Cairns Airport (CNS) is the main airport for Far North Queensland. It is in the suburb of Aeroglen, about 7 km north of the Cairns CBD, and it is the gateway for travellers heading to the Great Barrier Reef and the Wet Tropics rainforests, two World Heritage areas that sit side by side. The airport has two passenger terminals. T1 International handles overseas flights, and T2 Domestic handles flights around Australia. A covered walkway joins the two, so a change between them is done on foot.

Beyond holiday traffic, Cairns Airport is a working base for the region. The Royal Flying Doctor Service and rescue helicopters covering Far North Queensland operate from here. This guide covers which airlines use each terminal, how to get into Cairns, where to park, what you will find inside, and how early to turn up for your flight.

Terminals and airlines at Cairns Airport

The rule at CNS is simple: international flights use T1 and domestic flights use T2. Jetstar is the one airline you will find in both, because it flies domestic and international routes from Cairns. Some overseas services only operate at certain times of year, and airlines can switch terminals, so read the terminal on your e-ticket rather than relying on memory from a past trip.

T1 International

T1 International is where you check in for flights leaving Australia and where overseas arrivals clear immigration and customs. These airlines are listed by the airport for international routes:

• Air Niugini
• Fiji Airways
• Jetstar (international flights)
• Singapore Airlines
• Air New Zealand (seasonal)
• Cathay Pacific (seasonal)

Air New Zealand and Cathay Pacific fly to Cairns seasonally rather than all year. If you are planning around one of them, check that the airline is flying on your dates before you build the rest of the trip.

T2 Domestic

T2 Domestic handles every flight within Australia, from major-city services to regional ones. The airlines listed for domestic routes are:

• Qantas
• Virgin Australia
• Jetstar (domestic flights)
• Rex (Regional Express)
• Airnorth
• Skytrans

On a codeshare booking, the airline that sold the ticket may not be the one flying the aircraft. Check-in is with the operating carrier named on your e-ticket.

Walking between T1 and T2

The two terminals at Cairns Airport are linked by a covered walkway. Follow the yellow line painted between the buildings and you will reach the other terminal without needing a bus or a taxi. If you are connecting between a domestic and an international flight, leave enough time to collect and re-check bags where your airline requires it.

Getting to and from Cairns Airport

Cairns Airport is close to town, which keeps transfers short. The trip is about 7 km to the CBD, and most travellers go by taxi, rideshare, shuttle or hire car. The airport does not publish journey times for these options, and fares are set by each operator, so confirm both when you book or at the rank.

Taxi

Each terminal has its own sheltered taxi rank right at the front of the building. That makes a taxi the simplest choice after a late arrival or when you are carrying dive gear and a full suitcase.

Rideshare

Rideshare pick-ups have their own zones. At T1 International, head outside International Arrivals to the eastern end. At T2 Domestic, the pick-up point is outside Domestic Arrivals at the northern end. Book your ride once you have your bags, then walk to the zone for your terminal.

Private shuttle buses

Private shuttle buses also run from the airport. They are booked directly with each operator, so arrange the transfer before you fly and keep the confirmation handy.

Car rental

Hire car counters are in the public arrivals area. A car is useful if you plan to explore Far North Queensland on your own schedule rather than joining tours.

Parking at Cairns Airport

Official on-airport parking at Cairns Airport is split by terminal. T1 International has a covered car park and an uncovered car park, and T2 Domestic has the same pair. All of them are a short walk from the terminal they serve, so pick the one next to the building you are flying from.

For quick drop-offs and pick-ups, the first 10 minutes are free. Accessible parking spaces are set aside closest to the terminal entrances, with accessible drop-off and pick-up areas at each terminal. Parking rates vary with the length of stay, so check the airport's parking page for current prices before you go.

Facilities at Cairns Airport

Cairns Airport has a practical set of facilities for a regional gateway. The bigger choice of food and shops is in the departures lounges, so pass through screening before you settle in.

Duty free and the Tourist Refund Scheme

Duty free shopping is in T1 International, both in the departures lounge and in arrivals, so you can buy before an overseas flight or pick something up as you land. Travellers leaving Australia can claim the Tourist Refund Scheme at the desk in T1 International Departures.

Terminal layout

Cairns Airport has two terminal buildings, T1 International and T2 Domestic. In both, check-in is on the departures side, which is the left side of the terminal as you enter. In T2 Domestic, the departures lounge has an upper floor, Level 1, where the Qantas Club is located.

Lounges

The airport lists one lounge: the Qantas Club Lounge in T2 Domestic. It is on Level 1 of the departures lounge, after security. Turn left after screening and take the escalator up. Entry depends on your ticket and membership, so check with Qantas before you go.

Food and drink

The T2 Domestic departures lounge has quick-service food, cafes and bars. In T1 International, you will find a cafe in the departures lounge and another in the arrivals hall, which is handy for anyone meeting a flight from overseas.

Luggage storage

A luggage storage room is available for larger items, such as bulky sports gear or spare suitcases you would rather not carry around town. Bookings are made at the Car Park Service Kiosk in the T2 covered car park.

Currency exchange and ATMs

Inside the T1 international departures lounge there is a currency exchange counter and a multi-currency ATM. Arriving passengers will find a currency exchange booth in the T1 baggage reclaim area and an ATM in arrivals, and there are ATMs in both terminals.

Souvenirs

An Australian-made souvenir shop is in the T1 International departures lounge, useful for a last gift before an overseas flight.

Health and beauty

A health and beauty store in the T2 Domestic departure lounge stocks basic medications for the journey.

Free wifi

T2 Domestic offers free 'Airport Free Wifi'. In T1 International, the free Wi-Fi is limited to one hour, so download anything you need before your session runs out.

Accessibility and help

Both terminals have accessible drop-off and pick-up areas, lowered check-in counters and hearing loops. Airport Ambassadors are on hand to help with directions, and Chinese liaison officers assist Chinese-speaking travellers with wayfinding.

Tips for departing and arriving at Cairns Airport

For a domestic flight from Cairns Airport, plan to arrive about an hour before departure if you are checking bags. Travellers with carry-on only can usually cut that a little, but airlines set their own cut-offs, typically 45 to 60 minutes before departure for domestic check-in. For international flights from T1, allow 2 to 3 hours before departure.

All international departures and arrivals are handled in T1, and hire car counters wait in the public arrivals area once you are through. Entry rules for Australia are set by the Australian Government, and rules for your destination are set by that country, so check the official guidance for your passport before travelling.

Double-check whether your flight is domestic or international, especially with Jetstar, which uses both terminals. To follow your flight on the day, use the Traveloka flight status page.

Flights and flight schedule from Cairns Airport

Use this page to plan a trip from CNS as well as to find your way around the terminal. The fare cards show fares from Cairns to popular destinations, giving you a quick sense of which routes fit your budget. The flight schedule tables list upcoming departures and arrivals at Cairns Airport by date, with the airline and scheduled times. They are a selection of flights rather than the full timetable.

Choose a route, compare airlines and times for your dates, and note which terminal you will fly from. If the fare is not where you want it, set a Price Alert and Traveloka will tell you when it changes. After booking, your e-ticket comes by email and in the app.

Popular routes from Cairns Airport include:

• Cairns to Brisbane flights
• Cairns to Sydney flights
• Cairns to Melbourne flights
• Cairns to Darwin flights
• Cairns to Port Moresby flights
• Cairns to Singapore flights
• Cairns to Bali flights
• Cairns to Auckland flights

Reef trip, rainforest escape or a flight home: compare flights from Cairns Airport on Traveloka and book when the timing is right.