Australia
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CNS - CBR

$302 Find Cheap Flights from Cairns to Canberra – Compare and Save

1 adult
1 adult, Economy, 0 bags

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Everything you should know

Cheapest return flight
$578
Typical prices: $548-$649
Virgin Australia
Wed 17/10Fri 19/10
CNS - CBR • 1 stop
Cheapest one-way flight
$302
Typical prices: $271-$339
Virgin Australia
Thu 18/10
CNS - CBR • 1 stop
Direct flights
Not available
There are currently no direct flights between Cairns and Canberra. You'll need to take a connecting flight to reach the destination.
Insights
Insights
When to travel
January
Cheapest • 12% price drop
August
Most popular
Good to know
+1
Good to know
+1
Top stopover airports
Melbourne (MEL)
Cheapest • Avg $555 (return)
Brisbane (BNE)
Shortest trip • 5h 13m (one-way)
Insights
Insights
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KAYAK searches hundreds of sites at once to find you the best travel deals.
We hope you enjoy your trip to Canberra!
Flight Deals
Booking Insights
Flight Deals

Cheap Flights from Cairns to Canberra (CNS-CBR)

 
Discover the best prices for you by selecting your travel dates on KAYAK.

Recent return flight deals from Cairns to Canberra

Mon, 19 Oct - Fri, 23 Oct
Virgin Australia Logo
14:50 - 23:05CNS  Cairns-CBR Canberra
7h 15m1 stop Brisbane
Virgin Australia Logo
09:40 - 16:45CBR  Canberra-CNS Cairns
8h 05m1 stop Brisbane
$578Virgin Australia
Sat, 17 Oct - Mon, 19 Oct
Virgin Australia Logo
09:20 - 17:50CNS  Cairns-CBR Canberra
7h 30m1 stop Brisbane
Virgin Australia Logo
18:40 - 23:20CBR  Canberra-CNS Cairns
5h 40m1 stop Brisbane
$578Virgin Australia
Thu, 5 Nov - Fri, 6 Nov
Virgin Australia Logo
09:15 - 18:00CNS  Cairns-CBR Canberra
7h 45m1 stop Brisbane
Virgin Australia Logo
06:35 - 11:05CBR  Canberra-CNS Cairns
5h 30m1 stop Melbourne
$579Virgin Australia
Wed, 21 Oct - Wed, 28 Oct
Virgin Australia Logo
09:20 - 17:50CNS  Cairns-CBR Canberra
7h 30m1 stop Brisbane
Virgin Australia Logo
18:40 - 23:05CBR  Canberra-CNS Cairns
5h 25m1 stop Brisbane
$582Virgin Australia
Wed, 21 Oct - Tue, 27 Oct
Multiple Airlines Logo
06:00 - 16:30CNS  Cairns-CBR Canberra
9h 30m1 stop Brisbane
Multiple Airlines Logo
17:15 - 23:05CBR  Canberra-CNS Cairns
6h 50m1 stop Brisbane
$592Multiple Airlines
Wed, 21 Oct - Sun, 25 Oct
Multiple Airlines Logo
06:00 - 16:30CNS  Cairns-CBR Canberra
9h 30m1 stop Brisbane
Multiple Airlines Logo
09:40 - 14:00CBR  Canberra-CNS Cairns
5h 20m1 stop Brisbane
$599Multiple Airlines
Wed, 21 Oct - Thu, 29 Oct
Multiple Airlines Logo
06:00 - 16:30CNS  Cairns-CBR Canberra
9h 30m1 stop Brisbane
Multiple Airlines Logo
06:30 - 11:00CBR  Canberra-CNS Cairns
5h 30m1 stop Brisbane
$599Multiple Airlines
Wed, 21 Oct - Mon, 26 Oct
Multiple Airlines Logo
06:00 - 16:30CNS  Cairns-CBR Canberra
9h 30m1 stop Brisbane
Multiple Airlines Logo
18:40 - 23:05CBR  Canberra-CNS Cairns
5h 25m1 stop Brisbane
$599Multiple Airlines
Wed, 21 Oct - Sat, 31 Oct
Multiple Airlines Logo
06:00 - 16:30CNS  Cairns-CBR Canberra
9h 30m1 stop Brisbane
Multiple Airlines Logo
09:40 - 14:00CBR  Canberra-CNS Cairns
5h 20m1 stop Brisbane
$599Multiple Airlines
Wed, 24 Feb - Sun, 28 Feb
Virgin Australia Logo
17:25 - 23:15CNS  Cairns-CBR Canberra
4h 50m1 stop Brisbane
Virgin Australia Logo
09:40 - 14:00CBR  Canberra-CNS Cairns
5h 20m1 stop Brisbane
$606Virgin Australia
Booking Insights

Price, demand, and travel trends for Cairns to Canberra flights

Use KAYAK data on prices, travel dates, airlines, and seasonal trends to compare options and book flights with more confidence.

