BNE - CNS

$68 Find Cheap Flights from Brisbane to Cairns

This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a KAYAK user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight from Brisbane to Cairns departing on 10/8. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel. Click the price to replicate the search for this deal.
1 adult
1 adult, Economy

KAYAK searches hundreds of travel sites at once for deals on flights to Cairns

 
These are the airlines KAYAK users have selected most often from within our search results in flight searches from Brisbane to Cairns, as well as popular online travel agencies
These are the airlines KAYAK users have selected most often from within our search results in flight searches from Brisbane to Cairns, as well as popular online travel agencies
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Flight Deals

Cheap Flights from Brisbane to Cairns (BNE-CNS)

 
Here are some of the best deals found on KAYAK recently from the most popular airlines for round-trip flights from Brisbane to Cairns that are departing in the next months. While these flights were available on KAYAK in the last 72 hours, prices and availability are subject to change and deals may expire.
Discover the best prices for you by selecting your travel dates on KAYAK.

Recent round-trip flight deals from Brisbane to Cairns

Sat, Oct 25 - Sat, Nov 1
Jetstar Logo
8:45 am - 11:15 amBNE-CNS
2h 30mnonstop
Jetstar Logo
6:00 am - 8:15 amCNS-BNE
2h 15mnonstop
$118Jetstar
Find Deal
Thu, Oct 16 - Sun, Oct 19
Jetstar Logo
6:00 am - 8:25 amBNE-CNS
2h 25mnonstop
Jetstar Logo
6:00 am - 8:10 amCNS-BNE
2h 10mnonstop
$122Jetstar
Find Deal
Wed, Oct 8 - Wed, Oct 15
Jetstar Logo
6:35 pm - 8:55 pmBNE-CNS
2h 20mnonstop
Jetstar Logo
6:00 am - 8:10 amCNS-BNE
2h 10mnonstop
$123Jetstar
Find Deal
Tue, Oct 14 - Sat, Oct 18
Jetstar Logo
6:00 am - 8:25 amBNE-CNS
2h 25mnonstop
Jetstar Logo
6:00 am - 8:10 amCNS-BNE
2h 10mnonstop
$125Jetstar
Find Deal
Mon, Oct 6 - Wed, Dec 3
Jetstar Logo
6:00 am - 8:25 amBNE-CNS
2h 25mnonstop
Jetstar Logo
3:50 pm - 6:00 pmCNS-BNE
2h 10mnonstop
$131Jetstar
Find Deal
Wed, Oct 8 - Wed, Oct 15
 Logo
6:35 pm - 8:55 pmBNE-CNS
2h 20mnonstop
 Logo
2:50 pm - 5:05 pmCNS-BNE
2h 15mnonstop
Fri, Oct 24 - Fri, Oct 31
Virgin Australia Logo
8:50 pm - 11:20 pmBNE-CNS
2h 30mnonstop
Virgin Australia Logo
6:00 am - 8:20 amCNS-BNE
2h 20mnonstop
$175Virgin Australia
Find Deal
Mon, Dec 15 - Thu, Dec 25
Virgin Australia Logo
6:10 am - 8:35 amBNE-CNS
2h 25mnonstop
Virgin Australia Logo
6:00 am - 8:20 amCNS-BNE
2h 20mnonstop
$185Virgin Australia
Find Deal
Tue, Dec 16 - Mon, Dec 22
Virgin Australia Logo
8:40 pm - 11:05 pmBNE-CNS
2h 25mnonstop
Virgin Australia Logo
6:00 am - 8:20 amCNS-BNE
2h 20mnonstop
$201Virgin Australia
Find Deal
Tue, Dec 16 - Sun, Dec 21
Virgin Australia Logo
8:40 pm - 11:05 pmBNE-CNS
2h 25mnonstop
Virgin Australia Logo
5:20 pm - 7:40 pmCNS-BNE
2h 20mnonstop
$207Virgin Australia
Find Deal

