SYD - CNS

$94 Find Cheap Flights from Sydney to Cairns

This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a KAYAK user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight from Sydney to Cairns departing on 7/5. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel. Click the price to replicate the search for this deal.
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KAYAK searches hundreds of travel sites at once for deals on flights to Cairns

 
These are the airlines KAYAK users have selected most often from within our search results in flight searches from Sydney to Cairns, as well as popular online travel agencies
These are the airlines KAYAK users have selected most often from within our search results in flight searches from Sydney to Cairns, as well as popular online travel agencies
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Cheap Flight Deals from Sydney to Cairns (SYD-CNS)

 
Here are some of the best deals found on KAYAK recently from the most popular airlines for return flights from Sydney to Cairns that are departing in the next months. While these flights were available on KAYAK in the last 72 hours, prices and availability are subject to change and deals may expire.

Recent return flight deals from Sydney to Cairns

KAYAK's recommended return flight deals from the most popular airlines that fly from Sydney to Cairns.
Discover the best prices for you by selecting your travel dates on KAYAK.
Choose your dates
Jetstar Logo
06:10 - 09:15SYD-CNS
3h 05mdirect
Jetstar Logo
19:00 - 21:55CNS-SYD
2h 55mdirect
$203Jetstar
Find Deal
Tue, 3 Jun - Sat, 7 Jun
Jetstar Logo
15:10 - 18:15SYD-CNS
3h 05mdirect
Jetstar Logo
19:00 - 21:55CNS-SYD
2h 55mdirect
$208Jetstar
Find Deal
Wed, 7 May - Sat, 10 May
Jetstar Logo
15:10 - 18:15SYD-CNS
3h 05mdirect
Jetstar Logo
19:00 - 21:55CNS-SYD
2h 55mdirect
$210Jetstar
Find Deal
Sat, 17 May - Sat, 31 May
Jetstar Logo
19:45 - 22:50SYD-CNS
3h 05mdirect
Jetstar Logo
19:00 - 21:55CNS-SYD
2h 55mdirect
$211Jetstar
Find Deal
Mon, 16 Jun - Thu, 19 Jun
Jetstar Logo
06:10 - 09:15SYD-CNS
3h 05mdirect
Jetstar Logo
06:45 - 09:45CNS-SYD
3h 00mdirect
$214Jetstar
Find Deal
Sun, 1 Jun - Wed, 4 Jun
Jetstar Logo
06:10 - 09:15SYD-CNS
3h 05mdirect
Jetstar Logo
06:45 - 09:45CNS-SYD
3h 00mdirect
$216Jetstar
Find Deal
Sat, 10 May - Sun, 11 May
 Logo
06:10 - 09:15SYD-CNS
3h 05mdirect
 Logo
12:10 - 15:05CNS-SYD
2h 55mdirect
Tue, 13 May - Sun, 18 May
Virgin Australia Logo
15:20 - 18:35SYD-CNS
3h 15mdirect
Virgin Australia Logo
19:15 - 22:10CNS-SYD
2h 55mdirect
$266Virgin Australia
Find Deal
Thu, 24 Jul - Sun, 27 Jul
Virgin Australia Logo
08:10 - 10:25SYD-CNS
3h 15mdirect
Virgin Australia Logo
17:45 - 21:40CNS-SYD
2h 55mdirect
$291Virgin Australia
Find Deal
Mon, 20 Oct - Thu, 23 Oct
Virgin Australia Logo
12:40 - 15:55SYD-CNS
3h 15mdirect
Virgin Australia Logo
19:15 - 22:10CNS-SYD
2h 55mdirect
$330Virgin Australia
Find Deal
Thu, 17 Jul - Fri, 25 Jul

KAYAK's insights & trends for Sydney to Cairns flights

Get data-powered insights and trends into flights from Sydney to Cairns to help you find the cheapest flights, the best time to fly and much more.

