SYD - CNS

$99 Find Cheap Flights from Sydney 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 Sydney to Cairns departing on 10/3. 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.
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These are the airlines KAYAK users have selected most often from within our search results in flight searches from Sydney 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 Sydney to Cairns, as well as popular online travel agencies
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Cheap Flight Deals from Kingsford Smith to Cairns (SYD-CNS)

 
Here are some of the best deals found on KAYAK recently from the most popular airlines for return flights from Kingsford Smith 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.

Recent return flight deals from Sydney to Cairns

Recommended return deals departing in the coming months from the most popular airlines that fly from Sydney to Cairns.
Discover the best prices and deals for you by selecting your travel dates.
Choose your dates
06:00 - 08:00SYD-CNS
3h 00mdirect
06:40 - 10:40CNS-SYD
3h 00mdirect
$207Jetstar
Find Deal
Tue, 11 Feb - Sun, 16 Feb
06:00 - 08:00SYD-CNS
3h 00mdirect
18:20 - 22:20CNS-SYD
3h 00mdirect
$209Jetstar
Find Deal
Sat, 1 Mar - Sat, 1 Mar
06:00 - 08:00SYD-CNS
3h 00mdirect
18:20 - 22:20CNS-SYD
3h 00mdirect
$210Jetstar
Find Deal
Sat, 1 Mar - Sat, 8 Mar
06:00 - 08:00SYD-CNS
3h 00mdirect
18:20 - 22:20CNS-SYD
3h 00mdirect
$212Jetstar
Find Deal
Mon, 10 Mar - Fri, 14 Mar
06:00 - 08:00SYD-CNS
3h 00mdirect
06:40 - 10:40CNS-SYD
3h 00mdirect
$214Jetstar
Find Deal
Thu, 13 Feb - Sun, 16 Feb
08:10 - 11:25SYD-CNS
3h 15mdirect
16:35 - 19:30CNS-SYD
2h 55mdirect
$238Virgin Australia
Find Deal
Sun, 11 May - Sat, 24 May
06:00 - 08:00SYD-CNS
3h 00mdirect
06:00 - 11:40CNS-SYD
4h 40m1 stop
Sat, 8 Mar - Wed, 12 Mar
06:00 - 08:00SYD-CNS
3h 00mdirect
06:00 - 11:40CNS-SYD
4h 40m1 stop
Wed, 5 Mar - Sat, 8 Mar
09:00 - 14:00SYD-CNS
6h 00m1 stop
17:35 - 21:35CNS-SYD
3h 00mdirect
$296Virgin Australia
Find Deal
Tue, 25 Mar - Fri, 28 Mar
09:45 - 11:50SYD-CNS
3h 05mdirect
12:45 - 20:55CNS-SYD
7h 10m1 stop
$545Qantas Airways
Find Deal
Thu, 13 Feb - Sun, 16 Feb

Flights from Sydney to Cairns - Travel Insights & Trends

Get data-powered insights and trends into flights from Sydney 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 Sydney to Cairns?

The average price of all round-trip flights from Sydney to Cairns clicked on KAYAK for each day over the last 12 months.
If your flying dates are flexible, you should consider flying to Cairns on a Saturday, as we generally find the cheapest rates on that day for this route. On the other hand, Tuesday is the most expensive day to fly from Sydney to Cairns. For your return ticket, we recommend flying on a Wednesday and avoiding Saturdays for the best deals.

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

To calculate monthly average prices, KAYAK takes all prices for each month over the last year for round-trip flights from Sydney 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 Sydney to Cairns is May, where tickets cost $289 (return) on average. On the other hand, the most expensive months are December and July, where the average cost of round-trip tickets is $459 and $397 respectively.

How far in advance should I book a flight from Sydney 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 Sydney 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 Sydney to Cairns, you should book around 5 weeks before departure. For the absolute cheapest price, our data suggests you should book 18 weeks before departure.

