CNS

R21 168 Find Cheap Flights to Cairns – Compare and Save

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1 adult, Economy, 0 bags

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Everything you should know

Cheapest return flight
R21 168
Typical prices: R16 721-R26 832
Singapore Airlines
Sat 10/2Wed 14/2
JNB - CNS • 1 stop
Top airlines
Best reviews • 8,2 score
Airline reviews
Airline reviews
Top routes
Cheapest • 24% average savings
Most popular
Insights
Insights
When to travel
Cheapest • 20% price drop
Most popular
Good to know
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Good to know
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We hope you enjoy your trip to Cairns!
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Flight Deals

Cheap Flights to Cairns

 
Discover the best prices for you by selecting your travel dates on KAYAK.

Recent return flight deals to Cairns

Wed, Feb 10 - Sun, Feb 14
Singapore Airlines Logo
13:40 - 17:15Johannesburg  Johannesburg OR Tambo-Cairns Cairns
19h 35m1 stop Singapore Changi
Singapore Airlines Logo
18:20 - 6:10Cairns  Cairns-Johannesburg Johannesburg OR Tambo
19h 50m1 stop Singapore Changi
R21 168Singapore Airlines
2 days ago
Wed, Feb 10 - Sun, Feb 14
Singapore Airlines Logo
13:40 - 17:15Johannesburg  Johannesburg OR Tambo-Cairns Cairns
19h 35m1 stop Singapore Changi
Singapore Airlines Logo
18:20 - 6:10Cairns  Cairns-Johannesburg Johannesburg OR Tambo
19h 50m1 stop Singapore Changi
R21 217Singapore Airlines
1 day ago
Wed, Feb 10 - Sun, Feb 14
Singapore Airlines Logo
13:40 - 17:15Johannesburg  Johannesburg OR Tambo-Cairns Cairns
19h 35m1 stop Singapore Changi
Singapore Airlines Logo
18:20 - 6:10Cairns  Cairns-Johannesburg Johannesburg OR Tambo
19h 50m1 stop Singapore Changi
R21 267Singapore Airlines
3+ days ago
Wed, Feb 10 - Sun, Feb 14
Qatar Airways Logo
20:20 - 11:05Johannesburg  Johannesburg OR Tambo-Cairns Cairns
30h 45m2 stops Doha Hamad Intl Melbourne
Qatar Airways Logo
11:45 - 15:35Cairns  Cairns-Johannesburg Johannesburg OR Tambo
35h 50m2 stops Melbourne Doha Hamad Intl
R23 745Qatar Airways
2 days ago
Wed, Feb 10 - Sun, Feb 14
Qatar Airways Logo
20:20 - 11:05Johannesburg  Johannesburg OR Tambo-Cairns Cairns
30h 45m2 stops Doha Hamad Intl Melbourne
Qatar Airways Logo
11:45 - 15:35Cairns  Cairns-Johannesburg Johannesburg OR Tambo
35h 50m2 stops Melbourne Doha Hamad Intl
R23 795Qatar Airways
1 day ago
Wed, Feb 10 - Sun, Feb 14
Qatar Airways Logo
20:20 - 11:05Johannesburg  Johannesburg OR Tambo-Cairns Cairns
30h 45m2 stops Doha Hamad Intl Melbourne
Qatar Airways Logo
11:45 - 15:35Cairns  Cairns-Johannesburg Johannesburg OR Tambo
35h 50m2 stops Melbourne Doha Hamad Intl
R23 861Qatar Airways
3+ days ago
Wed, Feb 10 - Sun, Feb 14
Qantas Airways Logo
17:55 - 8:30Johannesburg  Johannesburg OR Tambo-Cairns Cairns
30h 35m2 stops Sydney Kingsford Smith Brisbane
Qantas Airways Logo
6:40 - 15:00Cairns  Cairns-Johannesburg Johannesburg OR Tambo
40h 20m1 stop Sydney Kingsford Smith
R26 075Qantas Airways
2 days ago
Wed, Feb 10 - Sun, Feb 14
Qantas Airways Logo
17:55 - 8:30Johannesburg  Johannesburg OR Tambo-Cairns Cairns
30h 35m2 stops Sydney Kingsford Smith Brisbane
Qantas Airways Logo
6:40 - 15:00Cairns  Cairns-Johannesburg Johannesburg OR Tambo
40h 20m1 stop Sydney Kingsford Smith
R26 125Qantas Airways
1 day ago
Sat, Nov 21 - Sat, Nov 28
Multiple Airlines Logo
12:35 - 8:30Cape Town  Cape Town Intl-Cairns Cairns
59h 55m3 stops Doha Hamad Intl Denpasar Bali Ngurah Rai Melbourne
Multiple Airlines Logo
15:45 - 10:30Cairns  Cairns-Cape Town Cape Town Intl
50h 45m2 stops Sydney Kingsford Smith Doha Hamad Intl
R32 074Multiple Airlines
2 days ago
Sat, Nov 21 - Sat, Nov 28
Multiple Airlines Logo
12:35 - 8:30Cape Town  Cape Town Intl-Cairns Cairns
59h 55m3 stops Doha Hamad Intl Denpasar Bali Ngurah Rai Melbourne
Multiple Airlines Logo
9:45 - 10:30Cairns  Cairns-Cape Town Cape Town Intl
56h 45m3 stops Melbourne Denpasar Bali Ngurah Rai Doha Hamad Intl
R37 989Multiple Airlines
2 days ago
Booking Insights

Price, demand, and travel trends for flights to Cairns

Use KAYAK data on prices, travel dates, airlines, and seasonal trends to compare options and book flights with more confidence.