Everything you should know

Top airlines
Jetstar
Cheapest • from $118 (round-trip)
Virgin Australia
Best reviews • 7.5 score
Airline reviews
Airline reviews
+1
+1
Airline reviews
Airline reviews
+1
When to book
4 weeks
in advance
Our data shows that travelers who book at least 4 weeks in advance save around 33% compared to booking last minute.
Insights
Insights
Insights
Insights
When to travel
March
Cheapest • 19% price drop
September
Most popular
Good to know
Good to know
+1
+1
Good to know
Good to know
+1
Cheapest round-trip
$118
Overall average: $163
Jetstar
Sat 10/25Sat 11/1
BNE - CNS • Non-stop
Cheapest one-way
$68
Typical prices: $78-159
Jetstar
Wed 10/8
BNE - CNS • Non-stop
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KAYAK searches 100s of sites at once to find you the best travel deals.
We hope you love your trip to Cairns!
Booking Insights

KAYAK's insights & trends for Brisbane to Cairns flights

Get data-powered insights and trends into flights from Brisbane to Cairns to help you find the cheapest flights, the best time to fly and much more.

What’s the cheapest day of the week to fly from Brisbane to Cairns?

The average price of all round-trip flights from Brisbane to Cairns clicked on KAYAK for each day over the last 12 months.

When flying from Brisbane to Cairns, you should consider leaving on a Tuesday and avoid Thursdays if you are looking for the best rates. For your return to Brisbane, you’ll find the best rates on Fridays and the most expensive ones on Tuesdays.

What is the cheapest month to fly from Brisbane to Cairns?

To calculate monthly average prices, KAYAK takes all prices for each month over the last year for round-trip flights from Brisbane to Cairns, removes the top 0.1% to account for outliers, and then takes the median of all values for each month.

The cheapest month for flights from Brisbane to Cairns is March, where tickets cost $130 (return) on average. On the other hand, the most expensive months are December and July, where the average cost of round-trip tickets is $204 and $182 respectively.

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

To calculate weekly average prices, KAYAK takes all prices for each week before departure over the last year for round-trip flights from Brisbane to Cairns, removes the top 0.1% to account for outliers, and then takes the average of all the values for each week.

To get a below average price on the flight from Brisbane to Cairns, you should book around 4 weeks before departure, which saves you about 33% compared to booking last minute. For the absolute cheapest price, our data suggests you should book 5 weeks before departure.

Good to know

Low seasonFebruary
Cheapest flight$68
Best time to beat the crowds with an average 15% drop in price.
Most popular time to fly with an average 8% increase in price.
Flight from Brisbane to Cairns

When to book flights from Brisbane to Cairns

Are your dates flexible? Find out the best times to travel from Brisbane to Cairns based on our flight data from the last year. Discover the cheapest month and even day to fly.
Estimated round-trip price
KAYAK looks at all historical flight data for each date to provide a predicted price for one-way trips or round-trips with a duration up to 40 days. While we try to provide actual minimum prices for each date, some prices are predictions and actual prices may differ.

FAQs for booking flights from Brisbane to Cairns

  • Is there anything to eat at Cairns Airport?

    If you’re looking for a bite to eat after your flight, you can find something to suit you in the Domestic Terminal of the Cairns Airport. Hudsons Coffee can offer you a quick pastry and a shot of caffeine to keep you going, or there’s the Macchinetta Coffee just outside the terminal where you can sit down in the fresh air.

  • How do I get from Cairns Airport to Cairns?

    There aren’t any public transport options available to take you from the Cairns Airport into the city centre. There are a few private shuttle and bus companies that offer shared services to your destination of choice, including Excellence Coaches or Cairns Bus Charters. Many visitors to Cairns use the CairnsTaxi from the taxi ranks directly outside the Domestic Terminal. It takes about 10 minutes to get to downtown Cairns.

  • What parking is available at the Brisbane Airport?

    If you need to leave your car somewhere during your flight from Brisbane to Cairns, Brisbane Airport has several different parking options available to suit all kinds of travellers. Premium long-term parking can be found directly outside the Domestic Terminal on Level 3, next to the skywalk. Budget-friendly travellers can choose between open or undercover parking with AIRPARK, who also offer a shuttle service from the carparks to the terminal.

