Cheap Flights to Cairns

These are the popular airlines that fly from the UK to Cairns:

• Qatar Airways (Doha)

• British Airways (Singapore)

• Qantas (Singapore)

• Etihad Airways (Abu Dhabi)

• KLM (Singapore)

• Singapore Airlines (Singapore)

• Emirates (Dubai)

There are no direct flights from the UK to Cairns, so most flights go through major international hubs like Singapore, Dubai, or Doha. From there, you will catch a flight to Cairns.

When planning this journey, you should check how long the layovers are and whether you’ll need to change terminals or collect your bags. Since there are no nonstop flights, make sure the timing works for you.

The total flight time from the UK to Cairns usually ranges between 24 and 30 hours. This depends on the airline you choose and how long the layovers are. You won’t find a nonstop route, so at least one connection is always required.

The fastest flights stop only once, usually in Singapore, and take about 25 hours. If you add another stop, the trip can stretch to nearly 30 hours.

British Airways does not operate flights directly to Cairns, but you can still book a journey. You’ll usually fly from London Heathrow to Singapore or Sydney with BA. After that, you continue to Cairns with another airline. Most of the time, Qantas handles the second leg of the journey. You should always check the booking details before confirming.

When flying to Cairns, your flight will land at Cairns Airport (CNS). This is the main airport that serves Cairns and the surrounding region in far north Queensland. If you are travelling from the UK, you will most likely connect through a bigger Australian city before arriving in Cairns. Sydney, Brisbane, and Melbourne are common options. After landing there, you take a short domestic flight to Cairns.

Cairns Airport is only about six kilometres from the city centre. Once you arrive, you can take a taxi or airport shuttle to your accommodation. The drive into town usually takes around 10 to 15 minutes.

Flights from the UK to Cairns can cost anywhere between £1,000 and £1,700 for a return economy ticket. If you’re looking for more comfort, premium economy starts from around £3,100. This class gives you extra space and better food, but it is still more affordable than business. Business class tickets usually cost between £5,300 and £6,500.

To get the best deal, try booking a few months in advance and avoid flying during peak travel times. Prices can also go up if your flight includes more than one stop, so it helps to compare routes before booking.

The best way to find cheap flights to Cairns is by using CheapFlightsFare. If you want help with your booking, call 020 8432 9595 from 9 in the morning until 6 in the evening. You can also send a message on WhatsApp using the same number from Monday to Saturday. Or email info@cheapflightsfare.uk if you prefer that.

No, you cannot travel to Cairns or any city in Australia without a visa if you are a British citizen. Most travellers from the UK use one of two visa types. The first is the eVisitor visa (subclass 651). It’s free and can be applied for online through the Australian Government website. The second is the Electronic Travel Authority (ETA, subclass 601). This one requires using the official AustralianETA app, which is available for download on your phone.

Both options let you stay in Australia for up to three months at a time.

The rainiest month in Cairns is February. At the Cairns Aero weather station, February typically receives around 437 millimetres of rain. During this time, you can expect frequent downpours and cloudy days. Tropical storms are also more common, and roads or tours may be affected. If you’re planning to visit in February, pack light clothing, but also bring waterproof gear.

For most travellers, 3 to 5 days in Cairns gives you enough time to explore the area properly. This depends on what you want to see and do. If your main goal is to visit the Great Barrier Reef, one full day is usually enough for a snorkelling or diving tour. Add another day for a trip to the Daintree Rainforest, where you can walk through the ancient forest.

You may also want a day for the Kuranda Scenic Railway and Skyrail, which offers stunning views and a relaxed pace. That gives you three full days already. If you want extra time to relax by the Esplanade or take a reef trip without rushing, aim for four or five days.

If you want dry weather and safer swimming conditions, it’s best to avoid Cairns during the wet season, which runs from January to March. This same period also overlaps with the marine stinger season. Box jellyfish and Irukandji are found in tropical waters from November to May, especially in shallow, coastal areas. These stings can be dangerous, so extra caution is needed if you plan to swim.

October is warm in Cairns, and daytime highs reach around 30 degrees Celsius, while nights stay fairly warm at about 21 degrees. Humidity also starts to rise in October. Around 3 pm, you can expect humidity levels to be close to 55 percent. This gives the air a slightly sticky feeling, but it’s not as intense as the months that follow.

You can swim in Cairns all year, but stinger season runs from November to May, and this makes swimming riskier. During this time, dangerous jellyfish such as box jellyfish and Irukandji are more likely to be found in the water near the coast.

That doesn’t mean you must avoid swimming, but you do need to be careful. Stick to netted beaches that are watched by lifeguards.

There are no direct flights from Manchester to Cairns, and all journeys include at least one stop. The fastest one-stop routes usually go through Singapore and have an airborne time of just over 21 hours. If you include layovers, your total travel time from Manchester to Cairns is likely to be between 24 and 30 hours. Some flights take even longer, depending on how long you wait between connections.

Yes, you can fly to Cairns from Birmingham, but not directly. When flying from Birmingham to Cairns, expect one or two layovers, typically in Doha, Dubai, Sydney, Brisbane, or Singapore. We also suggest comparing different airlines and connections before booking.

The best time to visit Cairns is from May to October because this period brings sunny weather. Many travellers say June to August is ideal, especially if you want to visit the Great Barrier Reef or the Daintree Rainforest without rain getting in the way.

If you prefer fewer crowds and don’t mind some rain, November to April can also be a good time. However, you should know that the wet season can cause travel delays.

If you’re looking for the lowest prices, the cheapest time to visit Cairns is usually during the wet season, outside of Australian school holidays. This means the months of November, February, and March often offer the best deals on flights and accommodation. Just be aware that marine stinger season also runs during these months, so you’ll need to take precautions when swimming.

To get the best value, it’s usually a good idea to book your flight to Cairns between 2 and 6 months in advance. This gives you access to more flight options and better prices, especially if you're travelling during peak periods like UK school holidays.

If you’re travelling in June, July, or August, booking earlier helps avoid high last-minute fares. Flights can fill quickly during these months because of the good weather in Cairns. Booking about 3 or 4 months ahead is often recommended.

When travelling from the UK to Cairns, you’ll need a few key documents ready before your flight.

The easiest way to get to Cairns is by booking your flight through CheapFlightsFare. We specialise in long-haul travel and help you find the most convenient routes at the lowest prices.

You can call us on 020 8432 9595 to speak to a real person. You can also reach out to us on WhatsApp using that same number from Monday to Saturday, between 9 AM and 6 PM UK time. If email is easier, just write to info@cheapflightsfare.uk.