Find flights
Deals
When to book
Airlines
FAQs

Cheap flights from New Zealand to Cairns from $163

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 8/5. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel.
AKL — CNS
12 Apr — 19 Apr1
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 13 March 2026.

Wed 20/506:55
CHC
-
CNS
Nonstop5h 45m
Jetstar
Thu 21/507:00
CNS
-
CHC
Nonstop4h 55m
Jetstar
Deal found 9/3$385
Fri 20/308:20
CHC
-
CNS
Nonstop5h 35m
Jetstar
Tue 7/407:00
CNS
-
CHC
Nonstop4h 55m
Jetstar
Deal found 9/3$397
Fri 24/406:55
CHC
-
CNS
Nonstop5h 45m
Jetstar
Sun 3/507:00
CNS
-
CHC
Nonstop4h 55m
Jetstar
Deal found 10/3$415
Mon 13/406:55
CHC
-
CNS
Nonstop5h 45m
Jetstar
Thu 16/407:00
CNS
-
CHC
Nonstop4h 55m
Jetstar
Deal found 10/3$429
Mon 4/506:55
CHC
-
CNS
Nonstop5h 45m
Jetstar
Tue 12/507:00
CNS
-
CHC
Nonstop4h 55m
Jetstar
Deal found 11/3$437
Mon 13/406:55
CHC
-
CNS
Nonstop5h 45m
Jetstar
Sun 19/407:00
CNS
-
CHC
Nonstop4h 55m
Jetstar
Deal found 9/3$443
Fri 13/308:20
CHC
-
CNS
Nonstop5h 35m
Jetstar
Sun 22/307:15
CNS
-
CHC
Nonstop4h 55m
Jetstar
Deal found 11/3$446
Mon 3/806:55
CHC
-
CNS
Nonstop5h 45m
Jetstar
Tue 11/807:00
CNS
-
CHC
Nonstop4h 55m
Jetstar
Deal found 10/3$451
Mon 18/506:55
CHC
-
CNS
Nonstop5h 45m
Jetstar
Thu 21/507:00
CNS
-
CHC
Nonstop4h 55m
Jetstar
Deal found 9/3$465
Mon 18/506:55
CHC
-
CNS
Nonstop5h 45m
Jetstar
Sun 24/507:00
CNS
-
CHC
Nonstop4h 55m
Jetstar
Deal found 9/3$488
Tue 12/518:30
AKL
-
CNS
1 stop18h 10m
Jetstar
Tue 19/507:00
CNS
-
AKL
1 stop11h 10m
Jetstar
Deal found 9/3$515
Fri 31/706:55
CHC
-
CNS
Nonstop5h 45m
Jetstar
Sun 9/807:00
CNS
-
CHC
Nonstop4h 55m
Jetstar
Deal found 11/3$515

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 13 March 2026.

Round-trip from

$385

One-way from

$163

Popular in

December

Cheapest in

February

Average price

$706

Good round-trip deal

$146 or less
Jetstar
  • Jetstar
  • 20/5-21/5
  • Nonstop
  • 10h 40m total
  • New Zealand to Cairns
Search Deals
Jetstar
  • Jetstar
  • 8/5
  • Nonstop
  • 5h 45m total
  • New Zealand to Cairns
Search Deals
Highest demand for flights based on searches. 4% potential increase in price ($45 potential increase over avg. return price).
Search Deals
Cheapest flight prices on average. 1% potential price decrease ($18 potential savings vs. average return price).
Search Deals
Average for round-trip flights in March 2026
Search Deals
Price to beat on a round-trip flight from New Zealand to Cairns.
Search Deals

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 13 March 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

AucklandCairns

AKL - CNS

AKLCNS

Auckland Intl

Tue 21/4

20:50-10:40

1 stop15h 50m

Cairns

Tue 28/4

07:00-18:45

1 stop9h 45m

$555

AucklandCairns

AKL - CNS

AKLCNS

Auckland Intl

Tue 21/4

20:50-10:40

1 stop15h 50m

Cairns

Thu 30/4

07:00-20:15

1 stop11h 15m

$557

ChristchurchCairns

CHC - CNS

CHCCNS

Christchurch

Thu 23/4

08:20-22:40

1 stop16h 20m

Cairns

Thu 30/4

07:00-13:55

Nonstop4h 55m

$567

WellingtonCairns

WLG - CNS

WLGCNS

Wellington

Thu 23/4

19:40-10:40

1 stop17h 00m

Cairns

Thu 30/4

07:00-19:00

1 stop10h 00m

$609

ChristchurchCairns

CHC - CNS

CHCCNS

Christchurch

Fri 31/7

08:20-22:40

1 stop16h 20m

Cairns

Sun 9/8

07:00-13:55

Nonstop4h 55m

$631

AucklandCairns

AKL - CNS

AKLCNS

Auckland Intl

Tue 21/4

07:10-10:45

Nonstop5h 35m

Cairns

Thu 30/4

07:00-21:50

1 stop12h 50m

$679

WellingtonCairns

WLG - CNS

WLGCNS

Wellington

Fri 28/8

21:10-13:40

2 stops18h 30m

Cairns

Thu 3/9

07:00-19:00

1 stop10h 00m

$679

AucklandCairns

AKL - CNS

AKLCNS

Auckland Intl

Tue 30/6

07:00-18:45

1 stop13h 45m

Cairns

Tue 7/7

07:00-18:40

1 stop9h 40m

$681

ChristchurchCairns

CHC - CNS

CHCCNS

Christchurch

Mon 27/4

06:55-10:40

Nonstop5h 45m

Cairns

Mon 4/5

21:40-15:50

2 stops16h 10m

$714

WellingtonCairns

WLG - CNS

WLGCNS

Wellington

Sun 26/4

19:40-10:40

1 stop17h 00m

Cairns

Sun 3/5

07:00-19:00

1 stop10h 00m

$723

Flights are sorted by cheapest return flights first.

