Which airline has the best punctuality record on Sydney to Cairns flights?

According to our data, Shanghai Airlines have had the least number of delays on this route over the last 12 months; with about 1% of their flights experiencing any sort of delay.

What airlines fly to Cairns?

Jetstar, Virgin Australia and Qantas Airways are the top three most popular airlines that fly to Cairns from Sydney according to our data. Jetstar is the first choice among our users, with 55% of people opting to fly with this airline when traveling to Cairns. Keep in mind that there are 3 different airlines that fly to Cairns on a routine basis, so you have a few additional options to choose from.

What is the most punctual flight time for Sydney to Cairns flights?

Generally, flights departing at night tend to experience fewer delays. Flights in the evening have, in the past, seen delays more frequently in comparison.

How many flights depart from Sydney to Cairns on average per day?

The number of flights available between Sydney and Cairns is 31 per day as of December 2025. The most frequent departure time is 9:00AM, with 66% of daily flights leaving at noon.

What is the cheapest airline that flies from Sydney Kingsford Smith to Cairns?

Virgin Australia and Jetstar are the most popular carriers operating from Sydney Kingsford Smith to Cairns

What day of the week experiences the fewest flight delays on this route?

Sunday is statistically the day of the week which experiences the fewest number of delays on this flight route. Friday has historically seen more delays on average compared to the rest of the week.

How often are flights from Sydney to Cairns delayed?

Historically, on average around 17% of flights between Sydney and Cairns have experienced a delay on any given week. The average delay length over the past 12 months has been 95 minutes.

How many flights depart from Sydney to Cairns on average per week?

221 flights are operational weekly from Sydney to Cairns as of December 2025. The most popular departure day for this route is Thu, with 16% of flights per week taking off on this day.

When did momondo last update prices for flights from Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport to Cairns Airport?

Prices for flights from Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport to Cairns Airport refresh daily.

How many operators does momondo search for flights from Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport to Cairns Airport?

As of December 2025, there are 3 operators available to choose from for flights from Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport to Cairns Airport.

How old do you have to be to fly from Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport to Cairns Airport?

Although the minimum age for a child to fly alone is five, airlines that offer an unaccompanied minor (UMNR) service may have their own age limits, which could be impacted by factors such as flight length, timing, and layovers. It is recommended that you verify with the airline you are booking with for travel from Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport to Cairns Airport.

What documentation or ID do you need to fly to Cairns Airport?

The travel and health documents you'll need for your trip to Cairns Airport may differ based on your itinerary and personal situation. Typically, you should have several documents on hand, such as a national ID card or driver's license and a passport that is valid for six months after your intended arrival at Cairns Airport. It is always advisable to seek advice from your airline or a trusted third party, such as IATA.

$83 Cheap Flights from Sydney to Cairns in 2025/26

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Find the cheapest flights from Sydney to Cairns

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Cheap round-trip flights

Enter your travel dates to find the best prices.

