Question 1

How often are flights from Brisbane to Cairns delayed?

Accepted Answer

Historically, on average around 18% of flights between Brisbane and Cairns have experienced a delay on any given week. The average delay length over the past 12 months has been 96 minutes.

Question 2

How have Brisbane to Cairns flight prices changed over time?

Accepted Answer

As of January 2026, prices for Brisbane to Cairns flights are approximately 1% cheaper when compared to flights at the same time last year.

Question 3

What cabin class options are available on Brisbane to Cairns flights?

Accepted Answer

There are 3 cabin classes available to choose from on Brisbane to Cairns flights. Cabin price and availability will vary by airline so perform a search above to find the right deals for you.

Question 4

What is the cheapest day to depart on your flight to Cairns?

Accepted Answer

According to our data, Thursday is the cheapest day to fly to Cairns from Brisbane. The lowest ticket price found for a Thursday departure recently was $247. Keep in mind that prices can always vary depending on your route and whether or not you are flying domestic or international. If your travel schedule is flexible, try to avoid departing on a Sunday because tickets tend to average around $326. These prices are subject to change though, so be sure to set up a Price Alert for flights to Cairns.

Question 5

What day of the week experiences the fewest flight delays on this route?

Accepted Answer

Sunday is statistically the day of the week that experiences the fewest delays on this flight route. Thursday has historically seen more delays on average compared to the rest of the week.

Question 6

How many flights depart from Brisbane to Cairns on average per week?

Accepted Answer

267 flights are operational weekly from Brisbane to Cairns as of January 2026. The most popular departure day for this route is Wed, with 17% of flights per week taking off on this day.

Question 7

How many flights depart from Brisbane to Cairns on average per day?

Accepted Answer

38 flights are operational daily from Brisbane to Cairns as of January 2026. The most popular departure time for this route is 08:00, with 55% of flights per day taking off at midday.

Question 8

What is the cheapest airline that flies from Brisbane to Cairns?

Accepted Answer

Jetstar is the most popular carrier operating from Brisbane to Cairns

Question 9

What is the cheapest month to fly to Cairns?

Accepted Answer

The cheapest month to fly to Cairns from Brisbane is in March. Flight prices, which tend to average around $188, are often lower during this time because this is during the off-season. If you are unable to visit Cairns during the month of March, then departing from Brisbane during the month May is also very affordable. Most momondo users find prices during this month for around $190.

Question 10

Which airlines fly to Cairns?

Accepted Answer

Jetstar, Virgin Australia and Qantas Airways are the top three most popular airlines that fly to Cairns from Brisbane according to our data. Jetstar is the first choice among our users, with 61% of people opting to fly with this airline when travelling to Cairns. Keep in mind that there are 3 different airlines that fly to Cairns on a routine basis, so you have a few additional options to choose from.

Question 11

Which airline has the best punctuality record on Brisbane to Cairns flights?

Accepted Answer

According to our data, Qantas Airways have had the fewest delays on this route over the last 12 months, with about 9% of their flights experiencing any sort of delay.

Question 12

What is the cheapest Brisbane to Cairns flight route?

Accepted Answer

Fly from Brisbane to Cairns for the best Brisbane - Cairns flight prices

Question 13

What is the cheapest time of day to depart on your flight to Cairns?

Accepted Answer

In the evening is the cheapest time of day to fly from Brisbane to Cairns when you can find flight prices for as low as $228. Flying to Cairns in the evening is an ideal time because this is during off-peak travel hours. If you have a flexible travel schedule, then try to avoid flying in the morning when prices are $275 on average. Flights to Cairns from Brisbane in the morning are generally more expensive because this time of day is more convenient for travellers’ schedules.

Question 14

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

Accepted Answer

You are more likely to see cheaper flights to Cairns from Brisbane when booking weeks ahead of your departure date. In general, you can expect to find flights to Cairns for around $227 when searching weeks before you fly. However, flight prices might be lower outside of this timeframe. For example, people recently found flights to Cairns from Brisbane for as low as $197 on momondo.

Question 15

What is the most punctual flight time for Brisbane to Cairns flights?

Accepted Answer

Generally, flights departing in the morning tend to experience fewer delays. Flights departing at night have, in the past, seen delays more frequently in comparison.

Question 16

What is the best way to get in and out of airports in Cairns and Brisbane?

Accepted Answer

There are two public transport options from Brisbane city centre to get to the airport for flights from Brisbane to Cairns. The fastest is to catch the Skybus that leaves every 3h from the Margaret Street stop. This will take just over 30min to reach Brisbane International Terminal. The second option is to take a TRANSLink QLD train on the VLBD line, which will take about 40min . These depart from Platform 3 at Brisbane Central station. By car or taxi, the drive takes just under 15min . Once you’ve landed in Cairns, your best bet is to hire a Jayride shuttle from the airport, as there isn’t any public transport available. This will take about 8min . You could also take a taxi or hire a town car, also from Jayride, for the same travel time.

Which cities can you get to from Cairns airport?

Flights from Brisbane to Cairns are usually used by tourists to the Great Barrier Reef, but there are other large towns in far North Queensland that you can reach from there. Visit the Wooroonooran National Park by travelling to Babinda. You can get there in about 45min on the Greyhound Australia GX411 bus. Otherwise, catch the Spirit of Queensland train that will take about anh and 10min . Or head inland to Mariba, which is the start of the mountainous region of Queensland. You can get there in about 1h and 20min on the Trans North Innisfail No 850 bus. It’s about anh’s drive by taxi or car. You can also head north to coastal resorts like Port Douglas. This is about 1h and 15min away on a Coastal Service bus.

Question 17

Which airlines fly direct from Brisbane to Cairns?

