How often are flights from Cairns to Sydney delayed?

Historically, on average around 13% of flights between Cairns and Sydney have experienced a delay on any given week. The average delay length over the past 12 months has been 98 minutes.

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

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

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

As of September 2026, there are 28 flights per day flying from Cairns to Sydney. The most common time of day flights depart is 1:00p.m., with 62% of flights taking off in the afternoon.

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

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

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

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

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

196 flights are operational weekly from Cairns to Sydney as of September 2026. The most popular departure day for this route is Mon, with 20% of flights per week taking off on this day.

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

According to our data, Virgin Australia has had the least delays on this route over the last 12 months, with about 13% of their flights experiencing any sort of delay.

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

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

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

What documentation or ID do you need to fly to Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport?

The required travel and health documents for your Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport trip may vary depending on your itinerary and personal circumstances. As a general rule, you should carry multiple documents, including a national ID card or driver's license and a passport valid for six months after your intended arrival at Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport. We recommend that you seek guidance from your airline or a reliable third party such as IATA.

C$ 143 Cheap Flights from Cairns to Sydney in 2026/27

Find the cheapest flights from Cairns to Sydney

Round-trip

One-way

Last minute

Direct

Cheap round-trip flights

Enter your travel dates to find the best prices.

6:10 p.m. - 10:05 p.m.CNS Cairns-SYD Sydney Kingsford Smith

2h 55mdirect

6:10 a.m. - 8:20 a.m.SYD Sydney Kingsford Smith-CNS Cairns

3h 10mdirect

C$ 242Jetstar

Fri, 16 Oct - Sun, 18 Oct

3:55 p.m. - 7:50 p.m.CNS Cairns-SYD Sydney Kingsford Smith

2h 55mdirect

3:25 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.SYD Sydney Kingsford Smith-CNS Cairns

3h 05mdirect

C$ 249Jetstar

Fri, 22 Jan - Sat, 23 Jan

6:10 p.m. - 10:05 p.m.CNS Cairns-SYD Sydney Kingsford Smith

2h 55mdirect

6:10 a.m. - 8:20 a.m.SYD Sydney Kingsford Smith-CNS Cairns

3h 10mdirect

C$ 261Jetstar

Fri, 16 Oct - Sun, 18 Oct

6:45 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.CNS Cairns-SYD Sydney Kingsford Smith

3h 00mdirect

6:10 a.m. - 8:20 a.m.SYD Sydney Kingsford Smith-CNS Cairns

3h 10mdirect

C$ 263Jetstar

Fri, 16 Oct - Sun, 18 Oct

6:10 p.m. - 10:05 p.m.CNS Cairns-SYD Sydney Kingsford Smith

2h 55mdirect

6:10 a.m. - 8:20 a.m.SYD Sydney Kingsford Smith-CNS Cairns

3h 10mdirect

C$ 266Jetstar

Fri, 16 Oct - Sun, 18 Oct

6:40 a.m. - 10:40 a.m.CNS Cairns-SYD Sydney Kingsford Smith

3h 00mdirect

6:20 a.m. - 8:20 a.m.SYD Sydney Kingsford Smith-CNS Cairns

3h 00mdirect

C$ 271Jetstar

Sat, 14 Nov - Tue, 17 Nov

6:10 p.m. - 10:05 p.m.CNS Cairns-SYD Sydney Kingsford Smith

2h 55mdirect

6:10 a.m. - 8:20 a.m.SYD Sydney Kingsford Smith-CNS Cairns

3h 10mdirect

C$ 274Jetstar

Fri, 16 Oct - Sun, 18 Oct

6:10 p.m. - 10:05 p.m.CNS Cairns-SYD Sydney Kingsford Smith

2h 55mdirect

6:20 a.m. - 8:20 a.m.SYD Sydney Kingsford Smith-CNS Cairns

3h 00mdirect

C$ 278Jetstar

Fri, 23 Oct - Sun, 25 Oct

6:45 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.CNS Cairns-SYD Sydney Kingsford Smith

3h 00mdirect

3:25 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.SYD Sydney Kingsford Smith-CNS Cairns

3h 05mdirect

C$ 315Jetstar

Tue, 20 Oct - Tue, 27 Oct

6:10 p.m. - 10:05 p.m.CNS Cairns-SYD Sydney Kingsford Smith

2h 55mdirect

6:10 a.m. - 8:20 a.m.SYD Sydney Kingsford Smith-CNS Cairns

3h 10mdirect

C$ 325Jetstar

Tue, 20 Oct - Thu, 22 Oct

Cheap direct flights

Enter your travel dates to find the best prices.