Good to know

Low season

May

High season

January

Cheapest flight

$99
Best time to beat the crowds (17% less expensive on average)
Most popular time to fly (4% more expensive on average)
Flight from Sydney to Cairns

When to book flights from Sydney to Cairns

Are your dates flexible? Find out the best times to travel from Sydney 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 Sydney to Cairns

  • What lounges are available in the domestic terminals of Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport?

    If you’d like to relax in comfort before your flight, there are various lounge options in the domestic terminals of Sydney Airport. Terminal 3 has Qantas Business Lounge and The Qantas Club Lounge, which are both located in the departures area, opposite Gates 4 and 5. Terminal 2 has Virgin Australia Lounge, located after security near the main security checkpoint. Please check with your airline for your eligibility to use their lounge.

  • How do you get to Sydney Airport from the Sydney centre?

    There are many options to get from Sydney centre to Sydney Airport. The metro will get you to the airport from Central Station in about 15min. Be sure to get use your Opal card, if you have one, for discounted fares. You can also take a taxi or rideshare service; the cost depends on what part of Sydney you are heading to.

  • How is Cairns Airport accessible for people with disabilities?

    The airport has accessible toilets and public phones. It also has a number of hearing loops that reduce distortion and background noise for those using hearing aids. You can also request a disability-friendly taxi through the taxi concierge staff in the taxi area.

  • Are there smoking areas at Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport?

    Smoking areas at this airport are located outside the terminal buildings. There is a no smoking policy inside the terminal buildings, so if you are a smoker, make a note of the location of the designated spaces (marked on terminal maps) and take advantage of them before going through security.

  • Is there free Wi-Fi at both Sydney Kingsford Smith and Cairns Airport?

    Sydney Airport offers free Wi-Fi – select ‘-FREE SYD WiFi-’, follow the registration instructions, click proceed and you can start surfing. Cairns Airport also has a Wi-Fi service in all terminals – it is free for 30 minutes in T2 and for 60 minutes in T1 – thereafter you will need to pay.

  • How do I transfer between terminals at Cairns Airport?

    The terminals at Cairns Airport are within walking distance of each other and you can get from one to the other via a covered walkway. From T2 Arrivals to T1 Departures, follow the Green line and from T1 Arrivals to T2 Departures follow the Blue line. The walk takes between 5 and 7minutes.

  • Can I use public transport to get from Cairns Airport to Cairns city centre?

    If you wish to use public transport from Cairns Airport ,you will need to catch the Airport Connect bus service which, for around AUD6 one way and AUD8 return, will take you from the airport to the Sheridan Street bus stops, where you can continue your journey north towards beaches or southwards towards Cairns.

  • What is the cheapest flight from Sydney to Cairns?

    In the last 3 days, the lowest price for a flight from Sydney to Cairns was $62 for a one-way ticket and $130 for a return.

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

    When flying out of Sydney you will be using Sydney Kingsford Smith. You will be landing at Cairns, also known as Cairns.

  • Which airlines offer Wi-Fi service onboard planes from Sydney to Cairns?

    Only Scoot offers inflight Wi-Fi service on the Sydney to Cairns flight route.

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

    The Boeing 737-800 Passenger/BBJ2 (winglets) is the aircraft model that flies most regularly on the Sydney to Cairns flight route.

  • Which airline alliances offer flights from Sydney to Cairns?

    oneworld, Star Alliance, and SkyTeam are the airline alliances operating flights between Sydney and Cairns, with oneworld being the most commonly used for this route.

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

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

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

    The two airlines most popular with KAYAK users for flights from Sydney to Cairns are Virgin Australia and Qantas Airways. With an average price for the route of $399 and an overall rating of 7.5, Virgin Australia is the most popular choice. Qantas Airways is also a great choice for the route, with an average price of $667 and an overall rating of 7.5.

  • How does KAYAK find such low prices on flights from Sydney 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 Sydney to Cairns.

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

    KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool uses historical data to determine whether the price for a flight to Cairns from Sydney 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 Sydney 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 Sydney with another airline.

