepRet. Wed 09 Sep$178
Dep. Mon 07 SepRet. Wed 09 Sep$178
Dep. Sat 12 SepRet. Tue 15 Sep$188
Dep. Mon 07 SepRet. Tue 08 Sep$188
Dep. Sat 12 SepRet. Mon 14 Sep$188
Dep. Tue 08 SepRet. Tue 15 Sep$188
Dep. Mon 07 SepRet. Tue 15 Sep$188
Dep. Thu 03 SepRet. Mon 07 Sep$188
Dep. Wed 09 SepRet. Mon 14 Sep$188
Dep. Sat 05 SepRet. Tue 15 Sep$188
Dep. Thu 10 SepRet. Tue 15 Sep$188
Dep. Thu 03 SepRet. Tue 15 Sep$188
Dep. Mon 07 SepRet. Mon 14 Sep$188
Dep. Thu 03 SepRet. Mon 14 Sep$188
Dep. Sun 06 SepRet. Wed 09 Sep$188
Dep. Sat 05 SepRet. Tue 08 Sep$188
Dep. Sun 13 SepRet. Tue 15 Sep$188
Dep. Thu 10 SepRet. Mon 14 Sep$188
Dep. Sat 05 SepRet. Mon 14 Sep$188
Dep. Mon 14 SepRet. Tue 15 Sep$188
Dep. Sat 05 SepRet. Mon 07 Sep$188
Dep. Sun 13 SepRet. Mon 14 Sep$188
Dep. Wed 09 SepRet. Tue 15 Sep$188
Dep. Thu 03 SepRet. Tue 08 Sep$188
Dep. Tue 08 SepRet. Mon 14 Sep$188
Dep. Thu 03 SepRet. Tue 22 Sep$198
Dep. Sat 05 SepRet. Wed 16 Sep$198
Dep. Sat 05 SepRet. Thu 10 Sep$198
Dep. Thu 03 SepRet. Wed 16 Sep$198
Dep. Thu 03 SepRet. Sat 05 Sep$198
Dep. Sun 13 SepRet. Thu 17 Sep$198
Dep. Mon 07 SepRet. Mon 21 Sep$198
Dep. Fri 04 SepRet. Wed 09 Sep$198
Dep. Wed 09 SepRet. Mon 21 Sep$198
Dep. Tue 08 SepRet. Tue 22 Sep$198
Dep. Thu 10 SepRet. Wed 16 Sep$198
Dep. Thu 10 SepRet. Tue 22 Sep$198
JQ,VA Return flights from $228
Dep. Mon 31 AugRet. Sun 06 Sep$228
Dep. Fri 24 JulRet. Mon 27 Jul$240
JQ,VAShow more Flights
Dep. Fri 18 SepRet. Sun 20 Sep$298
Dep. Thu 02 JulRet. Sun 05 Jul$655
Dep. Tue 23 JunRet. Fri 26 Jun$887
VA Return flights from $252
Dep. Fri 24 JulRet. Mon 27 Jul$252
Dep. Mon 31 AugRet. Sun 06 Sep$259
VAShow more Flights
Dep. Fri 18 SepRet. Sun 20 Sep$298
Dep. Thu 02 JulRet. Sun 05 Jul$760
Dep. Tue 23 JunRet. Fri 26 Jun$950
JQ,QF Return flights from $297
Dep. Mon 31 AugRet. Sun 06 Sep$297
Dep. Fri 24 JulRet. Mon 27 Jul$319
JQ,QFShow more Flights
Dep. Fri 18 SepRet. Sun 20 Sep$335
Dep. Thu 02 JulRet. Sun 05 Jul$715
Dep. Tue 23 JunRet. Fri 26 Jun$935
QF,VA Return flights from $323
Dep. Mon 31 AugRet. Sun 06 Sep$323
Dep. Fri 24 JulRet. Mon 27 Jul$323
QF,VAShow more Flights
Dep. Fri 18 SepRet. Sun 20 Sep$328
Dep. Thu 02 JulRet. Sun 05 Jul$743
Dep. Tue 23 JunRet. Fri 26 Jun$932
QF Return flights from $378
Dep. Fri 18 SepRet. Sun 20 Sep$378
Dep. Mon 31 AugRet. Sun 06 Sep$381
QFShow more Flights
Dep. Fri 24 JulRet. Mon 27 Jul$398
Dep. Thu 02 JulRet. Sun 05 Jul$787
Dep. Tue 23 JunRet. Fri 26 Jun$1,162
JQ,QF,VA Return flights from $563
Dep. Fri 24 JulRet. Mon 27 Jul$563
Dep. Mon 31 AugRet. Sun 06 Sep$563
JQ,QF,VAShow more Flights
Dep. Thu 02 JulRet. Sun 05 Jul$795
Dep. Tue 23 JunRet. Fri 26 Jun$886
JQ,PX Return flights from $715
Dep. Mon 31 AugRet. Sun 06 Sep$715
Dep. Fri 24 JulRet. Mon 27 Jul$734
JQ,PXShow more Flights
Dep. Thu 02 JulRet. Sun 05 Jul$1,045
Dep. Tue 23 JunRet. Fri 26 Jun$1,498
PX,VA Return flights from $745
Dep. Fri 24 JulRet. Mon 27 Jul$745
Dep. Mon 31 AugRet. Sun 06 Sep$746
PX,VAShow more Flights
Dep. Thu 02 JulRet. Sun 05 Jul$1,051
Dep. Tue 23 JunRet. Fri 26 Jun$1,628
JQ,QN Return flights from $756
Dep. Mon 31 AugRet. Sun 06 Sep$756
Dep. Thu 02 JulRet. Sun 05 Jul$1,059
PX,QF Return flights from $825
Dep. Fri 24 JulRet. Mon 27 Jul$825
Dep. Mon 31 AugRet. Sun 06 Sep$872
PX,QFShow more Flights
Dep. Fri 18 SepRet. Sun 20 Sep$1,104
Dep. Thu 02 JulRet. Sun 05 Jul$1,105
Dep. Tue 23 JunRet. Fri 26 Jun$1,497
JQ,QF,QN Return flights from $867
Dep. Mon 31 AugRet. Sun 06 Sep$867
Dep. Thu 02 JulRet. Sun 05 Jul$1,151
JQ,QF,QNShow more Flights
Dep. Tue 23 JunRet. Fri 26 Jun$1,578
JQ,W2 Return flights from $1,122
Dep. Thu 02 JulRet. Sun 05 Jul$1,122
PX Return flights from $1,203
Dep. Mon 31 AugRet. Sun 06 Sep$1,203
Dep. Fri 24 JulRet. Mon 27 Jul$1,225
JQ,QF,W2 Return flights from $1,214
Dep. Thu 02 JulRet. Sun 05 Jul$1,214

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 $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 03 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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