Cheap flights from Cairns

Sitting right at the doorstep of the Great Barrier Reef, Cairns Airport is where your adventure-filled escape begins. Whether you’re heading off to Sydney for an urban escape or heading to a dream international destination like Tokyo, Seoul, or Singapore, Cairns is an ideal starting point. The airport is located just 10 minutes from the city centre — it’s super convenient and well connected to both domestic and international destinations.

Destinations you can fly to direct from Cairns 

Domestic destinations:

• Queensland: Brisbane, Townsville, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Horn Island
• New South Wales: Sydney
• Victoria: Melbourne
• South Australia: Adelaide
• Northern Territory: Darwin
• Western Australia: Perth

International destinations:

• Indonesia: Bali 
• Singapore: Singapore
• Japan: Tokyo, Osaka
• Papua New Guinea: Port Moresby
• New Zealand: Auckland, Christchurch

Cheap destinations you can fly to from Cairns 

Looking to save on flights? Here are some budget-friendly routes that regularly pop up with deals:

• Brisbane: One of the most affordable routes, with one-way fares from around AU$110
• Sydney: Frequently on sale with low-cost carriers like Jetstar; expect fares from AU$120–140
• Bali: An international destination that’s budget-friendly? Sign us up. You can often find deals from AU$200 one-way

Airlines flying from Cairns

• Jetstar: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Bali, Tokyo, Osaka
• Qantas: Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Darwin
• Virgin Australia: Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Bali, Perth
• Air New Zealand: Auckland, Christchurch
• Singapore Airlines: Singapore
• Air Niugini: Port Moresby

Terminals at Cairns

There are two terminals at Cairns Airport. The two are located adjacent to each other, just a short 5-minute walk apart. 

T1 International Terminal

T1 handles all international flights arriving and departing from Cairns. It’s still smaller than most major city international terminals; however, it’s easy to navigate, making the airport experience simple and stress-free. You’ll get to browse through duty-free shops and relax at international lounges. 

T2 Domestic Terminal

For domestic flights within Australia, T2 offers a wide range of cafes and retail stores, as well as short check-in times.

Getting to the airport

There are a few ways to get to Cairns airport to suit your travel style:

• Taxi or rideshare: The fastest option (around 10 minutes) that costs around AU$25–$35 per ride to get to the city centre
• Local shuttle bus: Exemplar coaches are available to get you to and from Cairns CBD, Port Douglas, and Palm Cove. Simply enquire at the Exempler Transfer Desk at international or domestic arrivals, or book a seat online. 

When is the cheapest time to fly from Cairns

Consider flying to Cairns after the holiday rush — late January to March is a lot quieter, with cheaper fares often available. Mid-August to mid-September also falls within the shoulder season, so you’ll see fewer crowds and cheaper flights and accommodation options, too. 

If saving is your top priority, you’ll definitely want to avoid December holidays, school holidays, and the Easter long weekend.