Cheap flights from New Zealand to Cairns from $255

This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a Cheapflights user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight departing on 6/9. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel.
AKL — CNS
15 Jul — 22 Jul1
1 adult
1 adult, Economy, 0 bags

Cheap flight deals from New Zealand to Cairns

Enter your travel dates to find the best prices.

Cheapest flights from New Zealand to Cairns
Explore the most affordable flight options available from New Zealand to Cairns. Find the lowest fares from popular airlines and budget airlines, with prices last updated on 15 June 2026.

Mon 15/606:55
CHC
-
CNS
Nonstop5h 45m
Jetstar
Sun 21/607:00
CNS
-
CHC
Nonstop4h 55m
Jetstar
Deal found 11/6$461
Wed 17/606:55
CHC
-
CNS
Nonstop5h 45m
Jetstar
Tue 23/607:00
CNS
-
CHC
Nonstop4h 55m
Jetstar
Deal found 14/6$481
Fri 24/706:55
CHC
-
CNS
Nonstop5h 45m
Jetstar
Sun 26/707:00
CNS
-
CHC
Nonstop4h 55m
Jetstar
Deal found 12/6$496
Fri 17/706:55
CHC
-
CNS
Nonstop5h 45m
Jetstar
Thu 23/707:00
CNS
-
CHC
Nonstop4h 55m
Jetstar
Deal found 13/6$502
Fri 7/806:55
CHC
-
CNS
Nonstop5h 45m
Jetstar
Thu 20/807:00
CNS
-
CHC
Nonstop4h 55m
Jetstar
Deal found 14/6$518
Mon 20/706:55
CHC
-
CNS
Nonstop5h 45m
Jetstar
Thu 30/707:00
CNS
-
CHC
Nonstop4h 55m
Jetstar
Deal found 12/6$543
Fri 14/806:55
CHC
-
CNS
Nonstop5h 45m
Jetstar
Thu 20/821:40
CNS
-
CHC
1 stop16h 45m
Jetstar
Deal found 13/6$571
Mon 29/606:55
CHC
-
CNS
Nonstop5h 45m
Jetstar
Thu 2/707:00
CNS
-
CHC
Nonstop4h 55m
Jetstar
Deal found 14/6$574
Mon 31/806:55
CHC
-
CNS
Nonstop5h 45m
Jetstar
Wed 9/920:10
CNS
-
CHC
1 stop18h 15m
Jetstar
Deal found 12/6$586
Sat 15/817:45
AKL
-
CNS
1 stop16h 45m
Jetstar
Sat 22/806:00
CNS
-
AKL
1 stop8h 45m
Jetstar
Deal found 10/6$594
Fri 14/806:55
CHC
-
CNS
Nonstop5h 45m
Jetstar
Wed 19/821:40
CNS
-
CHC
1 stop16h 45m
Jetstar
Deal found 13/6$597
Mon 17/817:25
AKL
-
CNS
1 stop17h 05m
Jetstar
Thu 20/806:00
CNS
-
AKL
1 stop8h 10m
Jetstar
Deal found 10/6$610

Find flight deals from New Zealand to Cairns

Keep the following information in mind while searching for New Zealand to Cairns flight deals. Data was last updated 15 June 2026.

Round-trip from

$496

One-way from

$255

Popular in

December

Cheapest in

October

Average price

$892

Good one-way deal

$365 or less
Jetstar
  • Jetstar
  • 24/7-26/7
  • Nonstop
  • 10h 40m total
  • New Zealand to Cairns
Jetstar
  • Jetstar
  • 6/9
  • 1 total stop
  • 17h 05m total
  • New Zealand to Cairns
High demand for flights, 1% potential price rise
Cheapest flight prices on average. 1% potential price decrease ($17 potential savings vs. average return price).
Average for round-trip flights in June 2026
Price to beat on a one-way flight from New Zealand to Cairns.

Cheapflights Fare Finder

 
Customise your flight search to find flights from New Zealand to Cairns that fit within your specific budget. Explore options based on user searches and filter the results based on your desired price range. Find flights that match your budget for a cost-effective journey. Over the last 7 days, Cheapflights users made 647,157 searches. Data last updated 15 June 2026.
Use the filters below to find and compare flights from New Zealand to Cairns that are best for you.