8:25 pm - 10:30 pm

SYD

CNS

3h 05mnonstop

6:05 pm - 10:05 pm

CNS

SYD

3h 00mnonstop

$146Jetstar

Mon, Jan 19 - Thu, Jan 22

7:15 pm - 10:25 pm

SYD

CNS

3h 10mnonstop

7:10 pm - 10:05 pm

CNS

SYD

2h 55mnonstop

$149Jetstar

Fri, Apr 24 - Thu, Apr 30

6:20 am - 8:20 am

SYD

CNS

3h 00mnonstop

6:05 pm - 10:05 pm

CNS

SYD

3h 00mnonstop

$153Jetstar

Mon, Mar 9 - Wed, Mar 11

6:20 am - 8:20 am

SYD

CNS

3h 00mnonstop

6:40 am - 10:40 am

CNS

SYD

3h 00mnonstop

$156Jetstar

Sun, Jan 11 - Thu, Jan 15

3:25 pm - 5:30 pm

SYD

CNS

3h 05mnonstop

6:05 pm - 10:05 pm

CNS

SYD

3h 00mnonstop

$160Jetstar

Tue, Mar 24 - Thu, Mar 26

8:10 am - 10:15 am

SYD

CNS

3h 05mnonstop

5:35 pm - 9:35 pm

CNS

SYD

3h 00mnonstop

$163Virgin Australia

Wed, Mar 4 - Fri, Mar 6

2:40 pm - 4:45 pm

SYD

CNS

3h 05mnonstop

5:35 pm - 9:35 pm

CNS

SYD

3h 00mnonstop

$165Virgin Australia

Fri, Mar 6 - Mon, Mar 9

8:10 am - 11:25 am

SYD

CNS

3h 15mnonstop

12:10 pm - 3:05 pm

CNS

SYD

2h 55mnonstop

$167Virgin Australia

Sat, May 2 - Wed, May 6

6:20 am - 8:20 am

SYD

CNS

3h 00mnonstop

6:05 pm - 10:05 pm

CNS

SYD

3h 00mnonstop

$175Jetstar

Mon, Mar 9 - Wed, Mar 11

10:30 am - 1:40 pm

SYD

CNS

3h 10mnonstop

6:45 am - 9:45 am

CNS

SYD

3h 00mnonstop

$180Jetstar

Wed, May 20 - Wed, May 27

Jetstar flights from Sydney to Cairns

Our best Jetstar deals on Sydney to Cairns flight tickets

Jetstar

Jan 19

SYD8:25 pmSydney Kingsford Smith

3h 05m

CNS10:30 pmCairns

Jan 22

CNS6:05 pmCairns

3h 00m

SYD10:05 pmSydney Kingsford Smith

$146

Find similar

Jetstar

Apr 24

SYD7:15 pmSydney Kingsford Smith

3h 10m

CNS10:25 pmCairns

Apr 30

CNS7:10 pmCairns

2h 55m

SYD10:05 pmSydney Kingsford Smith

$149

Find similar

Jetstar

Mar 9

SYD6:20 amSydney Kingsford Smith

3h 00m

CNS8:20 amCairns

Mar 11

CNS6:05 pmCairns

3h 00m

SYD10:05 pmSydney Kingsford Smith

$153

Find similar

Virgin Australia flights from Sydney to Cairns

Our best Virgin Australia deals on Sydney to Cairns flight tickets

Virgin Australia

Mar 4

SYD8:10 amSydney Kingsford Smith

3h 05m

CNS10:15 amCairns

Mar 6

CNS5:35 pmCairns

3h 00m

SYD9:35 pmSydney Kingsford Smith

$163

Find similar

Virgin Australia

Mar 6

SYD2:40 pmSydney Kingsford Smith

3h 05m

CNS4:45 pmCairns

Mar 9

CNS5:35 pmCairns

3h 00m

SYD9:35 pmSydney Kingsford Smith

$165

Find similar

Virgin Australia

May 2

SYD8:10 amSydney Kingsford Smith

3h 15m

CNS11:25 amCairns

May 6

CNS12:10 pmCairns

2h 55m

SYD3:05 pmSydney Kingsford Smith

$167

Find similar

Fly from

Fly to

Route

Depart

Return

Price

SydneyCairns

SYD - CNS

SYDCNS

Sydney Kingsford Smith

Mon 1/19

8:25 pm-10:30 pm

Nonstop3h 05m

Cairns

Thu 1/22

6:05 pm-10:05 pm

Nonstop3h 00m

$146

SydneyCairns

SYD - CNS

SYDCNS

Sydney Kingsford Smith

Fri 4/24

7:15 pm-10:25 pm

Nonstop3h 10m

Cairns

Thu 4/30

7:10 pm-10:05 pm

Nonstop2h 55m

$149

SydneyCairns

SYD - CNS

SYDCNS

Sydney Kingsford Smith

Mon 3/9

6:20 am-8:20 am

Nonstop3h 00m

Cairns

Wed 3/11

6:05 pm-10:05 pm

Nonstop3h 00m

$153

SydneyCairns

SYD - CNS

SYDCNS

Sydney Kingsford Smith

Sun 1/11

6:20 am-8:20 am

Nonstop3h 00m

Cairns

Thu 1/15

6:40 am-10:40 am

Nonstop3h 00m

$156

SydneyCairns

SYD - CNS

SYDCNS

Sydney Kingsford Smith

Tue 3/24

3:25 pm-5:30 pm

Nonstop3h 05m

Cairns

Thu 3/26

6:05 pm-10:05 pm

Nonstop3h 00m

$160

SydneyCairns

SYD - CNS

SYDCNS

Sydney Kingsford Smith

Wed 3/4

8:10 am-10:15 am

Nonstop3h 05m

Cairns

Fri 3/6

5:35 pm-9:35 pm

Nonstop3h 00m

$163

SydneyCairns

SYD - CNS

SYDCNS

Sydney Kingsford Smith

Fri 3/6

2:40 pm-4:45 pm

Nonstop3h 05m

Cairns

Mon 3/9

5:35 pm-9:35 pm

Nonstop3h 00m

$165

SydneyCairns

SYD - CNS

SYDCNS

Sydney Kingsford Smith