How much is a return flight from Cairns to Canberra?

Return flights from Cairns to Canberra typically range from $548 to $649. The lowest price found in the past 5 days was $578 on Virgin Australia.

What's the cheapest day of the week to fly from Cairns to Canberra?

Based on deals KAYAK users found in the last 12 months, Saturday is the cheapest day of the week to fly from Cairns to Canberra. It’s 6% cheaper than the average day, while Friday is the most expensive, with prices 4% higher.

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

•January is the cheapest month to fly from Cairns to Canberra at $532 return.
•August ($678) and July ($645) are the most expensive months.
•The price difference between flying in the cheapest and most expensive months is 27% on average.
This is based on KAYAK aggregated and averaged internal data over the past 12 months.

Find deals

Key details for Cairns to Canberra flights

Low season

February

Cheapest flight

$302
Beat the crowds with an average 4% drop in traveller numbers.
The most popular month to fly with an average 70% increase in traveller numbers.
One-way flight from Cairns to Canberra

When to book flights from Cairns to Canberra

Are your dates flexible? Find out the best times to travel from Cairns to Canberra based on our flight data from the last year. Discover the cheapest month and even day to fly.
Estimated return price

Your Cairns to Canberra flight questions, answered

Find helpful answers about this route, including flight times, airports, airlines, and booking tips.

  • Which cabin classes can I book on flights from Cairns to Canberra?

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

    • Economy class
    • Business Class

  • How long is a flight from Cairns to Canberra?

    A direct flight from Cairns to Canberra takes 00m, covering 3,339 km.

  • Do I need a passport to fly from Cairns to Canberra?

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

  • How much should I expect to pay for a Cairns to Canberra flight?

    Return flights from Cairns to Canberra range from $548 to $649, with an average of $602 over the past 12 months. Anything below $548 counts as a good deal.

  • Have flight prices from Cairns to Canberra changed much recently?

    Yes. Based on fares seen in the past 5 days, return flight prices on this route showed a wide range, from about $578 to $1,180. That means the highest observed fare was about 2x higher than the lowest one.

  • How are flight prices from Cairns to Canberra looking right now?

    One-way fares from Cairns to Canberra are currently higher than usual. Average one-way flight prices are about $392, which is 31% above the typical average for this route.

  • Which car hire options are available at Canberra Airport (CBR)?

    Canberra Airport (CBR) hosts 5 major car hire companies, with daily rates starting from around $36 for economy cars. Top options include:

    • Europcar
    • Thrifty
    • Budget
    • Alamo
    • Sixt

  • Which airports can I use when flying from Cairns to Canberra?

    Flights from Cairns to Canberra usually depart from Cairns (CNS) and arrive at Canberra (CBR).

  • Which airports do connecting flights from Cairns to Canberra pass through?

    Connecting flights from Cairns to Canberra most commonly pass through:

    • Brisbane (BNE) – 88% of one-stop connections
    • Melbourne (MEL) – 12% of one-stop connections

  • Can I save money by using flexible dates for flights from Cairns to Canberra?

    Yes. Flexible dates can save you up to 10% on flights from Cairns to Canberra. Saturday is the cheapest departure day at $568 return on average, while Friday is the most expensive at $628, a difference of $60.

    Cheaper weekend fares like these are typical of routes dominated by weekday business travel.

  • How much time can I save by choosing a different stopover airport from Cairns to Canberra?

    Flying via Brisbane (BNE) gives the shortest average 1-stop total travel time of 5h 13m, compared to 6h 21m via Melbourne (MEL).

  • What is the time difference between Cairns and Canberra?

    Canberra is 1 hour ahead of Cairns (Eastern Australia Time vs Eastern Australia Time). Plan for the time shift when scheduling connections or first-day activities.

  • What popular places can I visit in Canberra?

    Some of the most popular sights in Canberra are Floriade, Civic Square, and National Convention Centre. These are among the most viewed places in Canberra on KAYAK.

Your guide to booking Cairns to Canberra flights

Get tips on when to book, when to fly, and what to know before your trip.
  • If your dates are flexible, aim for a Saturday departure and avoid flying on Friday. On this route, Saturday flights average $568, about $60 less than Friday fares (10% savings) based on the last 12 months.
  • If you can choose when to travel, plan your Cairns to Canberra trip for January. Fares historically average $532 return in that month – typically $147 less than the most expensive month, which is August (based on the last 12 months).
  • If you're arriving late at night and need somewhere to stay, check out these hotels close to Canberra Airport.

    • Vibe Hotel Canberra

More options for your flight from Cairns to Canberra

Complete your trip to Canberra with a hotel stay or car hire

Car hire in Canberra
Hotels in Canberra
Holidays in Canberra