$172+ Flights from South Island to Cairns | Cheapflights

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Cheap flight deals from South Island to Cairns

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

Best flights from South Island to Cairns
Discover carefully curated flight deals from South Island to Cairns that have cost, travel time, and stopovers in mind to ensure you get the best travel experience. Data last updated 17 September 2025.

Wed 8/1008:05CHC - CNS

Nonstop5h 35mJetstar

Tue 14/1022:55CNS - CHC

Nonstop4h 55mJetstar

Deal found 14/9$444

Wed 8/1008:05CHC - CNS

Nonstop5h 35mMultiple Airlines

Tue 14/1010:55CNS - CHC

1 stop26h 30mMultiple Airlines

Deal found 14/9$683

Sat 1/1115:05ZQN - CNS

2 stops22h 55mVirgin Australia

Sat 8/1109:15CNS - ZQN

2 stops24h 55mVirgin Australia

Deal found 17/9$1,036

Thu 30/1009:15CHC - CNS

1 stop15h 50mJetstar

Thu 6/1122:55CNS - CHC

Nonstop4h 55mJetstar

Deal found 15/9$733

Tue 14/1016:50ZQN - CNS

2 stops20h 50mMultiple Airlines

Tue 21/1022:55CNS - ZQN

1 stop14h 10mMultiple Airlines

Deal found 16/9$745

Thu 30/1015:55CHC - CNS

1 stop28h 20mMultiple Airlines

Thu 6/1122:55CNS - CHC

Nonstop4h 55mMultiple Airlines

Deal found 14/9$765

Sat 1/1106:15CHC - CNS

2 stops29h 50mJetstar

Sat 8/1109:45CNS - CHC

1 stop11h 20mJetstar

Deal found 17/9$884

Sun 19/1017:40ZQN - CNS

1 stop28h 30mMultiple Airlines

Sun 26/1022:55CNS - ZQN

1 stop12h 05mMultiple Airlines

Deal found 17/9$819

Sun 19/1017:40ZQN - CNS

2 stops26h 15mVirgin Australia

Sun 26/1017:20CNS - ZQN

2 stops16h 50mVirgin Australia

Deal found 17/9$1,046

Fri 31/1020:50ZQN - CNS

1 stop14h 30mJetstar

Fri 7/1115:50CNS - ZQN

2 stops22h 00mJetstar

Deal found 15/9$926

Sat 1/1120:50ZQN - CNS

1 stop14h 30mMultiple Airlines

Sat 8/1119:50CNS - ZQN

1 stop14h 20mMultiple Airlines

Deal found 17/9$859

Sat 1/1115:55CHC - CNS

1 stop8h 05mMultiple Airlines

Tue 4/1122:55CNS - CHC

Nonstop4h 55mMultiple Airlines

Deal found 17/9$934

Tue 14/1013:40ZQN - CNS

2 stops21h 35mJetstar

Tue 21/1006:00CNS - ZQN

2 stops26h 10mJetstar

Deal found 16/9$1,056

Fri 31/1020:50ZQN - CNS

1 stop14h 30mMultiple Airlines

Fri 7/1117:20CNS - ZQN

1 stop20h 20mMultiple Airlines

Deal found 15/9$979

Fri 10/1010:30ZQN - CNS

2 stops25h 40mMultiple Airlines

Thu 16/1022:55CNS - ZQN

1 stop7h 45mMultiple Airlines

Deal found 16/9$1,013

Last-minute flights from South Island to Cairns
Discover last-minute flight deals from South Island to Cairns. Data last updated 17 September 2025 and is based on user searches.

