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R24 877+ Cheap flights to Cairns

This is the cheapest retur flight price found by a Cheapflights user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight departing on 31/1. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel.
— CNS
Dec 23 — Dec 301
1 adult

Flights to Cairns in 2024

Find the latest flights to Cairns in 2024, with up-to-date prices and availability. In the last 7 days, Cheapflights users made a total of 594 507 searches and data was last updated on 18 December 2024.

Return from

R24 877

Popular in

December

Cheapest in

February

Average price

R29 737
Qatar Airways
  • Qatar Airways
  • 31/1-7/2
  • 4 total stops
  • 88h 15m total
  • Johannesburg to Cairns
High demand for flights, 12% potential price rise
Best time to find cheap flights, 2% potential price drop
Average for return flights in December 2024

Find flight deals to Cairns

Best flights to Cairns
Discover carefully curated flight deals to Cairns that have cost, travel time, and stopovers in mind to ensure you get the best travel experience. Data last updated 18 December 2024.

Fri 31/113:20JNB - CNS
2 stops49h 55mQatar Airways
Fri 7/29:15CNS - JNB
2 stops38h 20mQatar Airways
Deal found 17/12R24 877
Fri 31/113:45JNB - CNS
1 stop43h 35mSingapore Airlines
Fri 7/218:35CNS - JNB
1 stop43h 35mSingapore Airlines
Deal found 17/12R25 093
Fri 31/117:15JNB - CNS
1 stop34h 35mQantas Airways
Fri 7/215:35CNS - JNB
2 stops31h 10mQantas Airways
Deal found 17/12R26 011
Fri 31/122:20JNB - CNS
2 stops59h 40mEmirates
Fri 7/212:45CNS - JNB
3 stops53h 40mEmirates
Deal found 17/12R28 693
Fri 17/113:20JNB - CNS
2 stops56h 15mMultiple Airlines
Thu 23/116:05CNS - JNB
2 stops30h 35mMultiple Airlines
Deal found 17/12R29 413

Find flights to Cairns within your budget

Locate flights to Cairns that fit your budget, with regularly updated fares and availability. In the last 7 days, Cheapflights users made a total of 594 507 searches and data was last updated on 18 December 2024.

Fly from

Any airport

Route

Depart

Return

Price

JohannesburgCairns

JNB - CNS

JNBCNS

Johannesburg OR Tambo

Fri 31/1

13:20-23:15

2 stops49h 55m

Cairns

Fri 7/2

9:15-15:35

2 stops38h 20m

R24 877

JohannesburgCairns

JNB - CNS

JNBCNS

Johannesburg OR Tambo

Fri 31/1

13:45-17:20

1 stop43h 35m

Cairns

Fri 7/2

18:35-6:10

1 stop43h 35m

R25 093

JohannesburgCairns

JNB - CNS

JNBCNS

Johannesburg OR Tambo

Fri 31/1

17:15-11:50

1 stop34h 35m

Cairns

Fri 7/2

15:35-14:45

2 stops31h 10m

R26 011

JohannesburgCairns

JNB - CNS

JNBCNS

Johannesburg OR Tambo

Fri 31/1

22:20-18:00

2 stops59h 40m

Cairns

Fri 7/2

12:45-10:25

3 stops53h 40m

R28 693

JohannesburgCairns

JNB - CNS

JNBCNS

Johannesburg OR Tambo

Fri 17/1

13:20-5:35

2 stops56h 15m

Cairns

Thu 23/1

16:05-14:40

2 stops30h 35m

R29 413

Flights are sorted by cheapest return flights first.

Deals found on 17/12

Best time to book a flight to Cairns

Have a flexible travel schedule? Discover the best time to fly to Cairns with our price prediction graph.
Estimated return price
Rates are based on past data. Find the cheapest month and day to book your flight based on your travel requirements, then search for cheap deals.

Travel insights for flights to Cairns

Get recent, data-driven insights about flights to Cairns including ideal travel times, pricing trends, and more.

How long is the flight to Cairns?

On average, a flight from Johannesburg to Cairns takes 43 hours 35 minutes. Flights to Cairns from other popular cities in South Africa will vary in length. Below are a few examples of popular routes and their flight times.

What are the cheapest airlines that fly to Cairns?

The cheapest airlines flying from Johannesburg to Cairns are Singapore Airlines, Qantas Airways and Emirates.

Rainfall in Cairns by month

Plan your trip to Cairns by taking into account the average rainfall totals by month.

