CBR - CNS

$280 Find Cheap Flights from Canberra to Cairns – Compare and Save

1 adult
1 adult, Economy, 0 bags

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Everything you should know

Cheapest return flight
$477
Typical prices: $535-$663
Jetstar
Fri 12/10Sun 21/10
CBR - CNS • 1 stop
Cheapest one-way flight
$280
Typical prices: $273-$352
Multiple Airlines
Fri 26/10
CBR - CNS • 1 stop
Direct flights
Not available
There are currently no direct flights between Canberra and Cairns. You'll need to take a connecting flight to reach the destination.
Insights
Insights
When to book
23 weeks
in advance
Our data shows that travellers who book at least 23 weeks in advance save around 18% compared to booking last minute.
Insights
Insights
When to travel
January
Cheapest • 11% price drop
August
Most popular
Good to know
+1
Good to know
+1
Top stopover airports
Sydney Kingsford Smith (SYD)
Cheapest • Avg $419 (return)
Brisbane (BNE)
Shortest trip • 5h 09m (one-way)
Insights
Insights
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We hope you enjoy your trip to Cairns!
Flight Deals
Booking Insights
Flight Deals

Cheap Flights from Canberra to Cairns (CBR-CNS)

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

Recent return flight deals from Canberra to Cairns

Mon, 12 Oct - Wed, 21 Oct
Jetstar Logo
16:00 - 09:05CBR  Canberra-CNS Cairns
18h 05m1 stop Coolangatta Gold Coast
Jetstar Logo
06:00 - 16:30CNS  Cairns-CBR Canberra
9h 30m1 stop Brisbane
$477Jetstar
Wed, 7 Oct - Tue, 13 Oct
Jetstar Logo
16:00 - 09:05CBR  Canberra-CNS Cairns
18h 05m1 stop Coolangatta Gold Coast
Jetstar Logo
07:00 - 12:05CNS  Cairns-CBR Canberra
28h 05m1 stop Melbourne
$534Jetstar
Mon, 26 Oct - Tue, 3 Nov
Multiple Airlines Logo
17:15 - 08:35CBR  Canberra-CNS Cairns
16h 20m1 stop Brisbane
Multiple Airlines Logo
09:45 - 14:50CNS  Cairns-CBR Canberra
28h 05m1 stop Coolangatta Gold Coast
$538Multiple Airlines
Mon, 12 Oct - Tue, 20 Oct
Jetstar Logo
16:00 - 09:05CBR  Canberra-CNS Cairns
18h 05m1 stop Coolangatta Gold Coast
Jetstar Logo
06:00 - 16:30CNS  Cairns-CBR Canberra
9h 30m1 stop Brisbane
$540Jetstar
Wed, 7 Oct - Wed, 14 Oct
Multiple Airlines Logo
16:00 - 09:05CBR  Canberra-CNS Cairns
18h 05m1 stop Coolangatta Gold Coast
Multiple Airlines Logo
17:25 - 23:05CNS  Cairns-CBR Canberra
4h 40m1 stop Brisbane
$545Multiple Airlines
Sat, 10 Oct - Wed, 14 Oct
Multiple Airlines Logo
17:20 - 08:30CBR  Canberra-CNS Cairns
16h 10m1 stop Brisbane
Multiple Airlines Logo
17:25 - 23:05CNS  Cairns-CBR Canberra
4h 40m1 stop Brisbane
$563Multiple Airlines
Sun, 20 Dec - Mon, 28 Dec
Virgin Australia Logo
14:25 - 19:05CBR  Canberra-CNS Cairns
5h 40m1 stop Melbourne
Virgin Australia Logo
11:45 - 18:15CNS  Cairns-CBR Canberra
5h 30m1 stop Melbourne
$579Virgin Australia
Thu, 17 Dec - Mon, 28 Dec
Virgin Australia Logo
14:45 - 19:05CBR  Canberra-CNS Cairns
5h 20m1 stop Melbourne
Virgin Australia Logo
11:45 - 18:15CNS  Cairns-CBR Canberra
5h 30m1 stop Melbourne
$579Virgin Australia
Sun, 20 Dec - Tue, 29 Dec
Virgin Australia Logo
14:25 - 19:05CBR  Canberra-CNS Cairns
5h 40m1 stop Melbourne
Virgin Australia Logo
11:40 - 18:00CNS  Cairns-CBR Canberra
5h 20m1 stop Brisbane
$579Virgin Australia
Wed, 28 Oct - Wed, 4 Nov
Jetstar Logo
15:30 - 09:05CBR  Canberra-CNS Cairns
18h 35m1 stop Coolangatta Gold Coast
Jetstar Logo
12:05 - 16:30CNS  Cairns-CBR Canberra
27h 25m1 stop Brisbane
$605Jetstar
Booking Insights

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

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

How much is a return flight from Canberra to Cairns?