6:10 p.m. - 10:05 p.m.CNS Cairns-SYD Sydney Kingsford Smith

2h 55mdirect

6:10 a.m. - 8:20 a.m.SYD Sydney Kingsford Smith-CNS Cairns

3h 10mdirect

C$ 242Jetstar

Fri, 16 Oct - Sun, 18 Oct

3:55 p.m. - 7:50 p.m.CNS Cairns-SYD Sydney Kingsford Smith

2h 55mdirect

3:25 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.SYD Sydney Kingsford Smith-CNS Cairns

3h 05mdirect

C$ 249Jetstar

Fri, 22 Jan - Sat, 23 Jan

6:10 p.m. - 10:05 p.m.CNS Cairns-SYD Sydney Kingsford Smith

2h 55mdirect

6:10 a.m. - 8:20 a.m.SYD Sydney Kingsford Smith-CNS Cairns

3h 10mdirect

C$ 261Jetstar

Fri, 16 Oct - Sun, 18 Oct

6:45 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.CNS Cairns-SYD Sydney Kingsford Smith

3h 00mdirect

6:10 a.m. - 8:20 a.m.SYD Sydney Kingsford Smith-CNS Cairns

3h 10mdirect

C$ 263Jetstar

Fri, 16 Oct - Sun, 18 Oct

6:10 p.m. - 10:05 p.m.CNS Cairns-SYD Sydney Kingsford Smith

2h 55mdirect

6:10 a.m. - 8:20 a.m.SYD Sydney Kingsford Smith-CNS Cairns

3h 10mdirect

C$ 266Jetstar

Fri, 16 Oct - Sun, 18 Oct

6:40 a.m. - 10:40 a.m.CNS Cairns-SYD Sydney Kingsford Smith

3h 00mdirect

6:20 a.m. - 8:20 a.m.SYD Sydney Kingsford Smith-CNS Cairns

3h 00mdirect

C$ 271Jetstar

Sat, 14 Nov - Tue, 17 Nov

6:10 p.m. - 10:05 p.m.CNS Cairns-SYD Sydney Kingsford Smith

2h 55mdirect

6:10 a.m. - 8:20 a.m.SYD Sydney Kingsford Smith-CNS Cairns

3h 10mdirect

C$ 274Jetstar

Fri, 16 Oct - Sun, 18 Oct

6:10 p.m. - 10:05 p.m.CNS Cairns-SYD Sydney Kingsford Smith

2h 55mdirect

6:20 a.m. - 8:20 a.m.SYD Sydney Kingsford Smith-CNS Cairns

3h 00mdirect

C$ 278Jetstar

Fri, 23 Oct - Sun, 25 Oct

6:45 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.CNS Cairns-SYD Sydney Kingsford Smith

3h 00mdirect

3:25 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.SYD Sydney Kingsford Smith-CNS Cairns

3h 05mdirect

C$ 315Jetstar

Tue, 20 Oct - Tue, 27 Oct

6:10 p.m. - 10:05 p.m.CNS Cairns-SYD Sydney Kingsford Smith

2h 55mdirect

6:10 a.m. - 8:20 a.m.SYD Sydney Kingsford Smith-CNS Cairns

3h 10mdirect

C$ 325Jetstar

Tue, 20 Oct - Thu, 22 Oct

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Jetstar flights from Cairns to Sydney

