Flying from Cairns Airport (CNS) to Canberra Airport (CBR): what you need to know
The average duration of a direct flight from Cairns Airport to Canberra Airport is 3 hours 10 minutes.
Canberra's timezone is UTC+11, making Canberra one hour ahead of Cairns.
For a smooth journey, arrive at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and one hour before domestic departures. This way, you can comfortably catch your CNS to CBR flight.
Flying during a peak time such as July? School holidays and other popular seasons can lead to longer queues at security. Play things extra safe and arrive up to four hours before an international flight and two hours before a domestic departure.
Qantas offers direct flights from Cairns Airport to Canberra Airport. Book with this popular carrier, then get ready to see the sights in Canberra — and maybe even more of Australia if your schedule allows.
Qantas tops the list for bookings on this route.
We make it a cinch to book a flight with a stopover. To see your options for tickets from Cairns Airport to Canberra Airport, deselect 'Direct flights only.' Then, pick a flight that has a stop long enough to explore your chosen city. Some great stopovers between CNS and CBR include:
Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport
Brisbane Airport
Melbourne Tullamarine Airport
How to find the cheapest flights from Cairns Airport (CNS) to Canberra Airport (CBR)
The cheapest price we've found for a one-way Cairns Airport to Canberra Airport flight is $187. A return fare is currently $384. Depending on the availability when you book, these fares can change.
Get cheap tickets from CNS to CBR by booking seven months ahead. According to our research, that's the sweet spot for bagging a bargain.
Schedule your trip for June. That's the cheapest month for flights from Cairns Airport to Canberra Airport. If your travel dates are flexible, use the 'Whole month' tool to see the cheapest price across every month.
You won't have to check back in every day to see if fares have dropped when you create a Price Alert. We'll let you know as soon as there's a better deal on cheap flights from CNS to CBR.
Tailor your trip with filters. Pick your arrival and departure times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort your results by 'Best,' 'Cheapest' or 'Fastest' flights from Cairns Airport to Canberra Airport.
Handy information about Cairns Airport (CNS)
71.55% of flights that depart Cairns Airport arrive at their destination on schedule.
To get to Cairns Airport from central Cairns, it'll take about 10 minutes if you're travelling by car. This depends on traffic though. It's approximately 6 kilometres from the airport to the city centre.
Expect a trip time of about 1 hour 25 minutes on public transport.
Looking for a convenient hotel near CNS? If you're catching an early flight from Cairns Airport to Canberra Airport, these stays will have you moments from your departure lounge:
Arriving at Canberra Airport (CBR)
If you're arriving on a late Cairns Airport to Canberra Airport flight, nothing tops the convenience of staying near the terminal. Grab your bags from the carousel and then be showered and sleeping shortly after at one of these options near CBR:
Get on the fast track to adventure by picking up a Canberra Airport rental car. Grab a set of wheels from Europcar, Sixt or Alamo to explore Canberra and beyond.
Secure the lowest price by booking your ride from Canberra Airport around one week in advance of your trip.
Getting from Canberra Airport (CBR) to central Canberra
Canberra Airport is approximately 8 kilometres from central Canberra. Driving there takes about 15 minutes.
It'll take around 1 hour 5 minutes to get there using public transport.
When to fly to Canberra Airport (CBR)
The quietest month for a flight from Cairns Airport to Canberra Airport is January, while February is the most popular. Choose the best time to go to Canberra based on whether you prefer a more fast-paced or easygoing experience.
The warmest month in Canberra is January, with temperatures ranging between 13ºC (55ºF) and 31ºC (88ºF). Book your flights from Cairns Airport to Canberra Airport in this month if this is the kind of weather you like.
Look for cheap tickets from CNS to CBR in July if you want to travel in cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest around then, ranging between 0ºC (32ºF) and 12ºC (54ºF) on average.
Explore more of Australia
Canberra is always a good idea, but there are so many other corners of Australia you'll want to see. Around 241 kilometres north-east of Canberra, a trip to Sydney will keep you busy. Start with attractions like Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge and Bondi Beach.
Around 467 kilometres south-west of Canberra, Melbourne is another favourite stop in Australia. Experience the best of this destination with a visit to Federation Square, National Gallery of Victoria and Eureka Skydeck 88.
