Cairns Flights

  New qconnect timetables.
by tropicrd
 
  • New qconnect timetables.
      New qconnect timetables.
    by tropicrd
  • Formerly 1C,1D,1H.
      Formerly 1C,1D,1H.
    by tropicrd
  • Translation and interpreting service
      Translation and interpreting service
    by tropicrd
  • Easy to read timetables and routes.
      Easy to read timetables and routes.
    by tropicrd
  • On our way down south 23 klms from Cairns
      On our way down south 23 klms from...
    by tropicrd
 

12 Flight Reviews

Fly to Cairns!
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3.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

ettiewyn 1028 reviews
Taking off from Cairns
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Cairns has its own international airport, although it's not serviced by most big airlines. The main international airlines going directly to Cairns are Qantas and Cathay Pacific. If you chose another airline, it might be a good idea to book a flight to Melbourne or Sydney and take a seperate domectic flight to Cairns. Domestic flights are very frequent, f.ex. by Qantas, Virgin Blue, JetStar etc.

From the airport, a taxi to town is not too expensive, but there are also shuttle services that you can book in advance.

For shuttle services, have a look at:

www.sunpalmtransport.com

www.portdouglasbus.com

www.coralreefcoaches.com

www.krystaltransport.com.au

www.tnqshuttle.com

Updated Sep 9, 2011

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Cairns International Airport
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ATXtraveler 2030 reviews

The first entry point on your trip to Cairns will most likely be the airport. As Cairns is located in Tropical North Queensland, you must be ready for a couple day drive if you are not going to arrive via airplane.

Cairns International Airport has two terminals, one for domestic and one for international. The domestic terminal includes Qantas, Virgin Blue, and Jetstar. The international terminal services Qantas, Australian Airlines, JAL, Air Nuigini, Air New Zealand, Cathay Pacific, and continental Micronesia.

One thing to watch out for is that since Qantas services both domestic and international itineraries, that you make sure you find out which one you are departing from, as you may be in the wrong place with all your baggage otherwise!

Updated Apr 4, 2011

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Flights from Singapore to Cairns (direct flight)
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xuessium 1418 reviews

This is a monopoly. Only 1 airline flies this route.

The journey is about 5.5 hours and the airline used to be Australian Airlines.

Qantas has announced in that they have plans to phase out Australian Airlines in order to focus their resources on Jetstar and Jetstar Asia.

JETSTAR now flies between Singapore and Cairns directly.

Updated Apr 4, 2011

Related to:
 Business Travel
 Budget Travel
 Backpacking

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Virgin Blue Airlines
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Gypsygirl05 100 reviews

Virgin Blue Air provides reliable, relatively cheap transportation around Australia. I got some great deals with Virgin, and I never had issues with cancellations, delays, or anything similar. Highly recommended!

Updated Jan 10, 2011

Website: http://www.virginblue.com.au/index.htm

Related to:
 Family Travel
 Budget Travel

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Flying into Cairns
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aussirose 1045 reviews
Flying into Cairns over the reef



If coming from overseas, more than likely you will fly into Cairns from another large city as Cairns does not have many international flights. My advise is to have a look at www.flightcentre.com.au to compare prices. Quantas can be expensive and the alternate airlines like Virgin Blue and JetStar often have good specials.

I flew via Quantas as it was the only airline available for a direct flight from Hamilton Island on the Whitsundays. The view of the reef as you come in for a landing is lovely and not to be missed!

Written Nov 7, 2009

Website: www.flightcentre.com.au

Related to:
 Photography
 Adventure Travel
 Beaches

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Getting to Cairns
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sue_stone 2318 reviews
It's always warm in Cairns

Cairns is located in Far North Queensland and is a long away drive from any of the major cities, hence most people arrive by plane. The airport has been expanded recently and is now the 5th busiest airport in the country for international arrivals and the 6th busiest airport overall in Australia.

There are several domestic flights a day to Cairns from each of Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, with fewer from other centres such as Perth and Darwin. International flights arrive directly into Cairns from places like Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong and Papua New Guinea.

Once you arrive in Cairns, you can catch an airport shuttle bus into town, or up to one of the northern beaches (including Port Douglas). Many people hire a car from the airport, as you will really need one to explore this part of Queensland.