Deals found on 9/3

Showing 1-10 of 60 resultsSorted by cheapest first
1
2
3
...
6

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 $180). Flying from New Zealand to Cairns in December is currently the most expensive (average of $423). 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 13 March 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 183 minutes.

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

Historically, flights departing at night 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?

Thursday tends to have the lowest number of delays on this route, whereas Wednesday 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 2% of flights being delayed.

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 13 March 2026.
Check out reviews from past customers who have flown with 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.
Jetstar
6.5
Okay
530 reviews
Check prices

Comfort

6.4

Entertainment

5.1

Boarding

6.8

Crew

7.3

Food

5.7

Overall

6.5

Reviews

1 / 20
2.0
Mediocre

Rashmit,Feb 2026

SYD - MEL

Extremely bad . Their luggage policies are bad and confusing and the aim is to trap people. Even if you buy luggage and there is weight remaining in the checked baggage. They will not tell you and charge you an extremely hefty price at the gate with no regard. Then those bags will be held back and will not arrive along with the other bags . Then you wait 2 hours to file a complaint and they expect you to come back when ever THEY CAN FIND your bag . Very disappointing experience
Jetstar
6.5
Okay
530 reviews
Jetstar
6.5
Okay
530 reviews
Check prices

Comfort

6.4

Entertainment

5.1

Boarding

6.8

Crew

7.3

Food

5.7

Overall

6.5

Reviews

1 / 20
2.0
Mediocre

Rashmit,Feb 2026

SYD - MEL

Extremely bad . Their luggage policies are bad and confusing and the aim is to trap people. Even if you buy luggage and there is weight remaining in the checked baggage. They will not tell you and charge you an extremely hefty price at the gate with no regard. Then those bags will be held back and will not arrive along with the other bags . Then you wait 2 hours to file a complaint and they expect you to come back when ever THEY CAN FIND your bag . Very disappointing experience

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?

    Flights from New Zealand to Cairns have been viewed 3 times in the past calendar month.

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

    Departing from New Zealand to Cairns will take you 15h 50m. Airlines will cover a distance of 3616 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 $134 on Jetstar. Other airlines that offer cheap prices include Qantas Airways from $232 and Air New Zealand from $295 one-way.

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

    Most travellers choose Auckland Intl - Cairns, Christchurch - Cairns or Hamilton - Cairns when deciding on the best route from New Zealand to Cairns.

  • 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 $180). Flying from New Zealand to Cairns in December is currently the most expensive (average of $423). 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

Browse thousands of different options on Cheapflights for your next trip

Toggle through the tabs below to find thousands of options on Cheapflights for your next trip.

Alternative routes for New Zealand to Cairns

See prices for flight routes from nearby airports that may be better suited for you.
Melbourne to Brisbane flights
Melbourne to Coolangatta flights
Sydney to Brisbane flights
Sydney to Coolangatta flights
Sydney to Cairns flights
Melbourne to Cairns flights
Avalon to Brisbane flights
Avalon to Coolangatta flights
Perth to Brisbane flights
Avalon to Cairns flights
Melbourne to Maroochydore flights
Melbourne to Townsville flights
Sydney to Hamilton Island flights
Brisbane to Cairns flights
Adelaide to Brisbane flights
Sydney to Maroochydore flights
Auckland to Brisbane flights
Adelaide to Coolangatta flights
Melbourne to Proserpine flights
Avalon to Maroochydore flights
Melbourne to Hamilton Island flights
Cairns to Brisbane flights
Canberra to Brisbane flights
Wellington to Brisbane flights
Melbourne to Hervey Bay flights
Sydney to Proserpine flights
Christchurch to Brisbane flights
Brisbane to Hamilton Island flights
Canberra to Coolangatta flights
Darwin to Cairns flights
Brisbane to Proserpine flights
Auckland to Coolangatta flights
Rockhampton to Brisbane flights
Brisbane to Townsville flights
Avalon to Townsville flights
Townsville to Brisbane flights
Perth to Coolangatta flights
Hobart to Brisbane flights
Mackay to Brisbane flights
Port Moresby to Brisbane flights
Sydney to Townsville flights
Perth to Cairns flights
Brisbane to Rockhampton flights
Adelaide to Cairns flights
Brisbane to Bundaberg flights
Newcastle to Brisbane flights
Melbourne to Mackay flights
Albury to Brisbane flights

Top airline flying from New Zealand to Cairns

Discover the top airline 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 13 March 2026.
AirlineCheapestAverageFlexibilityOn-time
JetstarCheapest$227Average$545FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time74%
Search Jetstar 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.

100% Free

Cheapflights is completely free to use, so you can start saving the moment you arrive.

Book with flexibility

Our users can plan ahead with confidence and find flights with no change fees

Travel Smart

Millions of people come to us for their flight needs every year. We help make travel planning easy by providing useful insights and data-driven graphs that can inform your decisions.