What percentage of Mackay to Cairns flights are direct?

In the trailing 90 days, approximately 40% of flights from Mackay to Cairns were direct. This means that a significant portion of travelers on this route will typically have at least one stopover. For flights that include connections, the median number of stopovers was 1. Travelers seeking direct routes should consider this percentage when planning their journey.

How many hours is the flight from Mackay to Cairns?

The direct flight from Mackay to Cairns typically takes 2 hours and 25 minutes. This corresponds to a median duration of 145 minutes for non-stop journeys. For flights with one stop, the median travel time is considerably longer, averaging 4 hours and 50 minutes, or 290 minutes. The distance between the two cities is 598 kilometers.

How often do Mackay to Cairns flight prices drop?

Historically, flight prices for the Mackay to Cairns route have been observed to drop frequently. This suggests that travelers may have regular opportunities to find deals on this route. The frequent price drops were noted across the trailing 30 days, indicating a consistent pattern of price fluctuations. This route is considered to have frequent price changes.

Flights From Mackay

To Cairns

Cheap Flights from Mackay to Cairns

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Mackay

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Prices updated 2 days ago

405 airlines compared

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Fares are subject to change and may not be available for all dates. (Data last updated Jul 26, 2026.)

Today’s best flight deals from Mackay to Cairns

Explore current cheapest deals departing from Mackay to Cairns

2027-01-07 – 2027-01-19
MKY - Cairns
42% AI deal score
A$432
A$396
Round trip
2027-01-08 – 2027-01-21
MKY - Cairns
42% AI deal score
A$431
A$396
Round trip
2027-01-19 – 2027-01-21
MKY - Cairns
44% AI deal score
A$454
A$396
Round trip
2027-01-11 – 2027-01-21
MKY - Cairns
43% AI deal score
A$440
A$396
Round trip
2027-01-05 – 2027-01-23
MKY - Cairns
41% AI deal score
A$420
A$396
Round trip
2027-01-15 – 2027-01-19
MKY - Cairns
44% AI deal score
A$455
A$396
Round trip
2027-01-06 – 2027-01-22
MKY - Cairns
42% AI deal score
A$427
A$396
Round trip
2027-01-08 – 2027-01-14
MKY - Cairns
45% AI deal score
A$459
A$396
Round trip
2027-01-08 – 2027-01-15
MKY - Cairns
45% AI deal score
A$459
A$396
Round trip
2027-01-17 – 2027-01-23
MKY - Cairns
45% AI deal score
A$463
A$396
Round trip

Mackay to Cairns: Overview

Insights for flights from Mackay to Cairns

For travelers looking for cheap flights from Mackay to Cairns, October stands out as the most affordable month, with a median fare of just $135. September also offers competitive pricing, with a median fare of $143. Following these, November presents a median fare of $181, making these three months the best times to find lower prices.

Fares for flights from Mackay to Cairns typically range from $181 to $321, with a median price of $236. Right now, current fares are significantly above the typical level for this route. Approximately 35% of recent fares have been classified as a good price, indicating that opportunities for savings do arise.

When flying from Mackay to Cairns, most itineraries connect at least once, with only 40% of recent fares being non-stop. For connecting flights, the typical number of stopovers is one. This means you should factor in a connection when planning your journey.

A typical journey from Mackay to Cairns, including connections, takes approximately 2h 25m. This duration accounts for both direct and connecting itineraries, providing a realistic expectation for your travel time.

The distance between Mackay and Cairns is 598 kilometers, classifying this as a short-haul flight. This short distance contributes to the relatively quick travel times, even with potential connections.

How much is a round trip from Mackay to Cairns

Regular price: A$348 - A$865

Prices for flights from Mackay to Cairns are currently within the regular range.

The regular price range for flights from Mackay to Cairns is AUD 348 to AUD 865. The current lowest deal is AUD 386 with Jetstar, for travel from Aug 17-Sep 9.

now A$386

Low A$348

High A$865

The cheapest time to fly from Mackay to Cairns

The cheapest month to fly from MKY to CNS is September, with a median price of $140. The most expensive month is February, with a median price of $484. Prices are generally lower from April to November.

