$109 Find Cheap Flights from Brisbane to Cairns – Compare and Save

These are the earliest and latest flight times available from Brisbane to Cairns:

• Earliest: departs at 06:00 and lands at 08:26
• Latest: departs at 20:50 and lands at 23:16.

The flight takes about 2h 26m.

Two cabin classes are available on flights from Brisbane to Cairns:

• Economy class
• Business Class

A direct flight from Brisbane to Cairns takes 2h 26m, covering 2,239 km.

No, a passport is not required for this domestic route, but you will need another form of identification, such as a driving licence.

Return flights from Brisbane to Cairns range from $221 to $368, with an average of $274 over the past 12 months. Anything below $221 counts as a good deal.

Last-minute fares on this route (booked within two weeks of departure) run 43% above the $274 route average. Book 15 weeks before departure for the lowest fares.

Qantas Airways is slightly above the route average for timely arrivals, while Virgin Australia has a lower on-time arrival rate. On-time arrival rates on Brisbane to Cairns flights are:

• Qantas Airways: 93% on time
• Virgin Australia: 86% on time
• Jetstar: 81% on time

On average, flights on this route are punctual 85% of the time.

There is no standard. Checked bag policies vary by airline on this route. Most carriers charge $25–$143 for the first checked bag in Economy. Premium fares and elite status bookings typically include a free checked bag.

The Boeing 737-800 Passenger/BBJ2 (winglets) family is used most often on this route, operated mainly by Virgin Australia and Qantas Airways. Other aircraft seen on the route include Airbus A320-100/200 variants.

Morning is the busiest departure period on Brisbane to Cairns flights, with 47% leaving in that window. Afternoon departures account for 38%, Evening flights for 15%, and Night flights for 0%.

One-way fares from Brisbane to Cairns are currently lower than usual. Average one-way flight prices are about $148, which is 13% below the typical average for this route.

Cairns Airport (CNS) hosts 5 major car hire companies, with daily rates starting from around $18 for economy cars. Top options include:

• Bargain Car Rentals
• East Coast Car Rentals
• Simba Car Hire
• Europcar
• Ace Rental Cars

Flights from Brisbane to Cairns usually depart from Brisbane (BNE) and arrive at Cairns (CNS).

Morning flights have the fewest delays on this route, while night departures tend to have the most.

A flight is considered delayed when it departs 15 minutes or more after its scheduled time. This is the standard used by the US Department of Transportation and most airline industry reporting. On the Brisbane to Cairns route, 15% of flights were delayed in the past three months, with delays averaging 1h 37m.

Yes. Flexible dates can save you up to 16% on flights from Brisbane to Cairns. Thursday is the cheapest departure day at $256 return on average, while Sunday is the most expensive at $303, a difference of $47.

KAYAK's flexible dates feature shows options up to three days before and after your selected dates, making it easier to compare nearby fares.

3 airlines operate flights between Brisbane and Cairns. The airlines offering direct flights on this route include:

• Qantas Airways
• Virgin Australia
• Jetstar

Some of the most popular sights in Cairns are Esplanade Lagoon, Reef Hotel Casino, and Cairns Convention Centre. These are among the most viewed places in Cairns on KAYAK.

Among airlines operating Brisbane to Cairns flights:

• Virgin Australia: offers free seat selection

Extra legroom and free seat selection availability depends on fare class and route.

Here are some options for this route, based on selected ticket types and cabin classes:

• Jetstar: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy class
• Virgin Australia: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy class
• Qantas Airways: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy class

Baggage allowance can vary by ticket type, cabin class, route, and airline, so always check the fare details before booking.

If you’re looking for a bite to eat after your flight, you can find something to suit you in the Domestic Terminal of the Cairns Airport. Hudsons Coffee can offer you a quick pastry and a shot of caffeine to keep you going, or there’s the Macchinetta Coffee just outside the terminal where you can sit down in the fresh air.

There aren’t any public transport options available to take you from the Cairns Airport into the city centre. There are a few private shuttle and bus companies that offer shared services to your destination of choice, including Excellence Coaches or Cairns Bus Charters. Many visitors to Cairns use the CairnsTaxi from the taxi ranks directly outside the Domestic Terminal. It takes about 10 minutes to get to downtown Cairns.

If you need to leave your car somewhere during your flight from Brisbane to Cairns, Brisbane Airport has several different parking options available to suit all kinds of travellers. Premium long-term parking can be found directly outside the Domestic Terminal on Level 3, next to the skywalk. Budget-friendly travellers can choose between open or undercover parking with AIRPARK, who also offer a shuttle service from the carparks to the terminal.

Brisbane Airport offers many opportunities to relax before your flight. If you enjoy shopping, you can use the free shuttle to head over to the Skygate Mall where you can find a range of shopping and eateries, or just relax at the Anton & Blair hair salon. Massage and acupuncture are also available there at the Chi Link spa.

If you need to store some luggage during your stay in Cairns, you can find self-service storage lockers at the Cairns Airport undercover, near the Terminal 2 Carpark. Storage for oversized items is also available. If you prefer to leave your luggage at the Brisbane Airport, storage is available outside the Virgin and Qantas areas of the Domestic Terminal.

The flight from Brisbane to Cairns is quite short, usually around 2h 30min. For most airlines, this means the food offered will be light meals and snacks like sandwiches, small pies or sausage rolls (served hot) and bakery items like croissants and muffins. Note that on most airlines operating this route, food costs extra, while water, tea and coffee are usually complimentary.

Qantas does offer flights from Brisbane to Cairns. However, these are sometimes connecting flights with a stopover in Townsville. They do offer a few direct flights, and these are often the flights with the smallest carbon footprint.

Book special assistance at least 48 hours in advance through your airline. Most airlines can take bookings over the phone or online. Qantas asks passengers who need a wheelchair to book through their Wheelchair Assistance Request online.

If you're planning on hiring a car in Cairns, it can be convenient to pick it up at the airport. There are car hire counters in both terminals in the arrivals area. A couple of available companies include Avis and Budget, and they have desks in both terminals.