$188+ Cheap Flights from South Island to Cairns | Cheapflights

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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 4 March 2026.

Mon 23/308:20

CHC

-

CNS

Nonstop5h 35m

Jetstar

Sun 29/307:00

CNS

-

CHC

Nonstop4h 55m

Jetstar

Deal found 2/3$508

Fri 10/406:55

CHC

-

CNS

Nonstop5h 45m

Jetstar

Sun 26/407:00

CNS

-

CHC

Nonstop4h 55m

Jetstar

Deal found 1/3$561

Wed 15/706:55

CHC

-

CNS

Nonstop5h 45m

Jetstar

Thu 6/807:00

CNS

-

CHC

Nonstop4h 55m

Jetstar

Deal found 27/2$713

Fri 10/406:00

CHC

-

CNS

1 stop28h 40m

Multiple Airlines

Sun 26/407:00

CNS

-

CHC

Nonstop4h 55m

Multiple Airlines

Deal found 2/3$782

Mon 23/306:20

CHC

-

CNS

1 stop19h 45m

Multiple Airlines

Sun 29/307:00

CNS

-

CHC

Nonstop4h 55m

Multiple Airlines

Deal found 2/3$823

Thu 16/406:20

CHC

-

CNS

1 stop10h 20m

Multiple Airlines

Thu 23/407:00

CNS

-

CHC

Nonstop4h 55m

Multiple Airlines

Deal found 2/3$832

Mon 13/406:55

CHC

-

CNS

Nonstop5h 45m

Jetstar

Mon 20/420:10

CNS

-

CHC

1 stop18h 15m

Jetstar

Deal found 27/2$862

Wed 22/706:55

CHC

-

CNS

Nonstop5h 45m

Jetstar

Fri 31/721:40

CNS

-

CHC

1 stop16h 45m

Jetstar

Deal found 28/2$864

Fri 3/417:40

ZQN

-

CNS

1 stop17h 50m

Virgin Australia

Fri 10/421:00

CNS

-

ZQN

1 stop17h 45m

Virgin Australia

Deal found 1/3$889

Tue 14/414:25

ZQN

-

CNS

1 stop27h 30m

Virgin Australia

Tue 21/413:40

CNS

-

ZQN

1 stop25h 05m

Virgin Australia

Deal found 28/2$972

Sat 1/813:15

ZQN

-

CNS

1 stop28h 40m

Virgin Australia

Wed 5/810:30

CNS

-

ZQN

1 stop28h 15m

Virgin Australia

Deal found 3/3$994

Fri 6/1115:05

ZQN

-

CNS

2 stops11h 00m

Virgin Australia

Fri 13/1115:45

CNS

-

ZQN

1 stop19h 30m

Virgin Australia

Deal found 2/3$1,025

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 4 March 2026.