Fly from

Fly to

Route

Depart

Return

Price

Cheapest return flight

ChristchurchCairns

CHC - CNS

CHCCNS

Christchurch

Fri 17/7

06:55-10:40

Nonstop5h 45m

Cairns

Thu 23/7

07:00-13:55

Nonstop4h 55m

$502

ChristchurchCairns

CHC - CNS

CHCCNS

Christchurch

Fri 24/7

06:55-10:40

Nonstop5h 45m

Cairns

Sun 26/7

07:00-13:55

Nonstop4h 55m

$530

ChristchurchCairns

CHC - CNS

CHCCNS

Christchurch

Fri 14/8

06:55-10:40

Nonstop5h 45m

Cairns

Wed 19/8

21:40-16:25

1 stop16h 45m

$597

AucklandCairns

AKL - CNS

AKLCNS

Auckland Intl

Mon 17/8

17:25-08:30

1 stop17h 05m

Cairns

Thu 20/8

06:00-16:10

1 stop8h 10m

$610

AucklandCairns

AKL - CNS

AKLCNS

Auckland Intl

Thu 23/7

06:20-21:00

1 stop16h 40m

Cairns

Thu 30/7

06:00-16:10

1 stop8h 10m

$634

AucklandCairns

AKL - CNS

AKLCNS

Auckland Intl

Tue 28/7

20:55-10:40

1 stop15h 45m

Cairns

Wed 29/7

19:10-14:10

1 stop17h 00m

$674

AucklandCairns

AKL - CNS

AKLCNS

Auckland Intl

Sat 15/8

17:45-08:30

1 stop16h 45m

Cairns

Sat 22/8

06:00-16:45

1 stop8h 45m

$681

AucklandCairns

AKL - CNS

AKLCNS

Auckland Intl

Thu 25/6

14:25-10:40

1 stop22h 15m

Cairns

Mon 29/6

20:55-05:05

1 stop30h 10m

$700

AucklandCairns

AKL - CNS

AKLCNS

Auckland Intl

Sun 19/7

06:15-17:00

1 stop12h 45m

Cairns

Tue 28/7

06:00-16:25

1 stop8h 25m

$709

ChristchurchCairns

CHC - CNS

CHCCNS

Christchurch

Mon 31/8

08:20-20:50

1 stop14h 30m

Cairns

Wed 9/9

21:40-16:25

1 stop16h 45m

$709

Flights are sorted by cheapest return flights first.

Deals found on 12/6

Showing 1-10 of 59 resultsSorted by cheapest first
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Best time to book a flight from New Zealand to Cairns

Have a flexible travel schedule? Discover the best time to fly to Cairns from New Zealand with our price prediction graph.
Estimated return price
Rates are based on past data. Find the cheapest month and day to book your flight based on your travel requirements, then search for cheap deals.

Cheapflights Insights

Everything you need to know about your flight from New Zealand to Cairns

What is the cheapest month to book a flight from New Zealand to Cairns?

Currently, March is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from New Zealand to Cairns (average of $164). Flying from New Zealand to Cairns in December is currently the most expensive (average of $434). There are several factors that can impact the price of a flight, so comparing airlines, departure airports and flight times can provide users with more options.

What is the cheapest time of day to fly from NZ to CNS?

Find hourly flight availability from New Zealand to Cairns. Discover flight options and departure times throughout the day, allowing you to choose a departure time that suits your schedule. Data last updated 15 June 2026.

When flying from New Zealand to Cairns, the time of day you decide to fly out makes little to no difference towards the overall price you’ll pay on tickets.

How often are flights from New Zealand to Cairns delayed?

About 6% of weekly flights between New Zealand and Cairns have experienced delays in the past year, with the average delay time being 105 minutes.

What is the most punctual flight time for New Zealand to Cairns flights?

Historically, flights departing in the evening are less likely to be delayed, whereas flights leaving in the morning tend to experience delays more often.

What day of the week experiences the fewest flight delays on this route?

Saturday tends to have the lowest number of delays on this route, whereas Monday has historically faced a higher average of delays compared to other days of the week.

Which airline has the best punctuality record on New Zealand to Cairns flights?

Over the past year, China Eastern have had the lowest number of delays on this route, with just 3% of flights being delayed.

How far ahead should I book a flight from New Zealand to Cairns?

To ensure you get the cheapest price possible for a flight from New Zealand to Cairns, you should look to book at least 19 days in advance of your intended travel date. The price of your flight may increase if you delay and leave booking until a week or so before departure.

Reviews of airlines servicing Cairns

Get insights into the airlines that provide service to Cairns. Read reviews, discover amenities, and learn about the overall travel experience offered by airlines. Use this information to make informed decisions when choosing an airline for your flight to Cairns. Reviews last updated 15 June 2026.
Check out reviews from past customers who have flown with Qantas Airways and Jetstar from New Zealand to Cairns to help guide your decision. You can also see how each airline stacks up in terms of entertainment options, comfort, food, crew/service, and boarding process.

Food

7.0

Comfort

7.5

Crew

8.2

Boarding

7.7

Overall

7.5

Entertainment

7.2

Reviews

1 / 20
2.0
Mediocre

Midhat,Apr 2026

AKL - ADL

Poor as usual. Flight was delayed for more than 4 hours. The Staff was rude. Food was terrible. Very unreliable, unprofessional and unpleasant.

Food

7.0

Comfort

7.5

Crew

8.2

Boarding

7.7

Overall

7.5

Entertainment

7.2

Reviews

1 / 20
2.0
Mediocre

Midhat,Apr 2026

AKL - ADL

Poor as usual. Flight was delayed for more than 4 hours. The Staff was rude. Food was terrible. Very unreliable, unprofessional and unpleasant.

