Rio de Janeiro to Cairns flights
Cairns lies 15,481 km (9,619 mi) south of Rio de Janeiro, +13 h on the clock. What the numbers say about getting there, and where to book.
A nonstop flight would take about 20 h 36 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.
| Rio de Janeiro | Cairns | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Brazil | Australia |
| Population | 6.7 million | 153,075 |
| Elevation | 12 m (39 ft) | 7 m (23 ft) |
| Time now | UTC-3 (America/Sao_Paulo) | UTC+10 (Australia/Brisbane) |
| Nearest large airport | SDU, 2 km out | CNS, 5 km out |
| Postal codes | 20000-000 | 4870 |
Clocks in Cairns are 13 h ahead of Rio de Janeiro right now, so a 20 h 36 min journey lands 33 h 36 min later by the destination clock.
What changes when you arrive in Cairns
Crossing from Brazil into Australia: money changes from the Real 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 Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro is served by 2 airports with scheduled flights within 100 km. The closest large one is Santos Dumont Airport (SDU), 2 km (1 mi) from the centre, with a longest runway of 4,341 ft, which limits it to short and medium-haul aircraft. The alternatives are Rio de Janeiro Galeão – Tom Jobim International Airport (GIG, 13 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 |
One end has no runway over 10,000 ft, so at 15,481 km (9,619 mi) this pair is unlikely to be flown nonstop by a wide-body; expect a connection.
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 Rio de Janeiro?
15,481 km (9,619 mi) in a straight line, south of Rio de Janeiro.
How long does it take to get from Rio de Janeiro to Cairns by air?
About 20 h 36 min, estimated from distance and typical speeds for a nonstop flight. Timetables and traffic decide the real figure.
Is there a time difference between Rio de Janeiro and Cairns?
Cairns is 13 h ahead at the moment (Australia/Brisbane against America/Sao_Paulo).
Which airports are used for Rio de Janeiro to Cairns flights?
Typically Santos Dumont Airport (SDU) 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.