CNS

R20 043 Find Cheap Flights to Cairns

This is the cheapest return flight price found by a KAYAK user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight to Cairns departing on 1/3. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel. Click the price to replicate the search for this deal.
1 adult
1 adult, Economy, 0 bags

KAYAK searches hundreds of travel sites at once for deals on flights to Cairns

 
These are the airlines KAYAK users have selected most often from within our search results for flights to Cairns
These are the airlines KAYAK users have selected most often from within our search results for flights to Cairns
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Everything you should know

Cheapest return fare
R20 043
Typical prices: R15 458-R19 447
Cathay Pacific
Sun 1/3Tue 3/3
JNB - CNS • 2 stops
Cheapest one-way flight
Multiple Airlines
Wed 10/12
JNB - CNS • multi-stop
When to travel
October
Cheapest • 19% price drop
May
Most popular
Good to know
Good to know
+1
+1
Good to know
Good to know
+1
Start a new search
KAYAK searches hundreds of sites at once to find you the best travel deals.
We hope you love your trip to Cairns!
Flight Deals
Booking Insights
Flight Deals

Cheap Flights to Cairns

 
Here are some of the best deals found on KAYAK recently from the most popular airlines for return flights to Cairns that are departing in the next months. While these flights were available on KAYAK in the last 72 hours, prices and availability are subject to change and deals may expire.
Discover the best prices for you by selecting your travel dates on KAYAK.

Recent return flight deals to Cairns

Sun, Mar 1 - Tue, Mar 3
Cathay Pacific Logo
11:00 - 8:35
JNB
-
CNS
37h 35m2 stops
Cathay Pacific Logo
11:35 - 7:25
CNS
-
JNB
51h 50m2 stops
R20 043Cathay Pacific
Sun, Mar 1 - Tue, Mar 3
Cathay Pacific Logo
11:00 - 8:35
JNB
-
CNS
37h 35m2 stops
Cathay Pacific Logo
11:35 - 7:25
CNS
-
JNB
51h 50m2 stops
R20 214Cathay Pacific
Sun, Mar 1 - Tue, Mar 3
Cathay Pacific Logo
11:00 - 11:50
JNB
-
CNS
40h 50m2 stops
Cathay Pacific Logo
14:50 - 7:25
CNS
-
JNB
48h 35m2 stops
R20 691Cathay Pacific
Sun, Mar 1 - Tue, Mar 3
Qantas Airways Logo
21:55 - 11:50
JNB
-
CNS
29h 55m2 stops
Qantas Airways Logo
18:05 - 15:00
CNS
-
JNB
28h 55m1 stop
R21 509Qantas Airways
Sun, Mar 1 - Tue, Mar 3
Qantas Airways Logo
21:55 - 11:50
JNB
-
CNS
29h 55m2 stops
Qantas Airways Logo
18:05 - 15:00
CNS
-
JNB
28h 55m1 stop
R21 543Qantas Airways
Sun, Mar 1 - Tue, Mar 3
Qantas Airways Logo
21:55 - 11:50
JNB
-
CNS
29h 55m2 stops
Qantas Airways Logo
18:05 - 15:00
CNS
-
JNB
28h 55m1 stop
R21 696Qantas Airways
Sat, Jan 24 - Sat, Jan 31
Qantas Airways Logo
17:30 - 16:15
JNB
-
CNS
38h 45m1 stop
Qantas Airways Logo
11:20 - 18:50
CNS
-
JNB
39h 30m1 stop
R22 770Qantas Airways
Sat, Jan 24 - Sat, Jan 31
Qantas Airways Logo
17:30 - 22:30
JNB
-
CNS
21h 00m1 stop
Qantas Airways Logo
12:35 - 18:50
CNS
-
JNB
38h 15m2 stops
R23 367Qantas Airways
Sat, Jan 24 - Sat, Jan 31
Qantas Airways Logo
17:30 - 8:35
JNB
-
CNS
31h 05m2 stops
Qantas Airways Logo
15:35 - 15:00
CNS
-
JNB
55h 25m2 stops
R27 031Qantas Airways
Sat, Jan 24 - Sat, Jan 31
Multiple Airlines Logo
17:30 - 23:05
JNB
-
CNS
21h 35m2 stops
Multiple Airlines Logo
7:45 - 10:55
CNS
-
JNB
35h 10m3 stops
R32 928Multiple Airlines
Booking Insights

KAYAK's insights & trends for flights to Cairns

Get data-powered insights and trends into flights to Cairns to help you find the cheapest flights, the best time to fly and much more.

What is the cheapest month to fly to Cairns?

To calculate monthly average prices, KAYAK takes all prices for each month over the last year for flights to Cairns, removes the top 0.1% to account for outliers, and then takes the median of all values for each month.

The cheapest month for flights to Cairns is October, where tickets cost R14 299 on average for one-way flights. On the other hand, the most expensive months are December and January, where the average cost of tickets from South Africa is R23 332 and R22 003 respectively. For return trips, the best month to travel is October with an average price of R14 299.

