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AKL - CNS

Find cheap flights from Auckland to Cairns from $265

This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a KAYAK user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight from Auckland to Cairns departing on 2/6. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel. Click the price to replicate the search for this deal.
1 adult
Fri 7/6
Fri 14/6

Search hundreds of travel sites at once for deals on flights to Cairns

 
These are the airlines KAYAK users have selected most often from within our search results in flight searches from Auckland to Cairns, as well as popular online travel agencies
These are the airlines KAYAK users have selected most often from within our search results in flight searches from Auckland to Cairns, as well as popular online travel agencies
In the last 7 days, travellers have searched 43,707,506 times on KAYAK, and here's why:

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Cheap flight deals from Auckland to Cairns (AKL-CNS)

Here are some of the best deals found on KAYAK recently from the most popular airlines for round-trip flights from Auckland to Cairns that are departing in the next months. While these flights were available on KAYAK in the last 72 hours, prices and availability are subject to change and deals may expire.
Discover the best prices and deals for you by selecting your travel dates.
Choose your dates
07:00 - 18:30AKL-CNS
13h 30m1 stop
09:45 - 14:35CNS-AKL
26h 50m1 stop
$634Jetstar
Find Deal
Thu, 18 Jul - Wed, 24 Jul
07:00 - 18:30AKL-CNS
13h 30m1 stop
12:15 - 14:35CNS-AKL
24h 20m1 stop
$642Jetstar
Find Deal
Thu, 18 Jul - Tue, 23 Jul
13:05 - 20:10AKL-CNS
9h 05m1 stop
13:15 - 21:20CNS-AKL
30h 05m1 stop
Sat, 1 Jun - Thu, 6 Jun
13:05 - 08:25AKL-CNS
21h 20m1 stop
16:00 - 11:55CNS-AKL
17h 55m1 stop
$663Jetstar
Find Deal
Sat, 1 Jun - Wed, 5 Jun
06:35 - 17:20AKL-CNS
12h 45m1 stop
13:15 - 21:20CNS-AKL
30h 05m1 stop
Sat, 1 Jun - Thu, 13 Jun
07:05 - 10:45AKL-CNS
5h 40mdirect
11:55 - 18:35CNS-AKL
4h 40mdirect
$786Air New Zealand
Find Deal
Sat, 25 May - Sat, 1 Jun
07:05 - 10:45AKL-CNS
5h 40mdirect
12:45 - 00:50CNS-AKL
10h 05m1 stop
$811Air New Zealand
Find Deal
Sat, 25 May - Sat, 1 Jun
06:15 - 19:50AKL-CNS
15h 35m1 stop
12:45 - 23:25CNS-AKL
8h 40m1 stop
$985Qantas Airways
Find Deal
Fri, 12 Jul - Mon, 22 Jul
13:20 - 22:35AKL-CNS
11h 15m2 stops
12:45 - 23:25CNS-AKL
8h 40m1 stop
$1,049Qantas Airways
Find Deal
Sat, 25 May - Sat, 1 Jun
21:25 - 12:40AKL-CNS
41h 15m2 stops
13:50 - 15:35CNS-AKL
47h 45m2 stops
$7,342China Southern
Find Deal
Thu, 18 Jul - Fri, 26 Jul

Flights from Auckland to Cairns - Travel Insights & Trends

Get data-powered insights and trends into flights from Auckland to Cairns to help you find the cheapest flights, the best time to fly and much more.

What’s the cheapest day of the week to fly from Auckland to Cairns?

The average price of all flights from Auckland to Cairns clicked on KAYAK for each day over the last 12 months.
For Auckland to Cairns, Sunday is the cheapest day to fly on average and Tuesday is the most expensive. Flying from Cairns back to Auckland, the best deals are generally found on Friday, with Saturday being the most expensive.

What is the cheapest month to fly from Auckland to Cairns?

To calculate monthly average prices, KAYAK takes all prices for each month over the last year for flights from Auckland to Cairns, removes the top 0.1% to account for outliers, and then takes the median of all values for each month.
The cheapest month for flights from Auckland to Cairns is May, where tickets cost $804 on average. On the other hand, the most expensive months are December and July, where the average cost of tickets is $1,109 and $1,102 respectively.

How far in advance should I book a flight from Auckland to Cairns?

To calculate daily average prices, KAYAK takes all prices for each day before departure over the last year for flights from Auckland to Cairns, removes the top 0.1% to account for outliers, and then takes the average of all the values for each month.
To get a below average price on the flight from Auckland to Cairns, you should book around 5 days before departure. For the absolute cheapest price, our data suggests you should book 81 days before departure.