September

Cheapest

Flights from A$140

February

Most Expensive

Flights from A$484

Jan

Feb

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Direct flights from Mackay to Cairns

Virgin Australia Regional Airlines

QantasLink

Jetstar

Last-minute flights going from Mackay to Cairns

Sun, Aug 2

⌛ Last-Minute

MKY - Cairns

Mackay (MKY) - Cairns (CNS)

QantasLink

A$646

A$823

One-way

Sun, Aug 2

⌛ Last-Minute

MKY - Cairns

Mackay (MKY) - Cairns (CNS)

QantasLink

A$643

A$831

One-way

Mon, Aug 3

⌛ Last-Minute

MKY - Cairns

Mackay (MKY) - Cairns (CNS)

QantasLink

A$500

A$809

One-way

Tue, Aug 4

⌛ Last-Minute

MKY - Cairns

Mackay (MKY) - Cairns (CNS)

QantasLink

A$631

A$830

One-way

Tue, Aug 4

⌛ Last-Minute

MKY - Cairns

Mackay (MKY) - Cairns (CNS)

QantasLink

A$643

A$831

One-way

Wed, Aug 5

⌛ Last-Minute

MKY - Cairns

Mackay (MKY) - Cairns (CNS)

QantasLink

A$616

A$831

One-way

Biggest price drops on these dates for flights from Mackay to Cairns

2 nights

Sep 7 - Sep 9

A$553 → A$386

30%

3 nights

Sep 7 - Sep 10

A$554 → A$399

28%

2 nights

Sep 8 - Sep 10

A$553 → A$421

24%

2 nights

Sep 11 - Sep 13

A$553 → A$434

22%

Popular Airports to fly from Mackay to Cairns

Mackay - Cairns route insights

💸 Price insights

Recent fares are above the typical level

Recent fares from Mackay to Cairns are above the typical level at $386.

📅 Best time to fly

Fly in September for the best prices

Historically, September is the cheapest month to fly, with a median price of $140.

⏱️ Flight duration

Direct flights take 2h 25m

The typical direct flight from Mackay to Cairns takes 2h 25m.

✈️ Airlines & availability

Connecting flights are common

Connecting flights are more common, with a median of 1 stopover.

🏆 Airline highlight

Virgin Australia Regional Airlines offers direct flights

Virgin Australia Regional Airlines has offered 48 direct deals recently.

🎯 Booking tip

Deals appear frequently

Deals for flights from Mackay to Cairns appear frequently, typically every 30 days.

Mackay main airports to depart from

Mackay (MKY)

Cheapest

Mackay Airport is a convenient option for flights from Mackay to Cairns.

📍 ~3 km from city center (reachable by car)

💸 Flights from ~A$406

Cairns main airports to arrive at

Cairns (CNS)

Cheapest

Cairns Airport is a convenient arrival choice for flights from Mackay to Cairns.

📍 ~5 km from city center (reachable by car)

💸 Flights from ~A$406

Airports nearby Cairns used as alternative

Townsville (TSV)

Cheapest

Townsville Airport is a useful alternative with frequent jet services to major Australian hubs.

📍 ~350 km from Cairns (approximately 4-5 hours drive)

💸 Flights from ~A$452

Business & First Class Flight Deals to Cairns

68% AI deal score

$1,378

$847

Save $531

Frequently Asked Questions About Flights to Cairns

Historically, the lowest average prices for flights from Mackay to Cairns are found when booking 28-59 days in advance. During this period, the average price was $242. Booking within 0-6 days of departure typically sees prices around $246, while booking 7-13 days out averages $253. Even booking more than 60 days in advance usually results in a slightly higher average price of $245, suggesting that the optimal window is closer to the departure date.

Across the trailing quarter, a good price for a flight from Mackay to Cairns was considered to be $181 or less. The median price for this route during the same period was $236. Prices can vary, with 75% of observed deals being $321 or less. Travelers aiming for the best value should target prices at or below the $181 threshold.

Historically, the cheapest months to fly from Mackay to Cairns are October and September. In October, the median price was $135, and in September, it was $143. November also offered competitive prices, with a median of $181. The annual median price for this route across the trailing 270 days was $236, indicating that these months offer significant savings compared to the yearly average.

Related routes

More routes from Mackay

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Flights to Cairns from other cities

Flights from Adelaide to Cairns Flights from Gold Coast to Cairns Flights from Newcastle upon Tyne to Cairns Flights from Pensacola to Cairns Flights from Perth to Cairns Flights from Port Moresby to Cairns Flights from Richmond to Cairns Flights from Rockhampton to Cairns Flights from Sydney to Cairns Flights from Townsville to Cairns Flights from Weipa to Cairns Flights from Wellington to Cairns

Mackay to Cairns: Overview

Insights for flights from Mackay to Cairns

How much is a round trip from Mackay to Cairns

Regular price: A$348 - A$865

Prices for flights from Mackay to Cairns are currently within the regular range.

The regular price range for flights from Mackay to Cairns is AUD 348 to AUD 865. The current lowest deal is AUD 386 with Jetstar, for travel from Aug 17-Sep 9.

now A$386

Low A$348

High A$865

The cheapest time to fly from Mackay to Cairns

September

Cheapest

Flights from A$140

February

Most Expensive

Flights from A$484

Jan

Feb

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec