Australia
AUD

CBR - CNS

$248 Find Cheap Flights from Canberra to Cairns – Compare and Save

1 adult
1 adult, Economy, 0 bags

Save 26% or more on flights. Compare deals from all over the web.

Never overpay with our price tracking tools.

Filter searches by price, airline and more to find your best flights.

Everything you should know

Cheapest return flight
$508
Typical prices: $556-$690
Jetstar
Thu 6/12Sat 15/12
CBR - CNS • 1 stop
Cheapest one-way flight
$222
Typical prices: $294-$383
Jetstar
Wed 28/2
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 25% compared to booking last minute.
Insights
Insights
When to travel
February
Cheapest • 12% price drop
August
Most popular
Good to know
+1
Good to know
+1
Top stopover airports
Sydney Kingsford Smith (SYD)
Cheapest • Avg $590 (return)
Brisbane (BNE)
Shortest trip • 5h 15m (one-way)
Insights
Insights
Start a new search
KAYAK searches hundreds of sites at once to find you the best travel deals.
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

Sun, 6 Dec - Tue, 15 Dec
Jetstar Logo
12:25 - 08:30CBR  Canberra-CNS Cairns
21h 05m1 stop Melbourne
Jetstar Logo
14:40 - 11:40CNS  Cairns-CBR Canberra
20h 00m1 stop Melbourne
$508Jetstar
22 hours ago
Tue, 17 Nov - Sat, 21 Nov
Jetstar Logo
12:25 - 22:10CBR  Canberra-CNS Cairns
10h 45m1 stop Melbourne
Jetstar Logo
06:00 - 16:30CNS  Cairns-CBR Canberra
9h 30m1 stop Brisbane
$522Jetstar
1 day ago
Tue, 19 Jan - Thu, 21 Jan
Jetstar Logo
12:25 - 18:25CBR  Canberra-CNS Cairns
7h 00m1 stop Melbourne
Jetstar Logo
09:40 - 16:30CNS  Cairns-CBR Canberra
5h 50m1 stop Brisbane
$528Jetstar
18 hours ago
Thu, 26 Nov - Thu, 3 Dec
Multiple Airlines Logo
06:30 - 11:00CBR  Canberra-CNS Cairns
5h 30m1 stop Brisbane
Multiple Airlines Logo
09:45 - 14:50CNS  Cairns-CBR Canberra
28h 05m1 stop Coolangatta Gold Coast
$539Multiple Airlines
1 day ago
Thu, 3 Dec - Thu, 10 Dec
Jetstar Logo
12:25 - 22:10CBR  Canberra-CNS Cairns
10h 45m1 stop Melbourne
Jetstar Logo
09:40 - 16:30CNS  Cairns-CBR Canberra
5h 50m1 stop Brisbane
$549Jetstar
3+ days ago
Tue, 19 Jan - Thu, 21 Jan
Multiple Airlines Logo
12:25 - 18:25CBR  Canberra-CNS Cairns
7h 00m1 stop Melbourne
Multiple Airlines Logo
09:45 - 17:50CNS  Cairns-CBR Canberra
7h 05m2 stops Coolangatta Gold Coast Sydney Kingsford Smith
$568Multiple Airlines
18 hours ago
Thu, 5 Nov - Wed, 11 Nov
Virgin Australia Logo
18:40 - 23:05CBR  Canberra-CNS Cairns
5h 25m1 stop Brisbane
Virgin Australia Logo
11:40 - 18:00CNS  Cairns-CBR Canberra
5h 20m1 stop Brisbane
$578Virgin Australia
3+ days ago
Wed, 11 Nov - Tue, 24 Nov
Virgin Australia Logo
06:30 - 11:00CBR  Canberra-CNS Cairns
5h 30m1 stop Brisbane
Virgin Australia Logo
11:40 - 18:00CNS  Cairns-CBR Canberra
5h 20m1 stop Brisbane
$580Virgin Australia
1 day ago
Mon, 26 Oct - Fri, 30 Oct
Virgin Australia Logo
18:40 - 23:05CBR  Canberra-CNS Cairns
5h 25m1 stop Brisbane
Virgin Australia Logo
14:40 - 23:15CNS  Cairns-CBR Canberra
7h 35m1 stop Brisbane
$580Virgin Australia
1 day ago
Wed, 28 Oct - Fri, 30 Oct
Multiple Airlines Logo
15:30 - 09:05CBR  Canberra-CNS Cairns
18h 35m1 stop Coolangatta Gold Coast
Multiple Airlines Logo
14:40 - 23:15CNS  Cairns-CBR Canberra
7h 35m1 stop Brisbane
$585Multiple Airlines
3+ days ago
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 with more confidence.

How much is a return flight from Canberra to Cairns?

Return flights from Canberra to Cairns typically range from $556 to $690. The lowest price found in the past 5 days was $508 on Jetstar.

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

Based on deals KAYAK users found in the last 12 months, Tuesday is the cheapest day of the week to fly from Canberra to Cairns. It’s 3% cheaper than the average day, while Sunday is the most expensive, with prices 9% higher.

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

•February is the cheapest month to fly from Canberra to Cairns at $537 return.
•October ($697) and July ($664) are the most expensive months.
•The price difference between flying in the cheapest and most expensive months is 29% on average.
This is based on KAYAK aggregated and averaged internal data over the past 12 months.

When are flights from Canberra to Cairns the cheapest?

Flights from Canberra to Cairns are cheapest 23 weeks before departure. Booking in this window typically costs about 25% 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

$222
Beat the crowds with an average 53% drop in traveller numbers.
The most popular month to fly with an average 24% increase in traveller numbers.
One-way flight 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 answers about this route, including flight times, airports, airlines, and booking tips.

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

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

  • How long is a flight from Canberra to Cairns?

    A direct flight from Canberra to Cairns takes 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 another form of identification, such as a driving licence.

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

    Return flights from Canberra to Cairns range from $556 to $690, with an average of $612 over the past 12 months. Anything below $556 counts as a good deal.

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

    Last-minute fares on this route (booked within two weeks of departure) run 15% above the $612 route average. Book 23 weeks before departure for the lowest fares.

  • 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 $508 to $2,395. That means the highest observed fare was about 5x 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 lower than usual. Average one-way flight prices are about $303, which is 8% below the typical average for this route.

  • 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
    • Europcar
    • Ace Rental Cars

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

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

    • Brisbane (BNE) – 92% of one-stop connections
    • Melbourne (MEL) – 7% of one-stop connections
    • Sydney Kingsford Smith (SYD) – 1% of one-stop connections

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

    Yes. Flexible dates can save you up to 12% on flights from Canberra to Cairns. Tuesday is the cheapest departure day at $595 return on average, while Sunday is the most expensive at $673, a difference of $77.

    KAYAK's flexible dates feature shows options up to three days before and after your selected dates, making it easier to compare nearby fares.

  • 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 15m, compared to 5h 22m via Sydney Kingsford Smith (SYD) and 8h 52m via Melbourne (MEL).

  • What is the time difference between Canberra and Cairns?

    Cairns is 1 hour behind Canberra (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 Cairns?

    Some of the most popular sights in Cairns are Esplanade Lagoon, Reef Hotel Casino, and Cairns Convention Centre. These are among the most viewed places in Cairns on KAYAK.

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 Tuesday departure and avoid flying on Sunday. On this route, Tuesday flights average $595, about $77 less than Sunday fares (12% 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 25% versus last-minute pricing (KAYAK booking data, last 12 months).
  • If you can choose when to travel, plan your Canberra to Cairns trip for February. Fares historically average $537 return in that month – typically $161 less than the most expensive month, which is October (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