Accepted Answer

Two main airlines, Jetstar and Virgin Australia offer direct flights from Brisbane to Cairns, along with Qantas, which offers one or two a day. Most of the direct Brisbane to Cairns flights are operated by Jetstar, and you’ll be able to find many of these daily. They take about 2h and 20min and are the fastest flights you’ll find. Virgin Australia will fly you there in about 2h and 30min . All flights between these two cities depart from Brisbane Airport (BNE) and land at Cairns Airport (CNS), the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. The cities aren’t too far apart and are the two main urban areas in Queensland on the eastern coast of Australia, so there aren’t any flights that make stopovers in-between. It’s quite a short hop, and you’ll have no worries finding cheap flights from Brisbane to Cairns.

Question 18

What are the benefits of the different airports in Cairns and Brisbane?

Accepted Answer

There is only one airport on either side that serves flights from Brisbane to Cairns. Brisbane Airport is a domestic and international airport that offers return and one-way flights to Cairns, so you’ll have a wide range of facilities at your disposal. There’s a central domestic terminal area offering an artisanal coffee shop, a bar and a bistro. If you fly with Virgin Australia, you’ll also have access to the Level 2 Virgin Terminal Area, which offers plenty more restaurants, cafés and extra shops. The airport provides an Accessibility Journey Planner for those with limited mobility or similar requirements to plan their way through the airport and arrange assistance. Cairns Airport offers plenty of restaurants, fast food outlets, coffee shops and the like. Its accessibility facilities are covered by the Access for All programme, which offers assistance from the parking lot to boarding, provided by the Airport Ambassadors.

Question 19

When did momondo last update prices for flights from Brisbane Airport to Cairns Airport?

Accepted Answer

Prices for flights from Brisbane Airport to Cairns Airport were last updated today.

Question 20

How many operators does momondo search for flights from Brisbane Airport to Cairns Airport?

Accepted Answer

As of January 2026, there are 3 operators available to choose from for flights from Brisbane Airport to Cairns Airport.

Question 21

How old do you have to be to fly from Brisbane Airport to Cairns Airport?

Accepted Answer

The minimum age for a child to fly alone is five, but airlines offering an unaccompanied minor (UNMR) service may have their age restrictions, such as regulations concerning flight duration, timing, and stopovers. It is recommended that you verify with the airline you are booking with for travel from Brisbane Airport to Cairns Airport.

Question 22

What documentation or ID do you need to fly to Cairns Airport?

Accepted Answer

The necessary travel and health documents for your Cairns Airport trip may vary depending on your travel plans and individual circumstances. Generally, you should have various documents, such as a national ID card or driver's licence and a passport that is valid for six months beyond your scheduled arrival date. We recommend seeking advice from your airline or a trusted third party, such as IATA.

Best price found	$110
Fastest flight time	2h 15m
Direct flights	Every day
Airports in Cairns	1 airport

Airline	Rating	Free cancellation	Price
Jetstar	PriceFrom $87	Free cancellation	Rating 6.5 514 reviews	Search Jetstar flights
Virgin Australia	PriceFrom $114	Free cancellation	Rating 7.6 432 reviews	Search Virgin Australia flights
Qantas Airways	PriceFrom $179	Free cancellation	Rating 7.5 981 reviews	Search Qantas Airways flights

Cheap flights from Brisbane to Cairns from $91

This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a momondo user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight from Brisbane to Cairns departing on 4/2. Fares may change, and may not be available for all flights or travel dates. Click the price to refresh the search for this deal.

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How to get the cheapest flight ticket from Brisbane to Cairns

What is the cheapest month to fly to Cairns?

What is the cheapest day to depart on your flight to Cairns?

What is the cheapest time of day to depart on your flight to Cairns?

What is the cheapest Brisbane to Cairns flight route?

Fly from Brisbane to Cairns for the best Brisbane - Cairns flight prices

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

What cabin class options are available on Brisbane to Cairns flights?

There are 3 cabin classes available to choose from on Brisbane to Cairns flights. Cabin price and availability will vary by airline so perform a search above to find the right deals for you.

How have Brisbane to Cairns flight prices changed over time?

As of January 2026, prices for Brisbane to Cairns flights are approximately 1% cheaper when compared to flights at the same time last year.

What is the cheapest airline that flies from Brisbane to Cairns?

Jetstar is the most popular carrier operating from Brisbane to Cairns

Which airlines fly to Cairns?

How often are flights from Brisbane to Cairns delayed?

Historically, on average around 18% of flights between Brisbane and Cairns have experienced a delay on any given week. The average delay length over the past 12 months has been 96 minutes.

What is the most punctual flight time for Brisbane to Cairns flights?

Generally, flights departing in the morning tend to experience fewer delays. Flights departing at night have, in the past, seen delays more frequently in comparison.

What day of the week experiences the fewest flight delays on this route?

Sunday is statistically the day of the week that experiences the fewest delays on this flight route. Thursday has historically seen more delays on average compared to the rest of the week.

Which airline has the best punctuality record on Brisbane to Cairns flights?

According to our data, Qantas Airways have had the fewest delays on this route over the last 12 months, with about 9% of their flights experiencing any sort of delay.

How many flights depart from Brisbane to Cairns on average per day?

38 flights are operational daily from Brisbane to Cairns as of January 2026. The most popular departure time for this route is 08:00, with 55% of flights per day taking off at midday.

How many flights depart from Brisbane to Cairns on average per week?

267 flights are operational weekly from Brisbane to Cairns as of January 2026. The most popular departure day for this route is Wed, with 17% of flights per week taking off on this day.

When to book flights from Brisbane to Cairns

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