CNS

$221 Find Cheap Flights to Cairns – Compare and Save

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Everything you should know

Cheapest return flight
$561
Typical prices: $792-$1,262
Jetstar
Fri 12/10Thu 18/10
CHC - CNS • Direct
Cheapest one-way flight
$221
Typical prices: $365-$629
Jetstar
Fri 19/10
CHC - CNS • Direct
Direct flights
You can fly direct with Air New Zealand and Jetstar. Average duration is 5h 40m
FAQs
FAQs
Top airlines
Best reviews • 8.1 score
Airline reviews
Airline reviews
Top routes
Cheapest • 40% average savings
Most popular
Insights
Insights
When to book
in advance
Our data shows that travellers who book at least 11 weeks in advance save around 27% compared to booking last minute.
Insights
Insights
When to travel
Cheapest • 14% price drop
Most popular
Good to know
+1
Good to know
+1
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We hope you enjoy your trip to Cairns!
Flight Deals
Booking Insights
Flight Deals

Cheap Flights to Cairns

 
Discover the best prices for you by selecting your travel dates on KAYAK.

Recent return flight deals to Cairns

Mon, 12 Oct - Sun, 18 Oct
Jetstar Logo
07:55 - 10:40CHC  Christchurch-CNS Cairns
5h 45mdirect
Jetstar Logo
07:00 - 14:55CNS  Cairns-CHC Christchurch
4h 55mdirect
$561Jetstar
Fri, 16 Oct - Thu, 22 Oct
Jetstar Logo
07:55 - 10:40CHC  Christchurch-CNS Cairns
5h 45mdirect
Jetstar Logo
07:00 - 14:55CNS  Cairns-CHC Christchurch
4h 55mdirect
$584Jetstar
Fri, 16 Oct - Thu, 22 Oct
Multiple Airlines Logo
07:55 - 10:40CHC  Christchurch-CNS Cairns
5h 45mdirect
Multiple Airlines Logo
07:00 - 14:55CNS  Cairns-CHC Christchurch
4h 55mdirect
$847Multiple Airlines
Fri, 16 Oct - Thu, 22 Oct
Multiple Airlines Logo
07:55 - 10:40CHC  Christchurch-CNS Cairns
5h 45mdirect
Multiple Airlines Logo
10:00 - 00:10CNS  Cairns-CHC Christchurch
11h 10m1 stop Melbourne
$856Multiple Airlines
Wed, 21 Oct - Wed, 28 Oct
Qantas Airways Logo
07:55 - 10:40CHC  Christchurch-CNS Cairns
5h 45mdirect
Qantas Airways Logo
11:15 - 00:25CNS  Cairns-CHC Christchurch
10h 10m1 stop Brisbane
$941Qantas Airways
Mon, 9 Nov - Mon, 16 Nov
Virgin Australia Logo
17:35 - 23:05ZQN  Queenstown Intl-CNS Cairns
8h 30m1 stop Brisbane
Virgin Australia Logo
06:00 - 18:35CNS  Cairns-ZQN Queenstown Intl
9h 35m1 stop Brisbane
$1,041Virgin Australia
Thu, 22 Oct - Thu, 29 Oct
Air New Zealand Logo
07:10 - 09:45AKL  Auckland Intl-CNS Cairns
5h 35mdirect
Air New Zealand Logo
06:00 - 00:30CNS  Cairns-AKL Auckland Intl
15h 30m1 stop Brisbane
$1,077Air New Zealand
Tue, 20 Oct - Tue, 27 Oct
Qantas Airways Logo
16:45 - 22:45CHC  Christchurch-CNS Cairns
9h 00m1 stop Brisbane
Qantas Airways Logo
17:40 - 14:55CNS  Cairns-CHC Christchurch
18h 15m1 stop Brisbane
$1,122Qantas Airways
Wed, 11 Nov - Wed, 18 Nov
Virgin Australia Logo
17:35 - 23:05ZQN  Queenstown Intl-CNS Cairns
8h 30m1 stop Brisbane
Virgin Australia Logo
06:00 - 16:40CNS  Cairns-ZQN Queenstown Intl
7h 40m1 stop Brisbane
$1,182Virgin Australia
Fri, 12 Feb - Mon, 1 Mar
Air New Zealand Logo
19:00 - 14:55NPE  Napier Hawkes Bay-CNS Cairns
22h 55m2 stops Auckland Intl Brisbane
Air New Zealand Logo
13:50 - 13:00CNS  Cairns-NPE Napier Hawkes Bay
20h 10m2 stops Brisbane Auckland Intl
$1,297Air New Zealand
Booking Insights

