CNS - WLG

$440 Find Cheap Flights from Cairns to Wellington – Compare and Save

1 adult
1 adult, Economy, 0 bags

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Everything you should know

Cheapest return flight
$828
Typical prices: $587-$1,054
Multiple Airlines
Tue 23/10Tue 30/10
CNS - WLG • 2 stops
Cheapest one-way flight
$440
Typical prices: $396-$642
Multiple Airlines
Wed 17/1
CNS - WLG • 2 stops
Direct flights
There are currently no direct flights between Cairns and Wellington. You'll need to take a connecting flight to reach the destination.
Insights
Insights
When to travel
Cheapest • 25% price drop
Most popular
Good to know
+1
Good to know
+1
Top stopover airports
Cheapest • Avg $581 (return)
Shortest trip • 10h 55m (one-way)
Insights
Insights
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We hope you enjoy your trip to Wellington!
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Flight Deals

Cheap Flights from Cairns to Wellington (CNS-WLG)

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

Recent return flight deals from Cairns to Wellington

Fri, 23 Oct - Fri, 30 Oct
Multiple Airlines Logo
18:10 - 16:40CNS  Cairns-WLG Wellington
19h 30m2 stops Sydney Kingsford Smith Hamilton
Multiple Airlines Logo
16:40 - 09:05WLG  Wellington-CNS Cairns
19h 25m1 stop Coolangatta Gold Coast
$828Multiple Airlines
Fri, 23 Oct - Fri, 30 Oct
Multiple Airlines Logo
18:10 - 00:10CNS  Cairns-WLG Wellington
27h 00m1 stop Sydney Kingsford Smith
Multiple Airlines Logo
16:40 - 09:05WLG  Wellington-CNS Cairns
19h 25m1 stop Coolangatta Gold Coast
$929Multiple Airlines
Fri, 23 Oct - Fri, 30 Oct
Multiple Airlines Logo
20:35 - 19:00CNS  Cairns-WLG Wellington
19h 25m2 stops Melbourne Christchurch
Multiple Airlines Logo
17:55 - 16:50WLG  Wellington-CNS Cairns
25h 55m2 stops Auckland Intl Brisbane
$1,066Multiple Airlines
Sat, 10 Oct - Fri, 16 Oct
Qantas Airways Logo
06:50 - 07:35CNS  Cairns-WLG Wellington
21h 45m2 stops Sydney Kingsford Smith Christchurch
Qantas Airways Logo
16:40 - 22:45WLG  Wellington-CNS Cairns
9h 05m1 stop Brisbane
$1,077Qantas Airways
Sat, 10 Oct - Fri, 16 Oct
Multiple Airlines Logo
19:25 - 15:00CNS  Cairns-WLG Wellington
16h 35m1 stop Coolangatta Gold Coast
Multiple Airlines Logo
06:05 - 22:25WLG  Wellington-CNS Cairns
19h 20m1 stop Sydney Kingsford Smith
$1,083Multiple Airlines
Mon, 11 Jan - Mon, 18 Jan
Air New Zealand Logo
13:55 - 08:05CNS  Cairns-WLG Wellington
15h 10m2 stops Brisbane Christchurch
Air New Zealand Logo
16:05 - 22:40WLG  Wellington-CNS Cairns
9h 35m1 stop Brisbane
$1,119Air New Zealand
Mon, 11 Jan - Mon, 18 Jan
Air New Zealand Logo
13:55 - 08:05CNS  Cairns-WLG Wellington
15h 10m2 stops Brisbane Christchurch
Air New Zealand Logo
16:05 - 22:40WLG  Wellington-CNS Cairns
9h 35m1 stop Brisbane
$1,120Air New Zealand
Sat, 20 Feb - Wed, 24 Feb
Emirates Logo
11:40 - 13:30CNS  Cairns-WLG Wellington
22h 50m1 stop Melbourne
Emirates Logo
16:30 - 22:40WLG  Wellington-CNS Cairns
9h 10m1 stop Brisbane
$1,159Emirates
Sat, 20 Feb - Wed, 24 Feb
Emirates Logo
11:40 - 13:30CNS  Cairns-WLG Wellington
22h 50m1 stop Melbourne
Emirates Logo
16:30 - 22:40WLG  Wellington-CNS Cairns
9h 10m1 stop Brisbane
$1,160Emirates
Mon, 11 Jan - Mon, 18 Jan
Qantas Airways Logo
06:40 - 23:50CNS  Cairns-WLG Wellington
14h 10m1 stop Sydney Kingsford Smith
Qantas Airways Logo
16:30 - 22:40WLG  Wellington-CNS Cairns
9h 10m1 stop Brisbane
$1,162Qantas Airways
Booking Insights

