$149 Find Cheap Flights from Cairns to Sydney – Compare and Save

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

• Earliest: departs at 06:40 and lands at 09:39
• Latest: departs at 18:15 and lands at 21:14.

The flight takes about 2h 59m.

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

• Economy class
• Business Class

A direct flight from Cairns to Sydney takes 2h 59m, covering 3,171 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 Cairns to Sydney range from $290 to $428, with an average of $353 over the past 12 months. Anything below $290 counts as a good deal.

Last-minute fares on this route (booked within two weeks of departure) run 21% above the $353 route average. Book 23 weeks before departure for the lowest fares.

On this route, direct flights are cheaper than stopover options on average. Direct fares average $348 return, compared with $499 via a stopover through Brisbane (BNE).

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

• Virgin Australia: 87% on time
• Jetstar: 87% on time
• Qantas Airways: 85% on time

On average, flights on this route are punctual 87% of the time.

There is no standard. Checked bag policies vary by airline on this route. Most carriers charge $30–$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 Cairns to Sydney flights, with 51% leaving in that window. Afternoon departures account for 37%, Evening flights for 12%, and Night flights for 0%.

One-way fares from Cairns to Sydney are currently lower than usual. Average one-way flight prices are about $179, which is 14% below the typical average for this route.

Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport (SYD) hosts 5 major car hire companies, with daily rates starting from around $15 for economy cars. Top options include:

• East Coast Car Rentals
• Bargain Car Rentals
• YESDRIVE CAR RENTAL
• No Birds
• EverythingFleet

Flights from Cairns to Sydney usually depart from Cairns (CNS) and arrive at Sydney Kingsford Smith (SYD).

Morning flights have the fewest delays on this route, while afternoon 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 Cairns to Sydney route, 13% of flights were delayed in the past three months, with delays averaging 1h 38m.

Most connecting flights from Cairns to Sydney pass through Brisbane (BNE), which handles 100% of one-stop traffic on this route.

Yes. Flexible dates can save you up to 18% on flights from Cairns to Sydney. Wednesday is the cheapest departure day at $314 return on average, while Tuesday is the most expensive at $383, a difference of $69.

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 Cairns and Sydney. The airlines offering direct flights on this route include:

• Jetstar
• Virgin Australia
• Qantas Airways

Sydney 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.

Some of the most popular sights in Sydney are Sydney Opera House, Star Casino, and Capitol Theatre. These are among the most viewed places in Sydney on KAYAK.

Among airlines operating Cairns to Sydney 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.