  • What is KAYAK's "flexible dates" feature and why should I care when looking for a flight from Sydney 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 Sydney up to 3 days before/after your preferred dates. You can then pick the flights that suit you best.

See more FAQs

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

  • Looking for a cheap flight? 25% of our users found flights on this route for $150 or less one-way and $266 or less round-trip.
  • If you are travelling with infants or young children, there are parents rooms and baby changing facilities in both Domestic Terminals 2 and 3 of Sydney Airport (SYD).
  • If you’re craving a coffee on arrival in Cairns, there is a Macchinetta in the arrival area of Cairns Airport (CNS) serving coffees as well as focaccias and paninis.
  • A great initiative at Sydney Airport is the Airport Ambassador Program. They are volunteers who give of their time each week to give passengers a warm welcome and assist anyone needing help with finding accommodation, facilities, transport or attractions. Look out for them in their bright blue shirts.
  • Direct flights from Sydney to Cairns operate daily throughout the week. These flights are operated by four domestic carriers – Qantas, Virgin Australia, and the budget airlines Jetstar and Tiger Airways Australia. All these airlines fly into T2 in Cairns, which is the domestic terminal. If you have onward international flights, you will need to switch terminals.
  • Hungry travellers waiting to catch flights from Sydney to Cairns can take advantage of a number of restaurant options at the domestic terminals of Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport. From coffee shops, such as Toby’s Estate at T3 domestic terminal and burger bars – Chur Burger and Bistro 2020 in the T2 domestic terminal – there is something to suit every appetite.
  • If you are travelling to Cairns Airport to explore further afield, a good way to do this is to hire a car and collect it upon arrival. There are a number of car hire companies that have desks in the arrivals halls of both terminals. Avis, Budget, Hertz and Europcar are among the car hire companies represented at Cairns Airport.
  • For travellers with babies on flights from Sydney to Cairns, you will be happy to know that Cairns Airport has parents’ facilities in both terminals both before and after security. These are situated close to shops and places to eat and will allow you to change your baby’s nappy in peace and quiet away from the airport before any onward travels.
  • If you only have a limited amount of time in Cairns before moving on elsewhere and would like to explore the city and surrounds without carrying your luggage, there are luggage storage lockers next to the T2 Car Park Service Kiosk at Cairns Airport. The costs range between AUD6 and AUD14 depending on the locker size and the amount of time you need it for.
See more tips

Prefer to fly direct from Sydney Kingsford Smith to Cairns?

Find which airlines fly direct from Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport to Cairns Airport, which days they fly and book direct flights.

Direct departures

Sydney Kingsford Smith to Cairns

Monday

ANA, Air Canada, Air France, +16 more

ANA, Air Canada, +17 more

Tuesday

ANA, Air Canada, Air France, +16 more

ANA, Air Canada, +17 more

Wednesday

ANA, Air Canada, Air France, +16 more

ANA, Air Canada, +17 more

Thursday

ANA, Air Canada, Air France, +16 more

ANA, Air Canada, +17 more

Friday

ANA, Air Canada, Air France, +16 more

ANA, Air Canada, +17 more

Saturday

ANA, Air Canada, Air France, +16 more

ANA, Air Canada, +17 more

Sunday

ANA, Air Canada, Air France, +16 more

ANA, Air Canada, +17 more

See more direct flights

Direct returns

Cairns to Sydney Kingsford Smith

Monday

ANA, Air New Zealand, British Airways, +13 more

ANA, Air New Zealand, +14 more

Tuesday

ANA, Air New Zealand, British Airways, +13 more

ANA, Air New Zealand, +14 more

Wednesday

ANA, Air New Zealand, British Airways, +13 more

ANA, Air New Zealand, +14 more

Thursday

ANA, Air New Zealand, British Airways, +13 more

ANA, Air New Zealand, +14 more

Friday

ANA, Air New Zealand, British Airways, +13 more

ANA, Air New Zealand, +14 more

Saturday

ANA, Air New Zealand, British Airways, +13 more

ANA, Air New Zealand, +14 more

Sunday

ANA, Air New Zealand, British Airways, +13 more

ANA, Air New Zealand, +14 more

See more direct flights
See more direct flights

Top 3 airlines serving from Sydney to Cairns

 
See real verified KAYAK customer reviews for airlines flying from Sydney 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 Sydney 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 823 reviews
8.1Crew
7.4Comfort
6.9Food
7.2Entertainment
7.6Boarding
Airline reviews