Sat 5/2

8:10 am-11:25 am

Nonstop3h 15m

Cairns

Wed 5/6

12:10 pm-3:05 pm

Nonstop2h 55m

$167

SydneyCairns

SYD - CNS

SYDCNS

Sydney Kingsford Smith

Mon 3/9

6:20 am-8:20 am

Nonstop3h 00m

Cairns

Wed 3/11

6:05 pm-10:05 pm

Nonstop3h 00m

$175

SydneyCairns

SYD - CNS

SYDCNS

Sydney Kingsford Smith

Wed 5/20

10:30 am-1:40 pm

Nonstop3h 10m

Cairns

Wed 5/27

6:45 am-9:45 am

Nonstop3h 00m

$180

Flights are sorted by cheapest round-trip flights first.

Showing 1-10 of 20 resultsSorted by cheapest first

How to get the cheapest flight ticket from Sydney to Cairns

Look no further. We've gone through all the searches for this route on momondo so you have the important information and insights to find the cheapest flight ticket for your trip

Prices

Airlines

Delays

Other information

What is the cheapest month to fly to Cairns?

The cheapest month to fly to Cairns from Sydney is in March. Flight prices, which tend to average around $151, are often lower during this time because this is during the off-season. The month of February is another great option to travel to Cairns, with average flight prices from Sydney averaging around $164.

What is the cheapest day to depart on your flight to Cairns?

Our data shows that Tuesday is the least expensive day to fly to Cairns. Tickets to fly out on this day can be as low as $203. The most expensive day to fly to Cairns is Friday, with ticket prices averaging around $254.

What is the cheapest time of day to depart on your flight to Cairns?

Our data shows that the cheapest Sydney to Cairns flights are usually those with departure times in the evening. Our users have found flights to Cairns in the evening for as low as $203. At noon is when there is more demand to fly to Cairns, so prices are often more expensive at around $280 per ticket.

What is the cheapest Sydney Kingsford Smith to Cairns flight route?

Fly from Sydney Kingsford Smith to Cairns for the best Sydney Kingsford Smith - Cairns flight prices

How far in advance should I book a flight to Cairns?

You are more likely to see cheaper flights to Cairns from Sydney when booking weeks ahead of your departure date. In general, you can expect to find flights to Cairns for around $205 when searching weeks out. However, flight prices might be lower outside of this timeframe. For example, people recently found flights to Cairns from Sydney for as low as $177 on momondo.

What cabin class options are available on Sydney Kingsford Smith to Cairns flights?

There are 3 cabin classes available to choose from on Sydney Kingsford Smith to Cairns flights. Cabin price and availability will vary by airline so perform a search above to find the right deals for you.

How have Sydney to Cairns flight prices changed over time?

As of December 2025, prices for Sydney to Cairns flights are approximately 19% cheaper when compared to flights at the same time last year.

When to book flights from Sydney to Cairns

Are you open to changing your travel dates? Check out the ideal times to fly from Sydney to Cairns according to our flight data. Find out which month and days have the cheapest flights.

Estimated round-trip price

Cheap Sydney to Cairns (SYD to CNS) flight deals and tips

Find info about flight duration, direct flights, and airports for your flight from Sydney to Cairns

Best Price Found	$112
Fastest flight time	3h 05m
Direct flights	Every day
Airports in Cairns	1 airport

The best one-way flight to Cairns from Sydney in the past 72 hours is $112. The best round-trip flight deal from Sydney to Cairns found on momondo in the last 72 hours is $300.

The fastest flight from Sydney to Cairns takes 3h 05m

Direct flights go from Sydney to Cairns every day.