Wed 15/706:55

CHC

-

CNS

Nonstop5h 45m

Jetstar

Thu 6/807:00

CNS

-

CHC

Nonstop4h 55m

Jetstar

Deal found 27/2$713

Fri 3/417:40

ZQN

-

CNS

1 stop17h 50m

Virgin Australia

Fri 10/421:00

CNS

-

ZQN

1 stop17h 45m

Virgin Australia

Deal found 1/3$889

Wed 22/706:55

CHC

-

CNS

Nonstop5h 45m

Multiple Airlines

Fri 31/706:00

CNS

-

CHC

2 stops23h 50m

Multiple Airlines

Deal found 27/2$994

Sun 28/606:00

CHC

-

CNS

1 stop12h 55m

Qantas Airways

Wed 15/721:40

CNS

-

CHC

1 stop16h 45m

Qantas Airways

Deal found 27/2$1,038

Tue 14/416:30

ZQN

-

CNS

3 stops26h 25m

Air New Zealand

Tue 21/413:55

CNS

-

ZQN

2 stops16h 30m

Air New Zealand

Deal found 28/2$1,687

Fri 10/406:55

CHC

-

CNS

Nonstop5h 45m

Jetstar

Sun 26/409:40

CNS

-

CHC

2 stops20h 10m

Jetstar

Deal found 2/3$903

Thu 25/608:20

CHC

-

CNS

1 stop12h 55m

Jetstar

Tue 30/607:00

CNS

-

CHC

Nonstop4h 55m

Jetstar

Deal found 3/3$916

Tue 14/412:40

ZQN

-

CNS

1 stop8h 05m

Multiple Airlines

Tue 21/411:50

CNS

-

ZQN

1 stop25h 50m

Multiple Airlines

Deal found 28/2$1,053

Fri 3/416:45

CHC

-

CNS

1 stop18h 55m

Qantas Airways

Tue 7/421:40

CNS

-

CHC

1 stop24h 30m

Qantas Airways

Deal found 27/2$1,062

Sat 18/417:20

CHC

-

CNS

2 stops25h 40m

Jetstar

Sat 25/409:40

CNS

-

CHC

1 stop12h 30m

Jetstar

Deal found 3/3$950

Sun 17/508:20

CHC

-

CNS

1 stop16h 20m

Qantas Airways

Thu 21/521:40

CNS

-

CHC

1 stop16h 45m

Qantas Airways

Deal found 3/3$1,099

Sun 29/309:20

CHC

-

CNS

1 stop16h 20m

Jetstar

Sun 5/407:00

CNS

-

CHC

Nonstop4h 55m

Jetstar

Deal found 1/3$969

Fri 3/410:25

ZQN

-

CNS

3 stops36h 05m

Multiple Airlines

Fri 10/407:00

CNS

-

ZQN

1 stop11h 00m

Multiple Airlines

Deal found 1/3$1,372

Tue 14/413:00

ZQN

-

CNS

2 stops45h 30m

Jetstar

Tue 21/421:40

CNS

-

ZQN

1 stop20h 20m

Jetstar

Deal found 28/2$1,142

Fri 3/414:35

ZQN

-

CNS

3 stops23h 15m

Air New Zealand

Fri 10/412:35

CNS

-

ZQN

2 stops17h 50m

Air New Zealand

Deal found 1/3$2,478

Find flight deals from South Island to Cairns

Round-trip from	$508
One-way from	$188

Jetstar

Jetstar
23/3-29/3
Nonstop
10h 30m total
South Island to Cairns

Jetstar

Jetstar
30/3
Nonstop
5h 45m total
South Island to Cairns

Fly from

Fly to

Route

Departure

Return

Price

ChristchurchCairns

CHC - CNS

CHCCNS

Christchurch

Wed 15/7

06:55-10:40

Nonstop5h 45m

Cairns

Thu 6/8

07:00-13:55

Nonstop4h 55m

$713

QueenstownCairns

ZQN - CNS

ZQNCNS

Queenstown Intl

Fri 3/4

17:40-08:30

1 stop17h 50m

Cairns

Fri 10/4

21:00-16:45

1 stop17h 45m

$889

ChristchurchCairns

CHC - CNS

CHCCNS

Christchurch

Fri 10/4

06:55-10:40

Nonstop5h 45m

Cairns

Sun 26/4

09:40-07:50

2 stops20h 10m

$903

ChristchurchCairns

CHC - CNS

CHCCNS

Christchurch

Thu 25/6

08:20-19:15

1 stop12h 55m

Cairns

Tue 30/6

07:00-13:55

Nonstop4h 55m

$916

ChristchurchCairns

CHC - CNS

CHCCNS

Christchurch

Sat 18/4

17:20-17:00

2 stops25h 40m

Cairns

Sat 25/4

09:40-00:10

1 stop12h 30m

$950

ChristchurchCairns

CHC - CNS

CHCCNS

Christchurch

Sun 29/3

09:20-22:40

1 stop16h 20m

Cairns

Sun 5/4

07:00-13:55

Nonstop4h 55m

$969

ChristchurchCairns

CHC - CNS

CHCCNS

Christchurch

Wed 22/7

06:55-10:40

Nonstop5h 45m

Cairns

Fri 31/7

06:00-07:50

2 stops23h 50m

$994

ChristchurchCairns

CHC - CNS

CHCCNS

Christchurch

Sun 28/6

06:00-16:55

1 stop12h 55m

Cairns

Wed 15/7

21:40-16:25

1 stop16h 45m

$1,038

QueenstownCairns

ZQN - CNS

ZQNCNS

Queenstown Intl

Tue 14/4

12:40-18:45

1 stop8h 05m

Cairns

Tue 21/4

11:50-15:40

1 stop25h 50m

$1,053

ChristchurchCairns

CHC - CNS

CHCCNS

Christchurch

Fri 3/4

16:45-08:40

1 stop18h 55m

Cairns

Tue 7/4

21:40-00:10

1 stop24h 30m

$1,062

Flights are sorted by cheapest return flights first.

Deals found on 28/2

Showing 1-10 of 35 resultsSorted by cheapest first

1

2

3

4

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.

CHC-CNS

ZQN-CNS

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

zzEDG-CNS

CHC-CNS

ZQN-CNS

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 $235). Flying from South Island to Cairns in December is currently the most expensive (average of $510). 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 281 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 and Virgin Australia fly from South Island to Cairns in about 5h 45m. The time it takes to get you to your destination can typically vary by up to 12h 05m. There are 3883 km between South Island and Cairns. When browsing for deals, the options you’ll see will be for both direct flights and flights with stops.
What are the cheapest flights from South Island to Cairns?
On average you can expect to pay $456 for a flight from South Island to Cairns. The cheapest flight overall is $202 while the most popular route, (Christchurch - Cairns) is currently priced at $508.
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 $235). Flying from South Island to Cairns in December is currently the most expensive (average of $510). 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$275	Average$560	FlexibilityNo cancel fee	On-time74%	Search Jetstar flights
Virgin Australia	Cheapest$393	Average$927	FlexibilityNo cancel fee	On-time80%	Search Virgin Australia flights
Qantas Airways	Cheapest$772	Average$1,064	FlexibilityNo cancel fee	On-time74%	Search Qantas Airways flights
Air New Zealand	Cheapest$969	Average$1,050	FlexibilityNo cancel fee	On-time78%	Search Air New Zealand flights
Emirates	Cheapest$1,065	Average$1,170	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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