  • Is there anywhere I can relax before my flight from Brisbane to Cairns?

    Brisbane Airport offers many opportunities to relax before your flight. If you enjoy shopping, you can use the free shuttle to head over to the Skygate Mall where you can find a range of shopping and eateries, or just relax at the Anton & Blair hair salon. Massage and acupuncture are also available there at the Chi Link spa.

  • Where can I store my luggage at Cairns or Brisbane Airport?

    If you need to store some luggage during your stay in Cairns, you can find self-service storage lockers at the Cairns Airport undercover, near the Terminal 2 Carpark. Storage for oversized items is also available. If you prefer to leave your luggage at the Brisbane Airport, storage is available outside the Virgin and Qantas areas of the Domestic Terminal.

  • What is the cheapest flight from Brisbane to Cairns?

    In the last 3 days, the lowest price for a flight from Brisbane to Cairns was $68 for a one-way ticket and $118 for a round-trip.

  • Do I need a passport to fly between Brisbane and Cairns?

    A passport is not required to fly from Brisbane to Cairns.

  • Which airports will I be using when flying from Brisbane to Cairns?

    When flying out of Brisbane you will be using Brisbane. You will be landing at Cairns, also known as Cairns.

  • Which aircraft models fly most regularly from Brisbane to Cairns?

    The Boeing 737-800 Passenger/BBJ2 (winglets) is the aircraft model that flies most regularly on the Brisbane to Cairns flight route.

  • Which airline alliances offer flights from Brisbane to Cairns?

    oneworld, Star Alliance, and SkyTeam are the airline alliances operating flights between Brisbane and Cairns, with oneworld being the most commonly used for this route.

  • On which days can I fly direct from Brisbane to Cairns?

    There are nonstop flights from Brisbane to Cairns on a daily basis.

  • Which is the best airline for flights from Brisbane to Cairns, Virgin Australia or Qantas Airways?

    The two airlines most popular with KAYAK users for flights from Brisbane to Cairns are Virgin Australia and Qantas Airways. With an average price for the route of $204 and an overall rating of 7.5, Virgin Australia is the most popular choice. Qantas Airways is also a great choice for the route, with an average price of $277 and an overall rating of 7.5.

  • How does KAYAK find such low prices on flights from Brisbane to Cairns?

    KAYAK is a travel search engine. That means we look across the web to find the best prices we can find for our users. With over 2 billion flight queries processed yearly, we are able to display a variety of prices and options on flights from Brisbane to Cairns.

  • How does KAYAK's flight Price Forecast tool help me choose the right time to buy my flight ticket from Brisbane to Cairns?

    KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool uses historical data to determine whether the price for a flight to Cairns from Brisbane is likely to change within 7 days, so travelers know whether to wait or book now.

  • What is the Hacker Fare option on flights from Brisbane to Cairns?

    Hacker Fares allow you to combine one-way tickets in order to save you money over a traditional round-trip ticket. You could then fly to Cairns with an airline and back to Brisbane with another airline. Booking your flights between Brisbane and CNS can sometimes prove cheaper using this method.

  • What is KAYAK's "flexible dates" feature and why should I care when looking for a flight from Brisbane to Cairns?

    Sometimes travel dates aren't set in stone. If your preferred travel dates have some wiggle room, flexible dates will show you all the options when flying to Cairns from Brisbane up to 3 days before/after your preferred dates. You can then pick the flights that suit you best.

