Cairns to Sydney (Mascot) (CNS–SYD) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections
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No nonstop flights on this route. connecting options below.
CNS–SYD is served by 2 airlines with nonstop service. Jetstar and Virgin Australia lead the route. The flight covers 1,226 miles in approximately 2h 55m. Beyond nonstop, 17 hubs offer 1-stop connections.
Airline Landscape
| Airline | Freq/wk | Aircraft | Duration | Dep OTP | Alliance | Codeshares |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JQ Jetstar Also: 6E, QF | 28 | 320, 321 | 2h55-3h55 | – | – | 6E, QF |
| VA Virgin Australia Also: AC, AI, CZ, HA, NH, SQ | 21 | 73H | 2h55 | – | – | AC, AI, CZ, HA, NH, SQ |
Weekly Schedule Pattern
Connection Landscape
Other ways to reach Sydney (Mascot) from Cairns
| Metric | CNS→SYD | TSV→SYD |
|---|---|---|
| Distance from CNS | – | 177 mi |
| Nonstop airlines | 2 | 4 |
| Weekly flights | 180 | 22 |
| Flight time | 2h 55m | 2h 40m |
Travel Essentials
CNS: AEST · SYD: AEST
When it's 6:00 PM in Cairns, it's 6:00 PM in Sydney (Mascot).
Airport Link trains depart every 10 minutes to Central Station (13 min, AUD $20.10 with Opal). The station access fee makes this more expensive than typical Sydney transit. Taxis from International Terminal queue outside arrivals; metered fares to the CBD run AUD $45–65. Uber operates from a designated ride-share zone.Rental car companies have desks in both the international and domestic terminal precincts. A SkyBus operates to the CBD and several suburbs as a cheaper alternative to taxis (AUD $24–27).
Temperate oceanic climate. Summers (December–February) are warm and humid at 24–32°C with afternoon sea breezes and occasional severe thunderstorms that can cause extended ground stops. Winters (June–August) are mild and mostly dry at 8–17°C. Fog on winter mornings occasionally delays operations.
The airport faces its greatest disruption risk from summer thunderstorms and, less commonly, from east-coast lows bringing heavy rain and strong winds in autumn and winter. Pack layers for winter. Summer evenings can be surprisingly cool with sea breezes.
CNS–SYD Quick Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Flights from CNS to SYD
Cairns International Airport (CNS) and Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport (SYD) are connected by nonstop service from Jetstar and Virgin Australia. With 180 weekly departures, this is a heavily served route.
CNS to SYD Flight Duration and Schedule
Nonstop flight time from CNS to SYD ranges from 2 hours 55 minutes to 4 hours 0 minutes. The route covers a distance of 1,226 miles (1,974 km). There are approximately 180 weekly flights outbound and 159 return, totaling 339 flights per week in both directions.
Connecting Options and Alternatives
17 one-stop connections are available, with the fastest taking approximately 10 hours via AYQ. Two-stop connections are also available via intermediate hubs. Nearby alternative airports include Townsville (TSV).