£271 Cheap Flights from Cairns (CNS) to Darwin (DRW)

Q: How much are return flights from Cairns to Darwin?

The best price we found for a return flight from Cairns to Darwin is £271. 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.

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

2 hours and 38 minutes is the average flight time from Cairns to Darwin.

Q: Which airlines fly direct from Cairns to Darwin?

Qantas and Alliance Airlines fly direct from Cairns to Darwin.

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

As of May 2025, there are 18 flights per week flying from Cairns to Darwin.

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

The cheapest month to fly from Cairns to Darwin is usually May 2025.

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

After crunching the numbers on our flight calendar, we found that it's currently cheapest to fly from Cairns Airport to Darwin Airport on Tuesday, 2 September 2025 .

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

Yes – the average flight time is 2 hours and 38 minutes.

Q: How can I find the best flight deal to Darwin?

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 Darwin 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.

Q: When is the best time to book flights to Darwin?

We crunched all the numbers in our flight calendar and it looks like the cheapest time to book a flight to Darwin is around 40 days in advance, so don’t leave your flight to the last minute.

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

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

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Flight deals from Cairns to Darwin

Looking for a cheap last-minute deal or the best return flight from Cairns to Darwin? Find the lowest prices on one-way and return tickets right here.

Darwin.£271 per passenger.Departing Tue, 2 Sep, returning Mon, 8 Sep.Return flight with Jetstar.Outbound indirect flight with Jetstar, departs from Cairns on Tue, 2 Sep, arriving in Darwin.Inbound indirect flight with Jetstar, departs from Darwin on Mon, 8 Sep, arriving in Cairns.Price includes taxes and charges.From £271, select.

Darwin.£276 per passenger.Departing Fri, 6 Jun, returning Sat, 14 Jun.Return flight with Jetstar.Outbound indirect flight with Jetstar, departs from Cairns on Fri, 6 Jun, arriving in Darwin.Inbound indirect flight with Jetstar, departs from Darwin on Sat, 14 Jun, arriving in Cairns.Price includes taxes and charges.From £276, select.

Darwin.£290 per passenger.Departing Thu, 29 May, returning Sat, 31 May.Return flight with Jetstar.Outbound indirect flight with Jetstar, departs from Cairns on Thu, 29 May, arriving in Darwin.Inbound indirect flight with Jetstar, departs from Darwin on Sat, 31 May, arriving in Cairns.Price includes taxes and charges.From £290, select.

Darwin.£295 per passenger.Departing Thu, 29 May, returning Tue, 3 Jun.Return flight with Jetstar.Outbound indirect flight with Jetstar, departs from Cairns on Thu, 29 May, arriving in Darwin.Inbound indirect flight with Jetstar, departs from Darwin on Tue, 3 Jun, arriving in Cairns.Price includes taxes and charges.From £295, select.

Darwin.£307 per passenger.Departing Wed, 23 Jul, returning Fri, 25 Jul.Return flight with Jetstar.Outbound indirect flight with Jetstar, departs from Cairns on Wed, 23 Jul, arriving in Darwin.Inbound indirect flight with Jetstar, departs from Darwin on Fri, 25 Jul, arriving in Cairns.Price includes taxes and charges.From £307, select.

Darwin.£312 per passenger.Departing Sun, 17 Aug, returning Sun, 24 Aug.Return flight with Virgin Australia and Jetstar.Outbound indirect flight with Virgin Australia, departs from Cairns on Sun, 17 Aug, arriving in Darwin.Inbound indirect flight with Jetstar, departs from Darwin on Sun, 24 Aug, arriving in Cairns.Price includes taxes and charges.From £312, select.

Darwin.£320 per passenger.Departing Mon, 1 Dec, returning Fri, 5 Dec.Return flight with Jetstar.Outbound indirect flight with Jetstar, departs from Cairns on Mon, 1 Dec, arriving in Darwin.Inbound indirect flight with Jetstar, departs from Darwin on Fri, 5 Dec, arriving in Cairns.Price includes taxes and charges.From £320, select.

Darwin.£327 per passenger.Departing Wed, 27 Aug, returning Thu, 18 Sep.Return flight with Jetstar.Outbound indirect flight with Jetstar, departs from Cairns on Wed, 27 Aug, arriving in Darwin.Inbound indirect flight with Jetstar, departs from Darwin on Thu, 18 Sep, arriving in Cairns.Price includes taxes and charges.From £327, select.

Find the cheapest month to fly from Cairns to Darwin

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

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Direct flights from Cairns to Darwin

Cairns to Darwin: Alternative routes

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

Cairns to Darwin: Flight information

The things to know before you go.