I have flown Qantas multiple times in the past it seemed this flight the plane had less seat room or the seats were way less comfortable than before. Everything else was about the same. Thanks

4.0 OkayAnonymous, Jan 2025LAX - BNE
Read more Qantas Airways reviews

I have flown Qantas multiple times in the past it seemed this flight the plane had less seat room or the seats were way less comfortable than before. Everything else was about the same. Thanks

The old Plane had not been cleaned properly in a long time.

Planes was old - business class seats looked like they were installed in the 80s

Our baggage didn’t arrive with us on the plane. Need I say more?

I got upgraded from economy to business, and the experience was outstanding

Boarding was over 3 hrs late and we didn’t land until almost 1:30am

Headphone jacks worked poorly, seat recline was broken. Planes were rundown.

The service was excellent. The quarters were a little cramped in Economy, and we had to exist there for 18 hours.

It was very nice. I will try to fly with Qantas whenever I can.

Terrible. 6 hour delay with no explanations and only 15 dollars in food credits. A disaster. I'll just leave it at that.

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.

Virgin changed the flight to an Alliance flight. Smaller plane, tea coffee and water the only refreshments available and not sure what happened to the extra money I paid to sit in a selected seat with extra leg room. This is obviously a regular switch as it happened on our flight there and back. Do not recommend.

Late boarding, late departure due to weather and slow boarding, packed 5+hour flight, only 2 toilets for main cabin, tight leg room, no free food except tea, coffee, and water, arrived 75 minutes late.

Cramped, crowded flight, with no complimentary food except coffee, tea, or water.

Check-in was good and efficient, Boarding was quick and easy. Didn't like the entertainment side of things requiring your phone to connect for a screen, my eyes are bad enough to use my phone more than I already do. Trip was comfortable and baggage claim was good. If coffee and tea were free, then why not a soda or juice as well, its not like its an alcoholic drink.

Check-in was good and efficient, Boarding was quick and easy. Didn't like the entertainment side of things requiring your phone to connect for a screen, my eyes are bad enough to use my phone more than I already do. Trip was comfortable and baggage claim was good.

The flight was delayed by 45 minutes, but boarding, actual flight, and crew were great. However, there was Zero free food and only water, tea, or coffee to drink. Everything else was for sale. No onboard entertainment but it was a short flight.

Boarding was smooth after a 25 min delay. Notification of delay could be more efficient and change in boarding gate was not notified on the flights board or app.

The crew were great. The seat was older than an old Holden with a big metal bar sticking right into my back. The passenger next to me complained that hers was the same. The pre purchase system for food was disappointing as the pie/quiche took 20 mins to warm up, arrived too hot and with no utensils. It was one of the most uncomfortable flights I've ever been on.

Not very good, no food and not drink ( caffe or tea). Never ever fly with jet star.

Fabulous I have no issues with JetStar great service always use them to fly

Flight was as expected - we got what we paid for which was a base fare

Hardly we had overweight and we were asked to pay $75. We were checked by a female and weight was alright

Unaware of charge for carry on until i got to gate

I got what I paid for - flight was clean, staff were friendly

I like that fare is cheap but because there's no amenities whatsoever. You get what you paid for.

There's a reason why fare is cheap, no amenities.

It is what it is - nothing more, nothing less. No entertainment onboard but one kinda knows that when buying a ticket on a no frills airline. I choose Jetstar only because of price.

Travelling to a place near Cairns?

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

Other airlines flying from Sydney to Cairns

Flights from the other most popular airlines that fly from Sydney 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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