CNS

$715 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 round-trip
$1,177
Typical prices: $1,272-$1,883
Multiple Airlines
Fri 2/9Mon 2/12
SEA - CNS • 2 stops
Cheapest one-way
$730
Typical prices: $635-$1,038
Multiple Airlines
Tue 11/6
DCA - CNS • 3 stops
Top airlines
Fiji Airways
Best reviews • 8.0 score
Airline reviews
Airline reviews
Top routes
LAX - CNS
Cheapest • 33% average savings
CHI - CNS
Most popular
Insights
Insights
When to travel
December
Cheapest • 33% price drop
November
Most popular
Good to know
+1
Good to know
+1
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We hope you love your trip to Cairns!
Flight Deals
Booking Insights
Expert advice
Flight Deals

Cheap Flights to Cairns

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

Recent round-trip flight deals to Cairns

Tue, Feb 9 - Fri, Feb 12
Multiple Airlines Logo
7:05 pm - 2:00 pmSEA  Seattle/Tacoma Intl-CNS Cairns
24h 55m2 stops Vancouver Intl Brisbane
Multiple Airlines Logo
3:45 pm - 9:32 amCNS  Cairns-SEA Seattle/Tacoma Intl
35h 47m2 stops Sydney Kingsford Smith Vancouver Intl
$1,177Multiple Airlines
Thu, Oct 29 - Thu, Nov 5
Multiple Airlines Logo
7:05 pm - 5:15 pmSEA  Seattle/Tacoma Intl-CNS Cairns
29h 10m2 stops Vancouver Intl Brisbane
Multiple Airlines Logo
6:00 am - 2:37 pmCNS  Cairns-SEA Seattle/Tacoma Intl
26h 37m2 stops Brisbane Vancouver Intl
$1,244Multiple Airlines
Thu, Oct 29 - Thu, Nov 5
Qantas Airways Logo
5:30 pm - 1:35 pmJFK  New York John F Kennedy Intl-CNS Cairns
30h 05m2 stops Los Angeles Sydney Kingsford Smith
Qantas Airways Logo
6:00 am - 7:45 pmCNS  Cairns-JFK New York John F Kennedy Intl
28h 45m2 stops Brisbane Los Angeles
$1,263Qantas Airways
Thu, Oct 29 - Thu, Nov 5
Air Canada Logo
6:15 pm - 2:00 pmEWR  Newark-CNS Cairns
29h 45m2 stops Vancouver Intl Brisbane
Air Canada Logo
6:00 am - 4:49 pmCNS  Cairns-EWR Newark
25h 49m2 stops Brisbane Vancouver Intl
$1,264Air Canada
Tue, Feb 16 - Thu, Mar 4
Multiple Airlines Logo
6:15 pm - 2:55 pmEWR  Newark-CNS Cairns
29h 40m2 stops Vancouver Intl Sydney Kingsford Smith
Multiple Airlines Logo
6:00 am - 4:48 pmCNS  Cairns-EWR Newark
25h 48m2 stops Brisbane Vancouver Intl
$1,283Multiple Airlines
Tue, Feb 16 - Thu, Mar 4
Multiple Airlines Logo
12:00 pm - 2:55 pmEWR  Newark-CNS Cairns
35h 55m3 stops Toronto Pearson Intl Vancouver Intl Sydney Kingsford Smith
Multiple Airlines Logo
6:00 am - 4:48 pmCNS  Cairns-EWR Newark
25h 48m2 stops Brisbane Vancouver Intl
$1,292Multiple Airlines
Wed, Mar 3 - Wed, Mar 31
Multiple Airlines Logo
3:40 pm - 1:35 pmORD  Chicago O'Hare Intl-CNS Cairns
29h 55m2 stops Vancouver Intl Sydney Kingsford Smith
Multiple Airlines Logo
6:00 am - 4:38 pmCNS  Cairns-ORD Chicago O'Hare Intl
25h 38m2 stops Brisbane Vancouver Intl
$1,295Multiple Airlines
Tue, Feb 16 - Thu, Mar 4
Air Canada Logo
2:20 pm - 2:55 pmEWR  Newark-CNS Cairns
33h 35m3 stops Toronto Pearson Intl Vancouver Intl Sydney Kingsford Smith
Air Canada Logo
5:35 pm - 7:34 pmCNS  Cairns-EWR Newark
40h 59m3 stops Sydney Kingsford Smith Vancouver Intl Toronto Pearson Intl
$1,307Air Canada
Sun, Nov 1 - Sun, Nov 22
Multiple Airlines Logo
3:30 pm - 5:15 pmORD  Chicago O'Hare Intl-CNS Cairns
33h 45m2 stops Vancouver Intl Brisbane
Multiple Airlines Logo
6:00 am - 2:37 pmCNS  Cairns-ORD Chicago O'Hare Intl
24h 37m2 stops Brisbane Vancouver Intl
$1,328Multiple Airlines
Wed, Mar 3 - Wed, Mar 31
Air Canada Logo
1:40 pm - 2:55 pmORD  Chicago O'Hare Intl-CNS Cairns
33h 15m3 stops Toronto Pearson Intl Vancouver Intl Sydney Kingsford Smith
Air Canada Logo
6:00 am - 2:35 pmCNS  Cairns-ORD Chicago O'Hare Intl
23h 35m2 stops Brisbane Vancouver Intl
$1,333Air Canada
Booking Insights

