MKY - CNS

$209 Find Cheap Flights from Mackay to Cairns – Compare and Save

1 adult
1 adult, Economy, 0 bags

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Everything you should know

Cheapest return flight
$462
Typical prices: $454-$612
Multiple Airlines
Thu 18/10Sun 21/10
MKY - CNS • 1 stop
Cheapest one-way flight
$209
Typical prices: $225-$358
Jetstar
Tue 9/10
MKY - CNS • 1 stop
When to travel
February
Cheapest • 16% price drop
July
Most popular
Good to know
+1
Good to know
+1
Top stopover airports
Brisbane (BNE)
Cheapest • Avg $503 (return)
Townsville (TSV)
Shortest trip • 4h 28m (one-way)
Insights
Insights
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We hope you enjoy your trip to Cairns!
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Flight Deals

Cheap Flights from Mackay to Cairns (MKY-CNS)

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

Recent return flight deals from Mackay to Cairns

Sun, 18 Oct - Wed, 21 Oct
Multiple Airlines Logo
20:15 - 08:40MKY  Mackay-CNS Cairns
12h 25m1 stop Brisbane
Multiple Airlines Logo
09:10 - 19:40CNS  Cairns-MKY Mackay
10h 30m1 stop Brisbane
$462Multiple Airlines
Thu, 8 Oct - Wed, 14 Oct
Multiple Airlines Logo
20:25 - 08:30MKY  Mackay-CNS Cairns
12h 05m1 stop Brisbane
Multiple Airlines Logo
06:00 - 10:40CNS  Cairns-MKY Mackay
4h 40m1 stop Brisbane
$464Multiple Airlines
Thu, 8 Oct - Wed, 14 Oct
Jetstar Logo
20:25 - 08:30MKY  Mackay-CNS Cairns
12h 05m1 stop Brisbane
Jetstar Logo
06:00 - 19:40CNS  Cairns-MKY Mackay
13h 40m1 stop Brisbane
$478Jetstar
Fri, 23 Oct - Fri, 30 Oct
Multiple Airlines Logo
20:30 - 08:30MKY  Mackay-CNS Cairns
12h 00m1 stop Brisbane
Multiple Airlines Logo
06:00 - 10:40CNS  Cairns-MKY Mackay
4h 40m1 stop Brisbane
$483Multiple Airlines
Thu, 8 Oct - Wed, 14 Oct
Multiple Airlines Logo
20:25 - 08:30MKY  Mackay-CNS Cairns
12h 05m1 stop Brisbane
Multiple Airlines Logo
06:00 - 10:40CNS  Cairns-MKY Mackay
4h 40m1 stop Brisbane
$485Multiple Airlines
Tue, 27 Oct - Tue, 3 Nov
Virgin Australia Logo
13:45 - 23:05MKY  Mackay-CNS Cairns
9h 20m1 stop Brisbane
Virgin Australia Logo
14:40 - 21:35CNS  Cairns-MKY Mackay
6h 55m1 stop Brisbane
$499Virgin Australia
Wed, 14 Oct - Sat, 17 Oct
Virgin Australia Logo
18:30 - 23:20MKY  Mackay-CNS Cairns
4h 50m1 stop Brisbane
Virgin Australia Logo
06:00 - 10:40CNS  Cairns-MKY Mackay
4h 40m1 stop Brisbane
$501Virgin Australia
Sun, 25 Oct - Sun, 1 Nov
Virgin Australia Logo
06:30 - 14:00MKY  Mackay-CNS Cairns
7h 30m1 stop Brisbane
Virgin Australia Logo
06:00 - 10:40CNS  Cairns-MKY Mackay
4h 40m1 stop Brisbane
$502Virgin Australia
Wed, 7 Oct - Mon, 12 Oct
Virgin Australia Logo
18:30 - 23:20MKY  Mackay-CNS Cairns
4h 50m1 stop Brisbane
Virgin Australia Logo
14:50 - 21:50CNS  Cairns-MKY Mackay
7h 00m1 stop Brisbane
$502Virgin Australia
Sun, 18 Oct - Wed, 21 Oct
Multiple Airlines Logo
13:45 - 08:20MKY  Mackay-CNS Cairns
18h 35m2 stops Brisbane Sydney Kingsford Smith
Multiple Airlines Logo
09:10 - 19:40CNS  Cairns-MKY Mackay
10h 30m1 stop Brisbane
$615Multiple Airlines
Booking Insights