There is 1 airport in Cairns. From Sydney there are direct flights to Cairns (CNS).

Search flight deals

How far is Sydney Kingsford Smith to Cairns by plane?
There are 1218.2 mi between Sydney Kingsford Smith and Cairns. A reasonable flight in good conditions will take 3h 05m.
When did momondo last update prices for flights from Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport to Cairns Airport?
Prices for flights from Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport to Cairns Airport refresh daily.
How many operators does momondo search for flights from Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport to Cairns Airport?
As of December 2025, there are 3 operators available to choose from for flights from Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport to Cairns Airport.
How old do you have to be to fly from Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport to Cairns Airport?
Although the minimum age for a child to fly alone is five, airlines that offer an unaccompanied minor (UMNR) service may have their own age limits, which could be impacted by factors such as flight length, timing, and layovers. It is recommended that you verify with the airline you are booking with for travel from Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport to Cairns Airport.
What documentation or ID do you need to fly to Cairns Airport?
The travel and health documents you'll need for your trip to Cairns Airport may differ based on your itinerary and personal situation. Typically, you should have several documents on hand, such as a national ID card or driver's license and a passport that is valid for six months after your intended arrival at Cairns Airport. It is always advisable to seek advice from your airline or a trusted third party, such as IATA.
What is the most popular plane model from Sydney to Cairns?
momondo data reveals that the most frequently booked plane model on the route from Sydney to Cairns is Boeing 737-800 Passenger/BBJ2 (winglets), representing 37.99% of all bookings. The subsequent popular models are Airbus A321-100/200 at 23.70%, Airbus A320-100/200 at 22.71%, and Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner at 3.42%.
What is the most popular airline from Sydney to Cairns?
Based on momondo bookings for flights between Sydney and Cairns, the leading airline is Jetstar, making up 55% of the total bookings. Other popular airlines include Virgin Australia with 43% and Qantas Airways with 2%.

Best airlines flying from Sydney to Cairns

Compare and see reviews for airlines that fly from Sydney to Cairns with momondo

Airline	Rating	Free Cancellation	Price
Jetstar	PriceFrom $132	Free Cancellation	Rating 6.6 490 reviews	Search Jetstar flights
Virgin Australia	PriceFrom $142	Free Cancellation	Rating 7.6 426 reviews	Search Virgin Australia flights
Qantas Airways	PriceFrom $213	Free Cancellation	Rating 7.5 947 reviews	Search Qantas Airways flights

Virgin Australia Flights From Sydney to Cairns
Across 14 Virgin Australia flights from Sydney to Cairns this week, the average price was $249, with the best Virgin Australia deals starting from $142 round-trip. 426 users have rated Virgin Australia on momondo, with an average score of 7.6/10.
Qantas Airways Flights From Sydney to Cairns
$213 is the best Qantas Airways flight deal from Sydney to Cairns found on momondo over the last 72 hours. The average Qantas Airways ticket price found was closer to $348, however, with flight time and availability significantly affecting the price. Qantas Airways (7.5/10 from 947 user reviews) flies into Cairns from Sydney 27 times in an average week so prices can vary.

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Why use momondo?

Why should I use momondo to find a flight deal from Sydney to Cairns?

It is quick and easy to find Sydney to Cairns flights on momondo. We search and return numerous flight options from various airlines and agents. You can then use our filters to narrow your search until you have found the most convenient flight to Cairns that suits you.

Can I find flights from Sydney to Cairns with flexible booking policies on momondo?

Flights from Sydney to Cairns with flexible booking policies can be found by using the search form above and then selecting our dedicated flexible booking filter, which will highlight only the flights where this policy is applied.

How can momondo help me find flights from Sydney to Cairns?

momondo helps you find the best flight between Sydney and Cairns by providing filters to narrow your choice of flights to those matching your criteria. You can select flights based on numerous factors such as price, departure and landing times, airport and airline.

I’m not ready to book a flight from Sydney to Cairns right now. Can momondo alert me if prices change?

If you are simply researching potential flights to Cairns, momondo offers a useful price alert feature which will track prices for flights to Cairns from Sydney and alert you when they change.