What’s the cheapest day of the week to fly from Sydney to Cairns?

The average price of all round-trip flights from Sydney to Cairns clicked on KAYAK for each day over the last 12 months.
If your flying dates are flexible, you should consider flying to Cairns on a Wednesday, as we generally find the cheapest rates on that day for this route. On the other hand, Tuesday is the most expensive day to fly from Sydney to Cairns. For your return ticket, we recommend flying on a Tuesday and avoiding Saturdays for the best deals.

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

To calculate monthly average prices, KAYAK takes all prices for each month over the last year for round-trip flights from Sydney to Cairns, removes the top 0.1% to account for outliers, and then takes the median of all values for each month.
The cheapest month for flights from Sydney to Cairns is March, where tickets cost $236 (return) on average. On the other hand, the most expensive months are December and April, where the average cost of round-trip tickets is $432 and $399 respectively.

How far in advance should I book a flight from Sydney to Cairns?

To calculate weekly average prices, KAYAK takes all prices for each week before departure over the last year for round-trip flights from Sydney to Cairns, removes the top 0.1% to account for outliers, and then takes the average of all the values for each week.
To get a below average price on the flight from Sydney to Cairns, you should book around 5 weeks before departure. For the absolute cheapest price, our data suggests you should book 17 weeks before departure.

Good to know

Low season

February

High season

December

Cheapest flight

$94
Best time to beat the crowds (23% less expensive on average)
Most popular time to fly (30% more expensive on average)
Flight from Sydney to Cairns

When to book flights from Sydney to Cairns

Are your dates flexible? Find out the best times to travel from Sydney to Cairns based on our flight data from the last year. Discover the cheapest month and even day to fly.
Estimated return price
KAYAK looks at all historical flight data for each date to provide a predicted price for one-way trips or returns with a duration up to 40 days. While we try to provide actual minimum prices for each date, some prices are predictions and actual prices may differ.

FAQs for booking flights from Sydney to Cairns

  • What lounges are available in the domestic terminals of Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport?

    If you’d like to relax in comfort before your flight, there are various lounge options in the domestic terminals of Sydney Airport. Terminal 3 has Qantas Business Lounge and The Qantas Club Lounge, which are both located in the departures area, opposite Gates 4 and 5. Terminal 2 has Virgin Australia Lounge, located after security near the main security checkpoint. Please check with your airline for your eligibility to use their lounge.

  • How do you get to Sydney Airport from the Sydney centre?

    There are many options to get from Sydney centre to Sydney Airport. The metro will get you to the airport from Central Station in about 15min. Be sure to get use your Opal card, if you have one, for discounted fares. You can also take a taxi or rideshare service; the cost depends on what part of Sydney you are heading to.

  • How is Cairns Airport accessible for people with disabilities?

    The airport has accessible toilets and public phones. It also has a number of hearing loops that reduce distortion and background noise for those using hearing aids. You can also request a disability-friendly taxi through the taxi concierge staff in the taxi area.

  • Are there smoking areas at Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport?

    Smoking areas at this airport are located outside the terminal buildings. There is a no smoking policy inside the terminal buildings, so if you are a smoker, make a note of the location of the designated spaces (marked on terminal maps) and take advantage of them before going through security.

  • Is there free Wi-Fi at both Sydney Kingsford Smith and Cairns Airport?

    Sydney Airport offers free Wi-Fi – select ‘-FREE SYD WiFi-’, follow the registration instructions, click proceed and you can start surfing. Cairns Airport also has a Wi-Fi service in all terminals – it is free for 30 minutes in T2 and for 60 minutes in T1 – thereafter you will need to pay.

  • How do I transfer between terminals at Cairns Airport?

    The terminals at Cairns Airport are within walking distance of each other and you can get from one to the other via a covered walkway. From T2 Arrivals to T1 Departures, follow the Green line and from T1 Arrivals to T2 Departures follow the Blue line. The walk takes between 5 and 7minutes.

