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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. Sat 18 JulRet. Wed 29 Jul$241
Dep. Sat 18 JulRet. Fri 31 Jul$241
JQShow more Flights
Dep. Sat 18 JulRet. Thu 06 Aug$241
Dep. Sat 18 JulRet. Fri 07 Aug$241
Dep. Sat 18 JulRet. Wed 12 Aug$241
Dep. Sun 19 JulRet. Wed 29 Jul$241
Dep. Sun 19 JulRet. Fri 31 Jul$241
Dep. Sun 19 JulRet. Thu 06 Aug$241
Dep. Sun 19 JulRet. Fri 07 Aug$241
Dep. Sun 19 JulRet. Wed 12 Aug$241
Dep. Mon 20 JulRet. Fri 31 Jul$241
Dep. Mon 20 JulRet. Wed 29 Jul$241
Dep. Mon 20 JulRet. Thu 06 Aug$241
Dep. Mon 20 JulRet. Fri 07 Aug$241
Dep. Mon 20 JulRet. Wed 12 Aug$241
Dep. Tue 21 JulRet. Fri 31 Jul$241
Dep. Tue 21 JulRet. Wed 29 Jul$241
Dep. Tue 21 JulRet. Thu 06 Aug$241
Dep. Tue 21 JulRet. Fri 07 Aug$241
Dep. Tue 21 JulRet. Wed 12 Aug$241
Dep. Wed 22 JulRet. Fri 31 Jul$241
Dep. Wed 22 JulRet. Wed 29 Jul$241
Dep. Wed 22 JulRet. Thu 06 Aug$241
Dep. Wed 22 JulRet. Fri 07 Aug$241
Dep. Wed 22 JulRet. Wed 12 Aug$241
Dep. Sat 25 JulRet. Wed 29 Jul$241
Dep. Sat 25 JulRet. Fri 31 Jul$241
Dep. Sat 25 JulRet. Thu 06 Aug$241
Dep. Sat 25 JulRet. Fri 07 Aug$241
Dep. Sat 25 JulRet. Wed 12 Aug$241
Dep. Tue 28 JulRet. Wed 29 Jul$241
Dep. Tue 28 JulRet. Fri 31 Jul$241
Dep. Tue 28 JulRet. Thu 06 Aug$241
Dep. Tue 28 JulRet. Fri 07 Aug$241
Dep. Tue 28 JulRet. Wed 12 Aug$241
Dep. Tue 11 AugRet. Wed 12 Aug$241
Dep. Mon 27 JulRet. Wed 12 Aug$248
Dep. Mon 27 JulRet. Fri 31 Jul$248
Dep. Mon 27 JulRet. Wed 29 Jul$248
VA Return flights from $276
Dep. Sun 20 SepRet. Sat 26 Sep$276
Dep. Mon 17 AugRet. Fri 21 Aug$326
VAShow more Flights
Dep. Mon 29 JunRet. Fri 03 Jul$340
Dep. Mon 27 JulRet. Mon 03 Aug$367
JQ,VA Return flights from $280
Dep. Mon 17 AugRet. Fri 21 Aug$280
Dep. Sun 20 SepRet. Sat 26 Sep$311
JQ,VAShow more Flights
Dep. Mon 27 JulRet. Mon 03 Aug$319
Dep. Mon 29 JunRet. Fri 03 Jul$358
JQ,QF Return flights from $287
Dep. Mon 27 JulRet. Mon 03 Aug$287
Dep. Mon 17 AugRet. Fri 21 Aug$375
JQ,QFShow more Flights
Dep. Sun 20 SepRet. Sat 26 Sep$389
Dep. Mon 29 JunRet. Fri 03 Jul$494
QF,VA Return flights from $333
Dep. Mon 17 AugRet. Fri 21 Aug$333
Dep. Mon 27 JulRet. Mon 03 Aug$340
QF,VAShow more Flights
Dep. Sun 20 SepRet. Sat 26 Sep$358
Dep. Mon 29 JunRet. Fri 03 Jul$457
