DRW - CNS

$247 Find Cheap Flights from Darwin to Cairns

This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a KAYAK user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight from Darwin to Cairns departing on 16/2. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel. Click the price to replicate the search for this deal.
1 adult
1 adult, Economy

KAYAK searches hundreds of travel sites at once for deals on flights to Cairns

 
These are the airlines KAYAK users have selected most often from within our search results in flight searches from Darwin to Cairns, as well as popular online travel agencies
These are the airlines KAYAK users have selected most often from within our search results in flight searches from Darwin to Cairns, as well as popular online travel agencies
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Flight Deals

Cheap Flights from Darwin to Cairns (DRW-CNS)

 
Here are some of the best deals found on KAYAK recently from the most popular airlines for return flights from Darwin to Cairns that are departing in the next months. While these flights were available on KAYAK in the last 72 hours, prices and availability are subject to change and deals may expire.
Discover the best prices for you by selecting your travel dates on KAYAK.

Recent return flight deals from Darwin to Cairns

Sun, 7 Sep - Wed, 10 Sep
Jetstar Logo
01:30 - 08:25DRW-CNS
30h 25m1 stop
Jetstar Logo
06:00 - 00:35CNS-DRW
19h 05m1 stop
$564Jetstar
Find Deal
Sun, 7 Sep - Thu, 11 Sep
Jetstar Logo
01:30 - 08:25DRW-CNS
30h 25m1 stop
Jetstar Logo
06:00 - 00:35CNS-DRW
19h 05m1 stop
$566Jetstar
Find Deal
Mon, 13 Oct - Sat, 18 Oct
Jetstar Logo
01:30 - 20:55DRW-CNS
18h 55m1 stop
Jetstar Logo
15:35 - 00:35CNS-DRW
9h 30m1 stop
$569Jetstar
Find Deal
Mon, 13 Oct - Sat, 18 Oct
Jetstar Logo
01:30 - 20:55DRW-CNS
18h 55m1 stop
Jetstar Logo
15:35 - 00:35CNS-DRW
9h 30m1 stop
$576Jetstar
Find Deal
Sat, 1 Nov - Thu, 6 Nov
 Logo
07:20 - 11:20DRW-CNS
3h 30m1 stop
 Logo
06:00 - 13:35CNS-DRW
8h 05m1 stop
Thu, 30 Oct - Fri, 31 Oct
Virgin Australia Logo
14:20 - 23:05DRW-CNS
8h 15m1 stop
Virgin Australia Logo
06:00 - 13:35CNS-DRW
8h 05m1 stop
$599Virgin Australia
Find Deal
Fri, 31 Oct - Thu, 6 Nov
 Logo
01:05 - 17:15DRW-CNS
15h 40m1 stop
 Logo
06:00 - 13:35CNS-DRW
8h 05m1 stop
Wed, 29 Oct - Fri, 31 Oct
Virgin Australia Logo
00:40 - 16:40DRW-CNS
15h 30m2 stops
Virgin Australia Logo
06:00 - 13:35CNS-DRW
8h 05m1 stop
$737Virgin Australia
Find Deal
Thu, 30 Oct - Fri, 31 Oct
Qantas Airways Logo
06:00 - 09:05DRW-CNS
2h 35mdirect
Qantas Airways Logo
09:45 - 11:50CNS-DRW
2h 35mdirect
$742Qantas Airways
Find Deal
Sat, 1 Nov - Thu, 6 Nov
Qantas Airways Logo
06:00 - 09:05DRW-CNS
2h 35mdirect
Qantas Airways Logo
09:45 - 11:50CNS-DRW
2h 35mdirect
$750Qantas Airways
Find Deal
Booking Insights

KAYAK's insights & trends for Darwin to Cairns flights

Get data-powered insights and trends into flights from Darwin to Cairns to help you find the cheapest flights, the best time to fly and much more.

What’s the cheapest day of the week to fly from Darwin to Cairns?

The average price of all round-trip flights from Darwin to Cairns clicked on KAYAK for each day over the last 12 months.

For Darwin to Cairns, Wednesday is the cheapest day to fly on average and Thursday is the most expensive. Flying from Cairns back to Darwin, the best deals are generally found on Thursday, with Saturday being the most expensive.

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

To calculate monthly average prices, KAYAK takes all prices for each month over the last year for round-trip flights from Darwin to Cairns, removes the top 0.1% to account for outliers, and then takes the median of all values for each month.

The cheapest month for flights from Darwin to Cairns is October, where tickets cost $532 (return) on average. On the other hand, the most expensive months are July and August, where the average cost of round-trip tickets is $910 and $819 respectively.

Can I save money by flying with a stopover from Darwin to Cairns?

The average return price for all direct flights, flights with one stopover, and flights with two stopovers for the route found by users searching on KAYAK in the last 2 weeks.