Return flights from Canberra to Cairns start at $477. Prices are below average for this route right now, with typical return fares ranging from $535 to $663. The lowest price found in the past 5 days was $477 on Jetstar.

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

Friday is the cheapest day of the week to fly from Canberra to Cairns and is 4% cheaper than the average day. Sunday is the most expensive day with flight prices 13% higher than average. Based on deals found by KAYAK users in the last 12 months.

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

  • January is the cheapest month to fly from Canberra to Cairns at $517 return.
  • July ($646) and June ($619) are the most expensive months.
  • The price difference between flying in the cheapest and most expensive months is 24% on average.
This is based on KAYAK aggregated and averaged internal data over the past 12 months.

When are prices from Canberra to Cairns the cheapest?

Flights from Canberra to Cairns are cheapest 23 weeks before departure. Booking in this window typically costs about 18% less than the average last-minute fare (within 2 weeks of the flight), based on KAYAK data.

Find deals

Key details for Canberra to Cairns flights

Low season

February

Cheapest flight

$280
Best time to beat the crowds (10% less expensive on average)
Most popular time to fly and prices are also 2% lower on average.
Flights from Canberra to Cairns

When to book flights from Canberra to Cairns

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

Your Canberra to Cairns flight questions, answered

Find helpful route details based on KAYAK data, including flight times, airports, airlines, and booking questions.

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

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

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

    Only Economy class is available on flights from Canberra to Cairns.

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

    One-stop flights from Canberra to Cairns most commonly connect through:

    • Brisbane (BNE) – 85% of one-stop connections
    • Melbourne (MEL) – 12% of one-stop connections
    • Sydney Kingsford Smith (SYD) – 3% of one-stop connections

    Brisbane (BNE) handles the largest share of one-stop connections on this route.

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

    Yes. Being flexible with your travel dates can save you up to 15% on the Canberra to Cairns route. Friday is the cheapest departure day at $558 return on average, while Sunday is the most expensive at $654, a difference of $96. KAYAK's flexible dates feature shows options up to 3 days before and after your selected dates, making it easier to compare nearby fares.

  • What popular places can I visit in Cairns?

    Some of the most popular sights in Cairns are Cairns Esplanade, Cairns Railway Station, and Cairns Central Shopping Centre. These are among the most viewed places in Cairns on KAYAK.

  • How expensive are last-minute Canberra to Cairns flights?

    Last-minute fares on this route (booked within 2 weeks of departure) run 8% above the route average of $579. Book 23 weeks before departure for the lowest fares.

  • How long is a flight from Canberra to Cairns?

    A direct flight from Canberra to Cairns takes 0h 00m, covering 3,339 km.

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

    No. A passport is not required for this domestic route, but you will need a real ID-compliant driver's license, a state ID, or another TSA-accepted form of identification.

  • Have flight prices from Canberra to Cairns 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 $477 to $1,848. That means the highest observed fare was about 4x higher than the lowest one.

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

    One-way fares from Canberra to Cairns are currently higher than usual. Average one-way flight prices are about $482, which is 58% above the typical average for this route.

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

    Flying via Brisbane (BNE) gives the shortest average 1-stop total travel time of 5h 09m, compared to 5h 41m via Sydney Kingsford Smith (SYD) and 7h 56m via Melbourne (MEL).

  • Which car hire options are available at Cairns Airport (CNS)?

    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
    • Ace Rental Cars
    • Budget

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

    Return flights from Canberra to Cairns range from $535 to $663, with an average of $579 over the past 12 months. Anything below $535 counts as a good deal.

Your guide to booking Canberra to Cairns 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 Friday departure instead of Sunday. On this route, Friday flights average $558 – about $96 less than Sunday (15% savings) based on the last 12 months.
  • For the best chance at a low fare, aim to book around 23 weeks before you fly. On this route, that window historically saves about 18% versus last-minute pricing (KAYAK booking data, last 12 months).
  • If you can choose when to travel, plan your Canberra to Cairns trip for January. Fares historically average $517 return in that month – typically $128 less than the most expensive month, which is July (based on the last 12 months).
  • If you're arriving late at night and need somewhere to stay, check out these hotels close to Cairns Airport.
    - Cairns Colonial Club Resort
    - Cairns Harbourside Hotel
    - Cairns Sheridan Hotel

More options for your flight from Canberra to Cairns

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

Car hire in Cairns
Hotels in Cairns
Holidays in Cairns