Flying from Cairns Airport (CNS) to Mackay Airport (MKY): what you need to know
Around 1 hour 45 minutes is how long you can expect to be in the air on a direct flight from Cairns Airport to Mackay Airport.
Leave plenty of time to catch your CNS to MKY flight. A good rule of thumb is to arrive at least two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
Be prepared for bigger queues in popular months like July. Arriving up to four hours ahead of an international flight and two hours for domestic departures is a smart move.
Getting to Mackay (and then discovering more of Australia!) is a cinch with Skytrans Airlines. This popular carrier has direct flights from Cairns Airport to Mackay Airport.
The majority of travellers choose to travel with Skytrans Airlines on this route.
Pick a stopover if you prefer to break up your flight. Simply deselect 'Direct flights only' to see all your options for tickets from Cairns Airport to Mackay Airport. Townsville Airport is a popular stopover on the CNS to MKY route.
How to find the cheapest flights from Cairns Airport (CNS) to Mackay Airport (MKY)
The cheapest price we've seen for a one-way Cairns Airport to Mackay Airport flight is R 2,276. A return plane ticket is currently R 4,817. Depending on the availability when you book, these fares may change.
To get cheap tickets from CNS to MKY, reserve your journey 11 months ahead of your departure date.
The cheapest month for flights from Cairns Airport to Mackay Airport is October. Use the 'Whole month' tool to see the lowest prices if you have flexible travel dates.
There's no need to check every day to find out if fares have gone down when you set up a Price Alert. We'll send you an update the moment there's a better deal on cheap flights from CNS to MKY.
Tailor your flights using filters. Choose your departure and arrival times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort the results by 'Best,' 'Cheapest' or 'Fastest' flights from Cairns Airport to Mackay Airport.
Handy information about Cairns Airport (CNS)
When it comes to the on-time performance of Cairns Airport, 71.55% of flights stick to their scheduled arrival time.
To reach Cairns Airport from central Cairns, it takes around 10 minutes by car. Of course, this depends on traffic. It's approximately 6 kilometres from the airport to the city centre.
You can expect a journey time of about 1 hour 25 minutes on public transport.
Need a handy hotel near CNS? If you've booked an early flight from Cairns Airport to Mackay Airport, these accommodation options will put you moments from your check-in counter:
Arriving at Mackay Airport (MKY)
The last thing you want is a long trip to your hotel if you're getting in late on a Cairns Airport to Mackay Airport flight. Book one of these accommodation options near MKY instead:
Pick up a Mackay Airport rental car and explore Mackay and beyond with your own set of wheels. Thrifty, Avis and Budget are top outlets you can book with here.
Booking your vehicle from Mackay Airport about four weeks in advance increases your chances of getting a good deal.
Getting from Mackay Airport (MKY) to central Mackay
Mackay Airport to the centre of Mackay has a drive time of around 10 minutes. It's approximately 6 kilometres away.
Getting there on public transport typically takes 25 minutes.
When to fly to Mackay Airport (MKY)
It's time to plan your travel dates for your flight from Cairns Airport to Mackay Airport. April is the busiest month to head to Mackay. If you like a quieter vibe, go in February.
The warmest month in Mackay is January, with the temperature ranging between 23ºC (73ºF) and 29ºC (84ºF). Lock in your flights from Cairns Airport to Mackay Airport in this month if you enjoy this type of weather.
Look for cheap tickets from CNS to MKY in July if you'd rather travel during cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest around then, ranging between 15ºC (59ºF) and 22ºC (72ºF) on average.
Explore more of Australia
You've seen Mackay, now it's time to discover more of Australia. Travel about 322 kilometres north-west to Townsville to check off its popular sights. From The Strand Beach to Castle Hill and Big Mama Sailing- Magnetic Island & Townsville, there's plenty to keep you busy.
If you're eager to discover another corner of Australia, head for Rockhampton, about 290 kilometres south-east of Mackay. Dreamtime Cultural Centre, Rockhampton Zoo and Mount Archer National Park are among the biggest draws.