Yes, flying with a stopover may cost you more time, but you can also save money on the route, with a 1 stop stopover the cheapest option at $914 on average.

How far in advance should I book a flight from Darwin to Cairns?

To calculate weekly average prices, KAYAK takes all prices for each week before departure over the last year for round-trip flights from Darwin to Cairns, removes the top 0.1% to account for outliers, and then takes the average of all the values for each week.

To get a below average price on the flight from Darwin to Cairns, you should book around 4 weeks before departure, which saves you about 19% compared to booking last minute. For the absolute cheapest price, our data suggests you should book 6 weeks before departure.

Good to know

Low seasonMarch
Cheapest flight$247
Best time to beat the crowds (3% less expensive on average)
Most popular time to fly (6% more expensive on average)
Flight from Darwin to Cairns

When to book flights from Darwin to Cairns

Are your dates flexible? Find out the best times to travel from Darwin to Cairns based on our flight data from the last year. Discover the cheapest month and even day to fly.
Estimated return price
KAYAK looks at all historical flight data for each date to provide a predicted price for one-way trips or returns with a duration up to 40 days. While we try to provide actual minimum prices for each date, some prices are predictions and actual prices may differ.

FAQs for booking flights from Darwin to Cairns

  • What is the cheapest flight from Darwin to Cairns?

    In the last 3 days, the lowest price for a flight from Darwin to Cairns was $161 for a one-way ticket and $368 for a return.

  • Which airports will I be using when flying from Darwin to Cairns?

    Darwin airport is called Darwin and the only airport in Cairns is Cairns.

  • Which aircraft models fly most regularly from Darwin to Cairns?

    The Embraer 190 is the aircraft model that flies most regularly on the Darwin to Cairns flight route.

  • Which airline alliances offer flights from Darwin to Cairns?

    oneworld is the only airline alliance operating flights between Darwin and Cairns.

  • On which days can I fly direct from Darwin to Cairns?

    There are direct flights from Darwin to Cairns on a daily basis.

  • Which is the best airline for flights from Darwin to Cairns, Qantas Airways or Virgin Australia?

    The two airlines most popular with KAYAK users for flights from Darwin to Cairns are Qantas Airways and Virgin Australia. With an average price for the route of $770 and an overall rating of 7.5, Qantas Airways is the most popular choice. Virgin Australia is also a great choice for the route, with an average price of $744 and an overall rating of 7.5.

  • How does KAYAK find such low prices on flights from Darwin to Cairns?

    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 Darwin to Cairns.

  • How does KAYAK's flight Price Forecast tool help me choose the right time to buy my flight ticket from Darwin to Cairns?

    KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool uses historical data to determine whether the price for a flight to Cairns from Darwin is likely to change within 7 days, so travelers know whether to wait or book now.

  • What is the Hacker Fare option on flights from Darwin to Cairns?

    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 Cairns with an airline and back to Darwin with another airline.

  • What is KAYAK's "flexible dates" feature and why should I care when looking for a flight from Darwin to Cairns?

    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 Cairns from Darwin up to 3 days before/after your preferred dates. You can then pick the flights that suit you best.

KAYAK’s top tips for finding a cheap flight from Darwin to Cairns

  • Looking for a cheap flight? 25% of our users found flights on this route for $493 or less one-way and $821 or less round-trip.

Prefer to fly direct from Darwin to Cairns?

 
Direct data is based off flight results for the next 60 days. Find direct flights from all airlines flying direct from Darwin to Cairns.
Find which airlines fly direct from Darwin Airport to Cairns Airport, which days they fly and book direct flights.

Direct departures

Darwin to Cairns

Monday

Qantas Airways

Qantas Airways

Tuesday

Qantas Airways

Qantas Airways

Wednesday

Qantas Airways

Qantas Airways

Thursday

Qantas Airways

Qantas Airways

Friday

Qantas Airways

Qantas Airways

Saturday

Qantas Airways

Qantas Airways

Sunday

Qantas Airways

Qantas Airways

See more direct flights

Direct returns

Cairns to Darwin

Monday

Qantas Airways

Qantas Airways

Tuesday

Qantas Airways

Qantas Airways

Wednesday

Qantas Airways

Qantas Airways

Thursday

Qantas Airways

Qantas Airways

Friday

Qantas Airways

Qantas Airways

Saturday

Qantas Airways

Qantas Airways

Sunday

Qantas Airways

Qantas Airways

See more direct flights

Reviews of the top 3 airlines flying from Darwin to Cairns

 
See real verified KAYAK customer reviews for airlines flying from Darwin to Cairns. Airline scores are aggregated from all reviews left by passengers on KAYAK after flying with an airline. KAYAK doesn’t show reviews that are older than 5 years. Learn how KAYAK collects reviews.
Need help choosing which airline to fly with from Darwin to Cairns? KAYAK airline reviews give an overall score for each airline based on loads of factors, including comfort, boarding, in-flight entertainment and more, to make your decision easier. See airline scores according to verified KAYAK customer reviews.
7.5
Qantas AirwaysOverall score based on 905 reviews
7.2Entertainment
6.9Food
7.7Boarding
7.5Comfort
8.2Crew
Airline reviews

