CNS - AKL

$352 Find Cheap Flights from Cairns to Auckland – Compare and Save

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Everything you should know

Cheapest return flight
$679
Typical prices: $726-$967
Jetstar
Mon 3/12Mon 10/12
CNS - AKL • 1 stop
Cheapest direct flights
$4,087
Typical prices: $865-$948
Delta
Sat 17/11Tue 20/11
CNS - AKL • Direct
Direct flights
There are currently no direct flights between Cairns and Auckland. You'll need to take a connecting flight to reach the destination.
Insights
Insights
Avoid delays
Most punctual • 79% on-time
Best time • Fewest delays
Insights
Insights
When to book
in advance
Our data shows that travellers who book at least 23 weeks in advance save around 43% compared to booking last minute.
Insights
Insights
When to travel
Cheapest • 26% price drop
Most popular
Good to know
+1
Good to know
+1
Top stopover airports
Cheapest • Avg $583 (return)
Shortest trip • 8h 27m (one-way)
Insights
Insights
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We hope you enjoy your trip to Auckland!
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Flight Deals

Cheap Flights from Cairns to Auckland (CNS-AKL)

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

Recent return flight deals from Cairns to Auckland

Thu, 3 Dec - Thu, 10 Dec
Jetstar Logo
09:45 - 00:15CNS  Cairns-AKL Auckland Intl
11h 30m1 stop Coolangatta Gold Coast
Jetstar Logo
16:40 - 09:05AKL  Auckland Intl-CNS Cairns
19h 25m1 stop Coolangatta Gold Coast
$679Jetstar
Tue, 17 Nov - Tue, 24 Nov
Jetstar Logo
18:05 - 16:05CNS  Cairns-AKL Auckland Intl
19h 00m1 stop Sydney Kingsford Smith
Jetstar Logo
16:40 - 09:05AKL  Auckland Intl-CNS Cairns
19h 25m1 stop Coolangatta Gold Coast
$752Jetstar
Tue, 23 Feb - Mon, 1 Mar
Jetstar Logo
09:45 - 00:15CNS  Cairns-AKL Auckland Intl
11h 30m1 stop Coolangatta Gold Coast
Jetstar Logo
20:45 - 08:30AKL  Auckland Intl-CNS Cairns
14h 45m1 stop Melbourne
$759Jetstar
Fri, 6 Nov - Fri, 20 Nov
Multiple Airlines Logo
09:45 - 00:15CNS  Cairns-AKL Auckland Intl
11h 30m1 stop Coolangatta Gold Coast
Multiple Airlines Logo
14:50 - 11:35AKL  Auckland Intl-CNS Cairns
23h 45m1 stop Nadi
$767Multiple Airlines
Thu, 19 Nov - Thu, 26 Nov
Multiple Airlines Logo
17:35 - 11:35CNS  Cairns-AKL Auckland Intl
15h 00m1 stop Sydney Kingsford Smith
Multiple Airlines Logo
16:40 - 09:05AKL  Auckland Intl-CNS Cairns
19h 25m1 stop Coolangatta Gold Coast
$777Multiple Airlines
Thu, 19 Nov - Thu, 26 Nov
Multiple Airlines Logo
17:35 - 11:35CNS  Cairns-AKL Auckland Intl
15h 00m1 stop Sydney Kingsford Smith
Multiple Airlines Logo
16:40 - 09:05AKL  Auckland Intl-CNS Cairns
19h 25m1 stop Coolangatta Gold Coast
$778Multiple Airlines
Tue, 17 Nov - Tue, 24 Nov
Qantas Airways Logo
11:15 - 07:35CNS  Cairns-AKL Auckland Intl
17h 20m2 stops Brisbane Christchurch
Qantas Airways Logo
11:55 - 22:40AKL  Auckland Intl-CNS Cairns
13h 45m2 stops Christchurch Brisbane
$1,117Qantas Airways
Tue, 17 Nov - Sat, 21 Nov
Qantas Airways Logo
09:15 - 07:35CNS  Cairns-AKL Auckland Intl
19h 20m2 stops Brisbane Christchurch
Qantas Airways Logo
06:50 - 16:50AKL  Auckland Intl-CNS Cairns
13h 00m1 stop Brisbane
$1,117Qantas Airways
Tue, 17 Nov - Sat, 21 Nov
Qantas Airways Logo
09:15 - 07:35CNS  Cairns-AKL Auckland Intl
19h 20m2 stops Brisbane Christchurch
Qantas Airways Logo
06:50 - 16:50AKL  Auckland Intl-CNS Cairns
13h 00m1 stop Brisbane
$1,117Qantas Airways
Fri, 12 Feb - Thu, 25 Feb
Air New Zealand Logo
06:00 - 17:25CNS  Cairns-AKL Auckland Intl
8h 25m1 stop Brisbane
Air New Zealand Logo
09:25 - 14:55AKL  Auckland Intl-CNS Cairns
8h 30m1 stop Brisbane
$1,905Air New Zealand
Booking Insights

