Cheap Cairns to Brisbane flights (CNS to BNE)

Arriving at Brisbane Airport

Brisbane CBD and inner-city precincts are approximately 12 kilometres from Brisbane Domestic Airport. The most value friendly and the easiest commute option to Brisbane CBD is via Airtrain, a 20-minute journey. You can either tap on with a Queensland Translink go card (if you have one), or pre-book your Airtrain ticket online.

You will arrive into Brisbane’s Domestic Airport, from there exit the terminal and follow the signs to the various and convenient transport services.

Transfer times and cost guide (to Brisbane City)

• Taxi and rideshare: approx. $45-$55 - 20mins
• Shuttle bus: approx. $15 – 20mins
• Airtrain: 20mins – approx. $15-$19.50 per adult (children 5-14 years inclusive travel free to the CBD with a paying adult)

Read more in our Brisbane Airport Guide.

Departing from Cairns Airport

Cairns Airport, located a close 6.5 kilometres from central Cairns, is best reached by taxi and rideshare services.

Alternatively, self-drive to Cairns Airport and utilise the airport parking facilities.

The drive takes around 10 minutes from central Cairns in non-peak hour, a little longer in busier periods.

What time do you need to arrive at Cairns Airport?

If you’re planning to check in luggage we recommend that you plan to arrive at the airport 60 minutes prior to your flight time, with check-in 45 minutes prior departure. This should allow you enough spare time to grab a coffee or snack on your way to the departure gate, without feeling rushed.

Read more in our Cairns Airport Guide.

Brisbane Itinerary – What to do in a day?

Only have 24 hours in Brisbane? Here’s a handy guide so you can squeeze in lots of key Brisvegas attractions and things to do, without feeling like you’re a contender on The Amazing Race.

8.30am – Hotel check-in and coffee hit

Jump on the handy Airtrain service from Brisbane Airport through to Central Station, and after dropping off your bags at your hotel (we love W Hotel in the City and Fantauzzo Brisbane – Art Series at the fabulous Howard Smith Wharves), make tracks to Brew Café & Wine Bar in Lower Burnett Lane, for a coffee and danish, followed by a little retail fix.

10.00am – Visit to Museum of Brisbane (MOB)

Next up is a visit toMuseum of Brisbane (MoB) located in iconic Brisbane City Hall. This interesting museum brings Brisbane’s culture, history, and art to life through their fascinating and creative exhibitions and special events. Don’t miss the fun (and free) Clock Tower Tour.

11.30am – visit to GOMA

Continuing the culture fix, you’re a 15 minute walk (or uber ride away) to Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA) located in Southbank, home to over 1,700 global works of art. Catch both the changing and permanent collections, and if visiting over the summer months look out for the “Up Late” Friday night events featuring exhibitions alongside live music.

12.30pm – Lunch at ‘Chu the Phat’

Time for lunch - today’s treat is at the fabulous Chu the Phat, an Asian eatery located in the street-art lined Fish Lane Predinct. So many incredible dishes to choose from, we simply love ‘Nanna Anna’s Chili Chicken’.

2pm – South Bank and City Botanic Gardens

Next up is a visit to South Bank precinct, to see The Wheel of Brisbane, walk though Southbank Parklands, then continue across Victoria Bridge back into the City to explore City Botanic Gardens.

3pm – Story Bridge Adventure Climb

Get excited for your next Brisbane adventure, you’re booked in for the 2-hour Story Bridge Adventure Climb starting at 3.20pm. The climb is based at Kangaroo Point, so either walk there from the Botanic Gardens, or via taxi if the legs are getting weary.

5.30pm – Cocktails at Mr Percivals, Howard Smith Wharves

It’s officially cocktail hour, and you’re only a 2-minute walk to Brisbane’s hot-spot, Howard Smith Wharves. This once shipyard site now showcases warehouses brought back to life, grassy lawns, and stunning views of Story Bridge and Brisbane City as the sun goes down. Enjoy some pre-dinner-drinks at popular Mr Percivals.