Our best Jetstar deals on Cairns to Sydney flight tickets

Jetstar

16 Oct

CNS6:10 p.m.Cairns

2h 55m

SYD10:05 p.m.Sydney Kingsford Smith

18 Oct

SYD6:10 a.m.Sydney Kingsford Smith

3h 10m

CNS8:20 a.m.Cairns

C$ 242

Jetstar

22 Jan

CNS3:55 p.m.Cairns

2h 55m

SYD7:50 p.m.Sydney Kingsford Smith

23 Jan

SYD3:25 p.m.Sydney Kingsford Smith

3h 05m

CNS5:30 p.m.Cairns

C$ 249

Jetstar

16 Oct

CNS6:10 p.m.Cairns

2h 55m

SYD10:05 p.m.Sydney Kingsford Smith

18 Oct

SYD6:10 a.m.Sydney Kingsford Smith

3h 10m

CNS8:20 a.m.Cairns

C$ 261

Virgin Australia flights from Cairns to Sydney

Our best Virgin Australia deals on Cairns to Sydney flight tickets

Virgin Australia

5 Mar

CNS3:45 p.m.Cairns

3h 00m

SYD7:45 p.m.Sydney Kingsford Smith

7 Mar

SYD7:00 a.m.Sydney Kingsford Smith

5h 00m

1 stop

CNS11:00 a.m.Cairns

C$ 346

Virgin Australia

22 Jan

CNS6:00 a.m.Cairns

5h 40m

1 stop

SYD12:40 p.m.Sydney Kingsford Smith

23 Jan

SYD8:10 a.m.Sydney Kingsford Smith

3h 05m

CNS10:15 a.m.Cairns

C$ 371

Virgin Australia

6 Nov

CNS5:35 p.m.Cairns

3h 00m

SYD9:35 p.m.Sydney Kingsford Smith

16 Nov

SYD7:00 p.m.Sydney Kingsford Smith

5h 05m

1 stop

CNS11:05 p.m.Cairns

C$ 403

Fly from

Fly to

Route

Depart

Return

Price

Cheapest round-trip

CairnsSydney

CNS Cairns - SYD Sydney Kingsford Smith

CNSSYD

Cairns

Fri 16/10

6:10 p.m.-10:05 p.m.

Nonstop2h 55m

Sydney Kingsford Smith

Sun 18/10

6:10 a.m.-8:20 a.m.

Nonstop3h 10m

C$ 242

CairnsSydney

CNS Cairns - SYD Sydney Kingsford Smith

CNSSYD

Cairns

Fri 22/1

3:55 p.m.-7:50 p.m.

Nonstop2h 55m

Sydney Kingsford Smith

Sat 23/1

3:25 p.m.-5:30 p.m.

Nonstop3h 05m

C$ 249

CairnsSydney

CNS Cairns - SYD Sydney Kingsford Smith

CNSSYD

Cairns

Fri 16/10

6:10 p.m.-10:05 p.m.

Nonstop2h 55m

Sydney Kingsford Smith

Sun 18/10

6:10 a.m.-8:20 a.m.

Nonstop3h 10m

C$ 261

CairnsSydney

CNS Cairns - SYD Sydney Kingsford Smith

CNSSYD

Cairns

Fri 16/10

6:45 a.m.-10:45 a.m.

Nonstop3h 00m

Sydney Kingsford Smith

Sun 18/10

6:10 a.m.-8:20 a.m.

Nonstop3h 10m

C$ 263

CairnsSydney

CNS Cairns - SYD Sydney Kingsford Smith

CNSSYD

Cairns

Fri 16/10

6:10 p.m.-10:05 p.m.

Nonstop2h 55m

Sydney Kingsford Smith

Sun 18/10

6:10 a.m.-8:20 a.m.

Nonstop3h 10m

C$ 266

CairnsSydney

CNS Cairns - SYD Sydney Kingsford Smith

CNSSYD

Cairns

Sat 14/11

6:40 a.m.-10:40 a.m.

Nonstop3h 00m

Sydney Kingsford Smith

Tue 17/11

6:20 a.m.-8:20 a.m.

Nonstop3h 00m

C$ 271

CairnsSydney

CNS Cairns - SYD Sydney Kingsford Smith

CNSSYD

Cairns

Fri 16/10

6:10 p.m.-10:05 p.m.

Nonstop2h 55m

Sydney Kingsford Smith

Sun 18/10

6:10 a.m.-8:20 a.m.

Nonstop3h 10m

C$ 274

Quickest round-trip

CairnsSydney

CNS Cairns - SYD Sydney Kingsford Smith

CNSSYD

Cairns

Fri 23/10

6:10 p.m.-10:05 p.m.

