Sydney SYD to Cairns CNS flight with Virgin Australia International

Mon 02 Nov
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Jetstar Airways
Virgin Australia International
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Jetstar Airways
Virgin Australia International
Ryanair
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Malta Air
2,000+ travel companies
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The cheapest and fastest flights from Sydney to Cairns

Showing times, prices and bookable tickets for 02 Nov
Cheapest price on 02 Nov
£186
Average ticket price on 02 Nov
£432
Fastest journey on 02 Nov
3 h
Average journey duration on 02 Nov
3 h 44 m
Flights on 02 Nov
54
Distance
1961 km
Cheap tickets

The best way to find a cheap flight ticket from Sydney to Cairns is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.

The average ticket from Sydney to Cairns will cost around £432 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap flight tickets today for only £186.

Fast flights

On Mon 02 Nov, we found 54 flights from Sydney to Cairns, including 3 direct services.

These direct flights cover the 1961 km distance in an average of 3 h 44 m but if you time it right, some flights will get you there in just 3 h .

The slowest flights will take 5 h 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.

  • Jetstar AirwaysJQ418 · JQ892
    1 change
  • Virgin Australia InternationalVA989 · VA785
    1 change
  • Jetstar AirwaysJQ950
    0 changes
  • Virgin Australia InternationalVA951 · VA785
    1 change
  • Jetstar AirwaysJQ954
    0 changes

Journey information

Overview: Sydney to Cairns flight

AustraliaAustralia
AustraliaAustralia
Icon of flight

Flights from Sydney to Cairns depart on average 47 times per day, taking around 4h 40m. Cheap flight tickets for this journey start at £62 if you book in advance.

There are 6 flights per day. The earliest flight runs at 05:45, the last at 23:55. The fastest flight covers the 1961 km distance in 3h 0m. July is the cheapest month to fly.

Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information
Distance
1961 km
Average flight duration
4h 40m
Cheapest ticket price
£62
Flights per day
47
Direct flights
6
Fastest flight
3h 0m
First flight
5:45
Last flight
23:55
Cheapest Month
Jul
Cheapest Day
Thu
High Season
Apr - Jun
Low Season
Oct - Dec
Busiest Day
Thu
Least Busy Day
Thu
Best time to book
14 days
Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information

Frequently asked questions about your Sydney to Cairns trip

Use these quick route answers to check fares, travel time, departure options, and direct services before booking from Sydney to Cairns.

Cheap plane tickets from Sydney to Cairns can start from as little as £62 when you book in advance. The average flight ticket price for Sydney to Cairns is £375; however, prices vary depending on the time of day and class and they tend to be more expensive on the day.
The earliest flight from Sydney to Cairns leaves at 5:45. Plan your trip with the Journey Planner   from Omio.
The latest flight from Sydney to Cairns leaves at 23:55.
Yes, there are 6 direct flights a day from Sydney to Cairns with Jetstar Airways, Virgin Australia International. Schedules can vary on holidays or weekends with fewer direct flights.

Live departures

Sydney to Cairns flight times

The table below shows live departures for Sydney to Cairns flights for tomorrow, Monday 2 November. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated flight journeys.

