$302 Find Cheap Flights from New Zealand to Cairns – Compare and Save

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Cheap Flights from New Zealand to Cairns

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

Recent return flight deals from New Zealand 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
$482Jetstar
Tue, 13 Oct - Tue, 20 Oct
Multiple Airlines Logo
06:00 - 08:30CHC  Christchurch-CNS Cairns
29h 30m1 stop Brisbane
Multiple Airlines Logo
07:00 - 14:55CNS  Cairns-CHC Christchurch
4h 55mdirect
$621Multiple Airlines
Thu, 26 Nov - Thu, 3 Dec
Multiple Airlines Logo
06:20 - 11:20AKL  Auckland Intl-CNS Cairns
8h 00m1 stop Brisbane
Multiple Airlines Logo
09:45 - 00:15CNS  Cairns-AKL Auckland Intl
11h 30m1 stop Coolangatta Gold Coast
$643Multiple Airlines
Tue, 13 Oct - Thu, 22 Oct
Multiple Airlines Logo
06:30 - 17:25CHC  Christchurch-CNS Cairns
13h 55m1 stop Sydney Kingsford Smith
Multiple Airlines Logo
07:00 - 14:55CNS  Cairns-CHC Christchurch
4h 55mdirect
$651Multiple Airlines
Tue, 6 Oct - Tue, 13 Oct
Jetstar Logo
20:55 - 10:40AKL  Auckland Intl-CNS Cairns
16h 45m1 stop Christchurch
Jetstar Logo
07:00 - 17:50CNS  Cairns-AKL Auckland Intl
7h 50m1 stop Christchurch
$724Jetstar
Mon, 30 Nov - Tue, 8 Dec
Jetstar Logo
16:40 - 09:05AKL  Auckland Intl-CNS Cairns
19h 25m1 stop Coolangatta Gold Coast
Jetstar Logo
09:45 - 00:15CNS  Cairns-AKL Auckland Intl
11h 30m1 stop Coolangatta Gold Coast
$745Jetstar
Mon, 12 Oct - Sun, 18 Oct
Jetstar Logo
20:30 - 08:30CHC  Christchurch-CNS Cairns
39h 00m2 stops Auckland Intl Brisbane
Jetstar Logo
07:00 - 14:55CNS  Cairns-CHC Christchurch
4h 55mdirect
$748Jetstar
Mon, 12 Oct - Mon, 19 Oct
Air New Zealand Logo
07:10 - 09:45AKL  Auckland Intl-CNS Cairns
5h 35mdirect
Air New Zealand Logo
17:40 - 00:45CNS  Cairns-AKL Auckland Intl
28h 05m1 stop Brisbane
$882Air New Zealand
Mon, 12 Oct - Mon, 19 Oct
Air New Zealand Logo
07:10 - 09:45AKL  Auckland Intl-CNS Cairns
5h 35mdirect
Air New Zealand Logo
10:55 - 18:35CNS  Cairns-AKL Auckland Intl
4h 40mdirect
$1,037Air New Zealand
Sat, 17 Oct - Sat, 24 Oct
Air New Zealand Logo
07:10 - 09:45AKL  Auckland Intl-CNS Cairns
5h 35mdirect
Air New Zealand Logo
10:55 - 18:35CNS  Cairns-AKL Auckland Intl
4h 40mdirect
$1,401Air New Zealand
Booking Insights

KAYAK's insights & trends for flights to Cairns

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

What is the cheapest flight to Cairns?

In the last 5 days, the cheapest flight deal to Cairns was found on the route from Christchurch, at $482 return. The most popular connection is from Auckland to Cairns, while KAYAK users have found return deals for as low as $643 in the last 5 days.

What is the cheapest day to fly to Cairns?

Based on KAYAK data, the cheapest day to fly to Cairns is Friday where round-trip tickets can be as cheap as $412. On the other hand, the most expensive day to fly is Saturday, where round-trip prices are $1,160 on average.

What is the cheapest month to fly to Cairns?

The cheapest month for flights to Cairns is January, where tickets cost $650 on average for return flights. On the other hand, the most expensive months are December and November, where the average cost of tickets from New Zealand is $939 and $925 respectively. For one-way flights, the best month to travel is June with an average price of $343.

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

The cheapest time of day to fly to Cairns is generally in the morning, when round-trip flights cost $941 on average. The most expensive time of day to fly to Cairns is generally in the morning, which is peak travel time and where the average cost of a ticket is $941.

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

To get a below average price, you should book around 3 weeks before departure, which saves you about 26% compared to booking last minute. For the absolute cheapest price, our data suggests you should book 3 weeks before departure.

Good to know

Low season

February

Cheapest flight

$302
Best time to beat the crowds but there is an average 15% increase in price.
Most popular time to fly and prices are also 7% lower on average.
Flight from Christchurch to Cairns

FAQs - booking Cairns flights

  • What is the cheapest flight to Cairns?

    In the last 5 days, the cheapest flight deal to Cairns was found on the route from Christchurch, at $482 return. The most popular connection is from Auckland to Cairns, while KAYAK users have found return deals for as low as $643 in the last 5 days.

  • How far is Cairns Airport from central Cairns?

    Central Cairns is 4 km away from Cairns Airport.

  • What is the name of Cairns’s airport?

    Cairns is served by Cairns Airport, also commonly referred to as Cairns or Cairns Intl. The airport code is CNS.

  • How much is a flight to Cairns?

    On average, a flight to Cairns costs $732. The cheapest price found on KAYAK in the last 2 weeks cost $732 and departed from Christchurch Airport.

  • How does KAYAK find such low prices on flights 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 to Cairns.

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

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

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

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

  • What is KAYAK's "flexible dates" feature and why should I care when looking for a flight 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 up to 3 days before/after your preferred dates. You can then pick the flights that suit you best.

  • How many direct flights to Cairns are there each week?

    Each week there are around 1,293 direct flights from within New Zealand to Cairns. The most common day for departures is Friday, with 16% of flights taking off on this day.

Top tips for finding cheap flights to Cairns

  • Looking for cheap airfare to Cairns? 25% of our users found return tickets to Cairns for the following prices or less: From Christchurch $732
  • Enter your preferred departure airport and travel dates into the search form above to unlock the latest Cairns flight deals.

Reviews of the top airlines flying from New Zealand 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 669 reviews
7.5Food
8.2Boarding
7.9Comfort
8.5Crew
7.4Entertainment
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.

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.

Excellent help with Wife needing disability access at Brisbane airport

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?

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