KAYAK’s top tips for finding a cheap flight from Brisbane to Cairns

  • Looking for a cheap flight? 25% of our users found flights on this route for $78 or less one-way and $155 or less round-trip.
  • Direct flights regularly fly from Brisbane Airport (BNE) to Cairns Airport (CNS). You can find direct flights to suit your needs from local airline services including Qantas, Virgin Australia, Jetstar, and Tigerair.
  • Rental car companies are available in the Arrivals Area, in the northern end of the Domestic Terminal at Cairns Airport. The pickup and drop off location for rental cars is across the road from the terminal in the parking building.
  • Brisbane Airport is made up of two terminals—the Domestic Terminal and the International Terminal. If you need to move between these terminals, it’s a short walk or you can take advantage of the free-to-use AirTrain.
  • Virgin Australia or Qantas fliers can take advantage of the airline lounges in the Domestic Terminal of the Brisbane Airport. Qantas Club members or pay-to-use guests can find the Qantas Lounge on Level 2, or there is the Virgin Australia Lounge opposite Gate 41.
  • If you’re feeling a little lost or need some help with the airport facilities, you can find Airport Ambassadors throughout the Brisbane Airport. They’re easy to spot in their blue shirts with a bright yellow ‘i’ on the back.
  • Getting dropped off at Brisbane Airport? You can find a drop-off point kerbside of the terminal. However, you won’t be given much time to say goodbye before being waved on by a Kerbside Officer. For an extended farewell, you can park in the nearby short-term parking.

Prefer to fly direct from Brisbane to Cairns?

 
Direct data is based off flight results for the next 60 days. Find direct flights from all airlines flying direct from Brisbane to Cairns.
Find which airlines fly direct from Brisbane Airport to Cairns Airport, which days they fly and book direct flights.

Direct departures

Brisbane to Cairns

Monday

Jetstar, Qantas Airways, Virgin Australia

Jetstar, Qantas Airways, +1 more

Tuesday

Jetstar, Qantas Airways, Virgin Australia

Jetstar, Qantas Airways, +1 more

Wednesday

Jetstar, Qantas Airways, Virgin Australia

Jetstar, Qantas Airways, +1 more

Thursday

Jetstar, Qantas Airways, Virgin Australia

Jetstar, Qantas Airways, +1 more

Friday

Jetstar, Qantas Airways, Virgin Australia

Jetstar, Qantas Airways, +1 more

Saturday

Jetstar, Qantas Airways, Virgin Australia

Jetstar, Qantas Airways, +1 more

Sunday

Jetstar, Qantas Airways, Virgin Australia

Jetstar, Qantas Airways, +1 more

See more direct flights

Direct returns

Cairns to Brisbane

Monday

Jetstar, Qantas Airways, Virgin Australia

Jetstar, Qantas Airways, +1 more

Tuesday

Jetstar, Qantas Airways, Virgin Australia

Jetstar, Qantas Airways, +1 more

Wednesday

Jetstar, Qantas Airways, Virgin Australia

Jetstar, Qantas Airways, +1 more

Thursday

Jetstar, Qantas Airways, Virgin Australia

Jetstar, Qantas Airways, +1 more

Friday

Jetstar, Qantas Airways, Virgin Australia

Jetstar, Qantas Airways, +1 more

Saturday

Jetstar, Qantas Airways, Virgin Australia

Jetstar, Qantas Airways, +1 more

Sunday

Jetstar, Qantas Airways, Virgin Australia

Jetstar, Qantas Airways, +1 more

See more direct flights

Reviews of the top 3 airlines serving from Brisbane to Cairns

 
See real verified KAYAK customer reviews for airlines flying from Brisbane to Cairns. Airline scores are aggregated from all reviews left by passengers on KAYAK after flying with an airline. KAYAK doesn’t show reviews that are older than 5 years. Learn how KAYAK collects reviews.
Need help choosing which airline to fly with from Brisbane to Cairns? KAYAK airline reviews give an overall score for each airline based on loads of factors, including comfort, boarding, in-flight entertainment and more, to make your decision easier. See airline scores according to verified KAYAK customer reviews.
7.5
Virgin AustraliaOverall score based on 416 reviews
8.2Crew
7.7Boarding
6.4Entertainment
6.4Food
7.5Comfort
Airline reviews

Overall experience was good but what really impressed me the most was the care the flight attendants took of a sick passenger who was sitting in front of me. The flight attendants would come and check on her quite regularly providing her support and comfort. Brilliant service!