  • Can I use public transport to get from Cairns Airport to Cairns city centre?

    If you wish to use public transport from Cairns Airport ,you will need to catch the Airport Connect bus service which, for around AUD6 one way and AUD8 return, will take you from the airport to the Sheridan Street bus stops, where you can continue your journey north towards beaches or southwards towards Cairns.

  • What is the cheapest flight from Sydney to Cairns?

    In the last 3 days, the lowest price for a flight from Sydney to Cairns was $60 for a one-way ticket and $130 for a return.

  • Which airports will I be using when flying from Sydney to Cairns?

    When flying out of Sydney you will be using Sydney Kingsford Smith. You will be landing at Cairns, also known as Cairns.

  • Which airlines offer Wi-Fi service onboard planes from Sydney to Cairns?

    Only Scoot offers inflight Wi-Fi service on the Sydney to Cairns flight route.

  • Which aircraft models fly most regularly from Sydney to Cairns?

    The Boeing 737-800 Passenger/BBJ2 (winglets) is the aircraft model that flies most regularly on the Sydney to Cairns flight route.

  • Which airline alliances offer flights from Sydney to Cairns?

    oneworld, Star Alliance, and SkyTeam are the airline alliances operating flights between Sydney and Cairns, with Star Alliance being the most commonly used for this route.

  • On which days can I fly direct from Sydney to Cairns?

    There are direct flights from Sydney to Cairns on a daily basis.

  • Which is the best airline for flights from Sydney to Cairns, Virgin Australia or Qantas Airways?

    The two airlines most popular with KAYAK users for flights from Sydney to Cairns are Virgin Australia and Qantas Airways. With an average price for the route of $396 and an overall rating of 7.5, Virgin Australia is the most popular choice. Qantas Airways is also a great choice for the route, with an average price of $648 and an overall rating of 7.5.

  • How does KAYAK find such low prices on flights from Sydney to Cairns?

    KAYAK is a travel search engine. That means we look across the web to find the best prices we can find for our users. With over 2 billion flight queries processed yearly, we are able to display a variety of prices and options on flights from Sydney to Cairns.

  • How does KAYAK's flight Price Forecast tool help me choose the right time to buy my flight ticket from Sydney to Cairns?

    KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool uses historical data to determine whether the price for a flight to Cairns from Sydney is likely to change within 7 days, so travelers know whether to wait or book now.

  • What is the Hacker Fare option on flights from Sydney to Cairns?

    Hacker Fares allow you to combine one-way tickets in order to save you money over a traditional return ticket. You could then fly to Cairns with an airline and back to Sydney with another airline.

  • What is KAYAK's "flexible dates" feature and why should I care when looking for a flight from Sydney to Cairns?

    Sometimes travel dates aren't set in stone. If your preferred travel dates have some wiggle room, flexible dates will show you all the options when flying to Cairns from Sydney up to 3 days before/after your preferred dates. You can then pick the flights that suit you best.