Last updated at
ProviderDepartsDurationArrivesChanges
Tickets
Jetstar AirwaysJQ501 · JQ9486:00 Sydney
12h45
17:45 Cairns1 change
Jetstar AirwaysJQ9506:20 Sydney
3h00
8:20 Cairns0 changesdirect
Jetstar AirwaysJQ810 · JQ9326:20 Sydney
11h55
17:15 Cairns1 change
Jetstar AirwaysJQ810 · JQ9306:20 Sydney
6h00
11:20 Cairns1 change
Jetstar AirwaysJQ503 · JQ9486:30 Sydney
12h15
17:45 Cairns1 change
Jetstar AirwaysJQ505 · JQ9487:00 Sydney
11h45
17:45 Cairns1 change
Virgin Australia InternationalVA913 · VA7837:30 Sydney
7h30
14:00 Cairns1 change
Virgin Australia InternationalVA917 · VA7838:00 Sydney
7h00
14:00 Cairns1 change
Virgin Australia InternationalVA921 · VA7838:30 Sydney
6h30
14:00 Cairns1 change
Virgin Australia InternationalVA921 · VA7758:30 Sydney
27h30
11:00 Cairns1 change
Virgin Australia InternationalVA820 · VA12938:30 Sydney
27h35
11:05 Cairns1 change
Virgin Australia InternationalVA925 · VA7839:00 Sydney
6h00
14:00 Cairns1 change
Virgin Australia InternationalVA824 · VA12939:00 Sydney
27h05
11:05 Cairns1 change
Virgin Australia InternationalVA925 · VA7759:00 Sydney
27h00
11:00 Cairns1 change
Virgin Australia InternationalVA824 · VA12979:00 Sydney
11h05
19:05 Cairns1 change
Jetstar AirwaysJQ509 · JQ9469:15 Sydney
13h55
22:10 Cairns1 change
Jetstar AirwaysJQ509 · JQ9489:15 Sydney
9h30
17:45 Cairns1 change
Jetstar AirwaysJQ812 · JQ9329:30 Sydney
8h45
17:15 Cairns1 change
Jetstar AirwaysJQ511 · JQ9489:35 Sydney
9h10
17:45 Cairns1 change
Jetstar AirwaysJQ511 · JQ9469:35 Sydney
13h35
22:10 Cairns1 change
Virgin Australia InternationalVA931 · VA78310:00 Sydney
5h00
14:00 Cairns1 change
Virgin Australia InternationalVA931 · VA77510:00 Sydney
26h00
11:00 Cairns1 change
Virgin Australia InternationalVA830 · VA129310:00 Sydney
26h05
11:05 Cairns1 change
Virgin Australia InternationalVA933 · VA78310:30 Sydney
4h30
14:00 Cairns1 change
Virgin Australia InternationalVA832 · VA129310:30 Sydney
25h35
11:05 Cairns1 change
Virgin Australia InternationalVA933 · VA77510:30 Sydney
25h30
11:00 Cairns1 change
Jetstar AirwaysJQ513 · JQ94810:50 Sydney
7h55
17:45 Cairns1 change
Jetstar AirwaysJQ513 · JQ94610:50 Sydney
12h20
22:10 Cairns1 change
Virgin Australia InternationalVA834 · VA129311:00 Sydney
25h05
11:05 Cairns1 change
Jetstar AirwaysJQ95211:25 Sydney
3h05
13:30 Cairns0 changesdirect
Virgin Australia InternationalVA838 · VA129312:00 Sydney
24h05
11:05 Cairns1 change
Jetstar AirwaysJQ515 · JQ94612:35 Sydney
10h35
22:10 Cairns1 change
Jetstar AirwaysJQ814 · JQ93212:55 Sydney
5h20
17:15 Cairns1 change
Virgin Australia InternationalVA842 · VA129313:00 Sydney
23h05
11:05 Cairns1 change
Jetstar AirwaysJQ517 · JQ94613:15 Sydney
9h55
22:10 Cairns1 change
Jetstar AirwaysJQ519 · JQ94614:30 Sydney
8h40
22:10 Cairns1 change
Virgin Australia InternationalVA951 · VA78515:00 Sydney
26h40
16:40 Cairns1 change
Virgin Australia InternationalVA951 · VA77515:00 Sydney
21h00
11:00 Cairns1 change
Jetstar AirwaysJQ521 · JQ94615:15 Sydney
7h55
22:10 Cairns1 change
Jetstar AirwaysJQ95415:25 Sydney
3h05
17:30 Cairns0 changesdirect
Virgin Australia InternationalVA858 · VA129716:00 Sydney
28h05
19:05 Cairns1 change
Jetstar AirwaysJQ525 · JQ94616:25 Sydney
6h45
22:10 Cairns1 change
Virgin Australia InternationalVA862 · VA129716:30 Sydney
27h35
19:05 Cairns1 change
Virgin Australia InternationalVA862 · VA129316:30 Sydney
19h35
11:05 Cairns1 change
Virgin Australia InternationalVA866 · VA129717:00 Sydney
27h05
19:05 Cairns1 change
Virgin Australia InternationalVA866 · VA129317:00 Sydney
19h05
11:05 Cairns1 change
Virgin Australia InternationalVA870 · VA129717:30 Sydney
26h35
19:05 Cairns1 change
Virgin Australia InternationalVA870 · VA129317:30 Sydney
18h35
11:05 Cairns1 change
Virgin Australia InternationalVA981 · VA77519:00 Sydney
17h00
11:00 Cairns1 change
Virgin Australia InternationalVA989 · VA77520:00 Sydney
16h00
11:00 Cairns1 change
Virgin Australia InternationalVA989 · VA77120:00 Sydney
13h35
8:35 Cairns1 change
Virgin Australia InternationalVA989 · VA78520:00 Sydney
21h40
16:40 Cairns1 change
Jetstar AirwaysJQ418 · JQ89221:50 Sydney
12h15
9:05 Cairns1 change
Jetstar AirwaysJQ539 · JQ3421:55 Sydney
11h35
8:30 Cairns1 change

This is the last flight of the day.