A few more inches of legroom is all i ask

8.0 ExcellentTerry, Aug 2025CNS - SYD
Read more Qantas Airways reviews

A few more inches of legroom is all i ask

Business class points redemption - good value for points paid, dubious value if out of your own pocket, domestic class business product okay for this length of flight. The flight left and arrived on time, crew were good, aircraft was a bit old and tired, but still miles ahead of their competitors in Virgin and Jetstar.

Airline running better than post Covid, proper boarding process now implemented, some aircraft feeling a bit old and tired, crew fine, online experience better.

Five hour flight instead of four hours due to westerly headwinds which wasn’t the fault of Qantas !

The wifi was out. Otherwise it was great flight. Richard, as CSM, was excellent.

Was bumped to a later flight because of inefficiency on part of the airline.

The Emerits/Qantas flight was cancelled to Wellington. We need a refund. Had to buy another airline ticket. How do we get the refund. Still not in Wellington.

Delayed QF59 flight once again, Qantas doesn't fail in maintaining there delayed departures and arrivals. USB points do not work nor do the power point sockets on the plane, Qantas staff admitted that on the flight. Don't expect to your charge devices. Saving grace, was the ice cream. Bottom line, if you expect to fly to HND and make it on time avoid Qantas and if you're interested in ice cream - visit 7/11.

Pretty excellent. I don’t know what the pilot could have done better with the bumping ( there was a storm) nor what happened to my ears coming down into bendigo. It doesn’t happen coming down into Sydney just the return flight. I wonder why?

Airport and crew experience was excellent. We had to queue for the runway - no one’s fault, but it did mean we were 30 minutes late leaving

Overall experience was good but what really impressed me the most was the care the flight attendants took of a sick passenger who was sitting in front of me. The flight attendants would come and check on her quite regularly providing her support and comfort. Brilliant service!

Only answered OK and poor as there was no entertainment and I didnt have any food

4.5 hr international flight. We got a glass of water. Ranks up there with Ryan Air, Easy Jet, Spirit and Frontier. Expected better.

Gluten free options less explicit on business class, but great service

Very good… seems the virgin staff particularly in the lounge and in flight exceeded expectations.

I liked everything about the experience but would have liked some free snacks!

Crew was great but flight was delayed almost three hours due to a technical issue and we had to go back to the terminal and wait for another one.

Being told why we delayed three hours and not even given an apology by someone. Not a word. Not my airline of choice ever.

Checked Baggage line up was long but moved quickly, rest of the process, boarding, crew was excellent

Virgin has always provided a smooth and comfortable flight. This one was no different. Seats are comfortable. Staff are great. This is my favourite airline.

Flight was delayed more than 1.5 hours. Gate changed multiple times

The good thing is that the flight got us from Darwin to Brisbane. However, it would have to be the most uncomfortable flight I have ever taken and if I can possibly avoid flying Jetstar again, I will.

no announcement about why we where delayed which is very poor

It was better than I expected. Thought $5 for a small cup of tea was a bit much!

Overall good trip I find seats a bit hard. We were waiting on board for about an hour for 2 passengers with some document issue. This main our arrival late for our pickup person.

15kg allowance is outrageous. Change of time a few days before departure and more than 2 hours of delay in the end. The worse we’ve taken so far in Oceania.

stuck in the aircraft for over three hours due to engineering work, significantly delayed and made a lot of passengers missed the connecting transport, no mention any compensation

Very quiet plane!! One of the quietest planes we have been on.

Jetsatar refused to take my foldable stroller in the plane, despite following all the rules on dimensions and packaging. Similar thing happened on our previous fight. However, at that instance, they offered to check in the stroller. At this fight, the staff was rude, trying to rush us to board the flight. They made excuses that the stroller was not allowed and even offer to leave it behind and ship it back at our own cost. Fortunately, we had someone else attending. Since the flight was about to take off, they left it behind and send it back to us on the next available flight.

Overall, it was good. The only concern was that I couldn't charge my phone because the USB port didn't work after we took off. One of the crew members tried to restart it but never came back to me with an update.

Everything you need to know for your flight from Darwin to Cairns

Other airlines flying from Darwin to Cairns

Flights from the other most popular airlines that fly from Darwin to Cairns according to KAYAK users. Prices are the lowest found on KAYAK over the last 7 days. Price and availability are not guaranteed.

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