Cheap Flights from Sunshine Coast to Cairns

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Flight deals from Sunshine Coast Airport to Cairns Airport

Looking for a cheap last-minute deal or the best round-trip flight from Sunshine Coast Airport to Cairns Airport? If you want to travel next month, round-trip fares start from AED 570. Find the lowest prices on one-way and round-trip tickets right here.

Find the cheapest month to fly from Sunshine Coast to Cairns

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

Direct flights from Sunshine Coast to Cairns

Sunshine Coast to Cairns: Alternative routes

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

Sunshine Coast to Cairns: Flight information

The things to know before you go.
Cheapest flight foundAED 476
Cheapest month to flyMay
Average flight time2 hrs, 20 mins
Most popular airlineQantas
Average flights per week8

Finding cheap flights from Sunshine Coast to Cairns: Frequently asked questions

The best price we found for a round-trip flight from Sunshine Coast to Cairns is AED 476. 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.
2 hours and 20 minutes is the average flight time from Sunshine Coast to Cairns.
Qantas and Jetstar fly direct from Sunshine Coast to Cairns.
There are 8 flights per week flying from Sunshine Coast to Cairns, as of March 2026.
The cheapest month to fly from Sunshine Coast to Cairns is usually May.
After crunching the numbers on our flight calendar, we found that it's currently cheapest to fly from Sunshine Coast Airport to Cairns Airport on Tuesday, May 12, 2026.
Yes – the average flight time is 2 hours and 20 minutes.
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.
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.
Currently, Jetstar offers the cheapest flight tickets to Cairns.

Flying from Sunshine Coast Airport (MCY) to Cairns Airport (CNS): what you need to know

  • Cairns's timezone is UTC+10, which is the same as Sunshine Coast.

  • For a smooth journey, turn up at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and an hour before domestic departures. This way, you'll have plenty of time to catch your MCY to CNS flight.

  • Flying during a peak month such as January? Public holidays and other high seasons can mean longer lines and delays at check-in and security. Play it safe and get there up to four hours ahead of an international flight and two hours before a domestic departure.

  • If you'd like to add a stop to your trip, simply deselect 'Direct flights only' when searching for your ticket from Sunshine Coast Airport to Cairns Airport. These are the most popular stopovers between MCY and CNS:

    • Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport

    • Melbourne Tullamarine Airport

    • Adelaide Airport

How to find the cheapest flights from Sunshine Coast Airport (MCY) to Cairns Airport (CNS)

  • The lowest price we've found for a one-way Sunshine Coast Airport to Cairns Airport flight is AED 210. A return ticket is currently AED 476. Depending on the availability when you book, these fares may change.

  • Don't leave things to the last minute. You're more likely to find cheap tickets from MCY to CNS if you book ahead. Airlines often have some fantastic early bird rates.

  • The 'Whole month' tool shows you the cheapest flights from Sunshine Coast Airport to Cairns Airport throughout the month. It's an easy way to find a bargain if your trip dates aren't set in stone.

  • There's no need to check back in every day to find out if fares have gone down when you set up a Price Alert. We'll notify you as soon as there's a change in price on cheap flights from MCY to CNS.

  • Secure the perfect flight for you with the help of the filters. To see the 'Best,' 'Fastest' or 'Cheapest' flights from Sunshine Coast Airport to Cairns Airport, use the 'Sort by' function. You can also filter results by arrival and departure times, airline, and number of stops.

Handy information about Sunshine Coast Airport (MCY)

  • Of all flights leaving Sunshine Coast Airport, 72.71% land on time at their destination.

  • To get to Sunshine Coast Airport from central Sunshine Coast, it'll take around 10 minutes if you're going by car. This depends on traffic though. It's approximately 10 kilometers from the airport to the city center.

  • The trip when using public transport takes about 30 minutes.

  • Looking for a handy hotel near MCY? If you've booked an early flight from Sunshine Coast Airport to Cairns Airport, these stays will have you sleeping moments from your check-in counter:

Arriving at Cairns Airport (CNS)

  • Consider booking a hotel close to CNS if you're on a late Sunshine Coast Airport to Cairns Airport flight. Select one of these accommodation options and skip the long transfer:

  • Pick up a Cairns Airport rental car and explore Cairns and beyond with your own wheels. Simba car hire, Bargain Car Rentals and East Coast are leading providers you can book with here.

  • Lock in the best possible rate by booking your ride from Cairns Airport around two weeks ahead of your trip.

Getting from Cairns Airport (CNS) to central Cairns

  • Cairns Airport is approximately 6 kilometers from central Cairns. The drive time takes about 10 minutes.

  • When traveling on public transport, expect a journey time of about 1 hour 25 minutes.

When to fly to Cairns Airport (CNS)

  • The quietest month for a flight from Sunshine Coast Airport to Cairns Airport is February, while July is the most popular. Choose the ideal time to go to Cairns based on whether you prefer a more relaxed vibe or a faster pace.

  • When reserving your flight from Sunshine Coast Airport to Cairns Airport, consider the type of weather you enjoy. January is the warmest month in Cairns, with the temperature ranging from 23ºC (73ºF) to 31ºC (88ºF).

  • Look for cheap tickets from MCY to CNS in August if you like traveling in cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 16ºC (61ºF) and 25ºC (77ºF) on average.

Explore more of Australia

  • Cairns is always a good idea, but there are so many other corners of Australia just waiting to be discovered. Around 290 kilometers south of Cairns, a trip to Townsville will keep you busy. Start with leading attractions like The Strand Beach, Castle Hill and Big Mama Sailing- Magnetic Island & Townsville.

  • If you're looking to explore another side of Australia, consider Bowen, about 434 kilometers south-east of Cairns. Holbourne Island National Park, The Big Mango and Grays Bay are highlights.

Prices shown on this page are estimated lowest prices only. Found in the last 45 days.