Food

7.0

Comfort

7.5

Crew

8.2

Boarding

7.7

Overall

7.5

Entertainment

7.2

Reviews

1 / 20
2.0
Mediocre

Midhat,Apr 2026

AKL - ADL

Poor as usual. Flight was delayed for more than 4 hours. The Staff was rude. Food was terrible. Very unreliable, unprofessional and unpleasant.

Related info for your journey

Find useful and relevant information for your journey from New Zealand to Cairns. Access travel guides, tips, and recommendations to enhance your travel experience. Get information about local attractions, weather, transportation options, and more.
  • What airport do you fly into for flights to Cairns from New Zealand?

    Cairns (CNS) is the airport you will fly into if you book a flight from New Zealand to Cairns. It is only a 4.4 km journey from Cairns (CNS) to Cairns’s city centre.

  • How popular is this New Zealand to Cairns flight route?

  • How long is the flight from New Zealand to Cairns?

    Departing from New Zealand to Cairns will take you 5h 45m. Airlines will cover a distance of 3883 km. This flight may include one or multiple stops.

  • What are the cheapest airlines to fly from New Zealand to Cairns one-way?

    One-way options have recently been found by users for as low as $149 on Jetstar. Other airlines that offer cheap prices include Qantas Airways from $284 and Air New Zealand from $297 one-way.

  • What are the most popular routes from New Zealand to Cairns?

  • What are the most reliable airlines from New Zealand to Cairns?

    The top 3 most reliable airlines when flying from New Zealand to Cairns are Virgin Australia (100%), Air New Zealand (100%) and Singapore Airlines (100%).

  • What are the cheapest flights from New Zealand to Cairns?

    On average you can expect to pay $396 for a flight from New Zealand to Cairns. The cheapest flight overall is $354 while the most popular route, (Auckland Intl - Cairns) is currently priced at $627.

  • Can I find deals for flights from New Zealand to Cairns that include hotel bookings?

    Yes. In addition to deals on New Zealand to Cairns flights, Cheapflights offers holiday packages that include both flights and hotel.

  • How can I find direct flights from New Zealand to Cairns?

    After entering your origin and destination, apply the non-stop filter on the search result page to find direct flights from New Zealand to Cairns.

  • Can I find deals for business class flights from New Zealand to Cairns?

    Yes. Cheapflights offers flight deals from New Zealand to Cairns by cabin class. In addition to browsing deals, you can also filter by cabin class on the search results page after making a search.

  • What is the cheapest month to book a flight from New Zealand to Cairns?

    Currently, March is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from New Zealand to Cairns (average of $164). Flying from New Zealand to Cairns in December is currently the most expensive (average of $434). There are several factors that can impact the price of a flight, so comparing airlines, departure airports and flight times can provide users with more options.

See more FAQs

Travelling to a place near Cairns?

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

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Alternative routes for New Zealand to Cairns

See prices for flight routes from nearby airports that may be better suited for you.

Top 3 airlines flying from New Zealand to Cairns

Discover the top 3 airlines that operate flights from New Zealand to Cairns. Compare their services, reliability, and customer satisfaction ratings to choose the airline that best suits your travel preferences and needs. Over the last 7 days, Cheapflights users made 647,157 searches. Data last updated 15 June 2026.
AirlineCheapestAverageFlexibilityOn-time
JetstarCheapest$286Average$505FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time74%
Search Jetstar flights
Air New ZealandCheapest$793Average$846FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time78%
Search Air New Zealand flights
Qantas AirwaysCheapest$921Average$1,010FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time74%
Search Qantas Airways flights

Fly with Cheapflights

Find the best flight deals on Cheapflights, where travellers can enjoy low prices and a wide availability of flights to their desired destinations.

How does Cheapflights help users find flights from New Zealand to Cairns?

Deals for New Zealand to Cairns flights are sourced from 900+ travel sites when you use Cheapflights. When all flight results come back, Cheapflights lets you sort and filter flights using different criteria to choose better, like price, airport, cabin class, and plenty of other options.

Why should you use Cheapflights to find cheap flight tickets from New Zealand to Cairns?

Cheapflights helps you find that perfect flight to Cairns from New Zealand by searching from hundreds of airlines and agencies you know and love. We are also free to use, in case you were wondering!

Can Cheapflights find flights from New Zealand to Cairns with no change fees?

Yes! Cheapflights helps users easily find flights from New Zealand to Cairns with no change fees.

Can Cheapflights notify me if prices for flights from New Zealand to Cairns become cheaper?

Yes, Cheapflights offers price alerts on New Zealand to Cairns flights so you can book your travel at the perfect time. Price Alerts can be enabled by clicking the bell icon next to the flight deals above and providing your email address where you want to receive the alerts.

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