$209 Find Cheap Flights from Cairns to New Zealand

This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a KAYAK user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight from Cairns to New Zealand departing on 4/5. 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.
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Best New Zealand Flight Deals from Cairns

Cheapest return prices found by our users on KAYAK in the last 72 hours

Auckland
Auckland1 stop$451
Queenstown
Queenstown1 stop$681
Christchurch
Christchurchdirect$477
Wellington
Wellington1 stop$623

Good to know

Low season

October

High season

December

Cheapest flight

$209
Best time to beat the crowds but there is an average 24% increase in price.
Most popular time to fly (27% more expensive on average)
Flight from Cairns to Christchurch

FAQs - booking New Zealand flights

  • How long is the flight to New Zealand from Cairns?

    Flights to Auckland5h 07m
    Flights to Christchurch5h 15m
  • What is the cheapest flight to New Zealand from Cairns?

    The cheapest ticket to New Zealand from Cairns found in the last 72 hours was $209 one-way, and $477 round-trip. The most popular route is from Cairns to Auckland, and the cheapest return airline ticket found on this route in the last 72 hours was $308.

  • Which airlines fly to New Zealand?

    Qantas Airways flies most frequently to Auckland from Cairns. In general, Jetstar, Air China and Air New Zealand fly the most to New Zealand.

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

    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 from Cairns to New Zealand.

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

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

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

    Hacker Fares allow you to combine one-way tickets in order to save you money over a traditional return ticket. You could then fly from Cairns to New Zealand 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 from Cairns to New Zealand?

    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 from Cairns to New Zealand up to 3 days before/after your preferred dates. You can then pick the flights that suit you best.

See more FAQs

Top tips for finding cheap flights to New Zealand

  • Looking for a cheap flight? 25% of our users found tickets from Cairns to the following destinations at these prices or less: Auckland $484 one-way - $873 round-trip
  • Book at least 1 week before departure in order to get a below-average price.
  • High season is considered to be January, November and December. The cheapest month to fly from Cairns is February.
  • Morning departure is around 9% cheaper than an evening flight, on average*.
See more tips
*Average of the lowest prices shown in KAYAK’s search results for departures within the next 30 days

Top 4 airlines serving from Cairns to New Zealand

Need help choosing which airline to fly with from Cairns to New Zealand? 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.
7.9
Air New ZealandOverall score based on 456 reviews
8.5Crew
7.9Comfort
8.2Boarding
7.4Entertainment
7.2Food
Airline reviews

Flew premium economy, well worth the extra. Much better seat size & space. Meals & snacks were lovely. Crew really pleasant. Internet is not great, not really useful for anything. Couldn't even send messages.

10.0 ExcellentMark, Feb 2025AKL - PER
Read more Air New Zealand reviews

Flew premium economy, well worth the extra. Much better seat size & space. Meals & snacks were lovely. Crew really pleasant. Internet is not great, not really useful for anything. Couldn't even send messages.

Everything was fine. Wish the wifi was free and included in the ticket price.

Nothing special short flight - all good - difference between 1 fudge and 2 fudge is obligation and thankfulness

The flight we had booked was cancelled due to bad weather conditions, but we were lucky to arrive at the airport quite early and got a seat on an earlier flight. The flight was mostly nice, but there were some hefty turbulences towards Queenstown. One of the passengers behaved hysterically. It would have been great if the crew had done something to calm her.

Sitting in an aisle seat equals getting hit by food cart and spilled on multiple times Food: gross and minimalistic Crew: frumpy and kurt Sound on multiple entertainment platforms poor Not an earplug problem, system soundboard poor

Major hassle with the weight of carryon luggage Having to repack bags at airport Not an issue in most of world Ridiculous issue considering the 400 pound gentleman sitting behind us

Overall experience was poor. In general crew was polite in speaking but that was all about it. I am vegetarian so I always carry a cup noodle box with me just in case. So I pressed "CALL" button for hot water for my cup noodle on my seat and waited for 10-15 minutes but nobody came. I personally took the box and went all the way to back of the plane. When I requested stewardess to put hot water in my cup noodle she refused as it was a "safety" hazard. I told her that you always serve coffee and tea these are also hot. But she still refused. I went back to my seat and from the seat I ordered hot water and it was brought to me without any problem. I poured THAT hot water in my cup noodle and ate. I was sitting in seat 36A, which was 2nd row in economy class. After eating my noodle I took the box and went 2 rows in the front where there was a kitchen to throw it. Again the stewardess there told me she didn't have a waste bin there and asked me to go back of the plane and throw it there. Tell me if above experiences are 'ok' for your airline??

Everything very good except the sofa couch not as comfortable as expected.

Liked the non-stop option, can always use more leg room!

typical long haul economy flight. Food was mediocre, inflight service was average. Offered in flight snacks but in seat ordering didn't work. Entertainment was good.

Crew was great but flight was delayed almost three hours due to a technical issue and we had to go back to the terminal and wait for another one.

Being told why we delayed three hours and not even given an apology by someone. Not a word. Not my airline of choice ever.

Checked Baggage line up was long but moved quickly, rest of the process, boarding, crew was excellent

Virgin has always provided a smooth and comfortable flight. This one was no different. Seats are comfortable. Staff are great. This is my favourite airline.

Virgin changed the flight to an Alliance flight. Smaller plane, tea coffee and water the only refreshments available and not sure what happened to the extra money I paid to sit in a selected seat with extra leg room. This is obviously a regular switch as it happened on our flight there and back. Do not recommend.

