CBR - CNS

$285 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
$523
Typical prices: $566-$708
Jetstar
Sun 16/12Sun 14/1
CBR - CNS • 1 stop
Cheapest one-way flight
$285
Typical prices: $301-$394
Multiple Airlines
Wed 24/1
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 • 16% price drop
August
Most popular
Good to know
+1
Good to know
+1
Top stopover airports
Melbourne (MEL)
Cheapest • Avg $607 (return)
Sydney Kingsford Smith (SYD)
Shortest trip • 5h 16m (one-way)
Insights
Insights
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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

Wed, 16 Dec - Thu, 14 Jan
Jetstar Logo
15:30 - 09:05CBR  Canberra-CNS Cairns
18h 35m1 stop Coolangatta Gold Coast
Jetstar Logo
06:00 - 16:30CNS  Cairns-CBR Canberra
9h 30m1 stop Brisbane
$523Jetstar
3+ days ago
Tue, 15 Dec - Thu, 14 Jan
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
$540Jetstar
3+ days ago
Fri, 15 Jan - Tue, 19 Jan
Multiple Airlines Logo
17:15 - 23:05CBR  Canberra-CNS Cairns
6h 50m1 stop Brisbane
Multiple Airlines Logo
06:00 - 16:30CNS  Cairns-CBR Canberra
9h 30m1 stop Brisbane
$543Multiple Airlines
1 day ago
Sun, 3 Jan - Tue, 12 Jan
Multiple Airlines Logo
14:25 - 19:05CBR  Canberra-CNS Cairns
5h 40m1 stop Melbourne
Multiple Airlines Logo
09:45 - 11:40CNS  Cairns-CBR Canberra
24h 55m1 stop Melbourne
$561Multiple Airlines
14 hours ago
Sun, 24 Jan - Fri, 29 Jan
Multiple Airlines Logo
17:15 - 23:05CBR  Canberra-CNS Cairns
6h 50m1 stop Brisbane
Multiple Airlines Logo
06:00 - 16:30CNS  Cairns-CBR Canberra
9h 30m1 stop Brisbane
$564Multiple Airlines
2 days ago
Mon, 15 Mar - Thu, 18 Mar
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
$566Jetstar
2 days ago
Tue, 24 Nov - Thu, 26 Nov
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
$577Virgin Australia
3+ days ago
Sun, 14 Mar - Thu, 18 Mar
Virgin Australia Logo
09:40 - 16:40CBR  Canberra-CNS Cairns
8h 00m1 stop Brisbane
Virgin Australia Logo
14:40 - 23:15CNS  Cairns-CBR Canberra
7h 35m1 stop Brisbane
$577Virgin Australia
2 days ago
Sun, 3 Jan - Tue, 12 Jan
Virgin Australia Logo
14:25 - 19:05CBR  Canberra-CNS Cairns
5h 40m1 stop Melbourne
Virgin Australia Logo
10:55 - 18:50CNS  Cairns-CBR Canberra
6h 55m1 stop Sydney Kingsford Smith
$577Virgin Australia
1 day ago
Tue, 15 Dec - Thu, 14 Jan
Jetstar Logo
12:25 - 21:15CBR  Canberra-CNS Cairns
9h 50m2 stops Melbourne Brisbane
Jetstar Logo
06:00 - 16:30CNS  Cairns-CBR Canberra
9h 30m1 stop Brisbane
$668Jetstar
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 $566 to $708. The lowest price found in the past 5 days was $523 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 5% cheaper than the average day, while Sunday is the most expensive, with prices 5% higher.

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

•February is the cheapest month to fly from Canberra to Cairns at $542 return.
•October ($714) and July ($687) are the most expensive months.
•The price difference between flying in the cheapest and most expensive months is 31% 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

$285
Beat the crowds with an average 47% drop in travellers.
The most popular month to fly with an average 54% increase in travellers.
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 $566 to $708, with an average of $642 over the past 12 months. Anything below $566 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 11% above the $642 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 $523 to $1,588. That means the highest observed fare was about 3x 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 $411, which is 22% above 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 averaging $71 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) – 6% of one-stop connections
    • Sydney Kingsford Smith (SYD) – 2% 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 10% on flights from Canberra to Cairns. Tuesday is the cheapest departure day at $613 return on average, while Sunday is the most expensive at $678, a difference of $65.

    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 Sydney Kingsford Smith (SYD) gives the shortest average 1-stop total travel time of 5h 16m, compared to 5h 18m via Brisbane (BNE) and 9h 24m 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, Cairns Convention Centre, and Cairns Regional Gallery. 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 $613, about $65 less than Sunday fares (10% 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 $542 return in that month – typically $172 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 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