Brisbane to Cairns flights
Cairns lies 1,390 km (864 mi) north-west of Brisbane, in the same time zone. What the numbers say about getting there, and where to book.
A nonstop flight would take about 2 h 32 min gate to gate, based on the distance and typical cruise speed with taxi and climb allowed for; connecting itineraries add the layover on top.
| Brisbane | Cairns | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Australia | Australia |
| Population | 2.8 million | 153,075 |
| Elevation | 27 m (89 ft) | 7 m (23 ft) |
| Time now | UTC+10 (Australia/Brisbane) | UTC+10 (Australia/Brisbane) |
| Nearest large airport | BNE, 13 km out | CNS, 5 km out |
| Postal codes | 4000–9015 | 4870 |
Airports at each end
Leaving Brisbane
Brisbane is served by 3 airports with scheduled flights within 100 km. The closest large one is Brisbane International Airport (BNE), 13 km (8 mi) from the centre, whose 11,680-ft runway is long enough for long-haul wide-body aircraft. The alternatives are Gold Coast Airport (OOL, 91 km), Sunshine Coast Airport (MCY, 97 km).
Arriving in Cairns
Cairns is served by one airport with scheduled flights. The closest large one is Cairns International Airport (CNS), 5 km (3 mi) from the centre, whose 10,489-ft runway is long enough for long-haul wide-body aircraft.
| Airport | Code | From centre | Longest runway | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cairns International Airport | CNS | 5 km (3 mi) | 10,489 ft | 10 ft |
Book a flight to Cairns
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Staying in Cairns
Live rooms and prices for Cairns are in the search below.
Book a hotel in Cairns
Live rooms and prices from our booking partner, booked and paid for here. Free cancellation is marked where it applies.
Common questions
How far is Cairns from Brisbane?
1,390 km (864 mi) in a straight line, north-west of Brisbane.
How long does it take to get from Brisbane to Cairns by air?
About 2 h 32 min, estimated from distance and typical speeds for a nonstop flight. Timetables and traffic decide the real figure.
Is there a time difference between Brisbane and Cairns?
No, both are on Australia/Brisbane at the moment.
Which airports are used for Brisbane to Cairns flights?
Typically Brisbane International Airport (BNE) to Cairns International Airport (CNS).
Where these facts come from
- GeoNames (CC BY 4.0): population, elevation, time zone, postal codes
- Wikidata (CC0): area, sister cities, visitor numbers, heritage listings, stations and ports
- OurAirports (public domain): airports, runways
- Natural Earth (public domain): map outlines
Data compiled 14 September 2026. Hotel and hostel figures are from our booking partner’s catalogue on that date. Journey times on this page are estimates from distance, not timetables; check the operator before you rely on one.