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Cheap flights from New Zealand to Cairns from $308

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 10/2. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel.
AKL — CNS
29 Jan — 5 Feb1
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 30 December 2025.

Tue 30/1214:00ZQN - CNS
1 stop12h 55mVirgin Australia
Sun 4/119:50CNS - ZQN
1 stop14h 20mVirgin Australia
Deal found 29/12$816
Wed 31/1208:20CHC - CNS
Nonstop5h 35mJetstar
Sun 4/107:15CNS - CHC
Nonstop4h 55mJetstar
Deal found 29/12$890
Wed 31/1208:20CHC - CNS
Nonstop5h 35mMultiple Airlines
Sun 4/111:45CNS - CHC
1 stop24h 10mMultiple Airlines
Deal found 29/12$996
Wed 31/1215:55CHC - CNS
1 stop8h 05mQantas Airways
Sun 4/117:35CNS - CHC
1 stop27h 50mQantas Airways
Deal found 29/12$1,373
Tue 30/1207:00ZQN - CNS
2 stops19h 05mQantas Airways
Sun 4/117:35CNS - ZQN
1 stop19h 00mQantas Airways
Deal found 29/12$1,832
Wed 31/1218:20CHC - CNS
2 stops17h 15mEmirates
Sun 4/111:45CNS - CHC
2 stops23h 15mEmirates
Deal found 29/12$2,044
Tue 30/1216:30ZQN - CNS
1 stop24h 35mEmirates
Sun 4/114:50CNS - ZQN
1 stop21h 45mEmirates
Deal found 29/12$2,488
Tue 30/1220:25ZQN - CNS
2 stops22h 50mAir New Zealand
Sun 4/112:35CNS - ZQN
3 stops18h 05mAir New Zealand
Deal found 29/12$3,581

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 30 December 2025.

Round-trip from

$480

One-way from

$308

Popular in

December

Cheapest in

October

Average price

$1,108

Good round-trip deal

$472 or less

Good one-way deal

$234 or less
Jetstar
  • Jetstar
  • 16/1-22/1
  • Nonstop
  • 10h 30m total
  • New Zealand to Cairns
Search Deals
Jetstar
  • Jetstar
  • 10/2
  • 1 total stop
  • 19h 25m total
  • New Zealand to Cairns
Search Deals
Highest demand for flights based on searches. 5% potential increase in price ($104 potential increase over avg. return price).
Search Deals
Cheapest flight prices on average. 1% potential price decrease ($25 potential savings vs. average return price).
Search Deals
Average for round-trip flights in December 2025
Search Deals
Price to beat on a round-trip flight from New Zealand to Cairns.
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 134,765 searches. Data last updated 30 December 2025.
Use the filters below to find and compare flights from New Zealand to Cairns that are best for you.

Fly from

New Zealand

Fly to

Cairns

Route

Departure

Return

Price

ChristchurchCairns

CHC - CNS

CHCCNS

Christchurch

Fri 16/1

08:20-10:55

Nonstop5h 35m

Cairns

Thu 22/1

07:15-15:10

Nonstop4h 55m

$480

ChristchurchCairns

CHC - CNS

CHCCNS

Christchurch

Tue 10/2

09:15-22:05

1 stop15h 50m

Cairns

Tue 17/2

07:15-15:10

Nonstop4h 55m

$709

AucklandCairns

AKL - CNS

AKLCNS

Auckland Intl

Sun 22/3

20:45-08:30

1 stop14h 45m

Cairns

Sun 29/3

09:40-23:35

1 stop10h 55m

$728

AucklandCairns

AKL - CNS

AKLCNS

Auckland Intl

Fri 6/2

19:30-09:20

1 stop16h 50m

Cairns

Sat 28/2

12:05-05:05

1 stop14h 00m

$733

ChristchurchCairns

CHC - CNS

CHCCNS

Christchurch

Fri 13/2

08:20-10:55

Nonstop5h 35m

Cairns

Thu 19/2

09:45-00:05

1 stop11h 20m

$740

ChristchurchCairns

CHC - CNS

CHCCNS

Christchurch

Tue 5/5

08:20-20:50

1 stop14h 30m

Cairns

Tue 19/5

07:00-13:55

Nonstop4h 55m

$752

ChristchurchCairns

CHC - CNS

CHCCNS

Christchurch

Fri 1/5

07:05-10:40

Nonstop5h 35m

Cairns

Fri 8/5

21:40-16:20

1 stop16h 40m

$755

AucklandCairns

AKL - CNS

AKLCNS

Auckland Intl

Tue 9/6

06:15-17:00

1 stop12h 45m

Cairns

Tue 16/6

06:00-16:10

1 stop8h 10m

$759

ChristchurchCairns

CHC - CNS

CHCCNS

Christchurch

Wed 11/2

08:20-10:55

Nonstop5h 35m

Cairns

Wed 18/2

06:00-23:05

2 stops14h 05m

$769

ChristchurchCairns

CHC - CNS

CHCCNS

Christchurch

Tue 5/5

11:25-23:10

2 stops13h 45m

Cairns

Tue 19/5

07:00-13:55

Nonstop4h 55m

$788

Flights are sorted by cheapest return flights first.

Deals found on 28/12

Showing 1-10 of 59 results
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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, July is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from New Zealand to Cairns (average of $243). Flying from New Zealand to Cairns in March is currently the most expensive (average of $602). 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 30 December 2025.

