Cheap flights from South Island to Cairns from $172

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 1/10. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel.
CHC — CNS
17 Oct — 24 Oct1
1 adult
1 adult, Economy

Cheap flight deals from South Island to Cairns

Keep the following information in mind while searching for South Island to Cairns flight deals. Data was last updated 17 September 2025.

Round-trip from

$444

One-way from

$172
Jetstar
  • Jetstar
  • 8/10-14/10
  • Nonstop
  • 10h 30m total
  • South Island to Cairns
Jetstar
  • Jetstar
  • 1/10
  • Nonstop
  • 5h 35m total
  • South Island to Cairns

Find flight deals from South Island to Cairns

Cheapest flights from South Island to Cairns
Explore the most affordable flight options available from South Island to Cairns. Find the lowest fares from popular airlines and budget airlines, with prices last updated on 17 September 2025.

Wed 8/1008:05CHC - CNS
Nonstop5h 35mJetstar
Tue 14/1022:55CNS - CHC
Nonstop4h 55mJetstar
Deal found 14/9$444
Thu 30/1018:15CHC - CNS
2 stops41h 50mJetstar
Thu 6/1122:55CNS - CHC
Nonstop4h 55mJetstar
Deal found 15/9$665
Tue 14/1013:05ZQN - CNS
1 stop24h 35mMultiple Airlines
Tue 21/1022:55CNS - ZQN
1 stop14h 10mMultiple Airlines
Deal found 16/9$671
Wed 8/1008:05CHC - CNS
Nonstop5h 35mMultiple Airlines
Tue 14/1010:55CNS - CHC
1 stop26h 30mMultiple Airlines
Deal found 14/9$683
Thu 30/1015:55CHC - CNS
1 stop28h 20mMultiple Airlines
Thu 6/1122:55CNS - CHC
Nonstop4h 55mMultiple Airlines
Deal found 14/9$765
Sun 19/1017:40ZQN - CNS
1 stop28h 30mMultiple Airlines
Sun 26/1022:55CNS - ZQN
1 stop12h 05mMultiple Airlines
Deal found 17/9$819
Mon 22/920:50ZQN - CNS
1 stop14h 25mMultiple Airlines
Tue 21/1022:55CNS - ZQN
1 stop14h 10mMultiple Airlines
Deal found 16/9$839
Sat 1/1120:50ZQN - CNS
1 stop14h 30mMultiple Airlines
Sat 8/1119:50CNS - ZQN
1 stop14h 20mMultiple Airlines
Deal found 17/9$859
Sat 1/1106:15CHC - CNS
2 stops29h 50mJetstar
Sat 8/1109:45CNS - CHC
1 stop11h 20mJetstar
Deal found 17/9$884
Fri 31/1020:50ZQN - CNS
1 stop14h 30mJetstar
Fri 7/1115:50CNS - ZQN
2 stops22h 00mJetstar
Deal found 15/9$926
Mon 22/920:50ZQN - CNS
1 stop14h 25mJetstar
Tue 21/1022:55CNS - ZQN
2 stops14h 15mJetstar
Deal found 16/9$936
Tue 23/913:05ZQN - CNS
1 stop23h 35mMultiple Airlines
Sun 5/1022:55CNS - ZQN
1 stop7h 45mMultiple Airlines
Deal found 17/9$971

Cheapflights Fare Finder

 
Customise your flight search to find flights from South Island 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 17 September 2025.
Use the filters below to find and compare flights from South Island to Cairns that are best for you.