Cheapest flight found	£271
Cheapest month to fly	September
Average flight time	2 hrs, 38 mins
Most popular airline	Qantas
Average flights per week	18

Finding cheap flights from Cairns to Darwin: Frequently asked questions

How much are return flights from Cairns to Darwin?

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

Which airlines fly direct from Cairns to Darwin?

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

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

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

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

How can I find the best flight deal to Darwin?

When is the best time to book flights to Darwin?

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

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

Around 2 hours 35 minutes is how long you can expect to be travelling on a direct flight from Cairns Airport to Darwin International Airport.
Darwin's timezone is UTC+9:30, which makes Darwin 30 minutes behind Cairns.
Each week, there are 94 Cairns Airport to Darwin International Airport flights. If you want to jet off early, opt for the 11:05 Qantas flight. If you'd rather make the most of your day before flying, the latest flight is at 22:55 with Qantas.
Your CNS to DRW flight won't wait if you're running late, so don't forget to check in on time. Arrive up to one hour in advance for domestic flights and two hours ahead when you're travelling internationally.
You can expect bigger queues during popular months such as July. Arriving up to four hours in advance for an international flight and two hours for a domestic departure will give you ample time for security and boarding.
A variety of airlines offer direct flights from Cairns Airport to Darwin International Airport, so jetting off to Darwin (and then visiting more of Australia!) is easy. Top carriers that fly nonstop include:
The airline with the highest passenger demand on this route is Jetstar.
Qantas is the most punctual carrier operating CNS to DRW flights. An impressive 85.25% of its services on this route arrive without delay.
Consider adding a stopover when booking your ticket from Cairns Airport to Darwin International Airport. Simply uncheck 'Direct flights only' to break up your journey, or perhaps see a new city along the way. Here are some options between CNS and DRW:
- Brisbane Airport
- Adelaide Airport
- Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport

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

The lowest price we've seen for a one-way Cairns Airport to Darwin International Airport flight is £120. A return ticket is currently £271. Depending on the availability when you book, these fares could change.
Score cheap tickets from CNS to DRW by booking at least nine months ahead. Based on our research, that's the sweet spot for finding a bargain.
August is the cheapest month for flights from Cairns Airport to Darwin International Airport. If you need to travel at a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will give you the lowest prices across every month.
Getting your hands on cheap flights from CNS to DRW is a cinch with Price Alerts. Simply set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll notify you as soon as fares go down.
Pick your ideal arrival and departure times, airlines and number of stops with the filters. Or sort your results by 'Cheapest' to see the best deals on flights from Cairns Airport to Darwin International Airport.

Handy information about Cairns Airport (CNS)

71.55% of flights that take off from Cairns Airport touch down at their destination on time.
Cairns Airport is around 4 miles from central Cairns. If you're driving, ride-sharing or catching a cab from the centre, it'll take you 10 minutes or so to get there, depending on the traffic.
The journey when using public transport usually takes 1 hour 25 minutes.
Get your trip off to a leisurely start by staying near CNS. Whether you're boarding an early flight from Cairns Airport to Darwin International Airport or just don't want to be rushed, these stays have you covered:

Arriving at Darwin International Airport (DRW)

The last thing you want is a long journey to your hotel if you're landing late on a Cairns Airport to Darwin International Airport flight. Reserve one of these accommodation options near DRW instead:
Grab a Darwin International Airport rental car and explore Darwin and beyond with your own wheels. Bargain Car Rentals, Thrifty and East Coast are popular providers to choose from here.
For the best deal, book your ride from Darwin International Airport around four weeks before travelling.

Getting from Darwin International Airport (DRW) to central Darwin

From Darwin International Airport, Darwin is approximately 8 miles away. It takes around 15 minutes to drive to the centre.
If you're travelling on public transport, expect a journey time of about 1 hour 10 minutes.

When to fly to Darwin International Airport (DRW)

The quietest month for a flight from Cairns Airport to Darwin International Airport is January, while July is the most popular. Pick the ideal time to visit Darwin based on whether you prefer a more fast-paced or easygoing experience.
The warmest month in Darwin is November, with temperatures ranging between 26ºC (79ºF) and 34ºC (93ºF). Lock in your flights from Cairns Airport to Darwin International Airport in this month if this is the type of weather you like.
Look for cheap tickets from CNS to DRW in July if you want to travel in cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 18ºC (64ºF) and 31ºC (88ºF) on average.

Explore more of Australia

Darwin is always a good idea, but there are so many other corners of Australia waiting to be explored. Around 270 miles south-west of Darwin, a trip to Kununurra will keep you busy. Start with leading sights like Mirima National Park, El Questro Wilderness Park and Ord River.
If you're ready to explore another major destination in Australia, consider Leanyer, roughly 2 miles north-east of Darwin. Parkside Park, Savannah Park and The Rat Den are among its highlights.