What is the cheapest flight to Cairns?

Johannesburg OR Tambo Airport to Cairns is the cheapest route at R21 168 return, found in the past 5 days on KAYAK. KAYAK data shows this is also the most popular route.

How much is a flight to Cairns?

On average, a return flight from South Africa to Cairns costs R20 325, based on KAYAK data over the past 12 months. Return fares from Johannesburg OR Tambo Airport average R18 991, while Cape Town runs a bit higher at R26 466.

What is the cheapest day to fly to Cairns?

Tuesday is the cheapest day to fly to Cairns at R17 152 return on average over the past 12 months on KAYAK. Sunday is the most expensive at R24 638.

What is the cheapest month to fly to Cairns?

•May is the cheapest month to fly to Cairns with an average price of R16 177 return.
•March (R29 512) and December (R26 439) are the most expensive.
•Based on KAYAK data over the past 12 months.

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

Evening flights to Cairns are the cheapest at R20 275 return on average. Night flights are the most expensive at R23 745.

What is a good deal for flights to Cairns?

Flights under R16 721 are considered a good deal. 25% of KAYAK users found return flights to Cairns at or below these prices, with the lowest fares from:
•Johannesburg OR Tambo Airport R15 870.

Key details for flights to Cairns

Low season

September

Cheapest flight

R21 168
Beat the crowds with an average 57% drop in traveller numbers.
The most popular month to fly with an average 84% increase in traveller numbers.
Round-trip flight from Johannesburg OR Tambo Airport 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

Your questions about flights to Cairns, answered

Find helpful route details based on KAYAK data, including flight times, airports, airlines, and booking questions.

  • How do I know if a flight to Cairns is a good deal?

    A good deal on a flight to Cairns is around R16 721 return. This fare is in the lowest 25% of return flight prices searched on KAYAK, averaged across the cities most often searched as origins by KAYAK users.

  • Which city has the cheapest flights to Cairns?

    Based on fares booked in the past 5 days, the cheapest flights to Cairns are from Johannesburg, starting at R21 168 return.

  • What is the difference between the most popular and the most frequent airline at Cairns?

    Singapore Airlines operates the most flights from South Africa to Cairns at 0 per week, while Qatar Airways is the airline most often selected by KAYAK users searching for flights from South Africa to Cairns. The two are often different because flight volume reflects an airline's schedule, while popularity reflects traveller choice.

Your guide to booking Cairns flights

From booking to airport arrival, find tips to help you plan your flight with more confidence.
  • For flights to Cairns, a good return fare is around R16 721. If you find a fare below that, you're getting a strong deal.
  • If your travel dates are flexible, consider flying to Cairns in May. Return fares historically average R16 177, making May the cheapest month to travel based on KAYAK data from the last 12 months.
  • Before you book:

    • Check the route's typical price range so you can spot a deal.
    • Confirm baggage fees and seat selection costs on budget carriers.
    • Verify whether you need any travel documents beyond an ID.
    • Pick a departure airport, since your nearest may not be the cheapest origin.
  • Shift your departure to afternoon to save up to R3 470 on a return flight. Afternoon flights to Cairns average R20 275 compared to R23 745 for evening flights.

Reviews of the top 3 airlines flying to Cairns

 
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.
8,2
Singapore AirlinesOverall score based on 1624 reviews
8,3Boarding
8,1Entertainment
8,6Crew
8,0Comfort
7,8Food
Airline reviews

It was good but n it to the same standard as London to Singapore

8,0 ExcellentAnonymous, Sept 2026
Read more Singapore Airlines reviews

It was good but n it to the same standard as London to Singapore

a longer gap btw the supper and breakfast would have been better - felt like the sleep was way too fragmented on this red eye flight

I loved the full Taylor Swift selection but felt that the other selections were limited, didn’t span the popular music eras nor a wide enough range of music genres. BUT the seat and bed were GREAT (it was wide, long enough, had great storage, firm enough to uphold body postural comfort). Outstanding crew and really great food - gourmet innovative dim sum breakfast so different from the boring standard fare offered by many other business class products.

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

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

It was very good experience on board to Sydney with SQ.

Fantastic patience when one of the passengers behind me was an absolute horrible, horrible person and the girls just kept smiling and doing their job with patience and kindness. Well, done to the crew.

