Flying from Seattle to Cairns Airport (CNS): What you need to know
Cairns is 18 hours ahead of Seattle. Cairns Airport is located in Cairns, which follows the UTC+10 timezone.
Arriving two hours before an international flight and one hour ahead of a domestic departure are travel rules worth sticking to. Be at the airport on time to board your flight from Seattle to CNS.
With more travellers during busy months like July, be at your terminal even earlier. Two hours for domestic flights and up to four for international journeys will allow for extra wait times. Remember things also get busy during major holidays like Christmas.
Airports in Seattle
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
You might be able to make your cheap flight from Seattle to CNS even cheaper by adding a stopover. Just deselect 'Direct flights only' during your search to find out where you can stop along the way. Tokyo Haneda International Airport (HND) is an option when taking off from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA).
Located around 23 kilometres from the centre of Seattle, SEA can be reached in about 25 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The journey by public transport takes roughly 35 minutes.
Catching an early flight from Seattle to Cairns Airport? Avoid rushing to the terminal (and catch some extra z's) by picking one of these hotels close to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport:
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport scores top marks for its on-time performance. 80% of flights that depart SEA reach their destination on time.
Seattle Paine Field International Airport (PAE)
PAE is about 40 kilometres from central Seattle. It'll take you 40 minutes or so to get to the airport if you're driving from the city centre. Public transport takes roughly 1 hour 30 minutes.
Catching the earliest flight? Think about checking in to one of these hotels near Seattle Paine Field International Airport the day before your Seattle to CNS flight:
Seattle Paine Field International Airport has a track record for punctuality. 80% of flights departing here arrive right on target.
About Cairns Airport (CNS)
The last thing you want is a long journey to your hotel if you're arriving on a late flight from Seattle to Cairns Airport. Get comfy at one of these accommodation options near CNS instead:
For the lowest price, book your ride around two weeks in advance of your Seattle to Cairns Airport flight.
Getting from Cairns Airport (CNS) to central Cairns
Cairns Airport is around 6 kilometres from the centre of Cairns. It takes around 15 minutes or so to drive to the city.
If you're taking public transport, expect a journey of roughly 25 minutes.
How to find the cheapest flights from Seattle to Cairns Airport (CNS)
At the moment, $1,432 is the best price we've found for a one-way ticket from Seattle to Cairns Airport. The cheapest price for a return flight is $2,283. Remember fares may change due to demand at the time of booking.
Don't wait until the last minute. You're more likely to find cheap flights from Seattle to CNS if you book in advance. Airlines often offer some fantastic early bird deals.
The 'Whole month' tool shows you the cheapest Seattle to Cairns Airport tickets across each month. It's a good way to snap up a bargain if your travel plans aren't set in stone.
Spend less time searching for cheap plane tickets from Seattle to CNS by creating a Price Alert. We'll send you an email or push notification on the app when fares go down.
Hunt for savings on a flight from Seattle to Cairns Airport with the help of the filters. Choose your preferred arrival and departure times, airlines and number of stops. You can also sort your results by 'Fastest,' 'Best' or 'Cheapest.'
The best time to fly from Seattle to Cairns Airport (CNS)
Think about the pace you're looking for when deciding when to fly. December is the quietest month to visit Cairns. July is when most people book flights from Seattle to Cairns Airport (CNS), which may be ideal if you're chasing more excitement.
The warmest month in Cairns is January, with temperatures ranging between 23ºC and 31ºC. Lock in your Seattle to CNS plane ticket then if this is the type of weather you enjoy.
August has temperatures of between 16ºC and 25ºC. Look for cheap tickets from Seattle to Cairns Airport around that time if you want to travel when it's cooler.
More about Cairns
When it comes to looking for somewhere to lay your head, you'll find the most popular stays in Cairns right here. Check out these options as soon as you've booked your flight from Seattle to Cairns Airport:
There are so many things to see and do in this city, it can be hard to work out where to start. Great Barrier Reef, Barrier Reef Park and Great Barrier Reef Liveaboard are leading attractions which should be on any well-planned Cairns itinerary.
Explore more of Australia
Cairns is easy to fall in love with, but there are so many other corners of Australia just waiting to be explored. Around 290 kilometres south of Cairns, a visit to Townsville will fill your itinerary to the brim. Start with popular sights like Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, Great Barrier Reef Aquarium and Botanic Gardens.
Next stop? Head for North Ward. It's roughly 290 kilometres southeast of Cairns and is home to highlights including The Strand Beach and Jezzine Fort.
