CNS

R16 197 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 24/5. 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
R16 197
Overall average: R14 865
Cathay Pacific
Sun 24/5Wed 27/5
JNB - CNS • 2 stops
Cheapest one-way flight
Multiple Airlines
Thu 4/12
JNB - CNS • multi-stop
When to travel
October
Cheapest • 20% price drop
June
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, May 24 - Wed, May 27
Cathay Pacific Logo
11:20 - 11:50JNB-CNS
64h 30m2 stops
Cathay Pacific Logo
15:35 - 7:40CNS-JNB
48h 05m2 stops
R16 197Cathay Pacific
Find Deal
Sun, May 24 - Wed, May 27
Cathay Pacific Logo
11:20 - 11:50JNB-CNS
64h 30m2 stops
Cathay Pacific Logo
15:35 - 7:40CNS-JNB
48h 05m2 stops
R16 231Cathay Pacific
Find Deal
Sun, May 24 - Wed, May 27
Singapore Airlines Logo
13:45 - 17:00JNB-CNS
19h 15m1 stop
Singapore Airlines Logo
18:15 - 6:10CNS-JNB
19h 55m1 stop
R19 849Singapore Airlines
Find Deal
Sun, May 24 - Wed, May 27
Singapore Airlines Logo
13:45 - 17:00JNB-CNS
19h 15m1 stop
Singapore Airlines Logo
18:15 - 6:10CNS-JNB
19h 55m1 stop
R19 900Singapore Airlines
Find Deal
Sun, May 24 - Wed, May 27
Qantas Airways Logo
22:30 - 12:55JNB-CNS
30h 25m2 stops
Qantas Airways Logo
6:45 - 16:25CNS-JNB
41h 40m1 stop
R21 573Qantas Airways
Find Deal
Sun, May 24 - Wed, May 27
Qantas Airways Logo
22:30 - 12:55JNB-CNS
30h 25m2 stops
Qantas Airways Logo
6:45 - 16:25CNS-JNB
41h 40m1 stop
R21 624Qantas Airways
Find Deal
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 319 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 860 and R22 034 respectively. For return trips, the best month to travel is October with an average price of R14 319.

How far in advance should I book a flight to Cairns?

To calculate weekly average prices, KAYAK takes all prices for each week before departure over the last year for round-trip flights to Cairns, removes the top 0.1% to account for outliers, and then takes the average of all the values for each week.

To get a below average price, you should book around 0 weeks before departure. For the absolute cheapest price, our data suggests you should book 82 days before departure.

Good to know – Book Cheap Cairns Plane Tickets

Low seasonJanuary
Cheapest flightR16 197
Best time to beat the crowds but there is an average 4% increase in price.
Most popular time to fly and prices are also 12% lower 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 102. On the other hand, the most expensive day to fly is Saturday, where prices are R29 483 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 873 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 979.

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, +28 more

ANA, Air Canada, +29 more

Wednesday

ANA, Air Canada, Air France, +28 more

ANA, Air Canada, +29 more

Thursday

ANA, Air Canada, Air France, +29 more

ANA, Air Canada, +30 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, +28 more

ANA, Air Canada, +29 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, +28 more

ANA, Air Canada, +29 more

Wednesday

ANA, Air Canada, Air France, +28 more

ANA, Air Canada, +29 more

Thursday

ANA, Air Canada, Air France, +29 more

ANA, Air Canada, +30 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, +28 more

ANA, Air Canada, +29 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 1411 reviews
8,0Entertainment
8,0Comfort
8,3Boarding
8,6Crew
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 2025SIN - MEL
Read more Singapore Airlines reviews

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

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.

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.

So happy I flew with Singapore Airlines. The customer service is top notch. I am terrified of flying and the staff made me feel so at ease. Will only fly Singapore internationally moving forward.

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

Everything was great keep up the good work 😁, can't ask for more.

Flight from SFO did not include entertainment as it was not working the entire duration of the flight. Was informed that there would be a $350 voucher for the inconvenience. Uncertain how the voucher will be provided.

It was an average flight. I would have expected more from this airline. Food, seats, service, etc was just average. I just give them some extra points for offering free WiFi on board with just a Krisflyer account.

There were delays at boarding and landing. These events resulted in a tight transfer time in HK. Poor signage for transfers. Finally, lost luggage at final destination.

It was good. The planes needed to be updated though, they were dated and the entertainment systems were old. Service was amazing. The pre-booked meals were lacklustre.

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.

Flew from lax economy on cathay 777. Seat configuration 3-4-3. When the forward seat reclines it feels like someone is leaning forward and staring you. If you are slightly big tray tables will touch your abdomen even with seats upright. AVOID this above 777 configuration at all cost for a long flight. However their Airbus 350 3-3-3 configuration felt spacious and Seats wider.

First time tying out business class with this airline, hat a disappointment, never returning. We didn’t get the meal as requested from Singapore to HKG flight. While meals served connecting flight, crew takes meal order based off passenger membership status by giving the. Priority selection of meals. It was a battle, plain disappointment, not worth the hype, price, class as categorized/ advertised

Issues: 1) the charging issue as described in my previous survey 2) when I requested diet coke during the breakfast time, it is not available. Why? I can't drink diet coke in the morning? 3) when I tried to transfer to this flight, its gate information was not available to me?

The lead business class attendant was excellent. Made a point of greeting you and knowing your name by the time you leave.

If my return flight was not so much better, I would have given an excellent review.

A lot of things Never flying with this airline again Had an emergency landing

Great entertainment system, the seat is a bit old style needs refurbishment

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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Information on the airport you'll fly into in Cairns