7pm – Dinner at Howard Smith Wharves

Peel yourself away from the cocktails to make your way to dinner. One option isGreca Restaurant - a contemporary Green taverna, the alternative is Yoko Dining, for exquisite Japanese.

9.30pm – Nightcap at Suzie Wong’s Good Time Bar

The last fabulous stop for your Brisbane adventure day is a nightcap at Suzie Wong’s Good Time Bar in nearby Fortitude Valley. Step through a retro fridge (the entrance) to a fun, Hawaiian-themed bar, full of vintage posters and collectables.

Where to stay in Brisbane?

Brisbane offers a diverse range of accommodation to suit all budgets and styles, throughout the CBD, and the inner-city precincts – each with their own personality.

Brisbane CBD

Brisbane CBD is a great area to stay in with key Brisbane attractions all close by, such as City Botanical Gardens and Museum of Brisbane (MoB) - plus a great range of shopping. Our top pick is W Hotel, part of the Marriott hotel chain.

Fortitude Valley

For an outstanding café, dining, bars, and designer boutique scene we recommend a stay in chic Fortitude Valley (which is bordered by neighbouring suburbs – Teneriffe, Newstead, and New Farm). Fortitude Valley offers everything from hole-in-the-wall coffee joints to mega clubs, gin bars to breweries, artsy Palace Cinema to Brisbane Powerhouse – the happening place to stay with plenty of accommodation options. Our top picks are the central Sage Hotel and luxurious The Calile Hotel, both on James Street.

Southbank

If you want to stay in the heart of culture book a stay in Southbank. With Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA), Queensland Museum, and Queensland Performing Arts Complex (QPAC) all at your doorstep, plus home to The Wheel of Brisbane and Southbank Parklands, this area offers great dining, cafes and premier accommodation options like Emporium Hotel South Bank.

West End

For a community vibe ‘hippy’ feel, you can’t go past a stay in West End, just over 1.5 kilometres from the City, with its artsy neighbourhood feel with a great café and dining scene (particularly organic) and the fresh farmers markets - Davies Park Market, held every Saturday. It’s also home to a ‘gin school’ at Brisbane Distillery. There aren’t many accommodation options, so be sure to book in advance if you wish to stay in this eclectic area.

Explore More with Our Brisbane Travel Guide

When to visit Brisbane?

Brisbane offers a mild ‘sub-tropical’ climate with over 260 sunny days a year, making it the ultimate year-round destination, and not too dissimilar in feel to home in Cairns.

Travelling to Brisbane from Cairns during March to May (Autumn) is the most ideal as the season brings comfortable, sunny weather, and there is little rainfall.

Winter is spectacular in Brisbane. Lap up the clear blue-sky days, you’ll experience a pleasant winter featuring 22 degrees during the day (a little cooler however than what you normally experience in Cairns).

The summer months (December to February) can be humid, however most venues are air conditioned – and besides, you’re accustomed to it being from North Queensland, and perfect weather if you’re travelling to Brisbane for a beach holiday at nearby Gold Coast or Sunshine Coast.

What to pack for your trip to Brisbane?

Brisbane enjoys a warm sub-tropical temperature year-round, so pack light, breathable clothes. Similar to at Cairns, Brisbane is casual, so a mix of shorts, long pants, dresses and a light jacket should suffice for most of the year.

Bring comfortable shoes for your urban adventures, swimwear if planning on time at the beach, and of course, sunscreen.

Naturally if you’re a fashionista be sure to pack your hip outfits too, Brisbane has stepped up the ante in the fashion stakes.

Must Pack

• Summer: lightweight clothes, sunscreen, comfortable dresses for women, short- sleeved shirts for the men
• Autumn: a light jacket
• Winter: jeans, boots, short and long-sleeved tops, light to medium weight jackets
• Spring: a light jacket for cooler evenings