New Zealand
NZD

WLG - CNS

$1,056 Find Cheap Flights from Wellington to Cairns – Compare and Save

1 adult
1 adult, Economy, 0 bags

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Everything you should know

Cheapest return flight
$1,056
Typical prices: $1,058-$1,478
Air New Zealand
Sat 17/3Sat 31/3
WLG - CNS • 2 stops
Direct flights
Not available
There are currently no direct flights between Wellington and Cairns. You'll need to take a connecting flight to reach the destination.
Insights
Insights
When to travel
May
Cheapest • 16% price drop
November
Most popular
Good to know
+1
Good to know
+1
Top stopover airports
Christchurch (CHC)
Cheapest • Avg $802 (return)
Sydney Kingsford Smith (SYD)
Shortest trip • 8h 42m (one-way)
Insights
Insights
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We hope you enjoy your trip to Cairns!
Flight Deals
Booking Insights
Flight Deals

Cheap Flights from Wellington to Cairns (WLG-CNS)

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

Recent return flight deals from Wellington to Cairns

Wed, 17 Mar - Wed, 31 Mar
Air New Zealand Logo
08:55 - 22:40WLG  Wellington-CNS Cairns
16h 45m2 stops Auckland Intl Brisbane
Air New Zealand Logo
13:55 - 08:35CNS  Cairns-WLG Wellington
15h 40m2 stops Brisbane Christchurch
$1,056Air New Zealand
Wed, 17 Mar - Wed, 31 Mar
Air New Zealand Logo
16:05 - 22:40WLG  Wellington-CNS Cairns
9h 35m1 stop Brisbane
Air New Zealand Logo
09:25 - 08:35CNS  Cairns-WLG Wellington
20h 10m2 stops Brisbane Christchurch
$1,083Air New Zealand
Wed, 17 Mar - Wed, 31 Mar
Air New Zealand Logo
16:05 - 22:40WLG  Wellington-CNS Cairns
9h 35m1 stop Brisbane
Air New Zealand Logo
09:25 - 14:45CNS  Cairns-WLG Wellington
26h 20m1 stop Brisbane
$1,142Air New Zealand
Thu, 19 Nov - Thu, 26 Nov
Jetstar Logo
13:40 - 09:05WLG  Wellington-CNS Cairns
22h 25m2 stops Auckland Intl Coolangatta Gold Coast
Jetstar Logo
09:45 - 15:40CNS  Cairns-WLG Wellington
26h 55m1 stop Coolangatta Gold Coast
$1,153Jetstar
Sat, 21 Nov - Sat, 28 Nov
Air New Zealand Logo
16:05 - 10:30WLG  Wellington-CNS Cairns
21h 25m1 stop Brisbane
Air New Zealand Logo
13:50 - 14:45CNS  Cairns-WLG Wellington
21h 55m1 stop Brisbane
$1,156Air New Zealand
Sat, 21 Nov - Sat, 28 Nov
Air New Zealand Logo
16:05 - 10:30WLG  Wellington-CNS Cairns
21h 25m1 stop Brisbane
Air New Zealand Logo
13:55 - 21:55CNS  Cairns-WLG Wellington
29h 00m2 stops Brisbane Auckland Intl
$1,171Air New Zealand
Wed, 3 Mar - Thu, 4 Mar
Qantas Airways Logo
16:30 - 22:40WLG  Wellington-CNS Cairns
9h 10m1 stop Brisbane
Qantas Airways Logo
11:15 - 15:30CNS  Cairns-WLG Wellington
25h 15m1 stop Brisbane
$1,206Qantas Airways
Wed, 3 Mar - Thu, 4 Mar
Qantas Airways Logo
16:30 - 22:40WLG  Wellington-CNS Cairns
9h 10m1 stop Brisbane
Qantas Airways Logo
11:15 - 15:30CNS  Cairns-WLG Wellington
25h 15m1 stop Brisbane
$1,208Qantas Airways
Wed, 3 Mar - Thu, 4 Mar
Qantas Airways Logo
16:30 - 22:40WLG  Wellington-CNS Cairns
9h 10m1 stop Brisbane
Qantas Airways Logo
11:15 - 15:30CNS  Cairns-WLG Wellington
25h 15m1 stop Brisbane
$1,210Qantas Airways
Sat, 21 Nov - Sat, 28 Nov
Jetstar Logo
13:30 - 09:00WLG  Wellington-CNS Cairns
22h 30m2 stops Auckland Intl Brisbane
Jetstar Logo
09:45 - 08:35CNS  Cairns-WLG Wellington
19h 50m2 stops Coolangatta Gold Coast Auckland Intl
$1,212Jetstar
Booking Insights

Price, demand, and travel trends for Wellington to Cairns flights

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

How much is a return flight from Wellington to Cairns?

