Cheap Flights from Cairns to Sydney from $275

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Flight deals from Cairns to Sydney

Looking for a cheap last-minute deal or the best return flight from Cairns Airport to Sydney Airport? If you want to travel next month, return fares start from $275. Find the lowest prices on one-way and return tickets right here.

Sydney.$275 per passenger.Departing Wed, 24 Feb, returning Sat, 27 Feb.Return flight with Jetstar.Outbound direct flight with Jetstar departs from Cairns on Wed, 24 Feb, arriving in Sydney.Inbound direct flight with Jetstar departs from Sydney on Sat, 27 Feb, arriving in Cairns.Price includes taxes and charges.From $275, select.

Sydney.$275 per passenger.Departing Thu, 2 Jul, returning Tue, 28 Jul.Return flight with Jetstar.Outbound direct flight with Jetstar departs from Cairns on Thu, 2 Jul, arriving in Sydney.Inbound direct flight with Jetstar departs from Sydney on Tue, 28 Jul, arriving in Cairns.Price includes taxes and charges.From $275, select.

Sydney.$291 per passenger.Departing Fri, 21 Aug, returning Mon, 24 Aug.Return flight with Virgin Australia and Jetstar.Outbound direct flight with Virgin Australia departs from Cairns on Fri, 21 Aug, arriving in Sydney.Inbound direct flight with Jetstar departs from Sydney on Mon, 24 Aug, arriving in Cairns.Price includes taxes and charges.From $291, select.

Sydney.$295 per passenger.Departing Thu, 3 Sep, returning Tue, 8 Sep.Return flight with Jetstar.Outbound direct flight with Jetstar departs from Cairns on Thu, 3 Sep, arriving in Sydney.Inbound direct flight with Jetstar departs from Sydney on Tue, 8 Sep, arriving in Cairns.Price includes taxes and charges.From $295, select.

Sydney.$297 per passenger.Departing Wed, 17 Mar, returning Wed, 24 Mar.Return flight with Jetstar.Outbound direct flight with Jetstar departs from Cairns on Wed, 17 Mar, arriving in Sydney.Inbound direct flight with Jetstar departs from Sydney on Wed, 24 Mar, arriving in Cairns.Price includes taxes and charges.From $297, select.

Sydney.$300 per passenger.Departing Mon, 31 Aug, returning Sat, 5 Sep.Return flight with Virgin Australia and Jetstar.Outbound direct flight with Virgin Australia departs from Cairns on Mon, 31 Aug, arriving in Sydney.Inbound direct flight with Jetstar departs from Sydney on Sat, 5 Sep, arriving in Cairns.Price includes taxes and charges.From $300, select.

Sydney.$301 per passenger.Departing Thu, 30 Jul, returning Tue, 11 Aug.Return flight with Virgin Australia and Jetstar.Outbound direct flight with Virgin Australia departs from Cairns on Thu, 30 Jul, arriving in Sydney.Inbound direct flight with Jetstar departs from Sydney on Tue, 11 Aug, arriving in Cairns.Price includes taxes and charges.From $301, select.

Sydney.$329 per passenger.Departing Thu, 18 Mar, returning Tue, 6 Apr.Return flight with Jetstar.Outbound direct flight with Jetstar departs from Cairns on Thu, 18 Mar, arriving in Sydney.Inbound direct flight with Jetstar departs from Sydney on Tue, 6 Apr, arriving in Cairns.Price includes taxes and charges.From $329, select.

Sydney.$330 per passenger.Departing Tue, 8 Sep, returning Wed, 7 Oct.Return flight with Jetstar.Outbound direct flight with Jetstar departs from Cairns on Tue, 8 Sep, arriving in Sydney.Inbound direct flight with Jetstar departs from Sydney on Wed, 7 Oct, arriving in Cairns.Price includes taxes and charges.From $330, select.

Sydney.$335 per passenger.Departing Wed, 14 Oct, returning Wed, 21 Oct.Return flight with Jetstar.Outbound direct flight with Jetstar departs from Cairns on Wed, 14 Oct, arriving in Sydney.Inbound direct flight with Jetstar departs from Sydney on Wed, 21 Oct, arriving in Cairns.Price includes taxes and charges.From $335, select.

Sydney.$335 per passenger.Departing Fri, 6 Nov, returning Tue, 10 Nov.Return flight with Virgin Australia and Jetstar.Outbound direct flight with Virgin Australia departs from Cairns on Fri, 6 Nov, arriving in Sydney.Inbound direct flight with Jetstar departs from Sydney on Tue, 10 Nov, arriving in Cairns.Price includes taxes and charges.From $335, select.