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

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

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

Tuesday is the cheapest day of the week to fly from Mackay to Cairns and is 13% cheaper than the average day. Friday is the most expensive day with flight prices 19% higher than average. Based on deals found by KAYAK users in the last 12 months.

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

  • February is the cheapest month to fly from Mackay to Cairns at $410 return.
  • December ($714) and June ($711) are the most expensive months.
  • The price difference between flying in the cheapest and most expensive months is 74% on average.
This is based on KAYAK aggregated and averaged internal data over the past 12 months.

Find deals

Key details for Mackay to Cairns flights

Low season

January

Cheapest flight

$209
Best time to beat the crowds (5% less expensive on average)
Most popular time to fly (3% more expensive on average)
Flights from Mackay to Cairns

When to book flights from Mackay to Cairns

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

Your Mackay 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 Mackay to Cairns?

    Flights from Mackay to Cairns usually depart from Mackay (MKY) and arrive at Cairns (CNS).

  • Which airlines include bags at no extra cost on Mackay to Cairns flights?

    Here are some options for this route, based on selected ticket types and cabin classes:

    • Qantas Airways: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy class

    Bag allowance can vary by ticket type, cabin class, route, and airline, so travellers should check the fare details before booking.

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

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

  • How much can I save by having a stopover when flying from Mackay to Cairns?

    On this route, stopover flights are cheaper than direct options on average. Stopover fares average $503 return via Brisbane (BNE), compared with $820 for direct.

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

    Connecting flights from Mackay to Cairns most commonly pass through:

    • Brisbane (BNE) – 94% of one-stop connections
    • Townsville (TSV) – 6% of one-stop connections
    Together, these airports account for 100% of one-stop bookings on this route.

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

    Yes. Being flexible with your travel dates can save you up to 28% on the Mackay to Cairns route. Tuesday is the cheapest departure day at $423 return on average, while Friday is the most expensive at $582, a difference of $159. 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 long is a flight from Mackay to Cairns?

    There are currently no direct flights available from Mackay to Cairns. Flights with 1 stopover take between 4h 28m and 5h 55m in total, depending on the connection.

  • Do I need a passport to fly from Mackay 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 Mackay 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 $462 to $1,460. That means the highest observed fare was about 3x higher than the lowest one.

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

    One-way fares from Mackay to Cairns are currently higher than usual. Average one-way flight prices are about $320, which is 8% above the typical average for this route.

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

    Flying via Townsville (TSV) gives the shortest average 1-stop total travel time of 4h 28m, compared to 5h 55m via Brisbane (BNE).

  • 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 Mackay to Cairns flight?

    Return flights from Mackay to Cairns range from $454 to $612, with an average of $485 over the past 12 months. Anything below $454 counts as a good deal.

Your guide to booking Mackay 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 instead of Friday. On this route, Tuesday flights average $423 – about $159 less than Friday (27% savings) based on the last 12 months.
  • If you can choose when to travel, plan your Mackay to Cairns trip for February. Fares historically average $410 return in that month – typically $304 less than the most expensive month, which is December (based on the last 12 months).
  • If you have the time, taking a 1-stop flight through Brisbane Airport (BNE) can be cheaper than flying direct. The cheapest stopover option averages $503 return on this route – about $317 less than direct flights (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 Mackay to Cairns

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

Car hire in Cairns
Hotels in Cairns
Holidays in Cairns