Which airlines provide the cheapest flights from Auckland to Cairns?

The cheapest price for the route for each airline clicked by KAYAK users in the last 72 hours.
In the last 3 days, Jetstar offered the best one-way deal for that route, at $265. KAYAK users also found Auckland to Cairns return flights on Jetstar from $634 and on Air New Zealand from $786.

Which airlines fly direct between Auckland and Cairns?

Airline and price data is aggregated from results in KAYAK’s search results from the last 2 weeks for flights from Auckland to Cairns.
There is just one airline that flies from Auckland to Cairns direct and that is Air New Zealand. The best one-way deal found from Air New Zealand for the route is $885.

How many flights are there between Auckland and Cairns per day?

There is a maximum of 1 direct flight a day that takes off from Auckland and lands in Cairns, with an average flight time of 5h 40m. The most common departure time is 07:00 and most flights take off in the morning. Each week, there are 2 flights.

Which cabin class options are there for flights between Auckland and Cairns?

The average price of flights for each cabin class for the route found by users searching on KAYAK over the last 2 weeks.
There is only one cabin class option available for the route, which is Economy. Perform a search on KAYAK to find the latest prices and availability for all cabin fares, which differ across airlines.

How long does a flight from Auckland to Cairns take?

The average direct flight takes 5h 40m, covering a distance of 5,820 km.

What’s the earliest departure time from Auckland to Cairns?

Early birds can take the earliest flight from Auckland at 07:05 and will be landing in Cairns at 10:45.

What’s the latest departure time from Auckland to Cairns?

If you prefer to fly at night, the latest flight from Auckland to Cairns jets off at 07:05 and lands at 10:45.

Good to know

Low season

January

High season

July

Cheapest flight

$265
Best time to beat the crowds but there is an average 1% increase in price.
Most popular time to fly (18% more expensive on average)
Flight from Auckland to Cairns

When to book flights from Auckland to Cairns

Are your dates flexible? Find out the best times to travel from Auckland to Cairns based on our flight data from the last year. Discover the cheapest month and even day to fly.
Estimated return price
KAYAK looks at all historical flight data for each date to provide a predicted price for one-way trips or returns with a duration up to 40 days. While we try to provide actual minimum prices for each date, some prices are predictions and actual prices may differ.

FAQs for booking flights from Auckland to Cairns

  • What is the cheapest flight from Auckland to Cairns?

    In the last 3 days, the lowest price for a flight from Auckland to Cairns was $175 for a one-way ticket and $419 for a return.

  • Which aircraft models fly most regularly from Auckland to Cairns?

    The Airbus A321neo is the aircraft model that flies most regularly on the Auckland to Cairns flight route.

  • Which airline alliances offer flights from Auckland to Cairns?

    Star Alliance is the only airline alliance operating flights between Auckland and Cairns.

  • On which days can I fly direct from Auckland to Cairns?

    You can catch a direct flight from Auckland to Cairns on on Tuesday, and Saturday.

  • Which is the best airline for flights from Auckland to Cairns, Air New Zealand or Qantas Airways?

    The two airlines most popular with KAYAK users for flights from Auckland to Cairns are Air New Zealand and Qantas Airways. With an average price for the route of $1,054 and an overall rating of 8.2, Air New Zealand is the most popular choice. Qantas Airways is also a great choice for the route, with an average price of $917 and an overall rating of 7.6.

  • How does KAYAK find such low prices on flights from Auckland to Cairns?

    KAYAK is a travel search engine. That means we look across the web to find the best prices we can find for our users. With over 2 billion flight queries processed yearly, we are able to display a variety of prices and options on flights from Auckland to Cairns.

  • How does KAYAK's flight Price Forecast tool help me choose the right time to buy my flight ticket from Auckland to Cairns?

    KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool uses historical data to determine whether the price for a flight to Cairns from Auckland is likely to change within 7 days, so travelers know whether to wait or book now.

  • What is the Hacker Fare option on flights from Auckland to Cairns?

    Hacker Fares allow you to combine one-way tickets in order to save you money over a traditional return ticket. You could then fly to Cairns with an airline and back to Auckland with another airline.

  • What is KAYAK's "flexible dates" feature and why should I care when looking for a flight from Auckland to Cairns?

