- Must visit
Art Gallery of New South Wales
Major art museum near the Domain, featuring Australian, European and Asian works in historic and modern buildings.
Flights from Cairns to Sydney depart on average 27 times per day, taking around 2h 59m. Cheap flight tickets for this journey start at £62 if you book in advance.
There are 5 flights per day. The earliest flight runs at 05:45, the last at 23:55. The fastest flight covers the 1961 km distance in 2h 55m. June is the cheapest month to fly.
Distance 1961 km |
Average flight duration 2h 59m |
Cheapest ticket price £62 |
Flights per day 27 |
Direct flights 5 |
Fastest flight 2h 55m |
First flight 5:45 |
Last flight 23:55 |
Cheapest Month Jun |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Busiest Day Wed |
Least Busy Day Fri |
Best time to book 7 days |
Cheapest price
£62
Average price
£119
Fastest journey
2 h 55 m
Average duration
4 h 6 m
Flights per day
4
Distance
1961 km
The best way to find a cheap flight ticket from Cairns to Sydney is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Cairns to Sydney will cost around £119 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap flight tickets today for only £62.
Of the 4 flights that leave Cairns for Sydney every day 4 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
These direct flights cover the 1961 km distance in an average of 4 h 6 m but if you time it right, some flights will get you there in just 2 h 55 m .
The slowest flights will take 7 h 40 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.








Omio recommends booking the flight as it is the most popular option from Cairns to Sydney among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the flight with prices starting from £62. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 2h 59m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a flight costs an average of £62, and a train costs an average of £2894.
Distance: 1961 km
Most popular Flight | Coach | Train |
|---|---|---|
£112 Average Price Cheapest | £246 Average Price | £2894 Average Price |
5h 59m Average total duration Fastest 2h 59m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 49h 5m Average total duration 48h 35m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 61h 0m Average total duration 60h 30m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
The table below shows live departures for Cairns to Sydney flights for today, Monday 3 August. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated flight journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 8:05 Cairns | 3h00 | 11:05 Sydney | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 9:05 Cairns | 2h55 | 12:00 Sydney | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 20:40 Cairns | 3h00 | 23:40 Sydney | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 20:45 Cairns | 3h00 | 23:45 Sydney | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 23:05 Cairns | 2h55 | 2:00 Sydney | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 2:05 Cairns | 7h40 | 9:45 Sydney | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last flight of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train, coach and flight prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Discover the best of Sydney — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Sydney trip today.
Major art museum near the Domain, featuring Australian, European and Asian works in historic and modern buildings.
Natural history and science museum with dinosaur skeletons, minerals and interactive family-friendly displays.
Contemporary art museum at Circular Quay with harbour views, changing exhibitions and a strong Australian focus.
Historic harbourside district with sandstone lanes, markets, pubs, museums and excellent views of the bridge and quay.
Large waterfront garden with harbour walks, palms, flower beds and classic views towards the Opera House.
Popular coastal walk linking beaches, cliffs and rock pools, ideal for sea views, exercise and photography.
Sydney rock oysters are prized for their rich, briny flavour and creamy texture, harvested from New South Wales estuaries and long linked to Sydney’s seafood culture.
Barramundi is a popular Australian fish, often simply grilled or pan-fried. It is a staple on Sydney menus for its mild flavour and crisp skin.
Moreton Bay bugs are sweet, slipper-lobster shellfish, usually grilled with butter or served chilled. They are a classic luxury seafood choice in Sydney.
Elegant waterfront restaurant specialising in seafood, especially oysters, fish and shellfish, with Harbour Bridge views.
Refined harbourside fine dining in Bennelong House, known for Australian produce and polished service in a landmark setting.
Long-running Sydney seafood restaurant and fish market with harbour views, popular for oysters, platters and grilled local catch.
Sydney is costly for visitors, with high hotel prices, dining above many cities, and public transport reasonable but not cheap.
Tipping is optional. Restaurants may get 5-10% for great service, taxis can be rounded up, and cafés usually do not expect tips.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Cairns to Sydney by flight. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest flight, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Sydney, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Cairns to Sydney flights use the Cairns to Sydney airport pair. Use this guide to compare Cairns and Sydney airports on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like airport facilities and services.
Cairns is 5 km from Cairns city centre. Public transport options include:
Cairns has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Shower, Lounge, Lost and Found Office and Car Rental.
Food options include: Restaurants are located in both domestic and intertiol terminals, offering options like fast food and cafes.
Free Wi-Fi available throughout the airport. ATMs are located throughout the airport, including major banks like ANZ and Commonwealth Bank.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Cairns: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Cairns: Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Cairns: Elevators, ramps.
Nearby hotels include Hotels such as the Cairns Airport Hotel within walking distance..
Sydney is 2 km from Sydney city centre. Public transport options include:
Sydney has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Shower, Lounge, Lost and Found Office and Car Rental.
Food options include: Various restaurants are located in both domestic and intertiol terminals, including fast food and gourmet options like McDold's and Wolfgang Puck.
Free Wi-Fi available throughout the airport, with a simple login process. ATMs are located in both domestic and intertiol terminals, offering multiple currency options.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Sydney: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Sydney: Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Sydney: Elevators, ramps, assistance.
Nearby hotels include Hotels within walking distance, including Rydges Sydney Airport Hotel..
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need