Nonstop2h 55m

Sydney Kingsford Smith

Sun 25/10

6:20 a.m.-8:20 a.m.

Nonstop3h 00m

C$ 278

CairnsSydney

CNS Cairns - SYD Sydney Kingsford Smith

CNSSYD

Cairns

Tue 20/10

6:45 a.m.-10:45 a.m.

Nonstop3h 00m

Sydney Kingsford Smith

Tue 27/10

3:25 p.m.-5:30 p.m.

Nonstop3h 05m

C$ 315

CairnsSydney

CNS Cairns - SYD Sydney Kingsford Smith

CNSSYD

Cairns

Tue 20/10

6:10 p.m.-10:05 p.m.

Nonstop2h 55m

Sydney Kingsford Smith

Thu 22/10

6:10 a.m.-8:20 a.m.

Nonstop3h 10m

C$ 324

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 Cairns to Sydney

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 typical price of a round-trip flight between Cairns and Sydney?

Prices are currently typical for flights on this route.

Typical prices usually range from C$ 241 to C$ 464.
The lowest price recently found on this route was C$ 242.

What is the cheapest month to fly to Sydney?

If you aren’t able to travel to Sydney during the month of January, then flying in February is also cheap. Prices for this month can be found on momondo for an average of C$ 289.

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

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

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

You are more likely to see cheaper flights to Sydney from Cairns when booking weeks ahead of your departure date. In general, you can expect to find flights to Sydney for around C$ 314 when searching weeks out. However, flight prices might be lower outside of this timeframe. For example, people recently found flights to Sydney from Cairns for as low as C$ 226 on momondo.

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

There is only 1 cabin class available to choose from on Cairns to Sydney flights. Cabin price and availability will vary by airline so perform a search above to find the right deals for you.

Can stopping save me money on Cairns to Sydney flights?

No. A direct flight is the cheapest option for a flight between Cairns to Sydney.

How have Cairns to Sydney flight prices changed over time?

As of September 2026, prices for Cairns to Sydney flights are approximately 3% cheaper when compared to flights at the same time last year.

When to book flights from Cairns to Sydney

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

Estimated round-trip price

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

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

Best price found	C$ 143
Fastest flight time	4h 50m
Direct flights	Every day
Airports in Sydney	1 airport

The best one-way flight to Sydney from Cairns in the past 72 hours is C$ 143. The best round-trip flight deal from Cairns to Sydney found on momondo in the last 72 hours is C$ 242.

The fastest flight from Cairns to Sydney takes 4h 50m

Direct flights go from Cairns to Sydney every day.

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

Search flight deals

Frequently asked questions about flying from Cairns to Sydney

How far is Cairns to Sydney Kingsford Smith by plane?
The distance between Cairns and Sydney Kingsford Smith is about 1960.5 km. In terms of flight time, this usually takes a little over 4h 50m.
When did momondo last update prices for flights from Cairns Airport to Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport?
Prices for flights from Cairns Airport to Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport refresh daily.
How old do you have to be to fly from Cairns Airport to Sydney Kingsford Smith 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 Cairns Airport to Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport.
What documentation or ID do you need to fly to Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport?
The required travel and health documents for your Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport trip may vary depending on your itinerary and personal circumstances. As a general rule, you should carry multiple documents, including a national ID card or driver's license and a passport valid for six months after your intended arrival at Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport. We recommend that you seek guidance from your airline or a reliable third party such as IATA.
What is the most popular plane model from Cairns to Sydney?
momondo data reveals that the most frequently booked plane model on the route from Cairns to Sydney is Boeing 737-800 Passenger/BBJ2 (winglets), representing 32.63% of all bookings. The subsequent popular models are Airbus A320-100/200 at 23.93%, Airbus A321-100/200 at 18.01%, and Embraer 190 at 12.37%.

Charlestown

Parramatta

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

To find the flight that best suits your needs, momondo gathers a range of flights from a large pool of different airlines and agents; you can then use our insights and filters to find and book the right flight to Sydney from Cairns.

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

All flight searches from Cairns to Sydney on momondo can be filtered to show those which offer flexible booking policies.

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

momondo provides multiple filters to help you find the best flight to Sydney from Cairns. Filter by price, airline, airports, cabin, aircraft, payment method, number of stops and more.

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

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