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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.
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.
The Boeing 737-800 Passenger/BBJ2 (winglets) is the aircraft model that flies most regularly on the Cairns to Sydney flight route.
oneworld, Star Alliance, and SkyTeam are the airline alliances operating flights between Cairns and Sydney, with oneworld being the most commonly used for this route.
There are direct flights from Cairns to Sydney on a daily basis.
The two airlines most popular with KAYAK users for flights from Cairns to Sydney are Qantas Airways and Virgin Australia. With an average price for the route of $718 and an overall rating of 7.9, Qantas Airways is the most popular choice. Virgin Australia is also a great choice for the route, with an average price of $359 and an overall rating of 7.8.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Find which airlines fly direct from Cairns to Kingsford Smith, which days they fly and book direct flights.
Direct departures
Monday
ANA, Air Canada, Air New Zealand, +11 more
ANA, Air Canada, +12 more
10
11
Tuesday
ANA, Air Canada, Air New Zealand, +11 more
ANA, Air Canada, +12 more
10
11
Wednesday
ANA, Air Canada, Air New Zealand, +11 more
ANA, Air Canada, +12 more
10
11
Thursday
ANA, Air Canada, Air New Zealand, +12 more
ANA, Air Canada, +13 more
11
12
Friday
ANA, Air Canada, Air New Zealand, +11 more
ANA, Air Canada, +12 more
10
11
Saturday
ANA, Air Canada, Air New Zealand, +11 more
ANA, Air Canada, +12 more
10
11
Sunday
ANA, Air Canada, Air New Zealand, +11 more
ANA, Air Canada, +12 more
10
11
Direct returns
Monday
ANA, Air Canada, Air France, +15 more
ANA, Air Canada, +16 more
14
15
Tuesday
ANA, Air Canada, Air France, +15 more
ANA, Air Canada, +16 more
14
15
Wednesday
ANA, Air Canada, Air France, +15 more
ANA, Air Canada, +16 more
14
15
Thursday
ANA, Air Canada, Air France, +15 more
ANA, Air Canada, +16 more
14
15
Friday
ANA, Air Canada, Air France, +15 more
ANA, Air Canada, +16 more
14
15
Saturday
ANA, Air Canada, Air France, +15 more
ANA, Air Canada, +16 more
14
15
Sunday
ANA, Air Canada, Air France, +15 more
ANA, Air Canada, +16 more
14
15
Enjoyed the comfort of the seats, slight delay to departure time but prompt takeoff and landing.
It asks about entertainment tho it’s not applicable. 10/10 for Rex 👌🏻
Not sure how to answer on the entertainment as there wasn’t any.. Comfort, I wasn’t comfortable as I was on the window side and a morbidly obese man sat in the middle and eased out into my space. I had sciatica so I wasn’t able to move much to get comfortable. Food wise I have a wheat allergy and asked if there was a gluten free option and was given a Byron bay cookie which was lovely tho it wasn’t wheat free. Not to worry. I wasn’t expecting there to be any appropriate snacks for me anyhow. The staff were very generous with the snacks and their concern for the passengers. The staff were amazing tho. Truly amazing ! One of the staff must have noticed my discomfort and helped me out to stand in the back of the plane to stretch which I really appreciated. I would fly with REX again without hesitation. Thank you very much. It was my first flight with you and I look forward to my return flight home on Tuesday. Best wishes to your company 👌🏻
All good, was a one hour flight so no food or entertainment which was expected
Rex is an underrated airline. Its my first time flying them and they were fantastic. the only things that annoyed me about my flight were things other passengers did so it was nothing i or REX could change
Really enjoyed flying with Rex the boarding and booking baggage on was easier than most. I will beat using Rex next time.
On time and a quick flight and staff vert good
Cairns (CNS)Australia
Sydney (SYD)Australia