10.0 ExcellentManish, Aug 2025MEL - SYD
Read more Virgin Australia reviews

Overall experience was good but what really impressed me the most was the care the flight attendants took of a sick passenger who was sitting in front of me. The flight attendants would come and check on her quite regularly providing her support and comfort. Brilliant service!

Only answered OK and poor as there was no entertainment and I didnt have any food

4.5 hr international flight. We got a glass of water. Ranks up there with Ryan Air, Easy Jet, Spirit and Frontier. Expected better.

Gluten free options less explicit on business class, but great service

Very good… seems the virgin staff particularly in the lounge and in flight exceeded expectations.

I liked everything about the experience but would have liked some free snacks!

Crew was great but flight was delayed almost three hours due to a technical issue and we had to go back to the terminal and wait for another one.

Being told why we delayed three hours and not even given an apology by someone. Not a word. Not my airline of choice ever.

Checked Baggage line up was long but moved quickly, rest of the process, boarding, crew was excellent

Virgin has always provided a smooth and comfortable flight. This one was no different. Seats are comfortable. Staff are great. This is my favourite airline.

A few more inches of legroom is all i ask

Business class points redemption - good value for points paid, dubious value if out of your own pocket, domestic class business product okay for this length of flight. The flight left and arrived on time, crew were good, aircraft was a bit old and tired, but still miles ahead of their competitors in Virgin and Jetstar.

Airline running better than post Covid, proper boarding process now implemented, some aircraft feeling a bit old and tired, crew fine, online experience better.

Five hour flight instead of four hours due to westerly headwinds which wasn’t the fault of Qantas !

The wifi was out. Otherwise it was great flight. Richard, as CSM, was excellent.

Was bumped to a later flight because of inefficiency on part of the airline.

Inflight entertainment, poor that there are no headrest screens on aircraft used for an international flight.

The Emerits/Qantas flight was cancelled to Wellington. We need a refund. Had to buy another airline ticket. How do we get the refund. Still not in Wellington.

Delayed QF59 flight once again, Qantas doesn't fail in maintaining there delayed departures and arrivals. USB points do not work nor do the power point sockets on the plane, Qantas staff admitted that on the flight. Don't expect to your charge devices. Saving grace, was the ice cream. Bottom line, if you expect to fly to HND and make it on time avoid Qantas and if you're interested in ice cream - visit 7/11.

Pretty excellent. I don’t know what the pilot could have done better with the bumping ( there was a storm) nor what happened to my ears coming down into bendigo. It doesn’t happen coming down into Sydney just the return flight. I wonder why?

Late leaving and desintuon board showed ‘gate closed’ when they hadn’t even commenced boarding!

Flight was delayed more than 1.5 hours. Gate changed multiple times

The good thing is that the flight got us from Darwin to Brisbane. However, it would have to be the most uncomfortable flight I have ever taken and if I can possibly avoid flying Jetstar again, I will.

no announcement about why we where delayed which is very poor

It was better than I expected. Thought $5 for a small cup of tea was a bit much!

Overall good trip I find seats a bit hard. We were waiting on board for about an hour for 2 passengers with some document issue. This main our arrival late for our pickup person.

15kg allowance is outrageous. Change of time a few days before departure and more than 2 hours of delay in the end. The worse we’ve taken so far in Oceania.

stuck in the aircraft for over three hours due to engineering work, significantly delayed and made a lot of passengers missed the connecting transport, no mention any compensation

Very quiet plane!! One of the quietest planes we have been on.

Jetsatar refused to take my foldable stroller in the plane, despite following all the rules on dimensions and packaging. Similar thing happened on our previous fight. However, at that instance, they offered to check in the stroller. At this fight, the staff was rude, trying to rush us to board the flight. They made excuses that the stroller was not allowed and even offer to leave it behind and ship it back at our own cost. Fortunately, we had someone else attending. Since the flight was about to take off, they left it behind and send it back to us on the next available flight.

Everything you need to know for your flight from Brisbane to Cairns

Information on your arrival and departure airports

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