Find all the dates and times for this journey

Why should you book Sydney to Cairns flights with Omio?

Jetstar Airways as well as Virgin Australia International offer flights services from Sydney to Cairns.
Omio is an official ticket reseller for all your travel options from Sydney to Cairns.

Why book with Omio vs Jetstar Airways?

  • Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can not only buy tickets for Jetstar Airways, but also compare tickets for the likes of Virgin Australia International to find the best option for your trip from Sydney to Cairns.
  • Designed for International Travelers: Omio is in your language including 24/7 customer service and offers multiple payment options, including PayPal, credit cards, and bank transfer, in your preferred currency.
  • Compare all your options: Omio allows you to compare Jetstar Airways with all available travel options, which are train, bus and flight to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Sydney to Cairns.

Why book with Omio over Kayak or Edreams?

  • Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can also compare tickets for the likes of Virgin Australia International to find the best option for your trip from Sydney to Cairns.
  • Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including train, bus and flight to find the ideal travel option from Sydney to Cairns.

Airlines: Virgin Australia International, Jetstar Airways from Sydney to CairnsFind the best flights between Sydney to Cairns with Omio's travel partners Virgin Australia International, Jetstar Airways from £62. We can find you the best deals, schedules and tickets when comparing and booking the best trip.

Jetstar Airways

About
Jetstar Airways is an Australian low-cost airline headquartered in Melbourne and a wholly owned subsidiary of the Qantas Group. Established in 2003, it began domestic passenger services in May 2004 and expanded to international services in December 2005. Jetstar operates an extensive domestic and international network, serving over 75 destinations with more than 4,000 flights a week. The airline utilizes a fleet primarily consisting of Airbus A320 family aircraft and Boeing 787 Dreamliners. Jetstar is part of Qantas' two-brand strategy, positioning itself in the low-cost market while Qantas Airways focuses on the premium full-service market. The Jetstar Group also includes joint ventures like Jetstar Asia in Singapore and Jetstar Japan.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Jetstar Airways Duration
3h 0m
Cheapest Jetstar Airways Price
£62
Jetstar Airways frequency
18 a day
Luggage included
One carry-on bag (7kg) for Starter fares
Additional luggage
Up to 40kg additional checked baggage can be purchased
Cancellation Policy
Starter fares are non-refundable. FareCredit available for cancellations made within 24 hours of departure on higher fare types
Pregnant on board
Pregnant passengers can travel up to the end of the 32nd week. For multiple pregnancies, travel is permitted until the end of the 28th week. Medical clearance required after 28 weeks
Unaccompagned minor
Children aged 5-11 can travel unaccompanied on direct flights only. Service must be booked in advance and fees apply
Amenities on board the airplane
Food sold onboard
Accessibility
Jetstar provides assistance for passengers with disabilities, including wheelchair assistance and special seating arrangements
Pets
Pets are not allowed in the cabin or as checked baggage except for service animals
Entertaiment on board

Virgin Australia International

Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Virgin Australia International Duration
3h 5m
Cheapest Virgin Australia International Price
£104
Virgin Australia International frequency
29 a day

Companies, tickets, and onboard amenities between Sydney and Cairns

Review the details behind your booking, from operators and ticket rules to luggage, onboard amenities, accessibility, and route-specific travel policies.