Price, demand, and travel trends for New Zealand to Cairns flights

Use KAYAK data on prices, travel dates, airlines, and seasonal trends to compare options and book flights from New Zealand to Cairns with more confidence.

What is the cheapest flight to Cairns?

Christchurch to Cairns is the cheapest route at $561 return, found in the past 5 days on KAYAK. Auckland to Cairns is the most popular connection with return deals from $1,076.

How much is a flight to Cairns?

A return flight to Cairns costs $1,023 on average, based on data over the past 12 months on KAYAK. Return fares from Christchurch average $738, while Auckland runs a bit higher at $1,042.

What is the cheapest day to fly to Cairns?

Wednesday is the cheapest day to fly to Cairns at $994 return on average over the past 12 months on KAYAK. Saturday is the most expensive at $1,133.

What is the cheapest month to fly to Cairns?

•January is the cheapest month to fly to Cairns with an average price of $881 return.
•February ($1,158) and July ($1,117) are the most expensive.
•Based on KAYAK data over the past 12 months.

What is the cheapest time of day to fly to Cairns?

Night flights to Cairns are the cheapest at $849 return on average. Afternoon flights are the most expensive at $1,168.

What is a good deal for flights to Cairns?

Flights under $792 are considered a good deal. 25% of KAYAK users found return flights to Cairns at or below these prices, with the lowest fares from:
•Christchurch $594.

When are flights to Cairns the cheapest?

Flights to Cairns are cheapest 11 weeks before departure. Booking in this window typically costs about 27% less than the average last-minute fare (within 2 weeks of the flight), based on KAYAK data.

Key details for flights to Cairns

Low season

February

Cheapest flight

$221
Best time to beat the crowds but there is an average 13% increase in price.
Most popular time to fly and prices are also 1% lower on average.
Flights from Christchurch to Cairns

When to book flights to Cairns

Are your dates flexible? Find out the best times to travel to Cairns based on our flight data from the last year. Discover the cheapest month and even day to fly.
Estimated return price

Your questions about flights to Cairns, answered

Find helpful route details based on KAYAK data, including flight times, airports, airlines, and booking questions.

  • How do I know if a flight to Cairns is a good deal?

    A good deal on a flight to Cairns is around $792 return. This fare is in the lowest 25% of return flight prices searched on KAYAK, averaged across the cities most often searched as origins by KAYAK users.

  • How long are direct flights to Cairns from different departure cities?

    Direct flight time to Cairns varies depending on your departure city:

    • from Auckland: 5h 35m
    • from Christchurch: 5h 45m

  • How expensive are last-minute flights to Cairns?

    Last-minute fares to Cairns – booked within 2 weeks of departure – run 4% above the average return fare of $1,023.

  • What is the difference between the most popular and the most frequent airline at Cairns?

    Air New Zealand operates the most flights from New Zealand to Cairns at 0 per week, and for this route Air New Zealand is also the airline most often selected by KAYAK users searching for flights from New Zealand to Cairns. The two are sometimes different because flight volume reflects an airline's schedule, while popularity reflects traveller choice.

  • Which airlines should I consider for flights to Cairns?