Return flights from Wellington to Cairns typically range from $1,058 to $1,478. The lowest price found in the past 5 days was $1,056 on Air New Zealand.

What's the cheapest day of the week to fly from Wellington to Cairns?

Based on deals KAYAK users found in the last 12 months, Tuesday is the cheapest day of the week to fly from Wellington to Cairns. It’s 45% cheaper than the average day, while Sunday is the most expensive, with prices 16% higher.

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Key details for Wellington to Cairns flights

Low season

February

Cheapest flight

$1,056
Beat the crowds with an average 55% drop in traveller numbers.
The most popular month to fly with an average 247% increase in traveller numbers.
Round-trip flight from Wellington to Cairns

When to book flights from Wellington to Cairns

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

Your Wellington to Cairns flight questions, answered

Find helpful answers about this route, including flight times, airports, airlines, and booking tips.

  • Which cabin classes can I book on flights from Wellington to Cairns?

    Only Economy class is available on flights from Wellington to Cairns.

  • How long is a flight from Wellington to Cairns?

    A direct flight from Wellington to Cairns takes 00m, covering 6,244 km.

  • Do I need a passport to fly from Wellington to Cairns?

    Yes, a valid passport is required for this international route. Many destinations require at least six months of validity beyond your travel dates. Check your passport expiry well before booking.

  • How much should I expect to pay for a Wellington to Cairns flight?

    Return flights from Wellington to Cairns range from $1,058 to $1,478, with an average of $1,265 over the past 12 months. Anything below $1,058 counts as a good deal.

  • Have flight prices from Wellington to Cairns changed much recently?

    Yes. Based on fares seen in the past 5 days, return flight prices on this route showed a wide range, from about $1,056 to $2,223. That means the highest observed fare was about 2x higher than the lowest one.

  • Which car hire options are available at Cairns Airport (CNS)?

    Cairns Airport (CNS) hosts 5 major car rental companies, with daily rates starting from around $22 for economy cars. Top options include:

    • Bargain Car Rentals
    • East Coast Car Rentals
    • Simba Car Hire
    • Europcar
    • Ace Rental Cars

  • Which airports can I use when flying from Wellington to Cairns?

    Flights from Wellington to Cairns usually depart from Wellington (WLG) and arrive at Cairns (CNS).

  • Which airports do connecting flights from Wellington to Cairns pass through?

    One-stop flights from Wellington to Cairns most commonly connect through:

    • Sydney Kingsford Smith (SYD) – 76% of one-stop connections
    • Christchurch (CHC) – 12% of one-stop connections
    • Auckland Intl (AKL) – 6% of one-stop connections
    • Coolangatta Gold Coast (OOL) – 6% of one-stop connections

  • Can I save money by using flexible dates for flights from Wellington to Cairns?

    Yes. Flexible dates can save you up to 53% on flights from Wellington to Cairns. Tuesday is the cheapest departure day at $708 return on average, while Sunday is the most expensive at $1,478, a difference of $769.

    KAYAK's flexible dates feature shows options up to three days before and after your selected dates, making it easier to compare nearby fares.

  • How much time can I save by choosing a different stopover airport from Wellington to Cairns?

    Flying via Sydney Kingsford Smith (SYD) gives the shortest average 1-stop total travel time of 8h 42m, compared to 11h 59m via Auckland Intl (AKL) and 20h 17m via Coolangatta Gold Coast (OOL).

  • What is the time difference between Wellington and Cairns?

    Cairns is 3 hours behind Wellington (Eastern Australia Time vs New Zealand Time). Plan for the time shift when scheduling connections or first-day activities.

  • What popular places can I visit in Cairns?

    Cairns Convention Centre is one of the most viewed places in Cairns on KAYAK.

Your guide to booking Wellington to Cairns flights

Get tips on when to book, when to fly, and what to know before your trip.
  • If your dates are flexible, aim for a Tuesday departure and avoid flying on Sunday. On this route, Tuesday flights average $708, about $769 less than Sunday fares (52% savings) based on the last 12 months.
  • If you can choose when to travel, plan your Wellington to Cairns trip for May. Fares historically average $1,062 return in that month – typically $723 less than the most expensive month, which is December (based on the last 12 months).
  • If you're arriving late at night and need somewhere to stay, check out these hotels close to Cairns Airport.

    • Cairns Colonial Club Resort
    • Cairns Sheridan Hotel

More options for your flight from Wellington to Cairns

Complete your trip to Cairns with a hotel stay or car hire

Car rentals in Cairns
Hotels in Cairns