Port Moresby to Cairns flights
Cairns lies 841 km (523 mi) south of Port Moresby, in the same time zone. What the numbers say about getting there, and where to book.
A nonstop flight would take about 1 h 50 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.
| Port Moresby | Cairns | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Papua New Guinea | Australia |
| Population | 283,733 | 153,075 |
| Elevation | 25 m (82 ft) | 7 m (23 ft) |
| Time now | UTC+10 (Pacific/Port_Moresby) | UTC+10 (Australia/Brisbane) |
| Nearest large airport | POM, 8 km out | CNS, 5 km out |
What changes when you arrive in Cairns
Crossing from Papua New Guinea into Australia: money changes from the Kina to the Dollar (AUD); the dialling code becomes +61; the emergency number is http://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q2806478.
Airports at each end
Leaving Port Moresby
Port Moresby is served by one airport with scheduled flights. The closest large one is Port Moresby Jacksons International Airport (POM), 8 km (5 mi) from the centre, with a longest runway of 9,022 ft, which limits it to short and medium-haul aircraft.
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
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Common questions
How far is Cairns from Port Moresby?
841 km (523 mi) in a straight line, south of Port Moresby.
How long does it take to get from Port Moresby to Cairns by air?
About 1 h 50 min, estimated from distance and typical speeds for a nonstop flight. Timetables and traffic decide the real figure.
Is there a time difference between Port Moresby and Cairns?
No, both are on the same offset at the moment.
Which airports are used for Port Moresby to Cairns flights?
Typically Port Moresby Jacksons International Airport (POM) 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.