Traveling from Cairns Airport (CNS) to Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport (SYD): what you need to know
A direct flight from Cairns Airport to Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport takes on average 3 hours. The timezone in Sydney is UTC+11, making it 1 hour ahead of Cairns.
Flights from Cairns Airport to Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport start from 06:00 — the first with Jetstar. The latest flight in the day is the 20:45 option with Jetstar. Overall, there are 162 weekly services between CNS and SYD.
Traveling during a popular month such as July? Public holidays and other high seasons can mean longer lines at security. Be extra cautious and get there up to four hours ahead of international flights and two hours before domestic departures.
One easy journey from CNS to SYD is all it takes to reach Sydney, Australia. You'll find a variety of airlines that operate direct flights from Cairns Airport to Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport, including:
If you want to break up your flight from Cairns Airport to Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport, add a stopover to your trip. Just deselect 'Direct flights only' and find a destination that appeals to you. The most popular stopovers on the CNS - SYD route are:
Gold Coast Airport
Brisbane Airport
Townsville Airport
You don't need your passport or a visa for travel within Australia. You will need a valid form of identification though, such as a driver's license or ID card. Put them on your packing list once you've found cheap ticket from CNS to SYD.
How to find the cheapest flights from Cairns Airport (CNS) to Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport (SYD)
The best price we've seen for a one-way ticket from Cairns Airport to Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport is C$96. The cheapest price for a return flight is C$193. Keep in mind that fares may change due to availability at the time of booking.
Book 9 months before flying. After crunching the numbers on our calendar, this is how far you should book ahead to secure cheap flight tickets from CNS to SYD.
The cheapest month for flight tickets from Cairns Airport to Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport is May. Use the 'Whole month' tool to see the lowest prices if you have a flexible travel schedule.
Snapping up a cheap ticket from CNS to SYD is a breeze with Price Alerts. All you need to do is create one of these automatic alerts and we'll let you know when there's a better deal.
Take advantage of filters to find the perfect journey for you. To see the 'Cheapest,' 'Fastest' or 'Best' flights from Cairns Airport to Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport, use the 'Sort by' function. You can also filter by airline, arrival and departure times, and journey duration.
Handy information about Cairns Airport (CNS)
Traveling from central Cairns to Cairns Airport takes about 1 hour and 26 minutes on public transport. If you drive, ride-share or get a cab, you'll cover the 6 kilometres in 10 minutes or so, depending on traffic.
Looking for a handy hotel close to CNS? If you've booked an early flight from Cairns Airport to Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport, these stays will have you moments from your departure gate:
Arriving at Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport (SYD)
The last thing you want is a lengthy journey to your hotel if you're landing late on a flight from Cairns Airport to Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport. Check in to one of these accommodation options near SYD instead:
Getting from Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport (SYD) to central Sydney
From Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport, Sydney is approximately 18 kilometres away. It takes around 21 minutes to get to the center driving.
It takes around 27 minutes if you're traveling on public transport.
When to fly to Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport (SYD)
The quietest month for a flight from Cairns Airport to Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport is April, while July is the busiest. Choose the ideal time to visit Sydney based on whether you prefer a laid-back vibe or a more bustling atmosphere.
Book your flight from Cairns Airport to Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport for January if you want to visit Sydney during its warmest month. You can expect temperatures of between 17ºC and 32ºC.
July has average temperatures of between 5ºC and 19ºC. Search for cheap flight tickets from CNS to SYD sometime then if you like traveling in cooler conditions.
More about Sydney
Start your Sydney trip right by finding the perfect stay. As soon as you've booked your flight from CNS to SYD, explore our range of accommodation options including:
All great journeys should include some sightseeing. Winston Hills Lions Park, Rumsey Rose Garden and Westmead Hospital: Emergency Room are must-visits when exploring Sydney.
Complete your Sydney trip with hotels and a car rental
We've got more party tricks up our sleeve than just comparing flights. Once you've secured your cheap ticket to Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport, explore our great car rental deals that'll give you the flexibility to travel around at your own pace. Next, have a look at our exclusive rates for hotels to find the ideal Sydney stay.