Cairns to Sydney (Mascot) (CNS–SYD) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections
No flights match your filters.
No scheduled airline flights on this route — it's flown by charter / private operators (). No nonstop flights on this route. connecting options below.
Most recently operated nonstop flights — the month shown is when each was last scheduled. Most destinations remain reachable with a connection.
No discontinued nonstop flights on record for this route.
CNS–SYD is served by 3 airlines with nonstop service. Jetstar, Virgin Australia and Qantas lead the route. The flight covers 1,226 miles in approximately 2h 55m. Beyond nonstop, 1-stop connecting options are also available.
Airline Landscape
| Airline | Freq/wk | Aircraft | Duration | Dep OTP | Alliance | Codeshares |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JQ Jetstar Also: 6E, LA | 31 | 320, 321 | 2h55-3h | – | – | 6E, LA |
| VA Virgin Australia Also: AC, AI, CZ, HA, NH, QR, SQ | 28 | 73H, 7M8 | 2h55 | – | – | AC, AI, CZ, HA, NH, QR, SQ |
| QF Qantas Also: CX, CZ, EK, HA, JL, MU, NZ | 26 | 320, 321, 73H, E90 | 2h55-3h | – | Oneworld | CX, CZ, EK, HA, JL, MU, NZ |
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 | 3 | 4 |
| Weekly flights | 176 | 21 |
| Flight time | 2h 55m | 2h 35m |
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, Virgin Australia and Qantas. With 176 weekly departures, this is a heavily served route.
CNS to SYD Flight Duration and Schedule
Nonstop flight time from CNS to SYD is about 2 hours 55 minutes gate to gate. The route covers a distance of 1,226 miles (1,974 km). There are approximately 176 weekly flights outbound and 182 return, totaling 358 flights per week in both directions.
Connecting Options and Alternatives
1-stop connecting options are also available, commonly via Brisbane, Townsville and Proserpine Whitsunday Coast. Two-stop connections are also available via intermediate hubs. Nearby alternative airports include Townsville (TSV).