Virgin Australia
Tasmania flights from $49 each way
Ends
Available on flights from October 2021 - June 2022. Destinations include Hobart, Launceston, Adelaide and Perth. T&Cs apply.
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Cairns and remote areas of Tropical North Queensland are some of Australia's most unique and untouched destinations. When planning a trip to the north of Australia, transport considerations are key to a pleasant stay. Find out all you need to know including airline and flight information, flight deals and your transport options to navigate your way around this incredible part of Australia.
Update Today's Cairns flight deals:
Virgin Australia
Kayak
Domestic flights from $54 each way
Ends
Available on flights until January 2022 to Gold Coast, Perth, Brisbane, Cairns, Darwin and more. Sample fare is Sydney-Melbourne with Rex Airlines.
Flight Centre - Domestic
Up to 50% off flights within Australia
Ends
Available on flights until November 2021 to select destinations including Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Broome, Alice Springs, Kangaroo Island, Darwin, Hobart, Townsville and more. T&Cs apply.
Virgin Australia
Up to 50% off domestic flights
Ends
Available on flights from October - November 2021. Destinations include Hamilton Island, Cairns, Adelaide, Sunshine Coast, Sydney, Gold Coast and more. T&Cs apply.
Skyscanner
Up to 50% off: Qantas flights from $70 each way
Ends
Available on flights from October - November 2021 to destinations including Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, Hobart, Adelaide, Hamilton Island, Cairns, Darwin, Broome and more. Sample fare is Melbourne-Launceston.
Virgin Australia
Australia flights from $59 each way
Ends
Available on flights from October 2021 - June 2022. Destinations include Adelaide, Melbourne, Launceston, Canberra, Gold Coast, Darwin, Cairns, Perth and more. Sample fare is Ballina-Sydney. T&Cs apply.
Wotif
Domestic flights from $40 each way
Ends
Available on Australia flights from September 2021 - March 2022. Sample fare is Melbourne-Sydney with Jetstar. Other destinations include Hobart, Gold Coast, Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra and more.
Kiwi.com
Flights within Australia from $37 each way
Ends
Available on flights until March 2022. Sample fare is Adelaide-Melbourne with Jetstar. Destinations include Canberra, Cairns, Brisbane, Sydney, Launceston, Newcastle and more.
Virgin Australia
Perth flights from $149 each way
Ends
Available on flights until June 2022. Sample fare departs from Adelaide. Other flights depart from Broome, Kalgoorlie and more.
Virgin Australia
Canberra flights from $92 each way
Ends
Available on flights from October 2021 - April 2022 departing from Adelaide, Melbourne and more. Sample fare departs from Gold Coast.
Virgin Australia
New Zealand from $574 return
Ends
Available on flights from January - July 2022. Sample fare is Sydney-Queenstown. Other flights depart from Brisbane, Perth, Canberra and more.
Virgin Australia
Alice Springs flights from $120 each way
Ends
Available for travel from October 2021 - May 2022. Sample fare departs from Adelaide. Other flights departs from Brisbane and more.
Kayak
Alice Springs flights from $206 return
Ends
Available on flights from September 2021 - February 2022. Sample fare departs from Adelaide with Virgin Australia. Other flights depart from Melbourne and more.
Virgin Australia
Up to 15% off flights with code
Ends
Available on Australia flights until July 2022 when you book 7 days in advance. Destinations include Sydney, Melbourne, Gold Coast, Canberra, Adelaide, Perth, Brisbane and more. T&Cs apply.
Virgin Australia
Sydney flights from $55 each way
Ends
Available on flights from September 2021 - January 2022 departing from Brisbane, Ballina and more. Sample fare departs from Gold Coast.
Trip.com
Up to 50% off Australia flights
Ends
Available on select travel dates 30 November 2021 with Qantas, Virgin Australia, Jetstar, Rex and Fly Pelican. Destinations include Sydney, Cairns, Brome, Hamilton Island, Hobart, Launceston, Perth, Darwin and more. T&Cs apply.
OneTravel
Up to USD$100 off business class flights
Ends
Available on booking fees on select flight dates when you use the code. Destinations include Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Cook Islands, London and more. T&Cs apply.
Kiwi.com
Get EUR€20 off flights with code
Available on select travel dates when you spend a minimum of EUR€200. Destinations include Australia, New Zealand and more.
Kiwi.com
Get EUR€10 off flights with code
Available on select travel dates when you spend a minimum of EUR€100. Destinations include Australia, New Zealand and more.
Priceline.com
Up to 50% off worldwide flights
Available on select dates when you book Express Deals. Destination include Australia, New Zealand, Canada, USA and more. T&Cs apply.