Regardless of the time of day you decide to fly, the ticket price will remain around the same. Book flights from New Zealand to Cairns as you normally would.

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 93 minutes.

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

Historically, flights departing in the early afternoon 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?

Sunday 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 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 30 December 2025.
See what other customers who have flown with Emirates, Air New Zealand, andVirgin Australia from New Zealand to Cairns have to say. You can also see how each airline compares in terms of entertainment options, comfort, food, crew/service, and boarding process.
Emirates
8.1
Very Good
3,447 reviews
Check prices

Comfort

8.0

Food

7.9

Boarding

8.1

Entertainment

8.2

Crew

8.3

Overall

8.1

Reviews

1 / 20
10.0
Excellent

Anonymous,Sept 2025

DXB - ORD

Overall it was wonderfull for the amount I paid for.
Emirates
8.1
Very Good
3,447 reviews
Emirates
8.1
Very Good
3,447 reviews
Check prices

Comfort

8.0

Food

7.9

Boarding

8.1

Entertainment

8.2

Crew

8.3

Overall

8.1

Reviews

1 / 20
10.0
Excellent

Anonymous,Sept 2025

DXB - ORD

Overall it was wonderfull for the amount I paid for.
Air New Zealand
8.0
Very Good
562 reviews
Emirates
8.1
Very Good
3,447 reviews
Check prices

Comfort

8.0

Food

7.9

Boarding

8.1

Entertainment

8.2

Crew

8.3

Overall

8.1

Reviews

1 / 20
10.0
Excellent

Anonymous,Sept 2025

DXB - ORD

Overall it was wonderfull for the amount I paid for.
Virgin Australia
7.6
Good
431 reviews
Emirates
8.1
Very Good
3,447 reviews
Check prices

Comfort

8.0

Food

7.9

Boarding

8.1

Entertainment

8.2

Crew

8.3

Overall

8.1

Reviews

1 / 20
10.0
Excellent

Anonymous,Sept 2025

DXB - ORD

Overall it was wonderfull for the amount I paid for.
Qantas Airways
7.5
Good
957 reviews
Emirates
8.1
Very Good
3,447 reviews
Check prices

Comfort

8.0

Food

7.9

Boarding

8.1

Entertainment

8.2

Crew

8.3

Overall

8.1

Reviews

1 / 20
10.0
Excellent

Anonymous,Sept 2025

DXB - ORD

Overall it was wonderfull for the amount I paid for.
Jetstar
6.5
Okay
496 reviews
Emirates
8.1
Very Good
3,447 reviews
Check prices

Comfort

8.0

Food

7.9

Boarding

8.1

Entertainment

8.2

Crew

8.3

Overall

8.1

Reviews

1 / 20
10.0
Excellent

Anonymous,Sept 2025

DXB - ORD

Overall it was wonderfull for the amount I paid for.

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?

    Located just 4.4 km from the city centre, Cairns (CNS) is the airport most travelers will use when flying to Cairns from New Zealand.

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

    This flight path from New Zealand to Cairns was viewed by 280 users in the past month. Keep an eye out for changes in search interest prior to high and low season.

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

    There are many flights that can get you from New Zealand to Cairns in 5h 35m. Fly via Jetstar or Virgin Australia to get the fastest option. There are 3883 km between New Zealand and Cairns. Both multi-stop and direct flights can be found to your destination and back.

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

    For one-way options, check prices for Jetstar. According to our data, you can fly for as low as $194. Users have also found prices from $305 and $358 on Emirates and Air New Zealand, respectively.

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

    The most popular route from New Zealand to Cairns is Wellington - Cairns. You may also consider Auckland Intl - Cairns or Christchurch - Cairns.

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

    No one likes to see their flight delayed. When booking a flight from New Zealand to Cairns consider choosing Virgin Australia(100%), Air New Zealand(100%) or Singapore Airlines(100%), as they are the most reliable in getting you off to your destination on time.

  • 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, July is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from New Zealand to Cairns (average of $243). Flying from New Zealand to Cairns in March is currently the most expensive (average of $602). 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
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Alternative routes for New Zealand to Cairns

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Top 5 airlines flying from New Zealand to Cairns

Discover the top 5 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 134,765 searches. Data last updated 30 December 2025.
AirlineCheapestAverageFlexibilityOn-time
Virgin AustraliaCheapest$402Average$942FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time80%
Search Virgin Australia flights
JetstarCheapest$450Average$725FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time74%
Search Jetstar flights
Qantas AirwaysCheapest$664Average$1,105FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time74%
Search Qantas Airways flights
Air New ZealandCheapest$797Average$1,071FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time78%
Search Air New Zealand flights
EmiratesCheapest$1,082Average$1,188FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time75%
Search Emirates 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?

Cheapflights helps you search for flights from New Zealand to Cairns via 900+ travel sites so you don’t have to. After performing a flight search, users can also filter their flight selection by filtering for price, number of stops, airlines, and so on.

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

Millions of users choose and trust Cheapflights to book the best flight deals from New Zealand to Cairns for free. We help you search and compare prices from hundreds of airlines for the right flight just for you.

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

Need flexible booking options for your flight to Cairns from New Zealand? Don’t worry, Cheapflights have you covered. Use our search filter to only show flights with no change fees.

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

Yes! Start tracking prices for New Zealand to Cairns flights today and get alerted whenever prices for these flights change. To access this feature, click the bell icon next to the flight deals above, which will prompt you for a valid email address to receive your alerts.

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