Your guide to booking Cairns flights

From booking to airport arrival, find tips to help you plan your flight with more confidence.
  • For the best chance at a low fare to Cairns, aim to book around 11 weeks before you fly. That window historically saves about 27% versus last-minute pricing based on KAYAK booking data over the last 12 months.
  • For flights to Cairns, recent KAYAK data shows that stronger deals tend to be around $792 return. If you see a fare below that threshold, it's a good deal – book before the price climbs back up.
  • If you can choose when to go, aim to travel to Cairns in January. Return fares historically average $881 that month – typically the cheapest month to travel based on the last 12 months.
  • Before you book:

    • Check the route's typical price range so you can spot a deal.
    • Confirm baggage fees and seat selection costs on budget carriers.
    • Verify whether you need any travel documents beyond an ID.
    • Pick a departure airport, since your nearest may not be the cheapest origin.
  • Shift your departure to evening to save up to $319 per return. Evening flights to Cairns average $849 compared to $1,168 for midday flights. See the time-of-day chart above for the full breakdown.
  • Bag allowances vary by airline, fare type, cabin class, and route. On flights to Cairns, some airlines may include bags at no extra cost. For example, Air New Zealand includes a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy class, Jetstar includes a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy class, and Qantas Airways includes a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy class. Always check the fare details before booking, since bag policies can change by ticket type.
  • Once you arrive in Cairns, a great place to start is Cairns Convention Centre. It is popular with first-time visitors and can give you a good feel for the area.

Reviews of the top 4 airlines flying to Cairns

 
Need help choosing which airline to fly with to Cairns? KAYAK airline reviews give an overall score for each airline based on loads of factors, including comfort, boarding, in-flight entertainment and more, to make your decision easier. See airline scores according to verified KAYAK customer reviews.
8.0
Air New ZealandOverall score based on 670 reviews
8.2Boarding
7.5Food
7.4Entertainment
7.9Comfort
8.5Crew
Airline reviews

Premium economy seats and food we're very nice although the price could be more affordable so we can do it more often.

10.0 ExcellentSharon, Sept 2026
Read more Air New Zealand reviews

Premium economy seats and food we're very nice although the price could be more affordable so we can do it more often.

Not up to their standard . After checking in my bag and having made a tight connection off NZ 29, they tried to bump me off the flight at the gate. In they end I argued myself onto the plane but my bag followed on a later plane. After over 24 hours of flying and despite being an Air NZ Platinum card holder being put in this position was unnaceptable

Needed more leg room. Leg rest and entertainment system box took up a lot of space and I'm not tall. Breakfast was good. Poor quality of the entertainment options.

Aircon set too high so VERY warm and VERY uncomfortable.

Great! Flight was delayed by 30 mins but all was great. Thanks.

Arriving at Coolangatta, rows 20 forward, took the airbridge across to the terminal. It was suggested to those from rows 21 back, that we take the rear stairs and to be careful crossing the tarmac. That was all well and good. However, when we got across to the terminal we then had to climb three large flights of stairs to meet up with those coming across the airbridge. No elevator! There were people carrying babies and elderly carrying hand luggage that needed assistance from others.. There was no option to turn back.

Flew premium economy, well worth the extra. Much better seat size & space. Meals & snacks were lovely. Crew really pleasant. Internet is not great, not really useful for anything. Couldn't even send messages.

Overall, a great experience from food and crew. The only setback was that this was the Second flight from Air New Zealand within a week that was an hour late for boarding.

The air New Zealand employees who assisted us with wheelchair aid on Auckland made our transfer from flight to the next seamless. Also were amazing in helping with our luggage and customs in Brisbane.

All was good, the only thing was it didn't run on time.

They could have seated me in my original seat which was an isle They wedged me in the middle of two extremely large ladies who were friends. I couldn’t move, arm rests couldn’t be put down, their arms were over mine on either side It truly was an unacceptable situation. And on an over night fight extremely uncomfortable

New aircraft and flight was running on time, but adverse weather conditions meant we were unable to land on the first two approaches. Third attempt resulted in a very smooth and safe landing.

Very good it will be my choice of airline while in Australia.