See more FAQs

KAYAK’s top tips for finding a cheap flight from Sydney to Cairns

  • Looking for a cheap flight? 25% of our users found flights on this route for $122 or less one-way and $240 or less round-trip.
  • If you are travelling with infants or young children, there are parents rooms and baby changing facilities in both Domestic Terminals 2 and 3 of Sydney Airport (SYD).
  • If you’re craving a coffee on arrival in Cairns, there is a Macchinetta in the arrival area of Cairns Airport (CNS) serving coffees as well as focaccias and paninis.
  • A great initiative at Sydney Airport is the Airport Ambassador Program. They are volunteers who give of their time each week to give passengers a warm welcome and assist anyone needing help with finding accommodation, facilities, transport or attractions. Look out for them in their bright blue shirts.
  • Direct flights from Sydney to Cairns operate daily throughout the week. These flights are operated by four domestic carriers – Qantas, Virgin Australia, and the budget airlines Jetstar and Tiger Airways Australia. All these airlines fly into T2 in Cairns, which is the domestic terminal. If you have onward international flights, you will need to switch terminals.
  • Hungry travellers waiting to catch flights from Sydney to Cairns can take advantage of a number of restaurant options at the domestic terminals of Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport. From coffee shops, such as Toby’s Estate at T3 domestic terminal and burger bars – Chur Burger and Bistro 2020 in the T2 domestic terminal – there is something to suit every appetite.
  • If you are travelling to Cairns Airport to explore further afield, a good way to do this is to hire a car and collect it upon arrival. There are a number of car hire companies that have desks in the arrivals halls of both terminals. Avis, Budget, Hertz and Europcar are among the car hire companies represented at Cairns Airport.
  • For travellers with babies on flights from Sydney to Cairns, you will be happy to know that Cairns Airport has parents’ facilities in both terminals both before and after security. These are situated close to shops and places to eat and will allow you to change your baby’s nappy in peace and quiet away from the airport before any onward travels.
  • If you only have a limited amount of time in Cairns before moving on elsewhere and would like to explore the city and surrounds without carrying your luggage, there are luggage storage lockers next to the T2 Car Park Service Kiosk at Cairns Airport. The costs range between AUD6 and AUD14 depending on the locker size and the amount of time you need it for.
See more tips

Prefer to fly direct from Sydney Kingsford Smith to Cairns?

Find which airlines fly direct from Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport to Cairns Airport, which days they fly and book direct flights.

Direct departures

Sydney Kingsford Smith to Cairns

Monday

ANA, Air Canada, Air France, +17 more

ANA, Air Canada, +18 more

Tuesday

ANA, Air Canada, Air France, +17 more

ANA, Air Canada, +18 more

Wednesday

ANA, Air Canada, Air France, +17 more

ANA, Air Canada, +18 more

Thursday

ANA, Air Canada, Air France, +17 more

ANA, Air Canada, +18 more

Friday

ANA, Air Canada, Air France, +17 more

ANA, Air Canada, +18 more

Saturday

ANA, Air Canada, Air France, +17 more

ANA, Air Canada, +18 more

Sunday

ANA, Air Canada, Air France, +17 more

ANA, Air Canada, +18 more

See more direct flights

Direct returns

Cairns to Sydney Kingsford Smith

Monday

ANA, Air Canada, Air France, +13 more

ANA, Air Canada, +14 more

Tuesday

ANA, Air Canada, Air France, +13 more

ANA, Air Canada, +14 more

Wednesday

ANA, Air Canada, Air France, +13 more

ANA, Air Canada, +14 more

Thursday

ANA, Air Canada, Air France, +13 more

ANA, Air Canada, +14 more

Friday

ANA, Air Canada, Air France, +13 more

ANA, Air Canada, +14 more

Saturday

ANA, Air Canada, Air France, +13 more

ANA, Air Canada, +14 more

Sunday

ANA, Air Canada, Air France, +13 more

ANA, Air Canada, +14 more

See more direct flights
See more direct flights

Top 3 airlines serving from Sydney to Cairns

 
See real verified KAYAK customer reviews for airlines flying from Sydney to Cairns. Airline scores are aggregated from all reviews left by passengers on KAYAK after flying with an airline. KAYAK doesn’t show reviews that are older than 5 years. Learn how KAYAK collects reviews.
Need help choosing which airline to fly with from Sydney to Cairns? KAYAK airline reviews give an overall score for each airline based on loads of factors, including comfort, boarding, in-flight entertainment and more, to make your decision easier. See airline scores according to verified KAYAK customer reviews.
7.5
Qantas AirwaysOverall score based on 826 reviews
8.2Crew
7.7Boarding
7.2Entertainment
7.4Comfort
6.9Food
Airline reviews

Airport and crew experience was excellent. We had to queue for the runway - no one’s fault, but it did mean we were 30 minutes late leaving

10.0 ExcellentAnonymous, Apr 2025MEL - LST
Read more Qantas Airways reviews

Airport and crew experience was excellent. We had to queue for the runway - no one’s fault, but it did mean we were 30 minutes late leaving

Overall good experience with flight and airport wheelchair staff. Also got Indian food in the flights

Friendly staff, surprisingly good premium economy seats allowing good sleep/ snooze opportunity and very good menu.

