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

Compare Darwin to Cairns flight deals

Find the cheapest month or even day of the year to fly to Cairns

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Flight deals from Darwin to Cairns

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 £284. Find the lowest prices on one-way and return tickets right here.

Cairns.£107 per passenger.Departing Sat, 20 Mar.One-way flight with Qantas.Outbound direct flight with Qantas departs from Darwin on Sat, 20 Mar, arriving in Cairns.Price includes taxes and charges.From £107, select.

Cairns.£108 per passenger.Departing Mon, 11 Jan.One-way flight with Qantas.Outbound direct flight with Qantas departs from Darwin on Mon, 11 Jan, arriving in Cairns.Price includes taxes and charges.From £108, select.

Cairns.£135 per passenger.Departing Fri, 30 Oct.One-way flight with Qantas.Outbound direct flight with Qantas departs from Darwin on Fri, 30 Oct, arriving in Cairns.Price includes taxes and charges.From £135, select.

Cairns.£135 per passenger.Departing Thu, 1 Apr.One-way flight with Qantas.Outbound direct flight with Qantas departs from Darwin on Thu, 1 Apr, arriving in Cairns.Price includes taxes and charges.From £135, select.

Cairns.£135 per passenger.Departing Tue, 3 Nov.One-way flight with Qantas.Outbound direct flight with Qantas departs from Darwin on Tue, 3 Nov, arriving in Cairns.Price includes taxes and charges.From £135, select.

Cairns.£135 per passenger.Departing Mon, 15 Feb.One-way flight with Qantas.Outbound direct flight with Qantas departs from Darwin on Mon, 15 Feb, arriving in Cairns.Price includes taxes and charges.From £135, select.

Cairns.£136 per passenger.Departing Tue, 11 May.One-way flight with Qantas.Outbound direct flight with Qantas departs from Darwin on Tue, 11 May, arriving in Cairns.Price includes taxes and charges.From £136, select.

Cairns.£142 per passenger.Departing Sat, 1 Aug.One-way flight with Qantas.Outbound direct flight with Qantas departs from Darwin on Sat, 1 Aug, arriving in Cairns.Price includes taxes and charges.From £142, select.

Cairns.£142 per passenger.Departing Fri, 11 Sep.One-way flight with Qantas.Outbound direct flight with Qantas departs from Darwin on Fri, 11 Sep, arriving in Cairns.Price includes taxes and charges.From £142, select.

Cairns.£142 per passenger.Departing Fri, 24 Jul.One-way flight with Qantas.Outbound direct flight with Qantas departs from Darwin on Fri, 24 Jul, arriving in Cairns.Price includes taxes and charges.From £142, select.

Cairns.£188 per passenger.Departing Tue, 8 Dec.One-way flight with Jetstar.Outbound indirect flight with Jetstar, departs from Darwin on Tue, 8 Dec, arriving in Cairns.Price includes taxes and charges.From £188, select.

Cairns.£199 per passenger.Departing Tue, 23 Jun.One-way flight with Virgin Australia.Outbound indirect flight with Virgin Australia, departs from Darwin on Tue, 23 Jun, arriving in Cairns.Price includes taxes and charges.From £199, select.

Cairns.£208 per passenger.Departing Sat, 27 Jun.One-way flight with Qantas.Outbound direct flight with Qantas departs from Darwin on Sat, 27 Jun, arriving in Cairns.Price includes taxes and charges.From £208, select.

Cairns.£214 per passenger.Departing Mon, 14 Dec.One-way flight with Qantas.Outbound direct flight with Qantas departs from Darwin on Mon, 14 Dec, arriving in Cairns.Price includes taxes and charges.From £214, 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 March.

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Direct flights 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

3 miles from central Cairns

ClosestCheapest

from £107

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Darwin to Cairns: Flight information

The things to know before you go.

Cheapest flight found	£107
Cheapest month to fly	March
Average flight time	2 hrs, 32 mins
Most popular airline	Qantas
Average flights per week	26

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 £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.

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 June 2026, there are 26 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 October.

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 Monday, 19 October 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.

When is the best time to book flights to Cairns?

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

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

Currently, Qantas offers the cheapest flight tickets to Cairns.