Very friendly staff. No food service and no entertainment. Only 1hr 20min flight

I bought flights in August and there wasn’t a flight in the system

Our 6.30am flight was boarded then cancelled to fly at 10.55am . We were flying to Brisbane to attend a funeral at 12 noon an hour away . This means missing the funeral due to unreliability of Virgin . Unimpressed !!

4.5 hr international flight. We got a glass of water. Ranks up there with Ryan Air, Easy Jet, Spirit and Frontier. Expected better.

Virgin has always provided a smooth and comfortable flight. This one was no different. Seats are comfortable. Staff are great. This is my favourite airline.

Check-in was good and efficient, Boarding was quick and easy. Didn't like the entertainment side of things requiring your phone to connect for a screen, my eyes are bad enough to use my phone more than I already do. Trip was comfortable and baggage claim was good. If coffee and tea were free, then why not a soda or juice as well, its not like its an alcoholic drink.

On time, lovely crew, economy-X seating worth the $ for the legroom. In flight entertainment not working, but I wasn’t going to use it anyway. Never had a bad Virgin experience.

Small twin prop plane. Basic flight. Food was half a chicken & pesto sandwich. As the flight departed after 12pm alcohol was available. No on board entertainment. No wifi services.

I liked the refreshments as the flight was short and the free WiFi. The seats were comfortable.

Was disappointed that we couldn't use our lounge passes as the booking was a group booking.

I never flew with alliance. Kayak is a joke and none of the flights or times were correct. Won’t ever use kayak again

My experience was great overall. Tanya was particularly friendly and helpful the entire trip. I was very pleased with her customer service skills. The plane was an older aircraft but the entire way was comfortable with barely any turbulence at all. Qantas should speed up its fleet renovation. Totally recommend using this airline.

I liked boarding the plane. The staff were rude, the food was appalling and the chairs the most uncomfortable I have ever experienced

Flight was canceled. I was not alerted. It was only kayak that alerted me

After already paying for excess luggage prior to flight, i was advised AT check in that i had to pay $816 or forfeit my flight! The lady at the counter was SO rude and had already started offboarding me when i said i would pay it after asking her three times for the exact amount! Have lodged a formal complaint yet heard nothing. Will not ever travel via Qantas again

I love flying with Qantas. There was no onscreen entertaining on this flight, and only a snack provided (not a meal) but still better than Jetstar or Virgin (in my opinion) so still happy.

I really appreciated the fact that when I checked my bags at the Quantas counter after arriving from an international flight an hour early, the agent noticed I had a very long layover. He then found an earlier flight that allowed me to get to Cairns several hours earlier than I planned. That was amazing because I had already traveled over 20 hours and wasn’t looking forward to such a long layover. It allowed me to see my daughter and grandchildren much earlier (it had been two years since I visited last).

Everything was spot on until boarding time . Plane was late departing by 40 min… but then they couldn’t find a tug to push us out from the terminal… we sat around for another 20 min making us just over an hour late. Apart from being late everything else was fine !!!

Knees in back from passenger behind, limited seat pockets, no entertainment.

Great. Seats are a little cramped with only a very small recline. Service was great. Food was fine.

Flight was fine with boarding starting a few minutes early. Not a fan of the crew pushing political messaging regarding indigenous naming of Brisbane city… really pushed it like I haven’t heard on Jetstar before.

Flight was delayed both directions but once in the air was ok. Boarding out of Melbourne is just a mess.

Delayed twice. Poor communication and people made to change gates too often.

a constant reminder that you need to work harder so you can avoid this airline

My Dad needed assistance to board the plane. The Jetstar staff were excellent with him and made the experience a lot easier😁

Plane was late leaving darwin so we didn’t get home till 1130pm 2nd time in a fortnight that has happened. Hard when you have to work the next day

Captains address to passengers was excellent. Knee room in seating was very uncomfortable.

Travelling to a place near Cairns?

Book flights to Cairns if you plan to visit one of these locations
Palm Cove
Mission Beach
Trinity Beach

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