Price, demand and travel trends for United States to Cairns flights

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

What is the cheapest flight to Cairns?

Seattle to Cairns is the cheapest route at $1,177 round-trip, found in the past 5 days on KAYAK. Chicago O'Hare Intl Airport to Cairns is the most popular connection with round-trip deals from $1,295.

How much is a flight to Cairns?

A round-trip flight to Cairns costs $1,543 on average, based on data over the past 12 months on KAYAK. Round-trip fares from Los Angeles average $1,099, while Seattle runs a bit higher at $1,257.

What is the cheapest day to fly to Cairns?

Thursday is the cheapest day to fly to Cairns at $1,329 round-trip on average over the past 12 months on KAYAK. Sunday is the most expensive at $1,738.

What is the cheapest month to fly to Cairns?

•December is the cheapest month to fly to Cairns with an average price of $1,026 round-trip.
•January ($1,919) and August ($1,692) are the most expensive.
•Based on KAYAK data over the past 12 months.

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

Night flights to Cairns are the cheapest at $1,359 round-trip on average. Morning flights are the most expensive at $2,072.

What is a good deal for flights to Cairns?

Flights under $1,272 are considered a good deal. 25% of KAYAK users found round-trip flights to Cairns at or below these prices, with the lowest fares from:
•Los Angeles $842
•Minneapolis $1,129
•San Francisco $1,154.

Find deals
Expert advice

Expert advice for your flight to Cairns

 
KAYAK teamed up with top travel experts to share the best tips for your journey.
Our travel experts
Stefanie Waldek

Stefanie Waldek

Expert on Air Canada and United Airlines

Stefanie Waldek is a freelance space, travel, and design writer based in Saratoga Springs, NY. Her words have appeared in Space.com, Travel + Leisure, Condé Nast Traveler, Architectural Digest, and House Beautiful, among other publications. An expert in aviation and expedition cruising, Stefanie is frequently up in the air or on the sea, likely en route to Antarctica or the Arctic.

Read more
Scott Laird

Scott Laird

Expert on Fiji Airways

Originally from Anchorage, Alaska, Scott is a frequent contributor to Fodor’s Travel Guide, Conde Nast Traveler, TravelAge West, and TravelPulse. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Management from Alaska Pacific University and a Master of Science in Airline Management from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and has worked in the airline and hotel industries and as a travel consultant.

Read more
Bill Fink

Bill Fink

Expert on Qantas Airways

Bill is an award-winning travel writer with extensive credits covering airlines and the aviation industry for publications including AARP, AFAR, The Points Guy and Yahoo. Based in Portland, Oregon, Bill has traveled to more than 75 countries - and been late for his flight in most of them. He once achieved top-level frequent flier status for all of American, Delta and United Airlines during a single year.

Read more

Key details for flights to Cairns

Low season

May

Cheapest flight

$730
Best time to beat the crowds but there is an average 2% increase in price.
Flight from Washington, D.C. Reagan-National 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 round-trip price

Your questions about flights to Cairns, answered

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

  • Does Cairns Airport have a lounge?

