Cheap flights from Sydney to Cairns (SYD–CNS)
SYDSydney Kingsford Smith International Airport
Australia
Australia
CNSCairns International Airport
Australia
Australia
Jetstar Airways, Qantas and Virgin Australia fly Sydney to Cairns (SYD–CNS) nonstop and back, a great-circle distance of 1,970 km (1,230 mi).
- From
- SYD
- Sydney
- To
- CNS
- Cairns
- Nonstop
- Yes · 3 airlines
- Airlines
- JQ · QF · VA
- Cheapest fare found
- A$120 one-way
- Distance
- 1,970 km (1,230 mi)
- Time difference
- Cairns 1 hour behind
- Aircraft seen
- Boeing 737-800
Network data imported from airport and airline sources:· How we verify
Sydney to Cairns fares by month
Cheapest one-way fare found: A$120 for October 2026 on Jetstar Airways, nonstop. Nonstop from A$120.
- Oct ’26A$120
- Nov ’26A$156
- Dec ’26A$140
- Jan ’27A$128
- Feb ’27A$160
- Mar ’27A$160
- Apr ’27A$197
- Aug ’27A$137
- Sept ’27A$250nonstop A$261
Cheapest one-way fares per month of departure in the Aviasales price cache, found . Fares change by the hour: the live fare is shown when you search.
When to fly SYD–CNS
For Sydney (SYD) to Cairns (CNS), October 2026 had the lowest fare found (A$120). Days in Cairns average 18–28 °C in May, June, July and August. Set your watch 1 hour back on landing at CNS.
Sydney to Cairns: frequently asked questions
Fares: Aviasales price cache, 8 October 2026.
How much is a flight from Sydney (SYD) to Cairns (CNS)?
From A$120 one-way, the cheapest fare found for October 2026 on Jetstar Airways, nonstop; nonstop from A$120 (found 8 October 2026).
Which airlines fly SYD–CNS direct?
Jetstar Airways, Qantas and Virgin Australia.
What is the cheapest month to fly SYD–CNS?
October 2026, at A$120; the dearest month found was A$250.
What is the time difference between Sydney and Cairns?
Cairns is 1 hour behind Sydney: a SYD departure at noon is 11:00 local time in CNS.
What aircraft fly SYD–CNS?
Boeing 737-800.
Cairns to Sydney: the return flight (CNS–SYD)
All 3 airlines also fly CNS–SYD nonstop.
Airlines flying SYD–CNS nonstop
| Airline | Usually takes off (SYD time) | Type | Alliance | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Jetstar Airways JQ | — | low-cost | — | — |
 Qantas QF | — | full-service | oneworld | — |
| Virgin Australia VA | — | full-service | — | — |
One-stop alternatives to flying SYD–CNS nonstop
One airline on both legs; check it's sold as one ticket.
- Via Brisbane (BNE) with Jetstar Airways, Qantas and Virgin Australia: 2,140 km (1,330 mi) flown, 9% further than nonstop.
- Via Maroochydore (MCY) with Jetstar Airways: 2,160 km (1,340 mi) flown, 9% further than nonstop.
- Via Gold Coast (OOL) with Jetstar Airways: 2,170 km (1,350 mi) flown, 10% further than nonstop.
SYD–CNS route map
More from Sydney and Cairns
Other arrivals in Australia
Also nonstop from SYD, nearest to CNS first (straight-line distance):
- Townsville (TSV) · 285 km (177 mi) from CNS
- Proserpine (PPP) · 499 km (310 mi) from CNS
- Hamilton Island (HTI) · 513 km (319 mi) from CNS
- Hervey Bay (HVB) · 1,190 km (742 mi) from CNS
- Maroochydore (MCY) · 1,320 km (819 mi) from CNS
Explore the airlines’ route maps
Departure
Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport
Sydney (SYD), Sydney. In our data, 49 airlines fly nonstop from SYD to 89 destinations.
View SYD airport guide →Arrival
Cairns International Airport
Cairns (CNS), Cairns.
Weather in Cairns vs Sydney
Cairns is warmer than Sydney in every month, by 4–9°C; the biggest gap is in June (27°C against 18°C). In October it averages 30°C in Cairns and 24°C in Sydney.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cairns | 32° | 32° | 31° | 30° | 28° | 27° | 26° | 27° | 29° | 30° | 31° | 32° |
| Sydney | 28° | 27° | 26° | 23° | 21° | 18° | 18° | 19° | 22° | 24° | 25° | 26° |
Average daily highs. Climate normals from Cairns and Climate of Sydney (Wikipedia, CC BY-SA), which cite the national weather services.
Onward from Cairns
Places you can't fly to nonstop from SYD, but can from CNS — for a stopover or a second leg.
Related routes
Sources
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations, checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations, checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
Flight tracking: adsb.lol community ADS-B data (CC0), 6 September – 3 October 2026. Times are median wheels-up to wheels-down; add taxiing for gate-to-gate.
Report a change — seen something different at the airport or on the airline's site? We re-check and log corrections publicly.