Didn't like much at all Nowhere near enough legroom, narrow seats. Aisles not wide enough for safe food trolley access and husband had his knee hit cos not enough leg room. Would take a lot to convince us to fly Singapore Airlines again which is a pity cos it was always our go-to airline

Once again the meal served was delicious - we got chicken rice

A very small gate at Singapore airport, lots of people packed into a small area…. A Petrie dish for infection. The flight was late although the captain did make up time. We had an aisle and middle economy class seat on the plane. The flight appeared to be very full. The seats were small, hard and very uncomfortable with minimal leg room. I’m a small woman and felt really cramped. My husband is a big man and stated he was unable to move at all in his seat. We were given 2 meals during the flight from Singapore to Brisbane. Our first meal was okay at best but the second meal was inedible. I think it was supposed to be veg in pastry but the pastry was full of air with minimal if any filling. The staff were pleasant and efficient. Getting off the plane went without any problems. It did take an extended period of time for our bags to come out onto the carousel. For the best ‘airline’ in the world, it was pretty poor. If Singapore is the best, what are the others like?

Small twin prop plane. Basic flight. Food was half a chicken & pesto sandwich. As the flight departed after 12pm alcohol was available. No on board entertainment. No wifi services.

I liked the refreshments as the flight was short and the free WiFi. The seats were comfortable.

Was disappointed that we couldn't use our lounge passes as the booking was a group booking.

I never flew with alliance. Kayak is a joke and none of the flights or times were correct. Won’t ever use kayak again

My experience was great overall. Tanya was particularly friendly and helpful the entire trip. I was very pleased with her customer service skills. The plane was an older aircraft but the entire way was comfortable with barely any turbulence at all. Qantas should speed up its fleet renovation. Totally recommend using this airline.

I liked boarding the plane. The staff were rude, the food was appalling and the chairs the most uncomfortable I have ever experienced

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

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

I love flying with Qantas. There was no onscreen entertaining on this flight, and only a snack provided (not a meal) but still better than Jetstar or Virgin (in my opinion) so still happy.

I really appreciated the fact that when I checked my bags at the Quantas counter after arriving from an international flight an hour early, the agent noticed I had a very long layover. He then found an earlier flight that allowed me to get to Cairns several hours earlier than I planned. That was amazing because I had already traveled over 20 hours and wasn’t looking forward to such a long layover. It allowed me to see my daughter and grandchildren much earlier (it had been two years since I visited last).

The crew were fabulous. We travelled Doha to Miami and the crew in board we exceptional too.

Qatar was pretty OK for their services but Arangrant was awful at theirs and frankly lied to me. Qatar offers four business class fares and only three of them allow lounge access. This is a horrible policy when you pay so much for business class and shame on them for denying the simple use of their lounges for this confusion. When I requested my business class ticket with Arangrant I knew this and specifically told them I would only purchase the lowest class business seat that would still permit me lounge access on all legs of my trip. They lied to me and said I did and then I was refused this service on my return flights. I had no less than 4-8 schedule changes and got screwed by a late departure from DCA on my double connection to JNB. I lost nearly a full day on my outbound and then had little to no use of the lounges on my outbound flights. To then be denied access on my return flights made the 27 hour trip home pretty awful. Kayak should no longer work with Arangrant as they are dishonest and liars. Qatar should price all four of their business class fares to include lounge access and stop the insanity they have forced on people. My return trip home nearly ruined my entire trip to South Africa and I blame Arangrant for telling me lies and for Qatar for offering insane rules and regulations on such expensive business class fares. For the money I paid to Qatar, I did not receive the full services I was promised. I will probably never use Arangrant and their ignorant services ever again. I will question whether I ever fly on Qatar Airways again as well. When you pay so much and get such little in return, it leaves a bad taste in your mouth. Arangrant gives the whole industry a bad name and Qatar is not far behind them. I can honestly say that the wretched service and way I was treated by both have soured me on travel companies and airlines. It is bad enough that we have an idiot, felon, racist and bigoted president and administration to contend with while he has started an illegal war, I did not expect to get screwed over by Arangrant and Qatar as well. Shame on all of you.

Crew and food was good, ok leg room if you don’t have a big box under the seat. And the seats are so narrow (I’m only 70kg), will consider an alternate airline next time

Boarding from DOH to SYD the Business Class were pointed in a separate gate but no one there to receive us. Otherwise it was ok.

The flight was delayed and one member of the crew was a bit rude. But apart from that all good.

Worse fight I ever take since I start flying , still have even made home , and crew abandon us half way home . No water no food and no even anyone to answer our questions

As gold member there is no priority checkin. Meaning you either have to board with your zone or last with business class pax. As economy pax all the baggage bays are filled by the time you arrive

Boarding delayed, no communication. I left the lounge, and heard a final call, boarding started after a 30 minutes.

My business class experience with Qatar is beyond excellent especially the crew as Jaly Liansangzuali. Rumana Khan go an extra mile to make the flight the most enjoyable one. They are friendly, kind, attentive. When I was nauseated the took care and checked me a few times how I was feeling and concerned.So fly Qatar and you will never be disappointed.

Very tight seating. Crew seemed too dis interested and too slow to remove main meal trays.

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