CNS - SYD

$130 Find Cheap Flights from Cairns to Sydney – Compare and Save

This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a KAYAK user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight from Cairns to Sydney departing on 18/9. 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.
1 adult
1 adult, Economy, 0 bags

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Everything you should know

Cheapest return fare
$223
Typical prices: $211-$368
Jetstar
Thu 6/8Tue 25/8
CNS - SYD • Direct
Cheapest one-way flight
$130
Typical prices: $130-$209
Jetstar
Fri 18/9
CNS - SYD • Direct
Direct flights
Every day
You can fly direct with Jetstar, Qantas Airways, and Virgin Australia. Average duration is 2h 55m
Direct flights
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Avoid delays
Most punctual • 86% on-time
Best time • Fewest delays
Insights
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When to book
in advance
Our data shows that travellers who book at least 3 weeks in advance save around 28% compared to booking last minute.
Insights
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Insights
When to travel
Cheapest • 25% price drop
Most popular
Good to know
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Flight Deals

Cheap Flights from Cairns to Sydney (CNS-SYD)

 
Here are some of the best deals found on KAYAK recently from the most popular airlines for return flights from Cairns to Sydney 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.
Discover the best prices for you by selecting your travel dates on KAYAK.

Recent return flight deals from Cairns to Sydney

Thu, 6 Aug - Tue, 25 Aug
Jetstar Logo
06:45 - 09:45
CNS
-
SYD
3h 00mdirect
Jetstar Logo
19:15 - 22:25
SYD
-
CNS
3h 10mdirect
$223Jetstar
Thu, 6 Aug - Tue, 25 Aug
Jetstar Logo
06:45 - 09:45
CNS
-
SYD
3h 00mdirect
Jetstar Logo
19:15 - 22:25
SYD
-
CNS
3h 10mdirect
$226Jetstar
Thu, 6 Aug - Tue, 25 Aug
Jetstar Logo
06:45 - 09:45
CNS
-
SYD
3h 00mdirect
Jetstar Logo
06:10 - 09:20
SYD
-
CNS
3h 10mdirect
$231Jetstar
Thu, 6 Aug - Tue, 25 Aug
Jetstar Logo
06:45 - 09:45
CNS
-
SYD
3h 00mdirect
Jetstar Logo
19:15 - 22:25
SYD
-
CNS
3h 10mdirect
$232Jetstar
Thu, 6 Aug - Tue, 25 Aug
Jetstar Logo
06:45 - 09:45
CNS
-
SYD
3h 00mdirect
Jetstar Logo
19:15 - 22:25
SYD
-
CNS
3h 10mdirect
$233Jetstar
Thu, 6 Aug - Tue, 25 Aug
Jetstar Logo
06:45 - 09:45
CNS
-
SYD
3h 00mdirect
Jetstar Logo
19:15 - 22:25
SYD
-
CNS
3h 10mdirect
$235Jetstar
Fri, 14 Aug - Tue, 18 Aug
Jetstar Logo
19:10 - 22:05
CNS
-
SYD
2h 55mdirect
Jetstar Logo
19:15 - 22:25
SYD
-
CNS
3h 10mdirect
$236Jetstar
Thu, 6 Aug - Tue, 25 Aug
Jetstar Logo
06:45 - 09:45
CNS
-
SYD
3h 00mdirect
Jetstar Logo
19:15 - 22:25
SYD
-
CNS
3h 10mdirect
$238Jetstar
Thu, 6 Aug - Tue, 25 Aug
Jetstar Logo
06:45 - 09:45
CNS
-
SYD
3h 00mdirect
Jetstar Logo
06:10 - 09:20
SYD
-
CNS
3h 10mdirect
$239Jetstar
Thu, 6 Aug - Tue, 25 Aug
Jetstar Logo
06:45 - 09:45
CNS
-
SYD
3h 00mdirect
Jetstar Logo
06:10 - 09:20
SYD
-
CNS
3h 10mdirect
$241Jetstar
Booking Insights

KAYAK's insights & trends for Cairns to Sydney flights

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

How much is a return flight from Cairns to Sydney?

This analysis is based on the cheapest return trip price found on KAYAK in the last 12 months by searching for a flight from Cairns to Sydney departing in August.

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

The average price of all round-trip flights from Cairns to Sydney clicked on KAYAK for each day over the last 12 months.

