Jetstar Japan Connection in Cairns

[Flyinfish]

Looking for some advice. A friend is flying Sydney to Narita and booked as 2 separate flights, Sydney to Cairns and Cairns to Narita. Same flight numbers as the direct Sydney to Narita flights, but will there be issues with luggage customs etc? I've done these flights before and I seem to remember everyone had to collect their bags in Cairns and take them to the international terminal to get through security customs etc. Rookie mistake

 

[Quickstatus]

There are no direct (non stop) SYD-NRT flights with JQ

All SYD-NRT flights on JQ have to transit through OOL or CNS. Sometimes a 3 flight option involving CNS and KIX

You are correct - JQ passengers transiting via OOL/CNS/KIX will have to pick up bags at each transit airport and recheck bags.

At CNS, Just follow the Green line and walk along the covered walkway from T2 Arrivals to T1 departures. Only takes a few minutes

Immigration formalities are done at CNS/OOL

 

[Flyinfish]

There are no direct (non stop) SYD-NRT flights with JQ

All SYD-NRT flights on JQ have to transit through OOL or CNS. Sometimes a 3 flight option involving CNS and KIX

You are correct - JQ passengers transiting via OOL/CNS/KIX will have to pick up bags at each transit airport and recheck bags.

At CNS, Just follow the Green line and walk along the covered walkway from T2 Arrivals to T1 departures. Only takes a few minutes

Immigration formalities are done at CNS/OOL

Thanks! So he should have no problem! He'll be in the same boat as the others who booked as one journey (sorry of course not direct).

 

[Quickstatus]

booked as one journey

Whether all on one ticket or two seperate tickets does not matter with JQ - (there are exceptions, but not for this itinerary).

 

[Flyinfish]

I wouldn't take the chance with Jetstar but he's young, there's a sale on! Thanks for the reassurance

 

[yellow22]

Any ideas for what to do during the layover in Cairns?

 

[Quickstatus]

layover in Cairns?

Can't think of anything in Cairns - maybe a walk along the Esplanade

Most things to do in Cairns are outside of Cairns
Great Barrier Reef,
Atherton tablelands
Kuranda railway
Skyrail
Daintree

 

[Flyinfish]

Any ideas for what to do during the layover in Cairns?

Really the layover is usually short. You have to collect and recheck baggage, customs etc. Or do you mean to stay over a day or two? I loved day trip to Daintree... a long drive but so ancient and remote.

 

[yellow22]

3.5 hrs on the way to japan and 5 hrs on the way back (arriving at 5am ).

The lack of lounges is also saddening (except qantas, which i don't have any way to access...)

 

[henrus]

3.5 hrs on the way to japan and 5 hrs on the way back (arriving at 5am ).

Have you got checked luggage?

3.5 hours on the way over is way too short, you won't be checked through to Japan so upon arrival into Cairns you'll need to collect your checked luggage from domestic (if applicable), head over to the international and queue again to check in. By the time all this happens you simply won't have enough time to go anywhere useful. Regardless the airport is a good 3km one way walk from the terminal to the main road (and the airport road has no footpath). If you were really determined you could high tail it from the domestic terminal to the international check in (noting this only opens 3 hours prior to the Japan flight) and then get an uber somewhere nearby.

and 5 hrs on the way back (arriving at 5am ).

This is a bit more manageable as the domestic flight should let you check in online. Cafes in Cairns start to open around 6am so you'll have enough time to get an uber down town into Cairns and grab a bite to eat somewhere. If you've got checked luggage you'll have to bring it with out or store it at the airport as JQ Cairns will only accept checked luggage 2 hours prior to domestic flights.

 

[yellow22]

Great suggestions thank you! Hopefully i can squeeze in brekky on the way back.

 

[jpp42]

I've done the taxi/Uber into town on this exact same itinerary, on the return. While the expense of the taxis is annoying it certainly beats standing around in the airport's public areas. I just brought my checked bag with me, enjoyed brekkie at a cafe on the esplanade, the headed back in another taxi a bit later. Low key but worth it IMO.