Flights from San Francisco to Cairns
Pick a departure date to see flights and seller prices
We search agencies and airlines for your day: nonstop and connecting flights, baggage, departure and arrival times.
Where to connect
Options with one connection, fastest first
- fastest, via Brisbane
- 19h 45m
- two tickets, via Tokyo
- $599
- connection options
- 5
- straight-line distance
- 7,024 mi (11,304 km)
fastest
Via Brisbane
Australia
19h 45m
with the connection
two ticketsfrom $1,364
Via Sydney
Australia
21h 18m
with the connection
two ticketsfrom $1,339
Via Auckland
New Zealand
21h 30m
with the connection
Via Tokyo
Japan
21h 40m
with the connection
San Francisco to Tokyo
flight 11h 15m
Connection of about 3h
Arrival: Haneda, Narita International. Departure to Cairns: Narita International.
Tokyo to Cairns
flight 7h 25m
two ticketsfrom $599
Via Melbourne
Australia
22h 20m
with the connection
two ticketsfrom $1,252
One ticket or two
How the options are calculated and what to keep in mind at the connection
Flight times come from the nonstop schedule (estimated from the distance where there is no schedule), with 3h allowed for the connection. The price of an option is the sum of the lowest known fares for each leg; their dates may not match, so treat it as a guide. The search shows tickets for your dates, including connections on a single ticket.
Nearest nonstop flights
The closest you can get without a connection
From San Francisco to cities closest to Cairns
San Francisco to Brisbane
Brisbane: 864 mi (1,390 km) from Cairns, flight 14h 20m
from $923
San Francisco to Sydney
Sydney: 1,219 mi (1,961 km) from Cairns, flight 15h 13m
from $662
San Francisco to Melbourne
Melbourne: 1,445 mi (2,325 km) from Cairns, flight 15h 55m
from $590
San Francisco to Nadi
Nadi: 2,087 mi (3,359 km) from Cairns, flight 11h 35m
from $435
San Francisco to Auckland
Auckland: 2,239 mi (3,604 km) from Cairns, flight 12h 55m
San Francisco to Manila
Manila: 2,757 mi (4,437 km) from Cairns, flight 14h 55m
from $359
To Cairns from cities closest to San Francisco
Tokyo to Cairns
Tokyo: 5,142 mi (8,275 km) from San Francisco, flight 7h 25m
from $249
Osaka to Cairns
Osaka: 5,370 mi (8,642 km) from San Francisco, flight 7h 15m
Auckland to Cairns
Auckland: 6,529 mi (10,508 km) from San Francisco, flight 5h 35m
from $295
Port Moresby to Cairns
Port Moresby: 6,639 mi (10,684 km) from San Francisco, flight 1h 30m
from $167
Rockhampton to Cairns
Rockhampton: 7,040 mi (11,329 km) from San Francisco, flight 3h 45m
from $217
Townsville to Cairns
Townsville: 7,064 mi (11,368 km) from San Francisco, flight 2h
from $123
Frequently asked questions
Is there a nonstop flight from San Francisco to Cairns?
There are no nonstop flights in the schedule. You will need a connection, the fastest is via Brisbane.
What is the fastest way to fly from San Francisco to Cairns?
Via Brisbane: 14h 20m to the connection, 2h 25m after it, about 19h 45m in total with 3h for the connection.
How much does a flight from San Francisco to Cairns with a connection cost?
Two nonstop tickets via Tokyo from $599. This is the sum of the lowest known prices for each leg, and their dates may not match.
Which cities can you connect in between San Francisco and Cairns?
Brisbane (19h 45m total), Sydney (21h 18m total), Auckland (21h 30m total), Tokyo (21h 40m total) and Melbourne (22h 20m total).
How far is Cairns from San Francisco?
7,024 mi (11,304 km) in a straight line between the cities.
How much time should I allow for the connection?
The options allow 3h. On a single ticket the carrier is responsible for the connection; on separate tickets you set the margin yourself, allowing time to collect and re-check your bags.