Sydney.$342 per passenger.Departing Thu, 1 Apr, returning Sat, 3 Apr.Return flight with Jetstar.Outbound direct flight with Jetstar departs from Cairns on Thu, 1 Apr, arriving in Sydney.Inbound direct flight with Jetstar departs from Sydney on Sat, 3 Apr, arriving in Cairns.Price includes taxes and charges.From $342, select.

Sydney.$343 per passenger.Departing Tue, 30 Jun, returning Wed, 15 Jul.Return flight with Virgin Australia.Outbound direct flight with Virgin Australia departs from Cairns on Tue, 30 Jun, arriving in Sydney.Inbound direct flight with Virgin Australia departs from Sydney on Wed, 15 Jul, arriving in Cairns.Price includes taxes and charges.From $343, select.

Sydney.$348 per passenger.Departing Tue, 8 Dec, returning Thu, 10 Dec.Return flight with Jetstar and Virgin Australia.Outbound direct flight with Jetstar departs from Cairns on Tue, 8 Dec, arriving in Sydney.Inbound direct flight with Virgin Australia departs from Sydney on Thu, 10 Dec, arriving in Cairns.Price includes taxes and charges.From $348, select.

Sydney.$356 per passenger.Departing Sat, 21 Nov, returning Wed, 2 Dec.Return flight with Virgin Australia.Outbound direct flight with Virgin Australia departs from Cairns on Sat, 21 Nov, arriving in Sydney.Inbound direct flight with Virgin Australia departs from Sydney on Wed, 2 Dec, arriving in Cairns.Price includes taxes and charges.From $356, select.

Sydney.$357 per passenger.Departing Mon, 26 Oct, returning Mon, 2 Nov.Return flight with Virgin Australia.Outbound direct flight with Virgin Australia departs from Cairns on Mon, 26 Oct, arriving in Sydney.Inbound direct flight with Virgin Australia departs from Sydney on Mon, 2 Nov, arriving in Cairns.Price includes taxes and charges.From $357, select.

Find the cheapest month to fly from Cairns to Sydney

We’re always keeping an eye on fares, so you can find the best one in seconds. It looks like Cairns to Sydney flights are currently cheapest in July.

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Direct flights from Cairns to Sydney

Cairns to Sydney: Alternative routes

Compare routes from Cairns to Sydney below. You may find an airport to fly into that's cheaper, faster, or easier than Sydney.

Sydney

9km from central Sydney

ClosestCheapest

from $275

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Wollongong

87km from central Sydney

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Cairns to Sydney: Flight information

The things to know before you go.

Cheapest flight found	$275
Cheapest month to fly	February
Average flight time	2 hrs, 56 mins
Most popular airline	Qantas
Average flights per week	296

Finding cheap flights from Cairns to Sydney: Frequently asked questions

How much are return flights from Cairns to Sydney?

The best price we found for a return flight from Cairns to Sydney is $275. This is an estimate based on information collected from different airlines and travel providers over the last 4 days and is subject to change and availability.

How long does it take to fly from Cairns to Sydney?

2 hours and 56 minutes is the average flight time from Cairns to Sydney.

Which airlines fly direct from Cairns to Sydney?

Qantas, Qatar Airways and Virgin Australia fly direct from Cairns to Sydney.

How many flights are there a week from Cairns to Sydney?

As of June 2026, there are 296 flights per week flying from Cairns to Sydney.

When is the cheapest time to fly from Cairns to Sydney?

The cheapest month to fly from Cairns to Sydney is usually February.

Which upcoming date is cheapest to fly from Cairns Airport to Sydney Airport on?

After crunching the numbers on our flight calendar, we found that it's currently cheapest to fly from Cairns Airport to Sydney Airport on Wednesday, 24 February 2027.

Can I get a direct flight from Cairns Airport to Sydney Airport?

Yes – the average flight time is 2 hours and 56 minutes.

How can I find the best flight deal to Sydney?

We show every price from over 1,200 airlines and travel agents, comparing them all so you don’t have to. If you know you want to fly to Sydney but you’re not ready to book, set up a Price Alert. We’ll track prices for you, and let you know when they rise or fall.

When is the best time to book flights to Sydney?

We crunched all the numbers in our flight calendar and it looks like the cheapest time to book a flight to Sydney is around 40 days in advance, so don’t leave your flight to the last minute.

Which is the cheapest airline to fly from Cairns Airport to Sydney with?

Currently, Jetstar offers the cheapest flight tickets to Sydney.

