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Cheap flights from New Zealand to Cairns from $189

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 31/8. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel.
AKL — CNS
16 Sep — 23 Sep1
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 17 August 2026.

Fri 16/1007:55 -
Nonstop5h 45m
Sun 18/1007:00 -
Nonstop4h 55m
Deal found 15/8$484
Mon 14/906:55 -
Nonstop5h 45m
Thu 17/907:00 -
Nonstop4h 55m
Deal found 16/8$516
Fri 11/906:55 -
Nonstop5h 45m
Tue 22/907:00 -
Nonstop4h 55m
Deal found 14/8$528
Mon 14/906:55 -
Nonstop5h 45m
Sun 20/907:00 -
Nonstop4h 55m
Deal found 13/8$540
Wed 23/906:55 -
Nonstop5h 45m
Thu 8/1007:00 -
Nonstop4h 55m
Deal found 13/8$604
Sun 30/811:05 -
1 stop25h 35m
Sat 19/919:25 -
1 stop13h 55m
Deal found 13/8$605
Tue 13/1020:55 -
1 stop16h 45m
Thu 22/1012:00 -
1 stop23h 15m
Deal found 14/8$629
Fri 11/917:00 -
1 stop19h 45m
Tue 22/907:00 -
Nonstop4h 55m
Deal found 14/8$643
Thu 17/920:55 -
1 stop15h 45m
Sat 26/919:25 -
1 stop25h 55m
Deal found 13/8$659
Sun 13/920:55 -
1 stop15h 45m
Thu 24/919:25 -
1 stop26h 55m
Deal found 12/8$663
Thu 17/907:10 -
Nonstop5h 35m
Sat 26/911:55 -
Nonstop4h 40m
Deal found 12/8$673
Tue 22/920:55 -
1 stop15h 45m
Tue 29/919:25 -
1 stop25h 55m
Deal found 13/8$674

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 17 August 2026.

Round-trip from

$484

One-way from

$189

Popular in

September

Cheapest in

October

Average price

$804

Good one-way deal

$396 or less
Jetstar
  • Jetstar
  • 16/10-18/10
  • Nonstop
  • 10h 40m total
  • New Zealand to Cairns
Search Deals
Jetstar
  • Jetstar
  • 31/8
  • Nonstop
  • 5h 45m total
  • New Zealand to Cairns
Search Deals
High demand for flights, 0% potential price rise
Search Deals
Cheapest flight prices on average. 1% potential price decrease ($16 potential savings vs. average return price).
Search Deals
Average for round-trip flights in August 2026
Search Deals
Price to beat on a one-way 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 17 August 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 Christchurch - CNS Cairns

CHCCNS

Christchurch

Mon 14/9

06:55-10:40

Nonstop5h 45m

Cairns

Thu 17/9

07:00-13:55

Nonstop4h 55m

$516

ChristchurchCairns

CHC Christchurch - CNS Cairns

CHCCNS

Christchurch

Mon 14/9

06:55-10:40

Nonstop5h 45m

Cairns

Sun 20/9

07:00-13:55

Nonstop4h 55m

$540

HamiltonCairns

HLZ Hamilton - CNS Cairns

HLZCNS

Hamilton

Sun 30/8

11:05-10:40

1 stop25h 35m

Cairns

Sat 19/9

19:25-11:20

1 stop13h 55m

$605

ChristchurchCairns

CHC Christchurch - CNS Cairns

CHCCNS

Christchurch

Thu 10/9

09:15-22:25

2 stops15h 10m

Cairns

Thu 17/9

07:00-13:55

Nonstop4h 55m

$677

ChristchurchCairns

CHC Christchurch - CNS Cairns

CHCCNS

Christchurch

Mon 12/10

07:55-10:40

Nonstop5h 45m

Cairns

Sat 24/10

20:40-00:10

1 stop24h 30m

$686

WellingtonCairns

WLG Wellington - CNS Cairns

WLGCNS

Wellington

Tue 15/9

19:40-10:40

1 stop17h 00m

Cairns

Sat 26/9

19:25-14:00

1 stop16h 35m

$705

AucklandCairns

AKL Auckland Intl - CNS Cairns

AKLCNS

Auckland Intl

Thu 17/9

07:10-10:45

Nonstop5h 35m

Cairns

Sat 26/9

19:25-23:20

1 stop25h 55m

$714

QueenstownCairns

ZQN Queenstown Intl - CNS Cairns

ZQNCNS

Queenstown Intl

Thu 21/1

17:35-23:05

1 stop8h 30m

Cairns

Mon 25/1

19:50-13:10

1 stop14h 20m

$731

WellingtonCairns

WLG Wellington - CNS Cairns

WLGCNS

Wellington

Fri 11/9

20:05-10:45

1 stop16h 40m

Cairns

Fri 18/9

06:50-00:10

1 stop15h 20m

$735

AucklandCairns

AKL Auckland Intl - CNS Cairns

AKLCNS

Auckland Intl

Mon 14/9

17:25-09:00

1 stop17h 35m

Cairns

Mon 21/9

09:40-00:20

1 stop12h 40m

$762

Flights are sorted by cheapest return flights first.

Deals found on 12/8

Showing 1-10 of 60 resultsSorted by cheapest first
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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, October is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from New Zealand to Cairns (average of $642). Flying from New Zealand to Cairns in February is currently the most expensive (average of $878). 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 17 August 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 7% of weekly flights between New Zealand and Cairns have experienced delays in the past year, with the average delay time being 227 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?

Tuesday tends to have the lowest number of delays on this route, whereas Sunday 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 4% 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 27 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 17 August 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.
Qantas Airways
7.5
Good
1,083 reviews
Check prices

Boarding

7.7

Overall

7.5

Food

7.0

Comfort

7.4

Crew

8.1

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.
Qantas Airways
7.5
Good
1,083 reviews
Qantas Airways
7.5
Good
1,083 reviews
Check prices

Boarding

7.7

Overall

7.5

Food

7.0

Comfort

7.4

Crew

8.1

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.
Jetstar
6.5
Okay
567 reviews
Qantas Airways
7.5
Good
1,083 reviews
Check prices

Boarding

7.7

Overall

7.5

Food

7.0

Comfort

7.4

Crew

8.1

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?

    Flights from New Zealand to Cairns have been viewed 7 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 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 $139 on Jetstar. Other airlines that offer cheap prices include Qantas Airways from $232 and Air New Zealand from $296 one-way.

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

    Most travellers choose Auckland Intl - Cairns, Christchurch - Cairns or Wellington - Cairns when deciding on the best route 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 Air China (78%), Virgin Australia (40%) and Air New Zealand (40%).

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

    On average you can expect to pay $492 for a flight from New Zealand to Cairns. The cheapest flight overall is $264 while the most popular route, (Auckland Intl - Cairns) is currently priced at $679.

  • 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, October is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from New Zealand to Cairns (average of $642). Flying from New Zealand to Cairns in February is currently the most expensive (average of $878). 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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Top 2 airlines flying from New Zealand to Cairns

Discover the top 2 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 17 August 2026.
AirlineCheapestAverageFlexibilityOn-time
JetstarCheapest$228Average$519FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time74%
Search Jetstar flights
Qantas AirwaysCheapest$917Average$1,005FlexibilityNo 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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