    Sometimes travel dates aren't set in stone. If your preferred travel dates have some wiggle room, flexible dates will show you all the options when flying to Cairns from Auckland up to 3 days before/after your preferred dates. You can then pick the flights that suit you best.

See more FAQs

Prefer to fly direct from Auckland Intl to Cairns?

Find which airlines fly direct from Auckland Intl to Cairns, which days they fly and book direct flights.

Direct departures

Auckland Intl to Cairns

Tuesday

Air China, Air New Zealand, Singapore Airlines

Air China, Air New Zealand, +1 more

Thursday

Air China, Air New Zealand, Singapore Airlines

Air China, Air New Zealand, +1 more

Saturday

Air China, Air New Zealand, Singapore Airlines

Air China, Air New Zealand, +1 more

See more direct flights

Direct returns

Cairns to Auckland Intl

Tuesday

Air China, Air New Zealand, Singapore Airlines

Air China, Air New Zealand, +1 more

Thursday

Air China, Air New Zealand, Singapore Airlines

Air China, Air New Zealand, +1 more

Saturday

Air China, Air New Zealand, Singapore Airlines

Air China, Air New Zealand, +1 more

See more direct flights
See more direct flights

Top 3 airlines serving from Auckland to Cairns

 
See real verified KAYAK customer reviews for airlines flying from Auckland to Cairns. Airline scores are aggregated from all reviews left by passengers on KAYAK after flying with an airline. KAYAK doesn’t show reviews that are older than 5 years. Learn how KAYAK collects reviews.
Need help choosing which airline to fly with from Auckland 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.
8.2
Air New ZealandOverall score based on 635 reviews
8.8Crew
7.9Entertainment
7.6Food
8.4Boarding
8.1Comfort
Airline reviews

Can you please process refund. Mum died and dad went to Pakistan to bury her after cancelling flight.

2.0 MediocreAnonymous, May 2024AKL - YVR
Read more about Air New Zealand reviews

Can you please process refund. Mum died and dad went to Pakistan to bury her after cancelling flight.

Short flight so no entertainment, turbulence so no food service - overall flight as expected

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

Great meal. Best seats ever! They need to teach other airlines how to do that.

The staff and crew on board were excellent. Business class however, was very weird. I thought we would have individual pods, but the way it was set up was unexpected. Not very private and If you wanted to lay down, you had to have an entire bed made up for you by the crew, rather than how Delta one works where you could just lie down whenever you feel like it. It was a 16 hour flight. I chose not to have my bed made, and that turned out to be a good idea because everybody who had their bed made had to wait for the crew to roll up their mattresses. So strange!

Crew were pleasant, happy to be there and were a joy to be around. Entire operation was professional, well thought out and ran like a Swiss clock.

United flight from SFO to PDX was cancelled. I will ask for a refund. Had to book on Alaska

Good food and entertainment options. Great Staff that were all welcoming and caregiving.

Flight was canceled due to technical issue shortly before the check-in counters opened. Passengers were rebooked on a flight three days later. Request to be accommodated on Air Tahiti Nui could not be processed. Customer service sorted out the refund after calling and being put on hold for almost an hour.

Carring crew, nice ambiance of the cabin, comfortable beds, good food well served. We liked everything.

flight delayed, wait in crowded gate. staff inattentive. had to remind them to get my coat from their closet. not many new movies, media choices were limited (nothing compared to Emirates.) Lounge was crowded

flight delayed, wait in crowded gate. staff inattentive. had to remind them to get my coat from their closet. not many new movies, media choices were limited (nothing compared to Emirates.)

Initial flight was cancelled so moved to an alternative flight. As a result, stuck in a middle seat. Flight then place in holding pattern prior to landing resulting in a very late trip home.

There was nothing I didn’t like, prices a little lower would help

Flight delay was informed at the last minute. Food quality is not up to Qantas standard I was unable to book an online boarding pass on any of my 6 flights.

Following a marathon flight riddled by delays and changes from Santiago, Chile, my flight to Melbourne from Sydney was on schedule but I was transferred to the next flight. The reason by ticketing and the floor manager was I missed the entry to flight by one minute! That's right, the emphasised that if I was 1 minute earlier I would be on the flight. I asked what was the point them emphasising 1minute overdue and how that helped me or the situation. They didn't care at all. Replying that if it was one minute earlier they would've done something and smirking delivering the information. Australian's do call Australia home, Qantas calls Australian's suckers.