QF Return flights from $342
Dep. Sun 26 JulRet. Sun 26 Jul$342
Dep. Sun 26 JulRet. Mon 27 Jul$342
QFShow more Flights
Dep. Sun 26 JulRet. Tue 28 Jul$342
Dep. Sun 26 JulRet. Wed 29 Jul$342
Dep. Sun 26 JulRet. Mon 03 Aug$342
Dep. Sun 26 JulRet. Tue 04 Aug$342
Dep. Sun 26 JulRet. Wed 05 Aug$342
Dep. Sun 26 JulRet. Thu 06 Aug$342
Dep. Sun 26 JulRet. Fri 31 Jul$342
Dep. Sun 26 JulRet. Sat 08 Aug$342
Dep. Sun 26 JulRet. Tue 11 Aug$342
Dep. Sun 26 JulRet. Wed 12 Aug$342
Dep. Sun 26 JulRet. Thu 13 Aug$342
Dep. Sun 26 JulRet. Wed 19 Aug$342
Dep. Sun 26 JulRet. Thu 20 Aug$342
Dep. Sun 26 JulRet. Fri 21 Aug$342
Dep. Sun 26 JulRet. Sat 22 Aug$342
Dep. Sun 26 JulRet. Mon 24 Aug$342
Dep. Sun 26 JulRet. Tue 25 Aug$342
Dep. Sun 26 JulRet. Wed 26 Aug$342
Dep. Sun 26 JulRet. Thu 27 Aug$342
Dep. Sun 26 JulRet. Sun 16 Aug$342
Dep. Sun 26 JulRet. Mon 17 Aug$342
Dep. Sun 26 JulRet. Sat 29 Aug$342
Dep. Sun 26 JulRet. Sun 30 Aug$342
Dep. Sun 26 JulRet. Tue 01 Sep$342
Dep. Sun 26 JulRet. Wed 02 Sep$342
Dep. Sun 26 JulRet. Thu 03 Sep$342
Dep. Sun 26 JulRet. Sat 05 Sep$342
Dep. Sun 26 JulRet. Sun 06 Sep$342
Dep. Sun 26 JulRet. Mon 07 Sep$342
Dep. Sun 26 JulRet. Tue 08 Sep$342
Dep. Sun 26 JulRet. Wed 09 Sep$342
Dep. Sun 26 JulRet. Thu 10 Sep$342
Dep. Sun 26 JulRet. Fri 11 Sep$342
Dep. Sun 26 JulRet. Sat 12 Sep$342
Dep. Sun 26 JulRet. Sun 13 Sep$342
Dep. Sun 26 JulRet. Tue 15 Sep$342
Dep. Sun 26 JulRet. Wed 16 Sep$342
JQ,QF,VA Return flights from $375
Dep. Mon 27 JulRet. Mon 03 Aug$375
Dep. Mon 17 AugRet. Fri 21 Aug$478
JQ,QF,VAShow more Flights
Dep. Sun 20 SepRet. Sat 26 Sep$481
Dep. Mon 29 JunRet. Fri 03 Jul$626
FJ,VA Return flights from $833
Dep. Sun 20 SepRet. Sat 26 Sep$833
JQ,PX Return flights from $924
Dep. Mon 17 AugRet. Fri 21 Aug$924
NZ,VA Return flights from $1,024
Dep. Sun 20 SepRet. Sat 26 Sep$1,024
PX,VA Return flights from $1,039
Dep. Mon 17 AugRet. Fri 21 Aug$1,039
JQ,NZ Return flights from $1,072
Dep. Sun 20 SepRet. Sat 26 Sep$1,072
FJ,QF Return flights from $1,089
Dep. Sun 20 SepRet. Sat 26 Sep$1,089
FJ,JQ Return flights from $1,115
Dep. Sun 20 SepRet. Sat 26 Sep$1,115
EK,VA Return flights from $1,191
Dep. Mon 17 AugRet. Fri 21 Aug$1,191

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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