    Yes, it does. Regardless of the travel class you are in, you can access any airport lounge provided you pay at the door, get annual membership privileges or purchase a day pass. There are three lounges at the Airport. Qantas Club lounge is on the second floor, and it provides beverages, family zones, and workstations with apple computers. Reef lounge is located at the Airside next to Gate 2, providing beverages, newspapers, telephones, and flight information monitors. Virgin Australia Lounge is located on Domestic Departures Level 1, offering beverages, meals, a TV lounge, and workstations.

  • Are there facilities for the disabled in Cairns Airport?

    Passengers with disabilities will find hearing loops at the airport. There are also lifts to help persons with disabilities navigate the airport. At the car parking area, there is a designated spot for persons with disabilities. Airlines provide additional assistance, so be sure to contact your airline before the flight.

  • Which kind of services are available at the airport?

    Popular banks operate ATMs all over the airport for travelers that need cash. Visitors will find Travelex currency exchange shops and duty-free shopping at the International Terminals and Lounges. Food vendors are available on both the landside and airside. Terminal 2 Departures also has a pharmacy where you can get over-the-counter medication.

  • Does Cairns International Airport have an airport shower?

    Showers are available at the Qantas, Reef, and Virgin Australia lounges. If you access any of these lounges through pay-per-use, single visit passes or lounge membership, there is no additional charge to use a shower.

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

    Japan Airlines operates the most flights from the United States to Cairns at 0 per week, while Qantas Airways is the airline most often selected by KAYAK users searching for flights from the United States to Cairns. The two are often different because flight volume reflects an airline's schedule, while popularity reflects traveler choice.

  • How far is Cairns from downtown Cairns?

    Cairns is 2.7 mi from downtown Cairns.

  • Where can I fly from to get the cheapest fares to Cairns?

    Based on fares booked in the past 5 days, the cheapest flights to Cairns are from:
    • New York, from $1,263 round-trip
    • Chicago, from $1,295 round-trip

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

    A good deal on a flight to Cairns is around $1,272 round-trip. This fare is in the lowest 25% of round-trip prices searched on KAYAK, averaged across the cities most often searched as origins by KAYAK users.

  • Which airlines should I consider for flights to Cairns?

    Qantas Airways, American Airlines and United Airlines are the most popular airlines among KAYAK users flying to Cairns. United Airlines has the best on-time record at the destination's main airport.

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, recent KAYAK data shows that stronger deals tend to land around $1,272 round-trip. If you see a fare below that threshold, it's a strong deal – book before the price climbs back up.
  • If you can choose when to go, time your trip to Cairns around December. Round-trip fares historically average $1,026 that month – typically the cheapest month to travel based on 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 ID.
    • Pick a departure airport, since your nearest may not be the cheapest origin.
  • Shift your departure to evening to save up to $713 per round-trip. Evening flights to Cairns average $1,359 compared to $2,072 for morning flights. See the time-of-day chart above for the full breakdown.
  • Once you arrive in Cairns, a few great places to start are Cairns Convention Centre and Reef Hotel Casino. These are popular with first-time visitors and can give you a good feel for the area.
  • Most public means of transport do not offer direct rides from Cairns International Airport (CNS) to Cairns city center. Shuttle rides, however, give rides to Palm Cove. From Palm Cove, travelers can walk over to Williams Esplanade and take the 110 bus to the city of Cairns. However, taxi rides and car rental services can easily get you direct transfers to Cairns.
  • Cairns International Airport has destinations in 32 cities and five countries. 12 airlines fly via the airport with direct flights to Japan, Indonesia, South East Asia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, and Singapore. Jetstar Airways, Star Alliance, and Oneworld are the most popular airlines with direct flights.
  • Passengers traveling with babies will find baby care facilities at Cairns Airport. Both airports have parents' rooms in the washrooms where travelers can feed and change their babies' privately before and after their flight.
  • If you need help with your luggage, there are baggage trolleys available for free at the airport. There are also self-service baggage lockers available just right next to T2 Car Park service Kiosk for short-term storage. Storage rates vary depending on the size of the locker, and fees are normally charged hourly. The self-service system only accepts cash payments for small cash bills under $20 and coins, so if you need baggage storage, ensure you have loose change.
  • Travelers that need business areas can conduct their business in one of Cairns Airports Lounges. If you are an economy class traveler, you can access the lounges through pay at the door, paying the membership, or purchase a day pass. Virgin Australia Lounge is equipped with business facilities, Wi-Fi, and fax for visitors who wish to conduct business meetings.

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