$1,537 Find Cheap Flights from South Africa to Cairns

This is the cheapest return flight price found by a KAYAK user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight to Cairns departing on 29/1. 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
1 adult, Economy, 0 bags

KAYAK searches 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 for flights to Cairns, as well as popular online travel agencies
These are the airlines KAYAK users have selected most often from within our search results for flights to Cairns, as well as popular online travel agencies
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Everything you should know

Cheapest return fare
$1,537
Overall average: $1,945
Cathay Pacific
Thu 29/1Thu 5/2
JNB - CNS • 1 stop
Cheapest one-way flight
Multiple Airlines
Tue 16/12
JNB - CNS • multi-stop
When to travel
October
Cheapest • 20% price drop
May
Most popular
Good to know
Good to know
+1
+1
Good to know
Good to know
+1
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KAYAK searches hundreds of sites at once to find you the best travel deals.
We hope you love your trip to Cairns!
Flight Deals
Booking Insights
Flight Deals

Cheap Flights from South Africa to Cairns

 
Here are some of the best deals found on KAYAK recently from the most popular airlines for return flights from South Africa 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 for you by selecting your travel dates on KAYAK.

Recent return flight deals from South Africa to Cairns

Thu, 29 Jan - Thu, 5 Feb
Cathay Pacific Logo
11:00 - 09:55
JNB
-
CNS
38h 55m1 stop
Cathay Pacific Logo
11:25 - 07:25
CNS
-
JNB
28h 00m1 stop
$1,537Cathay Pacific
Sun, 1 Mar - Tue, 3 Mar
Cathay Pacific Logo
11:00 - 08:35
JNB
-
CNS
37h 35m2 stops
Cathay Pacific Logo
11:35 - 07:25
CNS
-
JNB
51h 50m2 stops
$1,784Cathay Pacific
Thu, 29 Jan - Thu, 5 Feb
Multiple Airlines Logo
11:00 - 09:55
JNB
-
CNS
38h 55m1 stop
Multiple Airlines Logo
07:45 - 07:25
CNS
-
JNB
31h 40m2 stops
$1,787Multiple Airlines
Thu, 29 Jan - Thu, 5 Feb
Qatar Airways Logo
13:45 - 11:00
JNB
-
CNS
37h 15m2 stops
Qatar Airways Logo
15:45 - 15:25
CNS
-
JNB
31h 40m2 stops
$1,846Qatar Airways
Thu, 29 Jan - Thu, 5 Feb
Multiple Airlines Logo
11:00 - 09:55
JNB
-
CNS
38h 55m1 stop
Multiple Airlines Logo
06:00 - 07:25
CNS
-
JNB
33h 25m3 stops
$1,884Multiple Airlines
Sun, 1 Mar - Tue, 3 Mar
Qantas Airways Logo
21:55 - 11:50
JNB
-
CNS
29h 55m2 stops
Qantas Airways Logo
18:05 - 15:00
CNS
-
JNB
28h 55m1 stop
$1,914Qantas Airways
Sun, 1 Mar - Tue, 3 Mar
Qantas Airways Logo
21:55 - 11:50
JNB
-
CNS
29h 55m2 stops
Qantas Airways Logo
18:05 - 15:00
CNS
-
JNB
28h 55m1 stop
$1,918Qantas Airways
Thu, 29 Jan - Thu, 5 Feb
Cathay Pacific Logo
11:00 - 09:55
JNB
-
CNS
38h 55m1 stop
Cathay Pacific Logo
14:50 - 07:25
CNS
-
JNB
48h 35m2 stops
$1,942Cathay Pacific
Thu, 29 Jan - Thu, 5 Feb
Multiple Airlines Logo
13:45 - 05:45
JNB
-
CNS
32h 00m3 stops
Multiple Airlines Logo
09:45 - 08:20
CNS
-
JNB
30h 35m2 stops
$2,195Multiple Airlines
Thu, 29 Jan - Thu, 5 Feb
Multiple Airlines Logo
13:45 - 05:45
JNB
-
CNS
32h 00m3 stops
Multiple Airlines Logo
18:05 - 08:20
CNS
-
JNB
46h 15m3 stops
$2,287Multiple Airlines
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 month to fly to Cairns?