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

Around 2 hours 30 minutes is how long you can expect to be in the air on a direct flight from Darwin Airport to Cairns Airport.
Cairns's timezone is UTC+10, which makes Cairns 30 minutes ahead of Darwin.
Take your pick of eight weekly Darwin Airport to Cairns Airport flights. The 06:15 departure with Qantas is the earliest flight available. Qantas operates the latest service of the day at 18:00.
For a stress-free journey, turn up at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and an hour before domestic departures. This ensures you have enough time to board your DRW to CNS flight.
Flying during a peak time like July? Major public holidays and other popular seasons can lead to longer queues and delays at airport checkpoints. Play things extra safe and get there up to four hours before an international flight and two hours before a domestic departure.
Jetting into Cairns (and then seeing more of Australia!) is a cinch with Qantas. This popular carrier has direct flights from Darwin Airport to Cairns Airport.
Most travellers choose to travel with Qantas on this route.
Qantas stands out as the most punctual carrier for DRW to CNS flights, with 90.48% of services landing as scheduled.
We make it a piece of cake to book a flight with a stopover. To see your options for tickets from Darwin Airport to Cairns Airport, uncheck 'Direct flights only.' Then, choose a flight offering a stop long enough to visit your chosen city. Worthwhile stopovers between DRW and CNS include:
- Sydney Airport
- Melbourne Tullamarine Airport
- Brisbane Airport

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

Currently, £107 is the cheapest price we've found for a one-way Darwin Airport to Cairns Airport flight. The best price for a return ticket is £271. Bear in mind that fares could change due to availability when booking.
To pick up cheap tickets from DRW to CNS, book your journey nine months ahead of your planned departure.
Schedule your trip for February. That's the cheapest month for flights from Darwin Airport to Cairns Airport. If you're flexible on when you fly, try out the 'Whole month' tool to find the cheapest airfare across each month.
Stay on top of deals for cheap flights from DRW to CNS by setting up a Price Alert. You'll get an email or push notification on the app when a lower fare becomes available.
Select your preferred arrival and departure times, number of stops and airlines with the filters. Or sort your results by 'Cheapest' to get the best deals on flights from Darwin Airport to Cairns Airport.

Handy information about Darwin Airport (DRW)

75% of flights departing from Darwin Airport land at their destination on time.
Darwin Airport is about 13 kms (8 miles) from central Darwin. If you're ride-sharing, catching a taxi or driving from the centre, it'll take 15 minutes or so to arrive, depending on the traffic.
The trip on public transport typically takes 35 minutes.
Searching for a convenient hotel near DRW? If you're catching an early flight from Darwin Airport to Cairns Airport, these stays will have you sleeping moments from your check-in counter:

Arriving at Cairns Airport (CNS)

Book a hotel near CNS if you're on a late Darwin Airport to Cairns Airport flight. Settle into one of these accommodation options and skip the long transfer after landing:
Get on the fast track to adventure by picking up a Cairns Airport rental car. Grab your wheels from simba car rental, Bargain Car Rentals or East Coast to explore Cairns and beyond.
Reserving your vehicle from Cairns Airport about two weeks ahead gives you the best chance of locking in a great deal.

Getting from Cairns Airport (CNS) to central Cairns

Cairns Airport is approximately 6 kms (4 miles) from the centre of Cairns. The drive time takes about 15 minutes.
When travelling by public transport, expect a journey of around 25 minutes.

When to fly to Cairns Airport (CNS)

The quietest month for a flight from Darwin Airport to Cairns Airport is March, while July is the busiest. Choose the ideal time to go to Cairns based on whether you prefer a laid-back vibe or a more bustling atmosphere.
When reserving your flight from Darwin Airport to Cairns Airport, consider the type of weather you like. January is the warmest month in Cairns, with the temperature ranging from 23ºC to 31ºC.
If you want cooler conditions, look for a cheap ticket from DRW to CNS in August. Average temperatures are between 16ºC and 25ºC then.

Explore more of Australia

Townsville is just one of the many places in Australia waiting to be explored once you've taken in the sights of Cairns. Around 290 kms (180 miles) away to the south, popular attractions include Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, Great Barrier Reef Aquarium and Botanic Gardens.
Around 434 kms (270 miles) south-east of Cairns, Bowen is another essential stop in Australia. Start your sightseeing at Horseshoe Bay Beach, Sunset Point and Kings Beach.