Fly from Cairns to Sydney

Head south for a city break. Fly direct from Cairns to Sydney with Jetstar.

Flight facts

Average direct flight time 2 hours and 55 minutes
Average distance by plane 1950km
Departure airport Cairns Airport (CNS)
Arrival airport Sydney Airport (SYD)
Aircraft Airbus A320-200, Airbus A321

Need to know

Flight time from Cairns to Sydney
The average flight time for direct flights from Cairns to Sydney is 2 hours and 55 minutes.

Distance from Cairns to Sydney by plane
The average distance by plane from Cairns to Sydney is 1950 kilometres.

Time difference between Cairns and Sydney
From March to September, Cairns and Sydney are in the same time zone (AEST: UTC + 10. During Daylight Savings (October–April) Sydney is an hour ahead. 

Number of airports in Sydney
There’s one airport: Sydney Airport (SYD).

Distance from Sydney Airport to the city centre
The airport is 8 kilometres from Sydney city centre.

Transport from Sydney Airport to the city centre
Transport options include taxi, rideshare, bus, shuttle, and the Airport Link train.

Bondi Beach, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

Bondi Beach, Sydney.

Sydney travel tips

What are Sydney’s coolest neighbourhoods?
The Harbour City is full of interesting enclaves – make your way to Enmore Road in the inner west to check out the latest bars, shops and eateries.

Is Sydney a good destination for a family holiday?
You bet! Get this mum’s recommendations on where to go and where to stay with the whole family.

What are the best restaurants with views in Sydney?
Sydney’s a stunner – head to these restaurants for knock-out views and food to match.

Where are the best cafes for brunch in Sydney?
You can’t say you’ve ‘done’ Sydney until you’ve had the ricotta hotcakes at Bills, but here are some other delicious places for brunch in Sydney.

What’s Sydney like for solo travellers?
Sydney is sensational if you’re footloose and fancy free. This local’s guide to solo travel in Sydney will take you from coffee and vinyl to paddleboarding and beyond.

The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney

How much is a…

Cappuccino AUD $4–5
Opera House tour AUD $22–42
Brunch at a cafe AUD $20–30
Room at a mid-range hotel AUD $150–300
Taxi from the airport AUD $45–55

Things to do in Sydney

With its celebrated harbour, gorgeous beaches and busy city centre, you’ll never be lost for things to see and do here – Sydney is a truly international destination with a dynamic multicultural population and a buzzing events calendar.

Find the best things to do and places to see in Sydney

Weather and when to go

With their sunny days and mild temperatures, autumn (March–May) and spring (September–October) are ideal times to visit Sydney. Summer (November–February) can be very hot with late-afternoon storms. If your plan is to head to the southern reaches, winters (June–August) can be cold and wet.