Flights from Sydney (SYD) to Cairns (CNS)

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Cheapest Flights from Sydney (SYD) to Cairns (CNS)

Prices were available within the past 7 days for one-way flights and round trip tickets for the period specified. Prices and availability are subject to change. Additional terms apply.

Sydney to Cairns Flight Information

Find the Cheapest Flights from Sydney (SYD) to Cairns (CNS)

Work hard, travel harder! Wotif brings you the cheapest Sydney to Cairns flights, making it possible to have a five star holiday without that five star price tag. Browse and compare our top SYD to CNS routes and airport options. So, go ahead and treat yourself, your sweetheart, or the kids to an unforgettable holiday this year.

to Information

Traveling From
Kingsford Smith Intl.
Origin Airport
Origin Airport IATA Code
SYD
Traveling To
Cairns Intl.
Destination Airport
Destination Airport IATA Code
CNS
Number of Airlines Serving
Average Flight Time
 hours mins
Direct Flight Time
 hours mins
Flight Price

Frequently asked questions

How long is the flight from Sydney Airport to CNS?
The flight between SYD and Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) is around 3 hours and 7 minutes. If staring at the seat in front of you the entire time sounds dull, pack a book or load up your phone with movies to keep yourself amused.
What airlines fly direct from SYD to Cairns Airport?
The very thought of travelling from Sydney to Cairns is enough to give you those pre-adventure goosebumps. But deadset, it gets better. Several airlines have direct flights, such as Jetstar and Virgin Australia. You’ll be ordering your third round from your hotel lobby bar before you realise.
How many flights are there from Sydney Airport to Cairns Airport?
If you’d like to make your way to Cairns quickly, you’re in luck. All you need to do is pick one of the 9 flights that operate between Sydney Airport and CNS daily.
What are the cheapest days to fly?
Here’s an insider tip: Tuesday is typically the cheapest day to fly! Looking at flights booked on Wotif.co.nz in 2021, we found that flights departing on a Tuesday generally had the lowest average price. Wotif data also shows Wednesdays and Fridays generally have the highest average ticket prices according to our demand data.
What is the best day to buy a plane ticket?
Guess what? Saturday is actually the best day to score the cheapest plane tickets. Looking at flight demand on Wotif.co.nz in 2021, we found that flights purchased on Saturdays had the lowest airfares on average. Thursday, on the other hand, can be the most expensive day of the week to buy your airfare, with generally a higher than average ticket value.
What is the cheapest month to fly?
When comparing 2021 flight demand on Wotif.co.nz, September is one of the cheapest months to fly, when ticket prices are generally at their lowest. May is a close second for the cheapest time to fly. The months December and January are often the most expensive ones to travel, with higher than average ticket prices, so plan ahead and book early for your travel plans.
How far in advance can you book a flight?
Are you a super organised traveller? Even though not all airlines release their fares a year in advance, you can start researching your flights 12 months in advance for many carriers. It’s good to book your international flights to popular destinations early, particularly in peak holiday periods. According to Wotif’s 2021 travel trends, last minute planners can also bag a bargain with some of the cheapest fares appearing 1-2 weeks prior to travel.*According to flight demand on Wotif.co.nz from January to December 2021. Savings are subject to change and may vary depending on selections made.
Address:
Cairns QLD,
Australia
IATA code:
CNS
Longitude:
145.754041
Latitude:
-16.876538
Time zone:
Australia/Brisbane
Address:
Sydney NSW,
Australia
IATA code:
SYD
Longitude:
151.179898
Latitude:
-33.932922
Time zone:
Australia/Sydney

Sydney to Cairns Flight Deals from

Considering a quick trip to Cairns, but not sure which is the best route for you? Well, you’re in luck! Wotif has done the hard work, so all you need to do is check out these flights from SYD to CNS. With heaps of cheap fares from Sydney, we guarantee you’ll be arriving to your holiday destination in style without emptying your bank account in the process.

It’s easy to book flights to Cairns from Sydney  

For a huge choice of flights, simply enter your travel dates and hit search and we’ll hunt out fantastic deals on one-way, return and multi-city airfares to Cairns from Sydney from 10 different airlines. If you click the ‘direct flights’ box, you see flights that’ll get you to Cairns in just hour(s) and mins, too.   

Snap up great deals on flights to Cairns from Sydney 

Choose from flights a day on average, with prices starting at and rising to depending on the cabin class, travel dates, and airline carrier. And if you’re up for a last-minute getaway, you can get great deals on flights from Sydney to Cairns today!  

Find cheap airfares to Cairns from Sydney 

Here are our insider tips for bagging a flight bargain: 

  • Look for midweek flights and late night, early morning arrival and departure times
  • Check out other airports near Sydney and Cairns
  • Avoid peak season (prices tend to be lower in )
  • Be flexible with your travel dates and you can usually get cheaper options  

Reasons to book your flights to Cairns from Sydney with Wotif

Wotif is a super-easy way to find the best flight for you to Cairns. Get more bang for your buck on flight and hotel or car rental combos and download the free Wotif app to tap into exclusive deals. Book now with Wotif and have a great flight!

 

Great places to stay after flight from Sydney to Cairns

Cairns Colonial Club Resort
Cairns Colonial Club Resort
4 out of 5
18-26 Cannon Street, Manunda, QLD
The price is NZ$139 per night from 6 May to 7 May
NZ$139
includes taxes & fees
6 May - 7 May
Stay at this 4-star family-friendly hotel in Cairns. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 3 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,005 reviews)
"Great place to stay. Clean and tidy if you don’t look too hard. Close to most things. Only thing I would suggest is the menu at the cafe could have a bit more variety and when keeping the bar open at night you serve coffee as well for those that like to have a coffee at night as the coffee is good.over ..."

Reviewed on 16 Apr. 2025

Cairns Colonial Club Resort
Cairns Harbourside Hotel
Cairns Harbourside Hotel
4 out of 5
209-217 The Esplanade, Cairns North, QLD
The price is NZ$193 per night from 9 May to 10 May
NZ$193
includes taxes & fees
9 May - 10 May
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Cairns. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,006 reviews)
"Every staff member that we came in contact with were very welcoming, attentive and cheery. They couldn't do enough for us. The bar manager was amazing and made great selections for my daughter who is vegan. Everyone was just so welcoming and couldn't do enough for us. The downside was the cleanliness ..."

Reviewed on 22 Apr. 2025

Cairns Harbourside Hotel
Rydges Esplanade Resort Cairns
Rydges Esplanade Resort Cairns
4 out of 5
209-217 Abbott Street, Cairns North, QLD
The price is NZ$172 per night from 2 May to 3 May
NZ$172
includes taxes & fees
2 May - 3 May
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Cairns. Enjoy free WiFi, 3 outdoor pools, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,003 reviews)
"Really dated room, the staff were lovely, food was great, facilities aged and a little run down. I'm guessing the humidity plays a big part in the ageing process."

Reviewed on 21 Apr. 2025

Rydges Esplanade Resort Cairns
See all 1,316 properties in Cairns Intl.
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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^Savings based on all package bookings made with Flight + Hotel on Wotif.co.nz from , as compared to the price of the same components booked separately. Savings will vary based on origin/destination, length of trip, stay dates and selected travel supplier(s). Savings not available on all packages.