Price, demand, and travel trends for Cairns to Auckland 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 Cairns to Auckland?

Return flights from Cairns to Auckland typically range from $726 to $967. The lowest price found in the past 5 days was $679 on Jetstar.

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

Based on deals KAYAK users found in the last 12 months, Sunday is the cheapest day of the week to fly from Cairns to Auckland. It’s 22% cheaper than the average day, while Wednesday is the most expensive, with prices 14% higher.

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

•June is the cheapest month to fly from Cairns to Auckland at $632 return.
•December ($1,074) and August ($957) are the most expensive months.
•The price difference between flying in the cheapest and most expensive months is 70% on average.
This is based on KAYAK aggregated and averaged internal data over the past 12 months.

When are flights from Cairns to Auckland the cheapest?

Flights from Cairns to Auckland are cheapest 23 weeks before departure. Booking in this window typically costs about 43% less than the average last-minute fare (within 2 weeks of the flight), based on KAYAK data.

Key details for Cairns to Auckland flights

Low season

July

Cheapest flight

$352
Beat the crowds with an average 61% drop in traveller numbers.
The most popular month to fly with an average 60% increase in traveller numbers.
One-way flight from Cairns to Auckland

When to book flights from Cairns to Auckland

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

Your Cairns to Auckland flight questions, answered

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

  • What are the earliest and latest flights from Cairns to Auckland?

    These are the earliest and latest flight times available from Cairns to Auckland:

    • Earliest: departs at 10:55 and lands at 15:35
    • Latest: departs at 10:55 and lands at 15:35.

    The flight takes about 4h 40m.

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

    Two cabin classes are available on flights from Cairns to Auckland:

    • Economy class
    • Business Class

  • How long is a flight from Cairns to Auckland?

    A direct flight from Cairns to Auckland takes 4h 40m, covering 5,820 km.

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

    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 Cairns to Auckland flight?

    Return flights from Cairns to Auckland range from $726 to $967, with an average of $852 over the past 12 months. Anything below $726 counts as a good deal.

  • How expensive are last-minute Cairns to Auckland flights?

    Last-minute fares on this route (booked within two weeks of departure) run 8% above the $852 route average. Book 23 weeks before departure for the lowest fares.

  • How much can I save by having a stopover when flying from Cairns to Auckland?

    On this route, stopover flights are cheaper than direct options on average. Stopover fares average $583 return via Christchurch (CHC), compared with $920 for direct.

  • How does on-time performance compare across airlines flying from Cairns to Auckland?

    Air New Zealand is the only airline operating Cairns to Auckland flights. 79% of its flights are on time.

  • What is the standard checked bag allowance on flights from Cairns to Auckland?

    There is no standard. Checked bag policies vary by airline on this route. Most carriers charge $45–$129 for the first checked bag in Economy. Premium fares and elite status bookings typically include a free checked bag.

  • Which aircraft model is used most often on flights from Cairns to Auckland?