Rescheduled after ticket purchased and issued, not 2 or 3 times and not a fourth but by 5 times, by Qantas, that's right, 5 changes! Forcing an overnight stay in Chile and need for visa. Qantas can no longer provide basic services as a national or international service provider. Professionalism is extinct and the provider needs to be mentored and educated in perfecting who to operate as an airline. Qantas is the spirit of Australian dissatisfaction.

Amazing! Was put on the earlier flight and I requested for an aisle seat and was given it. Thanks Qantas!

The staff we fantastic and seemed to work very well with each other

Business lounge in Melbourne mediocre. Look at Emirates or Qatar, Qantas! Great friendly crew. Food was good but Emirates is a level above. Business seat good. But can’t compare to Qatar. Main reason for booking Qantas is loyalty and terrific connection via Perth to LHR.

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

For some reason the cabin was kept very cold. Unlike my flight over which i would say was excellent this was a long, cold flight home.

Note that food has to be purchased in flight. No free food. And no entertainment in flight. So I’ve treated these two items as okay which, in this case, means neutral/not applicable.

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

No food taken so can't rate also no entertainment so can't rate.

Boarding was easy and unstressful, though the early "final call" was a bit off-putting. The crew were pleasant, and the seats were comfortable. The prices for food and drink were reasonable, apart from tea and coffee, where simple percolated coffee was charged at espresso prices. Deboarding was OK, though some Jetstar passengers appear to have a bad habit of pushing forward from their assigned rows, making it more difficult to get out for passengers that have paid a premium to sit up-front. Jetstar might want to look to address this to stop it from spreading.

I got to the airport earlier than I expected, and they let me change to an earlier flight with no trouble.

The price difference/saving isn't sufficient to compensate the experience difference, don't recommend unless flight is under 3 hours. Huge queues for check in and the priority lane of other ailines blocked checked in Jetstar passengers from proceeding through to screening. Gate change to a "dungeon gate" that didn't have toilets in the vicinity. 45minute delay in boarding, no updates or explaination, let alone apology for any inconvenience. 1 scanner working for a full fight to board, no coordination. Loaded on to crowded buses to get on the plane in the middle of the tarmac, up stairs with no explaination. 4 bus trips. No system for boarding in sections. Over an hour late departing. Nothing complimentary, not even water or in-flight music. Pay wave not available and no cash sales. Staff onboard were friendly and professional.

Flight was delayed by 1 hour, we board then had to sit on the tarmac for another hour before take off. The flight was fine but again another delay with the baggage which took another hour to appear on the carousel.

It was a super crowded time to travel out of Melbourne, but the flight was OK

Book cheap flights from Auckland to Cairns

Recent one-way flight deals

 
Only flying one-way? Below are some of the best one-way flight deals from Auckland to Cairns found on KAYAK in the last 72 hours.
2/6Sun
1 stopJetstar
11h 55mAKL-CNS
$265
11/6Tue
1 stopJetstar
10h 15mAKL-CNS
$266
7/6Fri
1 stopJetstar
11h 55mAKL-CNS
$269
2/6Sun
1 stopJetstar
11h 55mAKL-CNS
$271
4/6Tue
directAir New Zealand
5h 40mAKL-CNS
$307
4/6Tue
1 stop
27h 50mAKL-CNS
$324
21/5Tue
directAir New Zealand
5h 40mAKL-CNS
$363
4/6Tue
1 stop
27h 45mAKL-CNS
$366
27/7Sat
2 stopsQantas Airways
13h 25mAKL-CNS
$521
7/6Fri
2 stopsQantas Airways
12h 55mAKL-CNS
$525

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Last minute flights from Auckland to Cairns

Last minute flight, train and bus deals

 
These last-minute flight deals are the cheapest flights found on KAYAK in the last 72 hours for flights from Auckland to Cairns that are departing in the next 10 days.
11/5Sat
multi-stop
27h 45mAKL-CNS
17/5Fri
multi-stop
19h 45mCNS-AKL
$767
11/5Sat
direct
5h 40mAKL-CNS
17/5Fri
multi-stop
19h 45mCNS-AKL
$893
11/5Sat
multi-stop
11h 55mAKL-CNS
17/5Fri
multi-stop
13h 05mCNS-AKL
$937
11/5Sat
multi-stopJetstar
13h 15mAKL-CNS
17/5Fri
multi-stopJetstar
17h 40mCNS-AKL
$1,115

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Auckland - Cairns Flights

Departure:

Auckland (undefined)New Zealand

Destination:

Cairns (CNS)Australia

Return flight deals:

Cairns - Auckland

Cabin classes:

$914

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