To calculate monthly average prices, KAYAK takes all prices for each month over the last year for flights 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 to Cairns is October, where tickets cost $1,264 on average for one-way flights. On the other hand, the most expensive months are December and January, where the average cost of tickets from South Africa is $2,063 and $1,945 respectively. For return trips, the best month to travel is October with an average price of $1,264.

Find deals

Good to know

Low seasonJanuary
Best time to beat the crowds (6% less expensive on average)
Most popular time to fly (1% more expensive on average)

FAQs - booking Cairns flights

  • How far is Cairns Airport from central Cairns?

    You’ll need to travel 4 km to reach the Cairns city centre from Cairns Airport.

  • What is the name of Cairns’s airport?

    When flying to Cairns, you'll arrive at Cairns Airport (CNS). The airport is also known as Cairns or Cairns Intl.

  • What is the cheapest day to fly to Cairns?

    Based on KAYAK data, the cheapest day to fly to Cairns is Sunday where tickets can be as cheap as $1,872. On the other hand, the most expensive day to fly is Friday, where prices are $2,610 on average.

  • 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.

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

    The cheapest time of day to fly to Cairns is generally at night, when flights cost $1,743 on average. The most expensive time of day to fly to Cairns is generally in the afternoon, which is peak travel time and where the average cost of a ticket is $1,956.

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

    Each week there are around 423 direct flights from within South Africa to Cairns. The most common day for departures is Friday, with 15% of flights taking off on this day.

Top tips for finding cheap flights to Cairns

  • Enter your preferred departure airport and travel dates into the search form above to unlock the latest Cairns flight deals.

Reviews of the top airline flying from South Africa to Cairns

 
See real verified KAYAK customer reviews for airlines flying to Cairns. Airline scores are aggregated from all reviews left by passengers on KAYAK after flying with an airline from South Africa to Cairns. KAYAK doesn’t show reviews that are older than 5 years. Learn how KAYAK collects reviews.
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.
8.1
Singapore AirlinesOverall score based on 1413 reviews
8.0Entertainment
8.0Comfort
7.8Food
8.3Boarding
8.6Crew
Airline reviews

The consistency with Singapore Airlines is fantastic. Crew are always brilliant and food delicious in business class

10.0 ExcellentIain, Nov 2025
SIN - MEL
Read more Singapore Airlines reviews

The consistency with Singapore Airlines is fantastic. Crew are always brilliant and food delicious in business class

I was in a middle seat where I felt a bit too cramped otherwise the trip was good

The business class seats were very uncomfortable. When in lie flat position my legs were very restricted.

Lounge a access was excellent as was the attentiveness and service from the crew as always. The food and drink supplied were of good quality. The entertainment system had a good selection and I liked the mapping system supplied. However the screen wild have been bigger and the operation a little smoother to navigate. The seats were barely comfortable, but adequate.

Excelent service and plenty of food and drinks during the flight. Flight crew very attentive to our needs. Leg room between rows are very disappointing.

So happy I flew with Singapore Airlines. The customer service is top notch. I am terrified of flying and the staff made me feel so at ease. Will only fly Singapore internationally moving forward.

It was very good experience on board to Sydney with SQ.

Everything was great keep up the good work 😁, can't ask for more.

Flight from SFO did not include entertainment as it was not working the entire duration of the flight. Was informed that there would be a $350 voucher for the inconvenience. Uncertain how the voucher will be provided.

It was an average flight. I would have expected more from this airline. Food, seats, service, etc was just average. I just give them some extra points for offering free WiFi on board with just a Krisflyer account.

Travelling to a place near Cairns?

Book flights to Cairns if you plan to visit one of these locations
Mission Beach
Trinity Beach

Everything you need to know for your flight to Cairns

Information on the airport you'll fly into in Cairns

Cairns (CNS)