Fly from

South Island

Fly to

Cairns

Route

Departure

Return

Price

ChristchurchCairns

CHC - CNS

CHCCNS

Christchurch

Wed 8/10

08:05-10:40

Nonstop5h 35m

Cairns

Tue 14/10

22:55-06:50

Nonstop4h 55m

$444

ChristchurchCairns

CHC - CNS

CHCCNS

Christchurch

Wed 8/10

08:05-10:40

Nonstop5h 35m

Cairns

Tue 14/10

10:55-16:25

1 stop26h 30m

$683

ChristchurchCairns

CHC - CNS

CHCCNS

Christchurch

Thu 30/10

09:15-22:05

1 stop15h 50m

Cairns

Thu 6/11

22:55-06:50

Nonstop4h 55m

$733

QueenstownCairns

ZQN - CNS

ZQNCNS

Queenstown Intl

Tue 14/10

16:50-10:40

2 stops20h 50m

Cairns

Tue 21/10

22:55-16:05

1 stop14h 10m

$745

ChristchurchCairns

CHC - CNS

CHCCNS

Christchurch

Thu 30/10

15:55-17:15

1 stop28h 20m

Cairns

Thu 6/11

22:55-06:50

Nonstop4h 55m

$765

QueenstownCairns

ZQN - CNS

ZQNCNS

Queenstown Intl

Sun 19/10

17:40-19:10

1 stop28h 30m

Cairns

Sun 26/10

22:55-14:00

1 stop12h 05m

$819

QueenstownCairns

ZQN - CNS

ZQNCNS

Queenstown Intl

Sat 1/11

20:50-08:20

1 stop14h 30m

Cairns

Sat 8/11

19:50-13:10

1 stop14h 20m

$859

ChristchurchCairns

CHC - CNS

CHCCNS

Christchurch

Sat 1/11

06:15-09:05

2 stops29h 50m

Cairns

Sat 8/11

09:45-00:05

1 stop11h 20m

$884

QueenstownCairns

ZQN - CNS

ZQNCNS

Queenstown Intl

Fri 31/10

20:50-08:20

1 stop14h 30m

Cairns

Fri 7/11

15:50-16:50

2 stops22h 00m

$926

ChristchurchCairns

CHC - CNS

CHCCNS

Christchurch

Sat 1/11

15:55-21:00

1 stop8h 05m

Cairns

Tue 4/11

22:55-06:50

Nonstop4h 55m

$934

Flights are sorted by cheapest return flights first.

Deals found on 17/9

Showing 1-10 of 29 results
1
2
3

Best time to book a flight from South Island to Cairns

Have a flexible travel schedule? Discover the best time to fly to Cairns from South Island 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 South Island to Cairns

What is the cheapest month to book a flight from South Island to Cairns?

Currently, July is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from South Island to Cairns (average of $459). Flying from South Island to Cairns in December is currently the most expensive (average of $642). 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 EDG to CNS?

Find hourly flight availability from South Island 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 September 2025.

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

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 September 2025.
Read through reviews of airlines operating flights from South Island to Cairns, such as Emirates, Air New Zealand, andVirgin Australia. You can also see how each airline compares in terms of entertainment options, comfort, food, crew/service, and boarding process.

Boarding

8.1

Comfort

8.0

Crew

8.3

Entertainment

8.2

Food

7.9

Overall

8.1

Reviews

1 / 20
2.0
Mediocre

Umair,Jul 2024

LHE - DXB

Worst experience. The staff at the airport were unprofessional, uncourtious, disrespectful and straight up discriminating. I will never travel via emirates again. And the flight was delayed too.

Boarding

8.1

Comfort

8.0

Crew

8.3

Entertainment

8.2

Food

7.9

Overall

8.1

Reviews

1 / 20
2.0
Mediocre

Umair,Jul 2024

LHE - DXB

Worst experience. The staff at the airport were unprofessional, uncourtious, disrespectful and straight up discriminating. I will never travel via emirates again. And the flight was delayed too.

Boarding

8.1

Comfort

8.0

Crew

8.3

Entertainment

8.2

Food

7.9

Overall

8.1

Reviews

1 / 20
2.0
Mediocre

Umair,Jul 2024

LHE - DXB

Worst experience. The staff at the airport were unprofessional, uncourtious, disrespectful and straight up discriminating. I will never travel via emirates again. And the flight was delayed too.

