Cheap Flights from Cairns (CNS) to Sunshine Coast (MCY)

Compare Cairns to Sunshine Coast flight deals

Find the cheapest month or even day of the year to fly to Sunshine Coast

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Flight deals from Cairns to Sunshine Coast

Looking for a cheap last-minute deal or the best return flight from Cairns Airport to Sunshine Coast Airport? If you want to travel next month, return fares start from $278. Find the lowest prices on one-way and return tickets right here.

Find the cheapest month to fly from Cairns to Sunshine Coast

We’re always keeping an eye on fares, so you can find the best one in seconds. It looks like Cairns to Sunshine Coast flights are currently cheapest in January.

Direct flights from Cairns to Sunshine Coast

Cairns to Sunshine Coast: Alternative routes

Compare routes from Cairns to Sunshine Coast below. You may find an airport to fly into that's cheaper, faster, or easier than Sunshine Coast.

Cairns to Sunshine Coast: Flight information

The things to know before you go.
Cheapest flight found$195
Cheapest month to flyJanuary
Average flight time2 hrs, 4 mins
Most popular airlineQantas
Average flights per week7

Finding cheap flights from Cairns to Sunshine Coast: Frequently asked questions

The best price we found for a return flight from Cairns to Sunshine Coast is $195. This is an estimate based on information collected from different airlines and travel providers over the last 4 days and is subject to change and availability.
2 hours and 4 minutes is the average flight time from Cairns to Sunshine Coast.
Qantas and Jetstar fly direct from Cairns to Sunshine Coast.
As of July 2026, there are 7 flights per week flying from Cairns to Sunshine Coast.
The cheapest month to fly from Cairns to Sunshine Coast is usually January.
After crunching the numbers on our flight calendar, we found that it's currently cheapest to fly from Cairns Airport to Sunshine Coast Airport on Friday, 8 January 2027.
Yes – the average flight time is 2 hours and 4 minutes.
We show every price from over 1,200 airlines and travel agents, comparing them all so you don’t have to. If you know you want to fly to Sunshine Coast but you’re not ready to book, set up a Price Alert. We’ll track prices for you, and let you know when they rise or fall.

We crunched all the numbers in our flight calendar and it looks like the cheapest time to book a flight to Sunshine Coast is around 40 days in advance, so don’t leave your flight to the last minute.

Currently, Jetstar offers the cheapest flight tickets to Sunshine Coast.

Travelling from Cairns Airport (CNS) to Sunshine Coast Airport (MCY): what you need to know

  • Around 2 hours is how long you can expect to be travelling on a direct flight from Cairns Airport to Sunshine Coast Airport.

  • Cairns and Sunshine Coast share the UTC+10 timezone. That means you won't need to account for any time differences.

  • Take your pick of three weekly Cairns Airport to Sunshine Coast Airport flights. The 12:00 departure with Jetstar is the earliest flight you can take. Jetstar operates the latest service of the day at 15:50.

  • Arrive at the airport on time so you don't miss your CNS to MCY flight. Be there at least two hours ahead for international flights and an hour early for domestic departures to avoid sprinting to your gate.

  • During popular months such as July, you'll want to get to the airport earlier than usual. Arrive two hours before domestic departures and four hours ahead of international flights whenever you're flying during a peak period in general.

  • Flying into Sunshine Coast (and then exploring more of Australia!) is a breeze with Jetstar. This popular carrier has direct flights from Cairns Airport to Sunshine Coast Airport.

  • Jetstar is the airline with the highest passenger demand for this route.

  • The carrier with the most consistent on-time arrival rate for CNS to MCY flights is Jetstar.

  • We make it a breeze to book a flight with a stopover. To see your options for tickets from Cairns Airport to Sunshine Coast Airport, deselect 'Direct flights only.' Then, pick a flight that has a stop long enough to tour your chosen city. Some great stopovers between CNS and MCY include:

    • Sydney Airport

    • Melbourne Tullamarine Airport

    • Adelaide Airport

How to find the cheapest flights from Cairns Airport (CNS) to Sunshine Coast Airport (MCY)

  • The lowest price we've seen for a one-way Cairns Airport to Sunshine Coast Airport flight is $80. A round-trip ticket is currently $195. Depending on the availability and when you book, these fares could change.

  • To pick up cheap tickets from CNS to MCY, book as early as you can. Airlines usually offer the most competitive fares when flights are first made available.

  • The cheapest month for flights from Cairns Airport to Sunshine Coast Airport is May. Use the 'Whole month' tool to see the lowest prices if you have flexible travel dates.

  • Stay on top of deals for cheap flights from CNS to MCY by creating a Price Alert. We'll send you an email or notification on the app when a new discounted fare appears.

  • Secure the ideal flight for you with the help of the filters. To see the 'Fastest,' 'Cheapest' or 'Best' flights from Cairns Airport to Sunshine Coast Airport, use the 'Sort by' function. You can also filter by departure and arrival times, airline, and number of stops.

Handy information about Cairns Airport (CNS)

  • When it comes to the on-time performance of Cairns Airport, 74% of flights meet their scheduled arrival time.

  • To get to Cairns Airport from central Cairns, it'll take around 15 minutes if you're travelling by car. Of course, this depends on traffic conditions. It's approximately 6 kilometres from the airport to the city centre.

  • The trip when using public transport takes roughly 25 minutes.

  • Get your journey off to a stress-free start by staying near CNS. Whether you're catching an early flight from Cairns Airport to Sunshine Coast Airport or just don't like being rushed, these hotels are ideal:

Arriving at Sunshine Coast Airport (MCY)

  • If you're landing on a late Cairns Airport to Sunshine Coast Airport flight, few things top the convenience of being near the terminal. Collect your bags from the carousel and then be showered and resting shortly after at one of these accommodation options near MCY:

  • Grab a Sunshine Coast Airport rental car and discover Sunshine Coast and beyond with your own set of wheels. Bargain Car Rentals, Apex and East Coast are leading providers to choose from here.

  • Lock in the best rate by booking your ride from Sunshine Coast Airport about one week before your departure date.

Getting from Sunshine Coast Airport (MCY) to central Sunshine Coast

  • Sunshine Coast Airport is approximately 14 kilometres from central Sunshine Coast. Driving there takes about 20 minutes.

  • If you're travelling on public transport, expect a journey time of around 40 minutes.

When to fly to Sunshine Coast Airport (MCY)

  • The quietest month for a flight from Cairns Airport to Sunshine Coast Airport is March, while January is the busiest. Choose the best time to visit Sunshine Coast based on whether you prefer a more relaxed vibe or a faster pace.

  • The warmest month in Sunshine Coast is January, with the temperature ranging between 20ºC (68ºF) and 28ºC (82ºF). Book your flights from Cairns Airport to Sunshine Coast Airport in this month if you enjoy this type of weather.

  • Look for cheap tickets from CNS to MCY in July if you'd rather travel during cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest around then, ranging between 11ºC (52ºF) and 21ºC (70ºF) on average.

Explore more of Australia

  • You've done Sunshine Coast, now it's time to discover other parts of Australia. Travel about 113 kilometres south to Brisbane to check off its must-visit sights. From Gallery of Modern Art to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary and South Bank Beach, there's plenty to keep you on the go.

  • If you're interested in discovering another major stop in Australia, consider Gold Coast, about 177 kilometres south of Sunshine Coast. SkyPoint Observation Deck, Pelican Beach and Burleigh Head National Park are among the biggest draws.

Prices shown on this page are estimated lowest prices only. Found in the last 12 days.