Cairns to Brisbane (CNS–BNE) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections
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No nonstop flights on this route. connecting options below.
CNS–BNE is served by 8 airlines with nonstop service. Qantas, Jetstar and Emirates lead the route. The flight covers 865 miles in approximately 2h 10m. Beyond nonstop, 13 hubs offer 1-stop connections.
Airline Landscape
| Airline | Freq/wk | Aircraft | Duration | Dep OTP | Alliance | Codeshares |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| QF Qantas | 53 | 73H, E90 | 2h15-2h20 | – | Oneworld | – |
| JQ Jetstar | 28 | 320 | 2h10-2h15 | – | – | – |
| EK Emirates | 26 | 73H, E90 | 2h20 | – | – | – |
| 6E IndiGo | 25 | 320 | 2h10-2h15 | – | – | – |
| VA Virgin Australia | 21 | 73H | 2h20 | – | – | – |
| CX Cathay Pacific | 7 | 73H | 2h20 | – | Oneworld | – |
| AC Air Canada | 6 | 73H | 2h20 | – | Star Alliance | – |
| FJ Fiji Airways | 6 | E90 | 2h20 | – | Oneworld | – |
Weekly Schedule Pattern
Connection Landscape
Other ways to reach Brisbane from Cairns
| Metric | CNS→BNE | TSV→BNE |
|---|---|---|
| Distance from CNS | – | 177 mi |
| Nonstop airlines | 8 | 8 |
| Weekly flights | 172 | 151 |
| Flight time | 2h 10m | 1h 50m |
Travel Essentials
CNS: AEST · BNE: AEST
When it's 6:00 PM in Cairns, it's 6:00 PM in Brisbane.
Follow signs from arrivals to the Airtrain platform. Trains to Brisbane CBD take 20 minutes, stopping at Eagle Junction, Fortitude Valley, Central, Roma Street, and South Brisbane (AUD 22.30 walk-up, or AUD 10.95-18.96 pre-booked). Services depart every 15 minutes during peak hours and run until 22:04. The last train is the last train; after that you need a taxi or ride-hail.
Uber and Didi pickup is at the designated rideshare zone on the ground transport level (AUD 25-45 to the CBD, plus AUD 4.86 airport surcharge). Standard taxis queue at the rank and cost AUD 55-80 to central Brisbane. Car rental desks are in the arrivals hall. The Gateway Motorway connects to the Gold Coast (75 minutes south) and Sunshine Coast (90 minutes north) if you are heading past the city.
Brisbane is subtropical with warm, humid summers and dry, mild winters. Summer (December-February) averages 21-30 degrees C with afternoon thunderstorms that build fast and dump heavy rain. February is the wettest month at 150mm. Heatwaves can push past 40 degrees C but are uncommon. Winter (June-August) is dry and pleasant at 10-21 degrees C with cool mornings and warm afternoons. Frost is almost unheard of.
Autumn (March-May) tapers off the humidity with daytime highs of 18-25 degrees C and clear skies. Spring (September-November) warms steadily with occasional dry, windy stretches early on. Annual rainfall is about 1150mm, concentrated in the summer wet season. Pack light layers for winter evenings and breathable clothing for summer. An umbrella earns its keep from November through March.
CNS–BNE Quick Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Flights from CNS to BNE
Cairns International Airport (CNS) and Brisbane International Airport (BNE) are connected by nonstop service from IndiGo, Air Canada, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Fiji Airways, Jetstar, Qantas and Virgin Australia. With 172 weekly departures, this is a heavily served route.
CNS to BNE Flight Duration and Schedule
Nonstop flight time from CNS to BNE ranges from 2 hours 10 minutes to 2 hours 20 minutes. The route covers a distance of 865 miles (1,392 km). There are approximately 172 weekly flights outbound and 192 return, totaling 364 flights per week in both directions.
Connecting Options and Alternatives
13 one-stop connections are available, with the fastest taking approximately 8 hours via DRW. Two-stop connections are also available via intermediate hubs. Nearby alternative airports include Townsville (TSV).