CNS

R17 917 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 2/4. 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
R17 917
Overall average: R19 143
Cathay Pacific
Thu 2/4Thu 9/4
JNB - CNS • 2 stops
When to travel
October
Cheapest • 23% price drop
May
Most popular
Good to know
Good to know
+1
+1
Good to know
Good to know
+1
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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

Thu, Apr 2 - Thu, Apr 9
Cathay Pacific Logo
11:10 - 16:15
JNB
-
CNS
45h 05m
2 stops
Cathay Pacific Logo
13:40 - 7:55
CNS
-
JNB
50h 15m
2 stops
R17 917Cathay Pacific
Thu, Apr 2 - Thu, Apr 9
Qantas Airways Logo
18:45 - 8:20
JNB
-
CNS
29h 35m
1 stop
Qantas Airways Logo
18:20 - 20:05
CNS
-
JNB
33h 45m
2 stops
R19 621Qantas Airways
Mon, Mar 30 - Mon, Apr 6
Multiple Airlines Logo
11:05 - 8:40
JNB
-
CNS
37h 35m
2 stops
Multiple Airlines Logo
6:00 - 7:55
CNS
-
JNB
33h 55m
2 stops
R20 003Multiple Airlines
Thu, Apr 2 - Thu, Apr 9
Qatar Airways Logo
14:45 - 8:40
JNB
-
CNS
33h 55m
2 stops
Qatar Airways Logo
9:20 - 9:00
CNS
-
JNB
31h 40m
2 stops
R20 099Qatar Airways
Thu, Apr 2 - Thu, Apr 9
Qantas Airways Logo
18:45 - 8:20
JNB
-
CNS
29h 35m
1 stop
Qantas Airways Logo
18:20 - 20:05
CNS
-
JNB
33h 45m
2 stops
R20 114Qantas Airways
Mon, Mar 30 - Mon, Apr 6
Multiple Airlines Logo
11:05 - 10:50
JNB
-
CNS
39h 45m
2 stops
Multiple Airlines Logo
6:00 - 7:55
CNS
-
JNB
33h 55m
3 stops
R20 497Multiple Airlines
Mon, Mar 30 - Mon, Apr 6
Singapore Airlines Logo
19:50 - 17:00
JNB
-
CNS
37h 10m
1 stop
Singapore Airlines Logo
18:15 - 18:35
CNS
-
JNB
56h 20m
1 stop
R21 277Singapore Airlines
Mon, Mar 30 - Mon, Apr 6
Qantas Airways Logo
18:45 - 8:20
JNB
-
CNS
29h 35m
1 stop
Qantas Airways Logo
18:20 - 20:05
CNS
-
JNB
33h 45m
2 stops
R23 937Qantas Airways
Thu, Apr 2 - Thu, Apr 9
Multiple Airlines Logo
11:10 - 10:50
JNB
-
CNS
39h 40m
2 stops
Multiple Airlines Logo
6:00 - 7:55
CNS
-
JNB
33h 55m
3 stops
R29 415Multiple 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 R13 362 on average for one-way flights. On the other hand, the most expensive months are December and September, where the average cost of tickets from South Africa is R21 500 and R19 302 respectively. For return trips, the best month to travel is October with an average price of R13 362.

Good to know – Book Cheap Cairns Plane Tickets

Low seasonJanuary
Cheapest flightR17 917
Best time to beat the crowds (18% less expensive on average)
Most popular time to fly (1% more 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.

  • 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.

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.

Reviews of the top 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.
8,2
Singapore AirlinesOverall score based on 1455 reviews
8,6Crew
8,3Boarding
7,8Food
8,0Entertainment
8,0Comfort
Airline reviews

Excellent crew service. Professional, courteous. Service with a smile. Good food Very decent flight experience

10,0 ExcellentAnonymous, Feb 2026
SAI - SIN
Read more Singapore Airlines reviews

Excellent crew service. Professional, courteous. Service with a smile. Good food Very decent flight experience

Service was very good, food and entertainment systems were good

I find it was a bit hot before take off. If there is a way to improve the airflow it would be great

Excellent service. I pre-ordered gluten intolerant meal and they handle it with care. They served me my meal before other people's to avoid crossed contamination. Thank you 🙏

No frills airline with minimal leg room and no entertainment

The crew was very courteous and professional. the flight is relatively clean and comfortable.

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.

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.

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.

It was ok, the additional baggage charges were a bit excessive given winter is a time for skiing. To have to pay $600 extra for skis was tantamount to robbery. Airlines should consider sporting goods as baggage. Likewise, they should consider increasing the number of bags allowed on international flights to known ski destinations.

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.

Travelling to a place near Cairns?

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Mission Beach

Everything you need to know for your flight to Cairns

Information on the airport you'll fly into in Cairns