AKL - CNS

$256 Find Cheap Flights from Auckland to Cairns

This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a KAYAK user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight from Auckland 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.
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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 in flight searches from Auckland to Cairns, as well as popular online travel agencies
These are the airlines KAYAK users have selected most often from within our search results in flight searches from Auckland to Cairns, as well as popular online travel agencies
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Cheap Flight Deals from Auckland to Cairns (AKL-CNS)

 
Here are some of the best deals found on KAYAK recently from the most popular airlines for return flights from Auckland 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.

Recent return flight deals from Auckland to Cairns

KAYAK's recommended return flight deals from the most popular airlines that fly from Auckland to Cairns.
Discover the best prices for you by selecting your travel dates on KAYAK.
Choose your dates
06:40 - 13:10AKL-CNS
8h 30m1 stop
16:55 - 04:30CNS-AKL
9h 35m1 stop
Sun, 11 May - Tue, 20 May
19:50 - 10:40AKL-CNS
16h 50m1 stop
16:55 - 04:30CNS-AKL
9h 35m1 stop
Thu, 15 May - Thu, 22 May
19:50 - 10:40AKL-CNS
16h 50m1 stop
22:55 - 09:50CNS-AKL
8h 55m1 stop
$690Jetstar
Find Deal
Sun, 4 May - Sun, 18 May
19:50 - 10:40AKL-CNS
16h 50m1 stop
22:55 - 09:50CNS-AKL
8h 55m1 stop
$693Jetstar
Find Deal
Tue, 29 Apr - Thu, 15 May
07:10 - 10:45AKL-CNS
5h 35mdirect
11:55 - 18:35CNS-AKL
4h 40mdirect
$1,010Air New Zealand
Find Deal
Sat, 17 May - Sat, 24 May
06:10 - 23:05AKL-CNS
18h 55m1 stop
14:25 - 23:55CNS-AKL
7h 30m1 stop
$1,055Qantas Airways
Find Deal
Wed, 30 Apr - Fri, 2 May
07:10 - 10:45AKL-CNS
5h 35mdirect
11:55 - 18:35CNS-AKL
4h 40mdirect
$1,104Air New Zealand
Find Deal
Mon, 14 Jul - Mon, 11 Aug
20:35 - 11:35AKL-CNS
17h 00m1 stop
12:15 - 00:10CNS-AKL
9h 55m1 stop
$1,132Emirates
Find Deal
Fri, 2 May - Thu, 15 May
15:15 - 23:05AKL-CNS
9h 50m1 stop
11:45 - 07:35CNS-AKL
17h 50m2 stops
$1,235Qantas Airways
Find Deal
Tue, 3 Jun - Tue, 10 Jun
20:35 - 11:35AKL-CNS
17h 00m1 stop
12:15 - 00:10CNS-AKL
9h 55m1 stop
$1,327Emirates
Find Deal
Mon, 28 Apr - Tue, 20 May

KAYAK's insights & trends for Auckland to Cairns flights

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

What’s the cheapest day of the week to fly from Auckland to Cairns?

The average price of all round-trip flights from Auckland to Cairns clicked on KAYAK for each day over the last 12 months.
Your flight ticket price will generally be cheaper if you fly to Cairns on a Monday and more expensive on a Thursday. On your return trip to Auckland, you should consider flying back on a Friday, and avoid Sundays for better deals.

What is the cheapest month to fly from Auckland to Cairns?

To calculate monthly average prices, KAYAK takes all prices for each month over the last year for round-trip flights from Auckland 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 from Auckland to Cairns is August, where tickets cost $810 (return) on average. On the other hand, the most expensive months are December and October, where the average cost of round-trip tickets is $1,169 and $1,085 respectively.

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

To calculate weekly average prices, KAYAK takes all prices for each week before departure over the last year for round-trip flights from Auckland 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 on the flight from Auckland to Cairns, you should book around 3 weeks before departure. For the absolute cheapest price, our data suggests you should book 6 weeks before departure.

Good to know

Low season

January

High season

September

Cheapest flight

$256
Best time to beat the crowds but there is an average 3% increase in price.
Most popular time to fly (6% more expensive on average)
Flight from Auckland to Cairns

When to book flights from Auckland to Cairns

Are your dates flexible? Find out the best times to travel from Auckland 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. While we try to provide actual minimum prices for each date, some prices are predictions and actual prices may differ.

FAQs for booking flights from Auckland to Cairns

  • What is the cheapest flight from Auckland to Cairns?

    In the last 3 days, the lowest price for a flight from Auckland to Cairns was $147 for a one-way ticket and $346 for a return.

  • Which airports will I be using when flying from Auckland to Cairns?

    Auckland airport is called Auckland Intl and the only airport in Cairns is Cairns.

  • Which aircraft models fly most regularly from Auckland to Cairns?

    The Airbus A321neo is the aircraft model that flies most regularly on the Auckland to Cairns flight route.

  • Which airline alliances offer flights from Auckland to Cairns?

    Star Alliance is the only airline alliance operating flights between Auckland and Cairns.

  • On which days can I fly direct from Auckland to Cairns?

    You can catch a direct flight from Auckland to Cairns on on Tuesday, and Saturday.