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

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

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

Tuesday is the cheapest day of the week to fly from Cairns to Wellington and is 29% cheaper than the average day. Friday is the most expensive day with flight prices 83% higher than average. Based on deals found by KAYAK users in the last 12 months.

Key details for Cairns to Wellington flights

Low season

July

Cheapest flight

$440
Best time to beat the crowds but there is an average 124% increase in price.
Most popular time to fly and prices are also 19% lower on average.
Flights from Cairns to Wellington

When to book flights from Cairns to Wellington

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

Your Cairns to Wellington flight questions, answered

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    • Christchurch (CHC) – 75% of one-stop connections
    • Auckland Intl (AKL) – 10% of one-stop connections
    • Sydney Kingsford Smith (SYD) – 10% of one-stop connections
    • Brisbane (BNE) – 3% of one-stop connections

    Christchurch (CHC) handles the largest share of one-stop connections on this route.

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

    Yes. Being flexible with your travel dates can save you up to 62% on the Cairns to Wellington route. Tuesday is the cheapest departure day at $529 return on average, while Friday is the most expensive at $1,368, a difference of $839. KAYAK's flexible dates feature shows options up to 3 days before and after your selected dates, making it easier to compare nearby fares.

  • What popular places can I visit in Wellington?

    Some of the most popular sights in Wellington are New Zealand Film Archive and Victoria University of Wellington. These are among the most viewed places in Wellington on KAYAK.

  • How long is a flight from Cairns to Wellington?

    A direct flight from Cairns to Wellington takes 0h 00m, covering 6,244 km.

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

    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.

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

    Yes. Based on fares seen in the past 5 days, return prices on this route varied from about $828 to $1,234. That means the highest observed fare was about 48% higher than the lowest one.

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

    One-way fares from Cairns to Wellington are currently higher than usual. Average one-way flight prices are about $588, which is 20% above the typical average for this route.

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

    Flying via Sydney Kingsford Smith (SYD) gives the shortest average 1-stop total travel time of 10h 55m, compared to 12h 00m via Melbourne (MEL) and 14h 00m via Christchurch (CHC).

  • What is the time difference between Cairns and Wellington?

    Wellington is 2 hours ahead of Cairns (New Zealand Time vs Eastern Australia Time). Plan for the time shift when scheduling connections or first-day activities.

  • Which car hire options are available at Wellington Airport (WLG)?

    Wellington Airport (WLG) hosts 5 major car hire companies, with daily rates starting from around $4 for economy cars. Top options include:
    • Mode
    • EZI
    • Thrifty
    • Europcar
    • Hertz

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

    Return flights from Cairns to Wellington range from $587 to $1,054, with an average of $743 over the past 12 months. Anything below $587 counts as a good deal.

Your guide to booking Cairns to Wellington 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 instead of Friday. On this route, Tuesday flights average $529 – about $839 less than Friday (61% savings) based on the last 12 months.
  • If you can choose when to travel, plan your Cairns to Wellington trip for May. Fares historically average $557 return in that month – typically $1,106 less than the most expensive month, which is July (based on the last 12 months).
  • If you're arriving late at night and need somewhere to stay, check out these hotels close to Wellington Airport.
    - Brentwood Hotel
    - Airport Stays

More options for your flight from Cairns to Wellington

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