Flying from New York to Cairns Airport (CNS): What you need to know
Planning your flight from New York to Cairns Airport (CNS) begins with finding the right airport to begin your travels from. John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and LaGuardia Airport (LGA) are the main terminals in New York.
Cairns Airport is located in Cairns. The city operates on the UTC+10 timezone and is 14 hours ahead of New York.
Give yourself plenty of time to get on your flight from New York to CNS. As a general rule, turn up two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
Longer lines at check-in and security are likely if you're heading away during high season, so allow some extra wiggle room. The recommendation for peak periods? Arrive up to four hours early for international flights and two hours for domestic departures.
Airports in New York
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
Consider adding a stopover to find cheap flights from New York to CNS. Just uncheck 'Direct flights only' when searching for departures from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). Slip in a stop (and skip the high fares) by flying through one of these popular airports:
Haneda Airport (HND)
Changi International Airport (SIN)
Auckland Airport (AKL)
Located around 48 kilometres from the centre of New York, JFK can be reached in about 50 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The journey by public transport is roughly 1 hour 20 minutes.
Catching an early flight from New York to Cairns Airport? Avoid the hassle of rushing to the terminal (and sneak in some extra snooze time) by staying at one of these hotels near John F. Kennedy International Airport:
Of all flights leaving John F. Kennedy International Airport, 74.1% land on schedule at their destination.
JFK is located at JFK Airport.
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
Fit a stopover into your itinerary at Haneda Airport (HND). It's a key transfer point for flights from New York to Cairns Airport (CNS) out of Newark Liberty International Airport.
You can get to EWR from central New York in about 30 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The ride on public transport takes roughly 1 hour 10 minutes to travel the 24 kilometres or so.
Got an early start? You might like to check in to one of these accommodation options near Newark Liberty International Airport the day before your New York to CNS flight:
73.3% of all departures from Newark Liberty International Airport meet their expected arrival time.
The street address for EWR is Building 1, Conrad Road.
LaGuardia Airport (LGA)
LGA is around 18 kilometres from central New York. The drive from the city centre to the airport takes about 25 minutes. If you're thinking about taking public transport, expect a journey time of around 1 hour.
Take the uncertainty out of departure day — stay near LaGuardia Airport and know you'll be at your gate with time to spare. Check in to one of these hotels the day before if you're catching an early New York to Cairns Airport flight:
With 80.0% of its departing flights arriving when they should, LGA is a dependable starting point for your journey.
LaGuardia Airport is located at Hangar 7 Centre.
About Cairns Airport (CNS)
Have a late flight from New York to Cairns Airport? Don't let it end in exhaustion. Check in to one of these hotels near CNS and turn in quicker:
Pick up a Cairns Airport rental car and discover Cairns and beyond with your own set of wheels. Simba car hire, Bargain Car Rentals and East Coast are top providers you can book with here.
Lock in the best possible rate by reserving your ride around two weeks ahead of your New York to Cairns Airport flight.
Getting from Cairns Airport (CNS) to central Cairns
Cairns Airport to the centre of Cairns is about 5 kilometres. If you're renting a car or getting a cab, do a little research to make your trip as smooth as possible. Journey times will vary based on traffic conditions and the time of day.
It'll take around 1 hour 25 minutes if you're using public transport.
How to find the cheapest flights from New York to Cairns Airport (CNS)
The lowest price we've found for a one-way ticket from New York to Cairns Airport is $1,133. For a return flight on this route, the best price is $2,296. Depending on when and how early you book, these fares may change.
Booking in advance is often the key to scoring a cheap flight from New York to CNS. Airlines adjust prices based on demand, so the closer you get to departure, the more expensive your ticket may be.
The 'Whole month' tool shows you the cheapest New York to Cairns Airport tickets throughout the month. It's a good way to snap up a bargain if your dates are flexible.
Finding a cheap flight ticket from New York to CNS is a breeze with Price Alerts. Simply create one of these automatic alerts and we'll get in touch when prices go down.
Filters make it easier to snap up a deal on your flight from New York to Cairns Airport. Choose the departure times, airlines and number of stops that work for you. Then sort the results by 'Cheapest' to find the most affordable option fast.
The best time to fly from New York to Cairns Airport (CNS)
It's time to figure out your travel dates for your flight from New York to Cairns Airport (CNS). July is the busiest month to visit Cairns. If a slower pace sounds more appealing, go in February.
The warmest month in Cairns is January, with temperatures ranging between 23ºC and 31ºC. Lock in your New York to CNS flight ticket then if that's your ideal forecast.
August has temperatures of between 16ºC and 25ºC. Look for cheap tickets from New York to Cairns Airport around that time if you want to travel when it's cooler.
More about Cairns
Start your Cairns trip right by choosing the perfect place to stay. As soon as you've booked your flight from New York to Cairns Airport, check out our selection of hotels including:
You'll find plenty of exciting things to do in Cairns when you're ready to see the sights. Kick off your itinerary at Great Barrier Reef followed by Barrier Reef Park and Great Barrier Reef Liveaboard.
Explore more of Australia
You've done Cairns, now it's time to explore more of Australia. Travel about 290 kilometres south to Townsville to check off its popular sights. From Great Barrier Reef Marine Park to Reef HQ and Botanic Gardens, you've got a jam-packed schedule ahead.
North Ward is another sought-after destination in Australia and is around 290 kilometres south-east of Cairns. No trip is complete without visiting The Strand Jetty, Ocean Siren Statue and The Drill Hall Studio.