Travelling from Cairns Airport (CNS) to Sydney Airport (SYD): what you need to know

Book a direct flight from Cairns Airport to Sydney Airport and you'll be in the air for an average of 2 hours 55 minutes.
Sydney's timezone is UTC+11, which makes Sydney one hour ahead of Cairns.
Each week, there are 51 Cairns Airport to Sydney Airport flights. If you'd like to be on board early, opt for the 05:45 Jetstar flight. If you'd rather make the most of your day before flying, the last flight is at 19:15 with Virgin Australia Regional.
Your CNS to SYD flight won't wait if you're running late, so don't forget to check in on time. Arrive up to one hour in advance for domestic flights and two hours ahead when you're flying internationally.
Flying during a peak time like July? Major public holidays and other popular periods can lead to longer queues at airport checkpoints. Play things extra safe and get there up to four hours before international flights and two hours before a domestic departure.
You can travel nonstop to Sydney, Australia. Prepare for takeoff with one of these carriers offering direct flights from Cairns Airport to Sydney Airport:
The majority of travellers choose to travel with Jetstar on this route.
Jetstar is the most punctual carrier that operates CNS to SYD flights, with 75.12% of its services landing on time.
We make it a cinch to book a flight with a stopover. To see your options for tickets from Cairns Airport to Sydney Airport, deselect 'Direct flights only.' Then, choose a flight that has a stop long enough to tour your chosen city. Popular stopovers between CNS and SYD include:
- Brisbane Airport
- Gold Coast Airport
- Townsville Airport

How to find the cheapest flights from Cairns Airport (CNS) to Sydney Airport (SYD)

The lowest price we've seen for a one-way Cairns Airport to Sydney Airport flight is $128. A round-trip fare is currently $275. Depending on the availability when you book, these fares may change.
It's a good idea to book ahead of time if you're hoping to get cheap tickets from CNS to SYD. That's because airlines adjust prices based on demand, which tends to rise closer to the date of departure.
May is the cheapest month for flights from Cairns Airport to Sydney Airport. If you're looking to fly during a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will give you the lowest prices across every month.
Cut down on the time spent looking for cheap flights from CNS to SYD by creating a Price Alert. You'll get an email or notification on the app when a new discounted fare appears.
Select your ideal arrival and departure times, number of stops and airlines with the filters. Or sort your results by 'Cheapest' to find the best deals on flights from Cairns Airport to Sydney Airport.

Handy information about Cairns Airport (CNS)

74% of flights leaving from Cairns Airport touch down at their destination on time.
To get to Cairns Airport from central Cairns, it'll take around 15 minutes if you're going by car. Of course, this depends on traffic conditions. It's approximately 6 kilometres from the airport to the city centre.
Planning to catch public transport? You can expect a journey time of around 25 minutes.
Catching an early flight from Cairns Airport to Sydney Airport? Avoid rushing to the terminal (and enjoy a little extra shut-eye) by choosing one of these stays near CNS:

Arriving at Sydney Airport (SYD)

The last thing you need is a long trip to your hotel if you're arriving on a late Cairns Airport to Sydney Airport flight. Reserve one of these accommodation options near SYD instead:
Travel at your own pace with a Sydney Airport rental car. Pick up your wheels from simba car rental, Bargain Car Rentals or Yes Drive and discover more of Sydney and beyond.
Secure the lowest price by booking your vehicle from Sydney Airport about two weeks before your trip.

Getting from Sydney Airport (SYD) to central Sydney

From Sydney Airport, Sydney is approximately 8 kilometres away. It takes around 20 minutes to reach the centre driving.
If you're travelling by public transport, expect a journey of around 15 minutes.

When to fly to Sydney Airport (SYD)

The quietest month for a flight from Cairns Airport to Sydney Airport is March, while July is the most popular. Pick the best time to visit Sydney based on whether you prefer a faster pace or a more relaxed vibe.
Book your flight from Cairns Airport to Sydney Airport for January if you want to explore Sydney during its warmest month. Expect temperatures of between 17ºC and 32ºC.
Search for cheap tickets from CNS to SYD in July if you like cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest around then, ranging between 5ºC and 19ºC on average.

Explore more of Australia

Sydney has plenty going for it, but there are so many other corners of Australia just waiting to be explored. About 241 kilometres south-west of Sydney, a visit to Canberra will keep you busy. Start with leading attractions like National Gallery of Australia, National Portrait Gallery and Museum of Australian Democracy.
Newcastle is another well-known destination in Australia and is around 121 kilometres north-east of Sydney. No trip is complete without dropping by Merewether Beach, Nobbys Beach and Newcastle Beach.