Mon 22/920:50ZQN - CNS

1 stop14h 25mMultiple Airlines

Tue 21/1022:55CNS - ZQN

1 stop14h 10mMultiple Airlines

Deal found 16/9$839

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

Wed 8/1008:05CHC - CNS

Nonstop5h 35mJetstar

Tue 14/1022:55CNS - CHC

Nonstop4h 55mJetstar

Deal found 14/9$444

Wed 8/1008:05CHC - CNS

Nonstop5h 35mMultiple Airlines

Tue 14/1010:55CNS - CHC

1 stop26h 30mMultiple Airlines

Deal found 14/9$683

Fri 10/1010:30ZQN - CNS

2 stops25h 40mMultiple Airlines

Thu 16/1022:55CNS - ZQN

1 stop7h 45mMultiple Airlines

Deal found 16/9$1,013

Tue 14/1013:05ZQN - CNS

1 stop24h 35mMultiple Airlines

Tue 21/1022:55CNS - ZQN

1 stop14h 10mMultiple Airlines

Deal found 16/9$671

Sun 19/1017:40ZQN - CNS

1 stop28h 30mMultiple Airlines

Sun 26/1022:55CNS - ZQN

1 stop12h 05mMultiple Airlines

Deal found 17/9$819

Thu 30/1018:15CHC - CNS

2 stops41h 50mJetstar

Thu 6/1122:55CNS - CHC

Nonstop4h 55mJetstar

Deal found 15/9$665

Thu 30/1015:55CHC - CNS

1 stop28h 20mMultiple Airlines

Thu 6/1122:55CNS - CHC

Nonstop4h 55mMultiple Airlines

Deal found 14/9$765

Fri 31/1020:50ZQN - CNS

1 stop14h 30mJetstar

Fri 7/1115:50CNS - ZQN

2 stops22h 00mJetstar

Deal found 15/9$926

Fri 31/1020:50ZQN - CNS

1 stop14h 30mMultiple Airlines

Fri 7/1117:20CNS - ZQN

1 stop20h 20mMultiple Airlines

Deal found 15/9$979

One-way flights from South Island to Cairns
Search for one-way flight options from South Island to Cairns. Find affordable one-way fares based on user searches. Data last updated 17 September 2025.

Wed 1/1008:05CHC - CNS

Nonstop5h 35mJetstar

Deal found 17/9$172

Mon 2/208:20CHC - CNS

Nonstop5h 35mJetstar

Deal found 17/9$216

Fri 24/1017:40ZQN - CNS

1 stop17h 50mVirgin Australia

Deal found 17/9$355

Sat 7/318:20CHC - CNS

1 stop18h 55mMultiple Airlines

Deal found 15/9$380

Tue 24/220:50ZQN - CNS

1 stop14h 30mJetstar

Deal found 17/9$387

Wed 31/1208:20CHC - CNS

Nonstop5h 35mJetstar

Deal found 16/9$390

Sun 1/315:05ZQN - CNS

1 stop22h 10mVirgin Australia

Deal found 17/9$398

Tue 24/214:00ZQN - CNS

2 stops27h 55mVirgin Australia

Deal found 17/9$413

Fri 24/1010:30ZQN - CNS

2 stops25h 40mJetstar

Deal found 17/9$417

Thu 25/1217:30ZQN - CNS

1 stop8h 35mVirgin Australia

Deal found 16/9$437

Wed 24/1208:20CHC - CNS

Nonstop5h 35mJetstar

Deal found 15/9$447

Sun 1/306:20CHC - CNS

1 stop19h 45mMultiple Airlines

Deal found 15/9$449

Cheapflights Fare Finder

Use the filters below to find and compare flights from South Island to Cairns that are best for you.

Fly from

Fly to

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

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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?

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

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.

8.1

Very Good

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.

8.1

Very Good

8.1

Very Good

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.

Air New Zealand

8.0

Very Good

8.1

Very Good

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.

Virgin Australia

7.6

Good

8.1

Very Good

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.

7.5

Good

8.1

Very Good

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.

6.5

Okay

8.1

Very Good

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

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?
This flight path from South Island to Cairns was viewed by 328 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 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

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Top 5 airlines flying from South Island to Cairns

Airline	Cheapest	Average	Flexibility	On-time
Jetstar	Cheapest$457	Average$601	FlexibilityNo cancel fee	On-time74%	Search Jetstar flights
Qantas Airways	Cheapest$694	Average$1,058	FlexibilityNo cancel fee	On-time74%	Search Qantas Airways flights
Virgin Australia	Cheapest$750	Average$932	FlexibilityNo cancel fee	On-time80%	Search Virgin Australia flights
Air New Zealand	Cheapest$864	Average$996	FlexibilityNo cancel fee	On-time78%	Search Air New Zealand flights
Emirates	Cheapest$1,053	Average$1,159	FlexibilityNo cancel fee	On-time75%	Search Emirates flights

Fly with Cheapflights

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.

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