When taking a flight from Sydney to Cairns, you can count on Jetstar Airways, Virgin Australia International for the best way to get you to Cairns. You can also check all possible airlines who offer a service between Sydney and Cairns and compare the amenities they offer before buying a plane ticket.
For international flights we recommend to arrive 2.5 to 3 hours before departure. Please check the website of your departure airport if in doubt. Some airports may offer booking time slots for security checks or offer additional information on when to get there based on time of day.
Most airlines permit carry-on bags that fit within specific dimensions (e.g., 22 x 14 x 9 inches or 56 x 36 x 23 cm), including handles and wheels. Bags must fit in the overhead bin or under the seat in front of you.
Many airlines impose weight limits, commonly ranging between 7 kg (15 lbs) and 12 kg (26 lbs). Typically, passengers are allowed one carry-on bag and one personal item (for example a purse, laptop bag, or backpack). Personal items must fit under the seat in front of you. Budget Airlines (like Ryanair or Wizz Air) have stricter size and weight limits, often requiring fees for larger carry-ons. Full-Service Airlines have more lenient policies, sometimes including more spacious dimensions or higher weight limits depending on your ticket class.
The list of items prohibited on an airplane varies by country and airline, but in general, the following items are not allowed in carry-on or checked baggage: Weapons and self-defence items, sharp objects, flammable materials, explosives, toxic substances, or liquids over 100ml (except for medications and baby essentials). In checked baggage, firearms (without authorization), explosives, large lithium batteries, and hazardous chemicals are prohibited. Electronic cigarettes must be in carry-on bags, while alcohol and dry ice have restrictions. Always check with your airline for specific regulations.

Complete guide to Cairns

Things to do in Cairns

Discover the best of Cairns — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Cairns trip today.

  • Recommended

Cairns Museum

Regional museum covering Cairns’ Indigenous, maritime and social history through well-curated galleries in the city centre.

View on mapVisit website
  • Recommended

Cairns Art Gallery

Leading contemporary art gallery with changing exhibitions focused on Far North Queensland, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art.

View on mapVisit website
  • Recommended

The Australian Armour & Artillery Museum

Hands-on natural history museum featuring fossils, minerals, insects and wildlife displays that appeal to curious families and adults.

View on mapVisit website

Australian dollar ($)

Moderate for Australia. Hotels and tours can be pricey in peak season, but casual meals, local buses and supermarket food help keep daily costs manageable.

Average meal costs

Budget
$15-25 for fast food or casual takeaway.
Mid-range
$30-50 per person for a restaurant meal.
Fine dining
$80+ per person for upscale dining.
Coffee
$4.50-6 for a cappuccino.

Tipping culture

Tipping is not expected. Round up or leave 5-10% for excellent restaurant service. Taxis can be rounded up; cafés usually do not require tips.

FAQs: Sydney to Cairns flights

Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Sydney to Cairns 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 Cairns, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

FAQs
It's helpful to compare your options as there are 3 ways to travel between Sydney and Cairns including taking a train, coach and flight.

popular airports

Important Stations and Airports in Sydney and Cairns

Most Sydney to Cairns flights use the Sydney to Cairns airport pair. Use this guide to compare Sydney and Cairns airports on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like airport facilities and services.

Departure airports in Sydney
Arrival airports in Cairns

Which Sydney airport do flights to Cairns leave from?

Flights from Sydney to Cairns depart from Sydney. The airport is 2 km from Sydney city centre at Sydney Airport, Mascot NSW 2020, Australia.
Sydney (SYD)Sydney Airport, Mascot NSW 2020, AustraliaWifiShoppingParkingDiningATMTaxisAccessibilityWCHotelShowerLoungeLost and Found OfficeCar Rental
City-centre transport

Getting to Sydney from Sydney city centre

Sydney is 2 km from Sydney city centre. Public transport options include:

Train, Airport Link, Domestic and Intertiol stations, 10-15 minutes to city center

Sydney airport facilities and services

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 and drink

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.

Wi-Fi and ATMs

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.

Luggage and lost property

Lost and found is available at the station.

Parking, taxis and toilets

Available at Sydney: Parking, Taxis, WC.

Bike and car services

Available at Sydney: Car Rental.

Accessibility

Accessibility facilities are available at Sydney: Elevators, ramps, assistance.

Shops, hotels and contact

Nearby hotels include Hotels within walking distance, including Rydges Sydney Airport Hotel..

More about Sydney

Airports for flights from Sydney to Cairns

See which airports are used for flights between Sydney and Cairns, including airport details.

Flights from Sydney to Cairns generally leave from Sydney and arrive in Cairns .Sydney is 2 km away from Sydney city centre and Cairns is 6 km from Cairns city centre.

More options for your journey from Sydney to Cairns

Here are some other resources that might have the information you need

Return flights from Cairns to Sydney
More information on flights to Sydney

Most popular flights to and from Cairns and Sydney

Sydney to Melbourne flights
Brisbane to Cairns flights
HomeFlightsSydney to Cairns flights

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