Late boarding, late departure due to weather and slow boarding, packed 5+hour flight, only 2 toilets for main cabin, tight leg room, no free food except tea, coffee, and water, arrived 75 minutes late.

Cramped, crowded flight, with no complimentary food except coffee, tea, or water.

Check-in was good and efficient, Boarding was quick and easy. Didn't like the entertainment side of things requiring your phone to connect for a screen, my eyes are bad enough to use my phone more than I already do. Trip was comfortable and baggage claim was good. If coffee and tea were free, then why not a soda or juice as well, its not like its an alcoholic drink.

Check-in was good and efficient, Boarding was quick and easy. Didn't like the entertainment side of things requiring your phone to connect for a screen, my eyes are bad enough to use my phone more than I already do. Trip was comfortable and baggage claim was good.

The flight was delayed by 45 minutes, but boarding, actual flight, and crew were great. However, there was Zero free food and only water, tea, or coffee to drink. Everything else was for sale. No onboard entertainment but it was a short flight.

Very good as always, stand out airline. The passengers whom choose to stuff baggage that otherwise should be checked-in is a real bother but that's not the airlines doing. A real frustration that passengers just don't want to check-in luggage. This is a pet hate unfortunately.

It’s a two prop flight so I had problems with my ears on re- entering ! But otherwise fine

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.

Wheelchair assistance to move through the terminals and to/from the plane door was excellent. No vegan snack on the flight, only something with salami and cheese in it.

The old Plane had not been cleaned properly in a long time.

Planes was old - business class seats looked like they were installed in the 80s

Our baggage didn’t arrive with us on the plane. Need I say more?

I got upgraded from economy to business, and the experience was outstanding

I have taken this flight many times. It is ALWAYS late. Every time there is significant delay (1-3 hours) before boarding. It’s very consistent. Even after boarding the expected landing time was delayed twice. The seats are very narrow and cramped. Food is barely editable. Considering an economy ticket often costs about $2,000 it’s one of the worst services ever.

Boarding was over 3 hrs late and we didn’t land until almost 1:30am

Flight was fine but a domestic flight was called by Jetstar international. This meant going through immigration and custom scanning twice. Long queues were experienced which were frustrating. We were using a wheelchair and exit at Perth needed a scissor lift as no air bridge provided. No fast lane at Perth for wheelchair. The staff were helpful but this system is poor.

The crew were great. The seat was older than an old Holden with a big metal bar sticking right into my back. The passenger next to me complained that hers was the same. The pre purchase system for food was disappointing as the pie/quiche took 20 mins to warm up, arrived too hot and with no utensils. It was one of the most uncomfortable flights I've ever been on.

Not very good, no food and not drink ( caffe or tea). Never ever fly with jet star.

Fabulous I have no issues with JetStar great service always use them to fly

Flight was as expected - we got what we paid for which was a base fare

Hardly we had overweight and we were asked to pay $75. We were checked by a female and weight was alright

Unaware of charge for carry on until i got to gate

I got what I paid for - flight was clean, staff were friendly

I like that fare is cheap but because there's no amenities whatsoever. You get what you paid for.

There's a reason why fare is cheap, no amenities.

Book cheap flights from Cairns to New Zealand

Recent return flight deals

3/6Tue
1 stopJetstar
10h 05mCNS-AKL
17/6Tue
1 stopJetstar
12h 55mAKL-CNS
$451
20/4Sun
directJetstar
4h 55mCNS-CHC
25/4Fri
directJetstar
5h 35mCHC-CNS
$477
8/4Tue
direct
4h 40mCNS-AKL
29/4Tue
1 stop
16h 50mAKL-CNS
$808
8/4Tue
direct
4h 40mCNS-AKL
29/4Tue
1 stop
15h 05mAKL-CNS
$829
1/4Tue
2 stopsVirgin Australia
22h 40mCNS-ZQN
8/4Tue
2 stopsVirgin Australia
23h 55mZQN-CNS
$930
8/4Tue
directAir New Zealand
4h 40mCNS-AKL
29/4Tue
directAir New Zealand
5h 35mAKL-CNS
$972
3/6Tue
2 stopsQantas Airways
20h 35mCNS-AKL
17/6Tue
1 stopQantas Airways
9h 50mAKL-CNS
$992
8/4Tue
2 stopsQantas Airways
15h 10mCNS-AKL
29/4Tue
2 stopsQantas Airways
14h 20mAKL-CNS
$1,021
8/4Tue
directAir New Zealand
4h 40mCNS-AKL
29/4Tue
directAir New Zealand
5h 35mAKL-CNS
$1,049
6/7Sun
1 stopVirgin Australia
24h 45mCNS-ZQN
11/7Fri
1 stopVirgin Australia
20h 25mZQN-CNS
$1,163

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Recent one-way flight deals

4/5Sun
directJetstar
4h 55mCNS-CHC
$209
2/4Wed
1 stopJetstar
10h 30mCNS-AKL
$308
11/5Sun
1 stop
7h 30mCNS-ZQN
$363
4/5Sun
2 stops
20h 30mCNS-CHC
$413
30/6Mon
1 stopVirgin Australia
14h 35mCNS-ZQN
$416
30/6Mon
2 stopsVirgin Australia
20h 00mCNS-ZQN
$448
5/4Sat
directAir New Zealand
4h 40mCNS-AKL
$493
11/6Wed
2 stopsQantas Airways
17h 50mCNS-AKL
$554
15/4Tue
directAir New Zealand
4h 40mCNS-AKL
$585
22/3Sat
3 stopsQantas Airways
14h 00mCNS-AKL
$915

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Everything you need to know for your flight from Cairns to New Zealand

Information on your arrival and departure airports

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