  • Which is the best airline for flights from Auckland to Cairns, Emirates or Air New Zealand?

    The two airlines most popular with KAYAK users for flights from Auckland to Cairns are Emirates and Air New Zealand. With an average price for the route of $1,357 and an overall rating of 8.0, Emirates is the most popular choice. Air New Zealand is also a great choice for the route, with an average price of $1,088 and an overall rating of 7.9.

  • How does KAYAK find such low prices on flights from Auckland 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 from Auckland to Cairns.

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

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

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

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

  • What is KAYAK's "flexible dates" feature and why should I care when looking for a flight from Auckland 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 from Auckland up to 3 days before/after your preferred dates. You can then pick the flights that suit you best.

See more FAQs

KAYAK’s top tips for finding a cheap flight from Auckland to Cairns

  • Looking for a cheap flight? 25% of our users found flights on this route for $417 or less one-way and $964 or less round-trip.

Prefer to fly direct from Auckland Intl to Cairns?

Find which airlines fly direct from Auckland Intl Airport to Cairns Airport, which days they fly and book direct flights.

Direct departures

Auckland Intl to Cairns

Tuesday

Air China, Air New Zealand, Singapore Airlines, +1 more

Air China, Air New Zealand, +2 more

Saturday

Air China, Air New Zealand, Singapore Airlines, +1 more

Air China, Air New Zealand, +2 more

See more direct flights

Direct returns

Cairns to Auckland Intl

Tuesday

Air China, Air New Zealand, Singapore Airlines, +1 more

Air China, Air New Zealand, +2 more

Saturday

Air China, Air New Zealand, Singapore Airlines, +1 more

Air China, Air New Zealand, +2 more

See more direct flights
See more direct flights

Top 4 airlines serving from Auckland to Cairns

 
See real verified KAYAK customer reviews for airlines flying from Auckland to Cairns. Airline scores are aggregated from all reviews left by passengers on KAYAK after flying with an airline. KAYAK doesn’t show reviews that are older than 5 years. Learn how KAYAK collects reviews.
Need help choosing which airline to fly with from Auckland 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.
8.0
EmiratesOverall score based on 3189 reviews
8.2Entertainment
8.1Boarding
8.0Comfort
8.3Crew
7.8Food
Airline reviews

Over - amazing. The aircraft is somewhat old on this route.

10.0 ExcellentAvidan, Mar 2025DXB - NBO
Read more Emirates reviews

Over - amazing. The aircraft is somewhat old on this route.

First time and very memorable, the finest flying experience ive ever had

Everything I was good except food quality is very poor

We arrived in line for check in at 6:15 p.m. but did not check in until 8:00 p.m. The line for economy check in was very long, and all of the desks 03-13 were not open, although most of them opened sporadically. The crew on board were very nice and helpful, friendly and kind. It has been many years since we flew Emirates (at least 17 years), and we notice that foot rests are no longer available in economy, but we were lucky enough to fly in the upper deck and appreciate your opening some of your flights to economy passengers in the upper deck. We will definitely fly on emirates more often! Thank you.

Overall I was quite pleased with the experience; the cleanliness; the polite and attentiveness of the cabin crew; and the delicious food options.

Overall was a good experience and this particular flight the crew were great too at least in business class. It’s not always the case with flydubai. Few things would make me think twice in the future on this route. 1. The arrival into T3 might sound good but it is a real pain as it takes almost 30 mins to get to terminal on the bus as the aircraft still park at T2. The bag takes even longer . If they just let us off at T2, I’d be home within 30 mins of walking off the plane. Instead it takes 1.5 hours. 2. Due to the timing, the very tiny lounge in Penang is so crowded because half the lounge is closed for Qatar crew. Hardly anywhere to sit. 3. Flydubai app and site has a long way to go and using it is very unpleasant.

The plane was clean and well maintained the crew members were professionals and friendly and the food was good

Good food, real silverware, polite staff, smooth landing, charging plugs, good entertainment options.

Loved that I had an exit row seat, and there was no one else in the row! And again, I don' use on-line entertainment at all (I read or sleep) but I very much appreciate that I didn't hear anyone else's entertainment!

Business class on this plane was adequate, service, amenities, swag, and crew was amazing!

Economy was much nicer on the Air New Zealand planes.

At Coolangatta International it is difficult to hear voice boarding announcements when away from screen announcements.

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.

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!

I liked the service, the menu, and the comfort of the seats! Even tho we were seated by the bathrooms, the reclining seats and movie selection was very good, my husband and I didn’t mind at all

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.

The food was terrible. And the flight attendants were very rude. One flight attendant wouldn’t help a passenger lift their carry-on. Another flight attendant wouldn’t give a man an extra blanket. And they walked by not even looking at the passengers to see if they needed a glass of water.

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.

I have flown Qantas multiple times in the past it seemed this flight the plane had less seat room or the seats were way less comfortable than before. Everything else was about the same. Thanks

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

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

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

Overall, it was good. The only concern was that I couldn't charge my phone because the USB port didn't work after we took off. One of the crew members tried to restart it but never came back to me with an update.

Comfortable seats, boarding was easy and staff were very nice.

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

Everything you need to know for your flight from Auckland to Cairns

Information on your arrival and departure airports

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