If you are looking for a flight deal from Cairns to Sydney, look for departures on Wednesdays and avoid leaving on a Sunday, as it's usually the priciest day. When flying back from Sydney, Tuesday is the cheapest day to fly and Friday is the most expensive.

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

To calculate monthly average prices, KAYAK takes all prices for each month over the last year for round-trip flights from Cairns to Sydney, 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 Cairns to Sydney is January, where tickets cost $233 (return) on average. On the other hand, the most expensive months are March and June, where the average cost of round-trip tickets is $355 and $354 respectively.

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

To calculate weekly average prices, KAYAK takes all prices for each week before departure over the last year for round-trip flights from Cairns to Sydney, 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 Cairns to Sydney, you should book around 3 weeks before departure, which saves you about 28% compared to booking last minute. For the absolute cheapest price, our data suggests you should book 23 weeks before departure.

Good to know

Low season

June

Cheapest flight

$130
Best time to beat the crowds but there is an average 14% increase in price.
Most popular time to fly and prices are also 8% lower on average.
Flight from Cairns to Sydney

When to book flights from Cairns to Sydney

Are your dates flexible? Find out the best times to travel from Cairns to Sydney 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 Cairns to Sydney

  • Does Cairns Airport offer free Wi-Fi?

    Whether you need to make a last-minute booking, get some more information on your destination or finish up some work, you can stay connected with the free Wi-Fi offered in all areas of both Cairns Airport terminals. Access is unlimited and granted after a short and simple registration process.

  • Does Cairns Airport have parents’ facilities?

    If you’re travelling with infants, you can take care of changing, feeding and the rest of your parental responsibilities in one of the several parenting rooms at Cairns Airport. Parents’ facilities are conveniently located both before and after security control in T1 International and T2 Domestic.

  • How much is a taxi fare to Sydney city centre from the airport?

    Taxis can be easily hired at the taxi ranks outside the arrivals area on Level 1 of the terminal building for travellers who prefer a private transfer to their final destination. The duration of the trip between Sydney Airport and the city centre can be anywhere from 20 to 25 minutes, with fares at around $45-55.

  • Does Sydney Airport have an on-site hotel?

    For travellers with early return flights, or those that simply wish to stick close to the terminal, the Mantra Hotel and Ibis Hotel are a short walk from Sydney Airport’s Domestic Terminals 2 & 3. Ibis offers both standard and budget accommodation to serve travellers on any budget. Rates can fluctuate depending on the season, so try to book early for a good price.

  • Which budget airlines fly from Cairns to Sydney?

    Several budget airlines fly from Cairns to Sydney. Jetstar, for example, offers a number of daily flights. Jetstar is owned by Qantas, so Qantas Frequent Flyers can earn points on their Jetstar flights. Virgin Australia is another budget-friendly option offering frequent flights.

  • What airlines let me bring more luggage on board?

    Most airlines allow you to bring up to 7 kg of carry-on luggage. Jetstar's economy flex fare allows you to bring up to 14 kg of luggage across your carry-on luggage and your personal item. No individual bag can weigh more than 10 kg. These are perfect for those who want to bring a little bit of extra luggage but don't need enough to book checked luggage.

  • Which major airlines fly from Cairns to Sydney?

    Qantas is a major airline that runs flights from Cairns to Sydney. Most flights are direct but a few have a stopover at Brisbane Airport (BNE). If you're flying business class or are a lounge member, you can visit the Qantas Lounge during your stopover, spread across three levels.

  • How can I get special assistance at the airport?

    If you need assistance moving through the airport or on your flight, you can book mobility assistance through your airline. Make sure to book it at least 48 hours in advance. You can usually access your assistance from the check-in desk. At Cairns Airport, there's a disability drop-off area, right next to the other drop-off area.

  • What is the cheapest flight from Cairns to Sydney?

    In the last 5 days, the lowest price for a flight from Cairns to Sydney was $130 for a one-way ticket and $223 for a return.

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

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

  • Which airline alliances offer flights from Cairns to Sydney?

    oneworld is the only airline alliance operating flights between Cairns and Sydney.

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

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

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

    The two airlines most popular with KAYAK users for flights from Cairns to Sydney are Virgin Australia and Qantas Airways. With an average price for the route of $347 and an overall rating of 7.6, Virgin Australia is the most popular choice. Qantas Airways is also a great choice for the route, with an average price of $388 and an overall rating of 7.5.