Written Jun 1, 2007

Website: http://www.cairnsairport.com/

Related to:
 Beaches
 Family Travel

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Cairns Airport
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vtveen 1468 reviews
Cairns Airport

Arrival
The domestic terminal in Cairns is rather small and we had no problems getting our luggage. There is an ATM and Currency Exchange in the arrival hall and also desks of the main car rental companies.
For transportation to Cairns or your accommodation there are two possibilities:
- a shuttle bus, servicing the city centre and the hotels (AUD 8,- per person);
- taxi’s to your accommodation (the fare to the city is about AUD 15,-). We had to take a taxi, because our accommodation was quite outside the city centre and could pay with a credit card.

Departure
After check-in and customs the domestic terminal has a departure lounge, where passengers for all airlines have to wait till their plane is leaving. This lounge has several shops (for your last shopping), a news agent and some food outlets.

Updated Nov 27, 2006

Website: www.cairnsport.com.au

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Qantas/ Jetstar - don't miss your flight
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vtveen 1468 reviews
arriving in Cairns

We were arriving in Cairns from New Zealand (part of our around the world trip) and had to change flights (and company) in Brisbane. Just a warning to be sure you don’t miss your connecting flight to Cairns (the same may happen if you enter Australia in another airport and have to change from international to a domestic flight).

In our case we were entering Australia in Brisbane, had to pick up our luggage and to pass customs (passport and luggage) and Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (to prevent the entry into Australia of exotic pests, diseases and weeds). Both checks were very time-consuming.
In Brisbane are two terminals, which are located on quite a large distance from each other. There is an ‘Airtrain Service’, but it is running just every 15 minutes. Because we were running out of time we had to take a taxi and could catch our plane just a couple of minutes before the check-in desk closed.

Be aware and be sure you have enough time between your flights. In Brisbane you need at least two hours !!!

Written Nov 27, 2006

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Virgin Blue
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Marpessa 535 reviews
Cairns Airport - Virgin Blue plane

To get to Cairns I flew with Virgin Blue airlines. They have very cheap and competitive flights. If you want anything to eat or drink on the flight you have to pay for it (and headphones if you want to listen to music - good music channels too, plus a great comedy station), but the prices are reasonable.

The best thing about flying with Virgin Blue was the staff, they were fun and friendly... especially when it was announced our co-pilot was 'Ben Dover' (aka bend over... get it?)

Written Dec 27, 2004

Website: www.virginblue.com.au

Related to:
 Family Travel
 Budget Travel
 Backpacking

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Virgin Blue, the cheap alternative to Qantas
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coolbananas 68 reviews

Virgin Blue has entered the Australian market a couple of years ago and is a serious competitor for Qantas, Australia's number one airline.

By booking in advance you can get a good price to Cairns coming from all kinds of destinations.

It's the same concept as Easyjet in Europe: no free food and drinks on board.

Written Mar 12, 2003

Website: www.virginblue.com.au

Related to:
 Budget Travel

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Top 3 Hotels in Cairns

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 Virgin Blue has entered the Australian market a couple of years ago and is a serious competitor for Qantas, Australia's number one airline.By booking in advance... 

121 members live in Cairns

 

Questions and Answers

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Q:  Hi, I have loved reading lots of posts for lots of travelers. I just wonder what those of you would do if you were us, we will... 

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A: We holiday in that area every year. You'll love it. A couple of things to be aware of. Your days before the conference are in the Southern States school holidays so it... 

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Top Cairns Writers

1

Cairns QLD more than a tourist city.

tropicrd profile photo

 Hello and welcome to Cairns. Some people say to use Cairns as a gateway to the Far North but I must disagree with them. Cairns has so much to offer visitors who don't want to travel to far from the...... 

2

My Australian Home

ettiewyn profile photo

 Welcome to my page about the town in the world that I love the most :-) On my first trip to Australia in 2006/07 I spent about two weeks here. I worked on a cattle station in Cape York and had to... 

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CAIRNS (PAGES UNDER CONSTRUCTION)

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Cairns - gateway to Far North Queensland

sue_stone profile photo

 I need to confess something up front - I am not that keen on Cairns. It is a bit touristy for me. But that said, some of the places surrounding Cairns are great! Cairns is a good base for exploring... 

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Cairns - A Land of Contrast

aussirose profile photo

 Cairns - Why a land of contrast? Do you want to see the Great Barrier Reef? ....snorkle, scuba dive, check out the coral and colourful marine life?... etc.... then Cairns is your place. Do you love... 

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