Very good as always, stand out airline. The passengers whom choose to stuff baggage that otherwise should be checked-in is a real bother but that's not the airlines doing. A real frustration that passengers just don't want to check-in luggage. This is a pet hate unfortunately.

It’s a two prop flight so I had problems with my ears on re- entering ! But otherwise fine

I love flying with Qantas. There was no onscreen entertaining on this flight, and only a snack provided (not a meal) but still better than Jetstar or Virgin (in my opinion) so still happy.

Wheelchair assistance to move through the terminals and to/from the plane door was excellent. No vegan snack on the flight, only something with salami and cheese in it.

I have flown Qantas multiple times in the past it seemed this flight the plane had less seat room or the seats were way less comfortable than before. Everything else was about the same. Thanks

The old Plane had not been cleaned properly in a long time.

Planes was old - business class seats looked like they were installed in the 80s

Gluten free options less explicit on business class, but great service

Very good… seems the virgin staff particularly in the lounge and in flight exceeded expectations.

I liked everything about the experience but would have liked some free snacks!

Crew was great but flight was delayed almost three hours due to a technical issue and we had to go back to the terminal and wait for another one.

Being told why we delayed three hours and not even given an apology by someone. Not a word. Not my airline of choice ever.

Checked Baggage line up was long but moved quickly, rest of the process, boarding, crew was excellent

Virgin has always provided a smooth and comfortable flight. This one was no different. Seats are comfortable. Staff are great. This is my favourite airline.

Virgin changed the flight to an Alliance flight. Smaller plane, tea coffee and water the only refreshments available and not sure what happened to the extra money I paid to sit in a selected seat with extra leg room. This is obviously a regular switch as it happened on our flight there and back. Do not recommend.

Late boarding, late departure due to weather and slow boarding, packed 5+hour flight, only 2 toilets for main cabin, tight leg room, no free food except tea, coffee, and water, arrived 75 minutes late.

Cramped, crowded flight, with no complimentary food except coffee, tea, or water.

Overall, it was good. The only concern was that I couldn't charge my phone because the USB port didn't work after we took off. One of the crew members tried to restart it but never came back to me with an update.

Comfortable seats, boarding was easy and staff were very nice.

Flight was fine but a domestic flight was called by Jetstar international. This meant going through immigration and custom scanning twice. Long queues were experienced which were frustrating. We were using a wheelchair and exit at Perth needed a scissor lift as no air bridge provided. No fast lane at Perth for wheelchair. The staff were helpful but this system is poor.

The crew were great. The seat was older than an old Holden with a big metal bar sticking right into my back. The passenger next to me complained that hers was the same. The pre purchase system for food was disappointing as the pie/quiche took 20 mins to warm up, arrived too hot and with no utensils. It was one of the most uncomfortable flights I've ever been on.

Not very good, no food and not drink ( caffe or tea). Never ever fly with jet star.

Fabulous I have no issues with JetStar great service always use them to fly

Flight was as expected - we got what we paid for which was a base fare

Hardly we had overweight and we were asked to pay $75. We were checked by a female and weight was alright

Unaware of charge for carry on until i got to gate

I got what I paid for - flight was clean, staff were friendly

Everything you need to know for your flight from Sydney to Cairns

Other airlines flying from Sydney to Cairns

Flights from the other most popular airlines that fly from Sydney to Cairns according to KAYAK users. Prices are the lowest found on KAYAK over the last 7 days. Price and availability are not guaranteed.

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