Cheap Flights from Auckland International to Cairns

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Flight deals from Auckland International to Cairns

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Find the cheapest month to fly from Auckland International to Cairns

We’re always keeping an eye on fares, so you can find the best one in seconds. It looks like Auckland International to Cairns flights are currently cheapest in June.

Direct flights from Auckland International to Cairns

Auckland International to Cairns: Alternative routes

Compare routes from Auckland International to Cairns below. You may find an airport to fly into that's cheaper, faster, or easier than Cairns.

Auckland to Cairns: Flight information

The things to know before you go.
Cheapest flight found$606
Cheapest month to flyJune
Average flight time5 hrs, 40 mins
Most popular airlineAir China
Average flights per week11

Finding cheap flights from Auckland International to Cairns: Frequently asked questions

The best price we found for a return flight from Auckland International to Cairns is $607. This is an estimate based on information collected from different airlines and travel providers over the last 4 days and is subject to change and availability.
5 hours and 40 minutes is the average flight time from Auckland International to Cairns.
Air China, Singapore Airlines and Air New Zealand fly direct from Auckland International to Cairns.
As of May 2024, there are 11 flights per week flying from Auckland International to Cairns.
The cheapest month to fly from Auckland International to Cairns is usually June.
After crunching the numbers on our flight calendar, we found that it's currently cheapest to fly from Auckland International Airport to Cairns Airport on Wednesday, 12 June 2024.
Yes – the average flight time is 5 hours and 40 minutes.
We show every price from over 1,200 airlines and travel agents, comparing them all so you don’t have to. If you know you want to fly to Cairns but you’re not ready to book, set up a Price Alert. We’ll track prices for you, and let you know when they rise or fall.
We crunched all the numbers in our flight calendar and it looks like the cheapest time to book a flight to Cairns is around 40 days in advance, so don’t leave your flight to the last minute.
Currently, Jetstar and Air New Zealand offer the cheapest flight tickets to Cairns.

Which airlines fly from Auckland to Cairns? 

  • There are no direct flights between Auckland and Cairns, however, Qantas, Jetstar, and Virgin Australia all offer connecting routes, and these depart daily.
  • Expect to fly via Brisbane (BNE), Melbourne (MEL), or Sydney (SYD) en route to Cairns from Auckland.
  • Skyscanner’s price alerts are a great way to snap up cheap flights as and when they become available.

How easy is it to depart on flights from Auckland to Cairns?

Auckland Airport is one of New Zealand’s key international airports, offering daily flights to Australia. This airport has 2 terminals.

  • International Terminal – flights from Auckland to Cairns will depart from this terminal.

At Auckland Airport there are currency exchange services, duty-free shops, restaurants and bars, VIP lounges, free WiFi, cash machines, and information booths. A free shuttle service runs between the two terminals.

Arrive at Auckland Airport at least 2 hours before your connecting flight to Cairns is due to depart.

What do I need before I fly from Auckland to Cairns? 

  • All international travel requires passengers to carry a valid passport.
  • New Zealand citizens have a right to travel, live and work in Australia, for more information, please visit the Australian High Commission.

What is Cairns Airport like?

Cairns Airport is a well-facilitated airport, offering domestic and international connections. This airport has 2 terminals. 

  • Domestic Terminal – flights from Auckland will generally fly via a domestic city like Melbourne (MEL), Brisbane (BNE), or Sydney (SYD), so it is likely you will arrive in the domestic terminal. 

Once you enter the domestic terminal you will be able to access the free WiFi, several shops and restaurants, information desks, and ATMs. You can also find mobile phone booths, currency exchange desks, and car hire agencies at this airport.

What is the weather like in Cairns?

  • Cairns is warm no matter what time of year you visit. Expect hot and humid summers of 23-32°C, springs and autumns that average 21-29°C, and downright lovely winters between 17-26°C.

Is there a time difference between Auckland and Cairns? 

  • Cairns is 2 hours behind Auckland during Standard Time (ST) and 3 hours behind Auckland during Daylight Savings Time (DST).

Is Cairns cheaper than Auckland? 

Yes, Cairns is cheaper across all costs, including accommodation, dining, and shopping. Cairns is one of our top destinations for Kiwis to visit during the chilly winter months, as it is warm, affordable, and provides access to the almighty Great Barrier Reef. 

  Auckland Cairns
Average cost of a meal for 2 people $90 80AUD ($84)
Average cost of a coffee $4.55 4.75AUD ($5)
Average cost of a taxi from the airport to the CBD $38-75 25-30AUD ($26-31)

What about return flights from Auckland to Cairns?

Planning on flying back to Auckland? Click the Return button to see airfares back, or go to our Cairns to Auckland flights information page.

Please note that the information provided above is accurate as of January 2019


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Prices shown on this page are estimated lowest prices only. Found in the last 45 days.