Chengdu to Cairns flights
Cairns lies 6,920 km (4,300 mi) south-east of Chengdu, +2 h on the clock. What the numbers say about getting there, and where to book.
A nonstop flight would take about 9 h 37 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.
| Chengdu | Cairns | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | China | Australia |
| Population | 20.9 million | 153,075 |
| Elevation | 499 m (1,637 ft) | 7 m (23 ft) |
| Time now | UTC+8 (Asia/Shanghai) | UTC+10 (Australia/Brisbane) |
| Nearest large airport | CTU, 17 km out | CNS, 5 km out |
| Postal codes | 610000 | 4870 |
Clocks in Cairns are 2 h ahead of Chengdu right now, so a 9 h 37 min journey lands 11 h 37 min later by the destination clock.
What changes when you arrive in Cairns
Crossing from China into Australia: money changes from the Yuan Renminbi to the Dollar (AUD); traffic switches to the left; sockets are AS/NZS 3112; the dialling code becomes +61; the emergency number is http://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q2806478.
Airports at each end
Leaving Chengdu
Chengdu is served by 2 airports with scheduled flights within 100 km. The closest large one is Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (CTU), 17 km (11 mi) from the centre, whose 11,811-ft runway is long enough for long-haul wide-body aircraft. The alternatives are Chengdu Tianfu International Airport (TFU, 53 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 Chengdu?
6,920 km (4,300 mi) in a straight line, south-east of Chengdu.
How long does it take to get from Chengdu to Cairns by air?
About 9 h 37 min, estimated from distance and typical speeds for a nonstop flight. Timetables and traffic decide the real figure.
Is there a time difference between Chengdu and Cairns?
Cairns is 2 h ahead at the moment (Australia/Brisbane against Asia/Shanghai).
Which airports are used for Chengdu to Cairns flights?
Typically Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (CTU) to Cairns International Airport (CNS).
What currency do I need in Cairns?
The Dollar (AUD).
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.