An easier way to manage your Cairns trip

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Cheap flights from Sydney to Cairns from $83

This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a momondo user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight from Sydney to Cairns departing on 5/16. Fares may change, and may not be available for all flights or travel dates. Click the price to refresh the search for this deal.

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Use the filters below to find and compare flights from Sydney to Cairns that are best for you.

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How to get the cheapest flight ticket from Sydney to Cairns

What is the cheapest month to fly to Cairns?

What is the cheapest day to depart on your flight to Cairns?

Our data shows that Tuesday is the least expensive day to fly to Cairns. Tickets to fly out on this day can be as low as $203. The most expensive day to fly to Cairns is Friday, with ticket prices averaging around $254.

What is the cheapest time of day to depart on your flight to Cairns?

What is the cheapest Sydney Kingsford Smith to Cairns flight route?

Fly from Sydney Kingsford Smith to Cairns for the best Sydney Kingsford Smith - Cairns flight prices

How far in advance should I book a flight to Cairns?

What cabin class options are available on Sydney Kingsford Smith to Cairns flights?

There are 3 cabin classes available to choose from on Sydney Kingsford Smith to Cairns flights. Cabin price and availability will vary by airline so perform a search above to find the right deals for you.

How have Sydney to Cairns flight prices changed over time?

As of December 2025, prices for Sydney to Cairns flights are approximately 19% cheaper when compared to flights at the same time last year.

What is the cheapest airline that flies from Sydney Kingsford Smith to Cairns?

Virgin Australia and Jetstar are the most popular carriers operating from Sydney Kingsford Smith to Cairns

What airlines fly to Cairns?

How often are flights from Sydney to Cairns delayed?

Historically, on average around 17% of flights between Sydney and Cairns have experienced a delay on any given week. The average delay length over the past 12 months has been 95 minutes.

What is the most punctual flight time for Sydney to Cairns flights?

Generally, flights departing at night tend to experience fewer delays. Flights in the evening have, in the past, seen delays more frequently in comparison.

What day of the week experiences the fewest flight delays on this route?

Sunday is statistically the day of the week which experiences the fewest number of delays on this flight route. Friday has historically seen more delays on average compared to the rest of the week.

Which airline has the best punctuality record on Sydney to Cairns flights?

According to our data, Shanghai Airlines have had the least number of delays on this route over the last 12 months; with about 1% of their flights experiencing any sort of delay.

How many flights depart from Sydney to Cairns on average per day?

The number of flights available between Sydney and Cairns is 31 per day as of December 2025. The most frequent departure time is 9:00AM, with 66% of daily flights leaving at noon.

How many flights depart from Sydney to Cairns on average per week?

221 flights are operational weekly from Sydney to Cairns as of December 2025. The most popular departure day for this route is Thu, with 16% of flights per week taking off on this day.

When to book flights from Sydney to Cairns

Cheap Sydney to Cairns (SYD to CNS) flight deals and tips

Find info about flight duration, direct flights, and airports for your flight from Sydney to Cairns

Best Price Found

Fastest flight time

Direct flights

Airports in Cairns

How far is Sydney Kingsford Smith to Cairns by plane?

When did momondo last update prices for flights from Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport to Cairns Airport?

How many operators does momondo search for flights from Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport to Cairns Airport?

How old do you have to be to fly from Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport to Cairns Airport?

What documentation or ID do you need to fly to Cairns Airport?

What is the most popular plane model from Sydney to Cairns?

What is the most popular airline from Sydney to Cairns?

Best airlines flying from Sydney to Cairns

Compare and see reviews for airlines that fly from Sydney to Cairns with momondo

Virgin Australia Flights From Sydney to Cairns

Qantas Airways Flights From Sydney to Cairns

Traveling to a place near Cairns?

Why use momondo?

Why should I use momondo to find a flight deal from Sydney to Cairns?

Can I find flights from Sydney to Cairns with flexible booking policies on momondo?

How can momondo help me find flights from Sydney to Cairns?

I’m not ready to book a flight from Sydney to Cairns right now. Can momondo alert me if prices change?

An easier way to manage your Cairns trip

We make it super easy to schedule, organize and travel with friends or family. Trips is free — and available to use no matter where you book.

Get notified when prices go down

Daily price changes in your inbox - only with Price Alerts.

Find better results for your trip to Australia

Airports servicing Queensland