Good to know – Book Cheap Cairns Plane Tickets

Low seasonJanuary
Cheapest flightR20 043
Best time to beat the crowds (6% less expensive on average)
Flight from Johannesburg to Cairns

When to book flights to Cairns

Are your dates flexible? Find out the best times to travel to Cairns based on our flight data from the last year. Discover the cheapest month and even day to fly.
Estimated return price
KAYAK looks at all historical flight data for each date to provide a predicted price for one-way trips or returns with a duration up to 40 days. The information is for flights to Cairns based on your location. While we try to provide actual minimum prices for each date, some prices are predictions and actual prices may differ.

FAQs - booking Cairns flights

  • How far is Cairns Airport from central Cairns?

    Central Cairns is 4 km away from Cairns Airport.

  • What is the name of Cairns’s airport?

    There is only 1 airport in Cairns, called Cairns Airport (CNS). It can also be referred to as Cairns or Cairns Intl.

  • What is the cheapest day to fly to Cairns?

    Based on KAYAK data, the cheapest day to fly to Cairns is Tuesday where tickets can be as cheap as R20 074. On the other hand, the most expensive day to fly is Saturday, where prices are R29 442 on average.

  • How does KAYAK find such low prices on flights to Cairns?

    KAYAK is a travel search engine. That means we look across the web to find the best prices we can find for our users. With over 2 billion flight queries processed yearly, we are able to display a variety of prices and options on flights to Cairns.

  • How does KAYAK's flight Price Forecast tool help me choose the right time to buy my flight ticket to Cairns?

    KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool uses historical data to determine whether the price for a flight to Cairns is likely to change within 7 days, so travellers know whether to wait or book now.

  • What is the Hacker Fare option on flights to Cairns?

    Hacker Fares allow you to combine one-way tickets in order to save you money over a traditional round-trip ticket. You could then fly to Cairns with an airline and back with another airline.

  • What is KAYAK's "flexible dates" feature and why should I care when looking for a flight to Cairns?

    Sometimes travel dates aren't set in stone. If your preferred travel dates have some wiggle room, flexible dates will show you all the options when flying to Cairns up to 3 days before/after your preferred dates. You can then pick the flights that suit you best.

  • What is the cheapest time of day to fly to Cairns?

    The cheapest time of day to fly to Cairns is generally in the afternoon, when flights cost R20 844 on average. The most expensive time of day to fly to Cairns is generally at night, which is peak travel time and where the average cost of a ticket is R26 941.

Top tips for finding cheap flights to Cairns

  • Enter your preferred departure airport and travel dates into the search form above to unlock the latest Cairns flight deals.

Prefer to fly direct to Cairns?

 
Nonstop data is based off flight results for the next 60 days. Find direct flights from all airlines flying nonstop to Cairns.
Find which airlines fly direct to Cairns Airport, which days they fly and book direct flights.

Direct departures

South Africa to Cairns

Monday

ANA, Air Canada, Air France, +28 more

ANA, Air Canada, +29 more

Tuesday

ANA, Air Canada, Air France, +27 more

ANA, Air Canada, +28 more

Wednesday

ANA, Air Canada, Air France, +28 more

ANA, Air Canada, +29 more

Thursday

ANA, Air Canada, Air France, +28 more

ANA, Air Canada, +29 more

Friday

ANA, Air Canada, Air France, +28 more

ANA, Air Canada, +29 more

Saturday

ANA, Air Canada, Air France, +27 more

ANA, Air Canada, +28 more

Sunday

ANA, Air Canada, Air France, +27 more

ANA, Air Canada, +28 more

See more direct flights

Direct returns

Cairns to South Africa

Monday

ANA, Air Canada, Air France, +28 more

ANA, Air Canada, +29 more

Tuesday

ANA, Air Canada, Air France, +27 more

ANA, Air Canada, +28 more

Wednesday

ANA, Air Canada, Air France, +28 more

ANA, Air Canada, +29 more

Thursday

ANA, Air Canada, Air France, +28 more

ANA, Air Canada, +29 more

Friday

ANA, Air Canada, Air France, +28 more

ANA, Air Canada, +29 more

Saturday

ANA, Air Canada, Air France, +27 more

ANA, Air Canada, +28 more

Sunday

ANA, Air Canada, Air France, +27 more

ANA, Air Canada, +28 more

See more direct flights

Reviews of the top 3 airlines flying to Cairns

 
See real verified KAYAK customer reviews for airlines flying to Cairns. Airline scores are aggregated from all reviews left by passengers on KAYAK after flying with an airline from South Africa to Cairns. KAYAK doesn’t show reviews that are older than 5 years. Learn how KAYAK collects reviews.
Need help choosing which airline to fly with to Cairns? KAYAK airline reviews give an overall score for each airline based on loads of factors, including comfort, boarding, in-flight entertainment and more, to make your decision easier. See airline scores according to verified KAYAK customer reviews.
8,1
Singapore AirlinesOverall score based on 1412 reviews
8,0Comfort
8,6Crew
8,3Boarding
8,0Entertainment
7,8Food
Airline reviews