TL;DR: Cairns flights
Cairns's airport:
Cairns Airport (CNS)
Get the best price:
April to September
Book in advance by:
90 days
Best airline (price):
Jetstar
Frequently asked questions about flights to Cairns
How much does it cost to fly to Cairns?
Flights to Cairns can go for less than $100 each from within Queensland and during a flight sale from cities like Sydney and Melbourne.
According to data from Cheapflights, fares from cities further west cost approximately $350 return.
Jetstar does tend to have the lowest prices as there are no extra inclusions that come with your ticket, so if you're looking at Qantas or Virgin flights to get checked baggage and rewards points, expect ticket prices to be higher.
When is the cheapest time to fly to Cairns?
Flight prices to Cairns tend not to fluctuate too much throughout the year, but the prices do spike around the school holidays and over Christmas and New Year's time.
Although not too much more expensive than the rest of the year, flights during July and August may be a bit pricier. This is due to higher demand for those living in the southern parts of Australia seeking northern Queensland's winter sun. We think April to September is the best time to visit Cairns weather wise.
Cheapest months to fly:
April to September
Priciest months to fly:
July and August
How long does it take to fly to Cairns?
Here's how long it takes to fly to Cairns from major cities across Australia. Where a direct flight isn't available, we've made note of the shortest connecting flights' total travel time.
- Adelaide: 3 hours direct
- Brisbane: 2 hours, 25 minutes direct
- Canberra: 3 hours, 14 minutes direct
- Darwin: 2 hours, 33 minutes direct
- Hobart: 7 hours, 28 minutes with a stopover
- Melbourne: 3 hours, 22 minutes direct
- Perth: 4 hours, 18 minutes direct
- Sydney: 3 hours, 8 minutes direct
Which airlines fly direct to Cairns?
You can find flights to Cairns with the following airlines via these cities.
- Airnorth: Darwin, Gove and Toowoomba
- Alliance Airlines: Groote Eylandt, Sunshine Coast and Weipa
- Hinterland Aviation: Coen and Cooktown
- Jetstar: Adelaide, Brisbane, Darwin, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Newcastle, Perth and Sydney
- Qantas: Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Horn Island, Melbourne, Sydney, Townsville and Weipa
- Rex Airlines: Bamaga, Mount Isa, Normanton and Townsville
- Virgin Australia: Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney
What's the best airline to fly to Cairns with?
- Best for price: Budget carrier Jetstar typically has the cheapest flights to Cairns, just remember checked baggage and other extras aren't included in the base fare.
- Best for extra inclusions: Qantas will get you to Cairns with 23kg checked luggage and refreshments included in the cost of your ticket.
- Best for frequent flyer rewards: Earn points with Qantas (Qantas Frequent Flyer) or Virgin Australia (Velocity Frequent Flyer). Earn Qantas Points on eligible Jetstar fares.
How many points do I need to fly to Cairns?
| Departure city | Points required for a return Qantas flight | Points required for a return Virgin flight |
|---|---|---|
| Adelaide | 28,800 | Not available |
| Alice Springs | 36,000 | Not available |
| Brisbane | 24,000 | 23,600 |
| Darwin | 19,200 | Not available |
| Gold Coast | 19,200 | 23,600 |
| Melbourne | 36,000 | 35,600 |
| Perth | 28,800 | Not available |
| Sydney | 36,000 | 35,600 |
Want to earn a free flight to Cairns?
These frequent flyer credit card offers can give you more than enough bonus points for a complimentary flight (minus applicable taxes) to Cairns Airport (CNS) from major cities across Australia.NAB Qantas Rewards Signature Card
Up to 110,000 bonus Qantas Points
Discounted $295 first year annual fee
Offer may be withdrawn at any time
Eligibility criteria, terms and conditions, fees and charges apply
American Express Velocity Platinum Card
Receive 120,000 bonus Velocity Points
Offer ends 13 December 2021
Eligibility criteria, terms and conditions, fees and charges apply
How far in advance should I book my flights to Cairns?
Cairns pricing data from KAYAK suggests that flights to Cairns are at their cheapest 90 days before your departure date. KAYAK suggests that you book at least 3 weeks prior to your travel date to find a below-average price.
How far is the airport in Cairns?
Cairns Airport (CNS) is a 9 minute drive (5.7km) away from the city centre. Car hire desks can be found at the arrivals hall and taxis are available from the designated taxi ranks just outside. Viator, City Discovery and Jayride offer personalised and private airport shuttle services and transfers from Cairns Airport to your resort, hotel or holiday apartment.
Alternatively, Uber is available from Cairns Airport and costs $10-$15 to Cairns city centre.
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