    The Airbus A320neo family is used most often on this route, operated mainly by Air New Zealand. Other aircraft seen on the route include Airbus A321neo variants.

  • How are flight prices from Cairns to Auckland looking right now?

    One-way fares from Cairns to Auckland are currently lower than usual. Average one-way flight prices are about $458, which is 13% below the typical average for this route.

  • Which car hire options are available at Auckland Intl Airport (AKL)?

    Auckland Intl Airport (AKL) hosts 5 major car hire companies, with daily rates starting from around $5 for economy cars. Top options include:

    • New Zealand Discount Car Rentals
    • Snap Rentals
    • Europcar
    • EZI
    • EZU Car Rental

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

    Flights from Cairns to Auckland usually depart from Cairns (CNS) and arrive at Auckland Intl (AKL).

  • What time of day has the fewest delays on flights from Cairns to Auckland?

    Afternoon flights have the fewest delays on this route, while morning departures tend to have the most.

  • At what point is a flight considered delayed on the route from Cairns to Auckland?

    A flight is considered delayed when it departs 15 minutes or more after its scheduled time. This is the standard used by the US Department of Transportation and most airline industry reporting. On the Cairns to Auckland route, 21% of flights were delayed in the past three months, with delays averaging 1h 30m.

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

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

    • Brisbane (BNE) – 55% of one-stop connections
    • Christchurch (CHC) – 32% of one-stop connections
    • Coolangatta Gold Coast (OOL) – 6% of one-stop connections
    • Melbourne (MEL) – 3% of one-stop connections

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

    Yes. Flexible dates can save you up to 32% on flights from Cairns to Auckland. Sunday is the cheapest departure day at $672 return on average, while Wednesday is the most expensive at $978, a difference of $306.

    Cheaper weekend fares like these are typical of routes dominated by weekday business travel.

  • Which airlines fly from Cairns to Auckland?

    Only Air New Zealand operates flights between Cairns and Auckland.

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

    Flying via Sydney Kingsford Smith (SYD) gives the shortest average 1-stop total travel time of 8h 27m, compared to 9h 43m via Brisbane (BNE) and 13h 33m via Christchurch (CHC).

  • What is the time difference between Cairns and Auckland?

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

  • What popular places can I visit in Auckland?

    Some of the most popular sights in Auckland are Aotea Centre, New Zealand Maritime Museum, and Sparks Arena. These are among the most viewed places in Auckland on KAYAK.

  • Which airlines offer extra legroom and free seat selection on Cairns to Auckland flights?

    Among airlines operating Cairns to Auckland flights:

    • Virgin Australia: offers free seat selection

    Extra legroom and free seat selection availability depends on fare class and route.

  • Which airlines include bags at no extra cost on Cairns to Auckland flights?

    Here are some options for this route, based on selected ticket types and cabin classes:

    • Air New Zealand: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy class
    • Virgin Australia: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy class

    Baggage allowance can vary by ticket type, cabin class, route, and airline, so always check the fare details before booking.

Your guide to booking Cairns to Auckland 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 Sunday departure and avoid flying on Wednesday. On this route, Sunday flights average $672, about $306 less than Wednesday fares (31% savings) based on the last 12 months.
  • For the best chance at a low fare, aim to book around 23 weeks before you fly. On this route, that window historically saves about 43% versus last-minute pricing (KAYAK booking data, last 12 months).
  • If you can choose when to travel, plan your Cairns to Auckland trip for June. Fares historically average $632 return in that month – typically $442 less than the most expensive month, which is December (based on the last 12 months).
  • If you have the time, taking a 1-stop flight through Christchurch Airport (CHC) can be cheaper than flying direct. The cheapest stopover option averages $583 return on this route – about $337 less than direct flights (based on the last 12 months).
  • If you're arriving late at night and need somewhere to stay, check out these hotels close to Auckland Intl Airport.

    • Ibis Budget Auckland Airport
    • Novotel Auckland Airport
    • Jetpark Hotel Auckland Airport

More options for your flight from Cairns to Auckland

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