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

    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 Cairns to Sydney.

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

    KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool uses historical data to determine whether the price for a flight to Sydney from Cairns 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 Cairns to Sydney?

    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 Sydney with an airline and back to Cairns with another airline.

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

    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 Sydney from Cairns up to 3 days before/after your preferred dates. You can then pick the flights that suit you best.

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

  • Looking for a cheap flight? 25% of our users found flights on this route for $156 or less one-way and $192 or less round-trip.
  • Non-stop flights from Cairns to Sydney are quick and easy to find with domestic airlines like TigerAir Australia and Jetstar. Flights between the two cities are generally affordable and will arrive at Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport. Sydney Airport serves the entire Sydney area and is located approximately 8 km from the city centre.
  • Once your flight lands, you can easily reach hotels and destinations in central Sydney by using public transport. One of the most popular ways to reach the city centre is to take the train. Trains leave from the northern end of the terminal approximately every ten minutes and cost around $19.
  • Renting a car is a good alternative if your travels around Sydney involve areas not served by public transport routes. There is a long list of different rental car agencies that operate at Sydney Airport, including Hertz, Budget and Avis. The car rental kiosks are located on the Arrivals level in Terminal 1.
  • Parking at Cairns Airport is affordable and accessible compared to other busy Australian airports. All car parks are located a short walk away from the terminals, and can be conveniently booked ahead of time via the Cairns Airport online booking system. Fees for parking start at approximately $7 per day.
  • If you’re booking a return or transit flight from Cairns to Sydney, you can grab a bite to eat and relax in one of the many airport lounges located at Sydney Airport. There are varying entrance requirements for the seven different lounges, but six of them can be accessed with single-entry passes starting at approximately $50.
  • If you're hoping to relax in a lounge before your flight from Cairns (CNS) to Sydney Kingsford Smith (SYD), consider booking a flight with Qantas. Their Qantas Club Lounge in the domestic terminal is usually open to business class passengers and Qantas Club members. You can find it on Level 1 of the T2 Terminal.
  • For this domestic route, most airlines ask that you arrive at least 45 minutes before your flight is scheduled to depart. Of course, arriving earlier is a good idea, particularly during school holidays.

Prefer to fly direct from Cairns to Sydney Kingsford Smith?

 
Direct data is based off flight results for the next 60 days. Find direct flights from all airlines flying direct from Cairns to Sydney Kingsford Smith.
Find which airlines fly direct from Cairns Airport to Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport, which days they fly and book direct flights.

Direct departures

Cairns to Sydney Kingsford Smith

Monday

Jetstar,Qantas Airways,Virgin Australia

Jetstar,Qantas Airways, +1 more

Tuesday

Jetstar,Qantas Airways,Virgin Australia

Jetstar,Qantas Airways, +1 more

Wednesday

Jetstar,Qantas Airways,Virgin Australia

Jetstar,Qantas Airways, +1 more

Thursday

Jetstar,Qantas Airways,Virgin Australia

Jetstar,Qantas Airways, +1 more

Friday

Jetstar,Qantas Airways,Virgin Australia

Jetstar,Qantas Airways, +1 more

Saturday

Jetstar,Qantas Airways,Virgin Australia

Jetstar,Qantas Airways, +1 more

Sunday

Jetstar,Qantas Airways,Virgin Australia

Jetstar,Qantas Airways, +1 more

See more direct flights

Direct returns

Sydney Kingsford Smith to Cairns

Monday

Jetstar,Qantas Airways,Virgin Australia

Jetstar,Qantas Airways, +1 more

Tuesday

Jetstar,Qantas Airways,Virgin Australia

Jetstar,Qantas Airways, +1 more

Wednesday

Jetstar,Qantas Airways,Virgin Australia

Jetstar,Qantas Airways, +1 more

Thursday

Jetstar,Qantas Airways,Virgin Australia

Jetstar,Qantas Airways, +1 more

Friday

Jetstar,Qantas Airways,Virgin Australia

Jetstar,Qantas Airways, +1 more

Saturday

Jetstar,Qantas Airways,Virgin Australia

Jetstar,Qantas Airways, +1 more

Sunday

Jetstar,Qantas Airways,Virgin Australia

Jetstar,Qantas Airways, +1 more

See more direct flights

Reviews of the top 3 airlines flying from Cairns to Sydney

 
See real verified KAYAK customer reviews for airlines flying from Cairns to Sydney. 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 Cairns to Sydney? 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.
7.6
Virgin AustraliaOverall score based on 464 reviews
6.4Entertainment
7.5Comfort
8.2Crew
7.8Boarding
6.4Food
Airline reviews

Good flight. On time. No problems. Plane was clean. Service was as you would expect. However nothing special, just a good flight.