The consistency with Singapore Airlines is fantastic. Crew are always brilliant and food delicious in business class

10,0 ExcellentIain, Nov 2025
SIN - MEL
Read more Singapore Airlines reviews

The consistency with Singapore Airlines is fantastic. Crew are always brilliant and food delicious in business class

Best service airline. The cabin crew is attentive and friendly. Inflight entertainment system is good

I was in a middle seat where I felt a bit too cramped otherwise the trip was good

The business class seats were very uncomfortable. When in lie flat position my legs were very restricted.

Lounge a access was excellent as was the attentiveness and service from the crew as always. The food and drink supplied were of good quality. The entertainment system had a good selection and I liked the mapping system supplied. However the screen wild have been bigger and the operation a little smoother to navigate. The seats were barely comfortable, but adequate.

The staff on the plane were attentive and friendly. The frustration with the cabin crew was that we were served second to special diet people. And, we were in economy section. The boarding staff was mediocre. Got scolded for requesting to sit with spouse on 14 hours long flight home. Was told they cannot break up families for us. Didn’t understand how we were denied sitting together as we are husband and wife. After many words of exchange, we were accommodated. Cleaning crew did a horrible job! Bathrooms were unsanitary or dirty from beginning of flight! Didn’t expect sparkling as its economy, but did except decent.

Food from Surabaya was below average but from Singapore is much better

Good service and food. For buying items on flight should be preordered as they don’t keep much stock on board.

Very good flight from Boarding to landing -efficient and comfortable with decent entertainment options

Excelent service and plenty of food and drinks during the flight. Flight crew very attentive to our needs. Leg room between rows are very disappointing.

Super delayed. Unnecessary. Need more competent people doing logistics to keep things moving on time. Totally unacceptable.

Overall, not good. Super late boarding in Hong Kong because some last minute issue with a plane. The boarding process is chaotic. Kathy Pacific should seek to do better with punctual departure time. Caused a lot of trouble with missed connecting flight.

The morning in Hong Kong was ridiculous. Very chaotic. The flight was delayed. Missed connecting flights. Kathy should be more competent in getting the planes ready ahead of time so that flights can depart on time.. totally ridiculous and unnecessary. Very poor performance.

Leg room wasn't that great. Other than that it was a good flight

Chicken pieces were too big with pasta. Need to be smaller.

They downgraded me from premium economy to regular economy and me had 2 major lay over and had to have an emergency landing due to engine failure mid flight Don’t use them worst experience I have ever had still dealing with the trauma

Overall pretty good experience. It would be nice to have caught the attendants even they were flying down the aisle with snacks, and if they could cater to multiple dietary restrictions (bland and no lactose. The customer service chat is a bad experience), but otherwise no complaints.

I am Vegetarian also has Gluten free food. However they gave me chicken and fish which is gluten free, but i am a vegetrain and i requested crew Hindu meal vegetarian, they said they will come back. .but they never showed up even i asked 2nd time. They could have compensate. I also request airline industry to have another option Gluten Free for Vegetarin people as well. Because Vegetarin people will have gluen issue...

it was a great experience as far as business class.. but I have had better meals and wine on other airlines.. that said.. the price was a great value for what I got in return.. crew made the difference.

Great. Efficient boarding process with the face recognition. Plenty of cabin space for luggage.

Flight was canceled. I was not alerted. It was only kayak that alerted me

Flight was 2.5 hours late leaving. We spent 50 minutes of that sitting on the plane with no explanation. They did reduce the time in the air so we arrived a little less late which was something. The cheese and crackers were okay but the wine was terrible.

Couldn't access entertainment on app as said in an email

Excellent as always, I won't fly to Australia, and back to the US on any other airline. The flight crew is always top notch, and have a way to make one feel extra special. Thank you for your service, I would rate Qantas Airways a 10+.

After already paying for excess luggage prior to flight, i was advised AT check in that i had to pay $816 or forfeit my flight! The lady at the counter was SO rude and had already started offboarding me when i said i would pay it after asking her three times for the exact amount! Have lodged a formal complaint yet heard nothing. Will not ever travel via Qantas again

A few more inches of legroom is all i ask

One of the best Qantas business flights I've had. Quality product

Business class points redemption - good value for points paid, dubious value if out of your own pocket, domestic class business product okay for this length of flight. The flight left and arrived on time, crew were good, aircraft was a bit old and tired, but still miles ahead of their competitors in Virgin and Jetstar.

Airline running better than post Covid, proper boarding process now implemented, some aircraft feeling a bit old and tired, crew fine, online experience better.

Five hour flight instead of four hours due to westerly headwinds which wasn’t the fault of Qantas !

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