C$550 Cheap Flights from Darwin (DRW) to Cairns (CNS)

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Flight deals from Darwin Airport to Cairns Airport

Looking for a cheap last-minute deal or the best return flight from Darwin Airport to Cairns Airport? If you want to travel next month, return fares start from C$550. Find the lowest prices on one-way and return tickets right here.

Cairns.C$272 per passenger.Departing Thu., Apr. 23.One-way flight with Jetstar.Outbound indirect flight with Jetstar, departs from Darwin on Thu., Apr. 23, arriving in Cairns.Price includes taxes and charges.From C$272, select.

Cairns.C$275 per passenger.Departing Sun., May 3.One-way flight with Jetstar.Outbound indirect flight with Jetstar, departs from Darwin on Sun., May 3, arriving in Cairns.Price includes taxes and charges.From C$275, select.

Cairns.C$275 per passenger.Departing Mon., Jun. 1.One-way flight with Jetstar.Outbound indirect flight with Jetstar, departs from Darwin on Mon., Jun. 1, arriving in Cairns.Price includes taxes and charges.From C$275, select.

Cairns.C$276 per passenger.Departing Wed., Jul. 22.One-way flight with Jetstar.Outbound indirect flight with Jetstar, departs from Darwin on Wed., Jul. 22, arriving in Cairns.Price includes taxes and charges.From C$276, select.

Cairns.C$300 per passenger.Departing Wed., Aug. 12.One-way flight with Jetstar.Outbound indirect flight with Jetstar, departs from Darwin on Wed., Aug. 12, arriving in Cairns.Price includes taxes and charges.From C$300, select.

Cairns.C$302 per passenger.Departing Mon., Sep. 7.One-way flight with Virgin Australia.Outbound indirect flight with Virgin Australia, departs from Darwin on Mon., Sep. 7, arriving in Cairns.Price includes taxes and charges.From C$302, select.

Cairns.C$309 per passenger.Departing Tue., Nov. 3.One-way flight with Jetstar.Outbound indirect flight with Jetstar, departs from Darwin on Tue., Nov. 3, arriving in Cairns.Price includes taxes and charges.From C$309, select.

Cairns.C$325 per passenger.Departing Wed., Oct. 21.One-way flight with Jetstar.Outbound indirect flight with Jetstar, departs from Darwin on Wed., Oct. 21, arriving in Cairns.Price includes taxes and charges.From C$325, select.

Cairns.C$333 per passenger.Departing Mon., Apr. 27.One-way flight with Qantas.Outbound direct flight with Qantas departs from Darwin on Mon., Apr. 27, arriving in Cairns.Price includes taxes and charges.From C$333, select.

Cairns.C$347 per passenger.Departing Fri., May 1.One-way flight with Qantas.Outbound direct flight with Qantas departs from Darwin on Fri., May 1, arriving in Cairns.Price includes taxes and charges.From C$347, select.

Cairns.C$363 per passenger.Departing Fri., Jan. 15.One-way flight with Virgin Australia.Outbound indirect flight with Virgin Australia, departs from Darwin on Fri., Jan. 15, arriving in Cairns.Price includes taxes and charges.From C$363, select.

Cairns.C$367 per passenger.Departing Sun., Mar. 29.One-way flight with Virgin Australia.Outbound indirect flight with Virgin Australia, departs from Darwin on Sun., Mar. 29, arriving in Cairns.Price includes taxes and charges.From C$367, select.

Cairns.C$377 per passenger.Departing Fri., Nov. 6.One-way flight with Qantas.Outbound direct flight with Qantas departs from Darwin on Fri., Nov. 6, arriving in Cairns.Price includes taxes and charges.From C$377, select.

Cairns.C$377 per passenger.Departing Thu., Sep. 10.One-way flight with Qantas.Outbound direct flight with Qantas departs from Darwin on Thu., Sep. 10, arriving in Cairns.Price includes taxes and charges.From C$377, select.

Cairns.C$377 per passenger.Departing Mon., Oct. 12.One-way flight with Qantas.Outbound direct flight with Qantas departs from Darwin on Mon., Oct. 12, arriving in Cairns.Price includes taxes and charges.From C$377, select.

Cairns.C$381 per passenger.Departing Tue., Mar. 9.One-way flight with Qantas.Outbound direct flight with Qantas departs from Darwin on Tue., Mar. 9, arriving in Cairns.Price includes taxes and charges.From C$381, select.

Find the cheapest month to fly from Darwin to Cairns

We’re always keeping an eye on fares, so you can find the best one in seconds. It looks like Darwin to Cairns flights are currently cheapest in April.

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Which airlines fly from Darwin to Cairns?

Darwin to Cairns: Alternative routes

Compare routes from Darwin to Cairns below. You may find an airport to fly into that's cheaper, faster, or easier than Cairns.

Cairns

4km from central Cairns

ClosestCheapest

from C$272

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Darwin to Cairns: Flight information

The things to know before you go.

Cheapest flight found	C$272
Cheapest month to fly	April
Average flight time	2 hrs, 32 mins
Most popular airline	Qantas
Average flights per week	23

Finding cheap flights from Darwin to Cairns: Frequently asked questions

How much are return flights from Darwin to Cairns?

The best price we found for a return flight from Darwin to Cairns is C$550. This is an estimate based on information collected from different airlines and travel providers over the last 4 days and is subject to change and availability.

How long does it take to fly from Darwin to Cairns?

2 hours and 32 minutes is the average flight time from Darwin to Cairns.