10.0 Excellentglenn, Mar 2026
OOL - SYD
Read more Virgin Australia reviews

Good flight. On time. No problems. Plane was clean. Service was as you would expect. However nothing special, just a good flight.

They didn’t sent my luggage I got it 24 hours later

Plane was late and they wouldn’t check our bags through to Tokyo

Overall experience was good but what really impressed me the most was the care the flight attendants took of a sick passenger who was sitting in front of me. The flight attendants would come and check on her quite regularly providing her support and comfort. Brilliant service!

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

Great flight - on time, lovely staff. I’ll always have the same complaint and essentially it’s the limited food options for people who are celiac. But that’s all airlines !

The seats are so uncomfortable. The food doesn't exist unless you pay. Disappointed

X class seats in row 3 with the new configuration are very poor in fact I feel 3B and 3E should no longer be considered as X class seat as there is no forward seat pocket available to these seats and greatly reduced leg room due the intrusion of the business class armrests/table module

Estheticly the plane looks great, although the seats are way too upright. If the seats were just slightly more reclined then the comfort level would increase tenfold. I had the stiffest neck after just a short flight due to this. A nap was almost out of the question.

Plane was cancelled apparently no seat available on any flight so late in the day I would have missed my connecting flight

I missed my flight due to unforeseen circumstances It was, however , an excellent price !

an hour late, then had to disembark on back stairs and take 4 flights up to get to main airport. No warning, and difficulty for those with canes and poor knees.

A few more inches of legroom is all i ask

Airline running better than post Covid, proper boarding process now implemented, some aircraft feeling a bit old and tired, crew fine, online experience better.

The Emerits/Qantas flight was cancelled to Wellington. We need a refund. Had to buy another airline ticket. How do we get the refund. Still not in Wellington.

After British Airways cancelled my London to Sydney and Virgin Australia refused to refund, there was no ways I would try Virgin Australia again, so it was Qantas - what a good flight experience. So much easier to get off an international flight and get a local flight without having to add extra amounts for baggage

For a long haul, the flight was good. We left an hour late due to a seat in business class not working. But they made up time and we still got in on time or even early thanks to tailwinds. The crew was friendly. The meals were okay, nothing special.

The seats are too close together and are smaller than they used to be. Makes for a cramped experience.

First flight on Quantas. High marks all around. Plus it appears as if the have a comparatively new flight. Excellent airline!

Everything went solid and was on time. No issues at all

Late leaving and desintuon board showed ‘gate closed’ when they hadn’t even commenced boarding!

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.

There's a reason why fare is cheap, no amenities.

The flight was over an hour late due to staff shortages and due to it being the last evening flight, I got back to Sydney very late

This was the most horrific experience we have ever had. I would advise people to steer clear of this airline at all costs.

I got to the airport earlier than I expected, and they let me change to an earlier flight with no trouble.

It may have been a result of earlier issues with a previous plane, causing delays, but the staff were not nearly as smiley as the previous Jetstar flight I was on. Also, they started boarding before the plane was empty...so we moved from one line into another line. They should have just waited until the plane was empty to avoid waiting in two lines.

We were visiting from California and did not know Melbourne. When we arrived at the main airport, where we also arrived when we flew in, we found to our horror that we were at the wrong airport! There was no obvious to us indication that there were two airports that Jetstar flew out of in Melbourne, or even that there were two airports. The staff tried to find us seats to Sydney but none were available, so we got an Uber and went to the other airport and managed to catch the original flight. The staff were great and very helpful, including figuring out how to check what bag to not have to pay extra for the luggage. I was contrasted with Ryan Air that we had flown with in Europe a few months previously and been treated as cattle and no smiles, no help, just line up and pay. We were impressed by the friendliness and the help extended to us.

Every single one of my flight were delayed. On top of that when I asked for water I didn’t get it the first time. I had to ask for it multiple of time.

It’s only a moment away until they ask you to stand on the scale and charge you a fee for how heavy you weigh.

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

Other airlines flying from Cairns to Sydney

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