Boarding

8.1

Comfort

8.0

Crew

8.3

Entertainment

8.2

Food

7.9

Overall

8.1

Reviews

1 / 20
2.0
Mediocre

Umair,Jul 2024

LHE - DXB

Worst experience. The staff at the airport were unprofessional, uncourtious, disrespectful and straight up discriminating. I will never travel via emirates again. And the flight was delayed too.

Boarding

8.1

Comfort

8.0

Crew

8.3

Entertainment

8.2

Food

7.9

Overall

8.1

Reviews

1 / 20
2.0
Mediocre

Umair,Jul 2024

LHE - DXB

Worst experience. The staff at the airport were unprofessional, uncourtious, disrespectful and straight up discriminating. I will never travel via emirates again. And the flight was delayed too.

Boarding

8.1

Comfort

8.0

Crew

8.3

Entertainment

8.2

Food

7.9

Overall

8.1

Reviews

1 / 20
2.0
Mediocre

Umair,Jul 2024

LHE - DXB

Worst experience. The staff at the airport were unprofessional, uncourtious, disrespectful and straight up discriminating. I will never travel via emirates again. And the flight was delayed too.

Related info for your journey

Find useful and relevant information for your journey from South Island 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 South Island?

    If you book a flight to Cairns from South Island, you will be flying to Cairns, which is the city’s only airport. Cairns (CNS) is located 4.4 km from the centre of Cairns.

  • How popular is this South Island to Cairns flight route?

  • How long is the flight from South Island to Cairns?

    Airlines like Jetstar fly from South Island to Cairns in about 5h 35m. The time it takes to get you to your destination is usually consistent. There are 3883 km between South Island and Cairns. Most flights are nonstop.

  • What are the cheapest flights from South Island to Cairns?

    On average you can expect to pay $570 for a flight from South Island to Cairns. The cheapest flight overall is $179 while the most popular route, (Christchurch - Cairns) is currently priced at $467.

  • Can I find deals for flights from South Island to Cairns that include hotel bookings?

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

  • How can I find direct flights from South Island to Cairns?

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

  • Can I find deals for business class flights from South Island to Cairns?

    Yes. Cheapflights offers flight deals from South Island 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 South Island to Cairns?

    Currently, July is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from South Island to Cairns (average of $459). Flying from South Island to Cairns in December is currently the most expensive (average of $642). 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

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.

Top 5 airlines flying from South Island to Cairns

Discover the top 5 airlines that operate flights from South Island 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 17 September 2025.
AirlineCheapestAverageFlexibilityOn-time
JetstarCheapest$457Average$601FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time74%
Search Jetstar flights
Qantas AirwaysCheapest$694Average$1,058FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time74%
Search Qantas Airways flights
Virgin AustraliaCheapest$750Average$932FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time80%
Search Virgin Australia flights
Air New ZealandCheapest$864Average$996FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time78%
Search Air New Zealand flights
EmiratesCheapest$1,053Average$1,159FlexibilityNo 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 South Island to Cairns?

Cheapflights makes it easy to find South Island to Cairns flights by helping our users search from 900+ travel sites for deals. We also provide you with filters for cabin, price, airline, airports, number of stops, and many more to narrow down that perfect flight.

Why should you use Cheapflights to find cheap flight tickets from South Island to Cairns?

Cheapflights taps into our reliable network of hundreds of airlines and travel agencies to find the best deals for flights from South Island to Cairns for you. Better yet — we are completely free to use.

Can Cheapflights find flights from South Island to Cairns with no change fees?

Need flexible booking options for your flight to Cairns from South Island? 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 South Island to Cairns become cheaper?

Not ready to book yet? You can track prices for flights from South Island to Cairns on Cheapflights with our Price Alert feature and get notified when better prices are available.

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.