Which airlines fly direct from Darwin to Cairns?

Qantas and Alliance Airlines fly direct from Darwin to Cairns.

How many flights are there a week from Darwin to Cairns?

As of March 2026, there are 23 flights per week flying from Darwin to Cairns.

When is the cheapest time to fly from Darwin to Cairns?

The cheapest month to fly from Darwin to Cairns is usually April.

Which upcoming date is cheapest to fly from Darwin Airport to Cairns Airport on?

After crunching the numbers on our flight calendar, we found that it's currently cheapest to fly from Darwin Airport to Cairns Airport on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.

Can I get a direct flight from Darwin Airport to Cairns Airport?

Yes – the average flight time is 2 hours and 32 minutes.

How can I find the best flight deal to Cairns?

We show every price from over 1,200 airlines and travel agents, comparing them all so you don’t have to. If you know you want to fly to Cairns but you’re not ready to book, set up a Price Alert. We’ll track prices for you, and let you know when they rise or fall.

Which is the cheapest airline to fly from Darwin Airport to Cairns with?

Currently, Jetstar and Qantas offer the cheapest flight tickets to Cairns.

Traveling from Darwin International Airport (DRW) to Cairns Airport (CNS): what you need to know

2 hours 31 minutes is the average length of a direct flight from Darwin International Airport to Cairns Airport. Cairns is 30 minutes ahead of Darwin and is in the UTC+10 timezone.
There are 13 flights from Darwin International Airport to Cairns Airport each week. Catch the 07:30 flight if you want to leave as early as possible. If you'd prefer to leave later, the last flight from DRW to CNS is 22:55.
Traveling during a peak time such as July? Public holidays and other popular seasons can mean longer lines at checkpoints. Play it safe and arrive up to four hours before international flights and two hours before a domestic departure.
Jetstar is your gateway to exploring Cairns (and maybe even some other great parts of Australia!). Choose from the direct flights from Darwin International Airport to Cairns Airport offered by this popular carrier.
If you'd like to break up your flight from Darwin International Airport to Cairns Airport, add a stopover to your trip. Simply deselect 'Direct flights only' to find a city that appeals to you. Popular stopovers on the DRW - CNS route are:
- Ngurah Rai International Airport
- Melbourne Tullamarine Airport
- Brisbane Airport
No need to bring your passport or a visa to fly within Australia. You will need a valid identity document though, like a driver's license or ID card. Add them to your packing list after booking your cheap ticket from DRW to CNS.

How to find the cheapest flights from Darwin International Airport (DRW) to Cairns Airport (CNS)

The lowest price we've found for a one-way ticket from Darwin International Airport to Cairns Airport is C$272. For a return flight on this route, the best price is C$550. Depending on the availability when you book, these fares could change.
To secure cheap flight tickets from DRW to CNS, book your trip 6 months ahead of your departure date.
Schedule your trip for February. That's the cheapest month for flight tickets from Darwin International Airport to Cairns Airport. If your travel dates are flexible, use the 'Whole month' tool to find the cheapest airfare across every month.
Sign into your online account or use the app to create a Price Alert. We'll let you know right away if there's a better deal on this route. It doesn't take long, and it'll save you the hassle of searching for cheap flight tickets from DRW to CNS every day.
Use filters to find the ideal journey for you. To see the 'Fastest,' 'Cheapest' or 'Best' flights from Darwin International Airport to Cairns Airport, use the 'Sort by' tool. You can also filter results by departure and arrival times, airline, and number of stops.

Handy information about Darwin International Airport (DRW)

The journey from central Darwin to Darwin International Airport takes about 1 hour and 12 minutes by public transport. If you ride-share, drive or grab a cab, you'll cover the 13 kilometres in 15 minutes or so, depending on traffic.
After a leisurely start to your vacation? Stay near DRW. Whether you've booked an early flight from Darwin International Airport to Cairns Airport or want to avoid feeling rushed, these hotels have you covered:

Arriving at Cairns Airport (CNS)

Reserve a hotel near CNS if you have a late flight from Darwin International Airport to Cairns Airport. Select one of these accommodation options and skip the long transfer:

Getting from Cairns Airport (CNS) to central Cairns

From Cairns Airport, Cairns is approximately 6 kilometres away. It takes around 10 minutes to get to the center driving.
Traveling to the center on public transport takes roughly 1 hour and 26 minutes.

When to fly to Cairns Airport (CNS)

It's time to pick your travel dates for your flight from Darwin International Airport to Cairns Airport. July is the most popular month to visit Cairns. If you want a more low-key vibe, go in February.
The warmest month in Cairns is January, with the temperature ranging between 23ºC and 31ºC. Book your flights from Darwin International Airport to Cairns Airport in this month if you like this kind of weather.
Search for cheap flight tickets from DRW to CNS in August if you like cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 16ºC and 25ºC on average.

More about Cairns

Start your Cairns trip right by finding a wonderful stay. After booking your flight from DRW to CNS, check out our hotel options including:
Every great adventure has to include some sightseeing. Kuranda Scenic Railway Freshwater Station, Cairns Esplanade Western High Water Pier and Cairns Botanic Gardens are essential stops on your Cairns itinerary.

Complete your Cairns trip with hotels and a car rental

You've booked a cheap ticket to Cairns Airport — now it's time to find a great stay, and perhaps even your own set of wheels. We've compared prices across hundreds of companies to bring you the best hotels and car rental deals in Cairns.