In terms of precipitation, rainfall in Cairns ranges from 20.0 - 430.0 mm per month. March is typically the wettest month, when rainfall can reach 430.0 mm. July is typically the driest time to visit Cairns when rainfall is around 20.0 mm.

Temperature in Cairns by month

Plan your trip to Cairns by taking into account the average temperature totals by month.

If weather is an important factor for your trip to Cairns, use this chart to help with planning. For those seeking warmer temperatures, January is the ideal time of year to visit, when temperatures reach an average of 27.0 C. Travellers hoping to avoid the cold should look outside of June, when temperatures are typically at their lowest (around 21.0 C).

Reviews of airlines servicing Cairns

Get insights into the airlines that provide service to Cairns. Read reviews, discover amenities, and learn about the overall travel experience offered by airlines. Use this information to make informed decisions when choosing an airline for your flight to Cairns. Reviews last updated 18 December 2024.
8,1
Very Good
3 412 reviews

Crew

8,3

Boarding

8,1

Comfort

8,0

Entertainment

8,2

Food

7,9

Overall

8,1

Reviews

1 / 10

Overall a good experience. Can’t fault it. Good could have been a little better.

8,1
Very Good
3 412 reviews
8,1
Very Good
3 412 reviews

Crew

8,3

Boarding

8,1

Comfort

8,0

Entertainment

8,2

Food

7,9

Overall

8,1

Reviews

1 / 10

Overall a good experience. Can’t fault it. Good could have been a little better.

8,1
Very Good
1 329 reviews
8,1
Very Good
3 412 reviews

Crew

8,3

Boarding

8,1

Comfort

8,0

Entertainment

8,2

Food

7,9

Overall

8,1

Reviews

1 / 10

Overall a good experience. Can’t fault it. Good could have been a little better.

7,5
Good
3 798 reviews
8,1
Very Good
3 412 reviews

Crew

8,3

Boarding

8,1

Comfort

8,0

Entertainment

8,2

Food

7,9

Overall

8,1

Reviews

1 / 10

Overall a good experience. Can’t fault it. Good could have been a little better.

7,5
Good
808 reviews
8,1
Very Good
3 412 reviews

Crew

8,3

Boarding

8,1

Comfort

8,0

Entertainment

8,2

Food

7,9

Overall

8,1

Reviews

1 / 10

Overall a good experience. Can’t fault it. Good could have been a little better.

Cairns climate

There are two seasons – a wet season that runs from November to May (summer) and a dry season that starts about June and stretches to October (winter). January, February and March are the wettest months and there is the greatest chance of cyclones between December and April. Temperatures are pretty stable throughout the year. Daytime temps range between 14 and 26 degrees Celsius in the dry season while visitors can expect temperatures of between about 24 to 33 degrees during the wet season. Tourists should bear in mind that the Marine Stinger season stretches from November to May.

Getting around Cairns

Cairns’s city centre is small enough to walk around, but if you are planning on getting out to the Daintree National Park (a three-hour drive north of Cairns) or Kuranda Village (a 40-minute drive), renting a car is best. There are car-rental desks at Cairns Airport. Alternatively, you could take a four-wheel drive (4WD) tour. Several companies offer 4WD tours to the most popular destinations including Daintree National Park, Cape Tribulation, Cape York, Undara National Park and Chillagoe. If you’re visiting the region during the wet season (November-April) a four-wheel drive is the best way of getting around. Sunbus is the bus service around Cairns. There are eight routes, serving destinations such as the Botanic Gardens, Clifton Beach, Kewarra Beach and Yorkeys Knob. 

What is good to know if travelling to Cairns?

  • Walsh’s Pyramid is located about 20km south of Cairns. It’s the highest freestanding natural pyramid in the world. At 922 metres high, it is a popular, if strenuous, hike. 
  • Crystal Cascades is a little-known freshwater swimming hole in a tropical rainforest. To get there, drive to Redlynch, and then follow the signs to Crystal Cascades. When you see the Red Beret Pub, you’ll be just 10km from the swimming hole. 
  • Josephine Falls are considered to be one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Tropical North Queensland. Take the Bruce Highway, then drive towards Mount Bartle Frere, Queensland’s highest mountain. You’ll see signs to the falls. 
  • If you’re in Cairns between May and October, grab a picnic and catch a film at the Starry Night Cinema in the Flecker Botanic Gardens. The local film club screens non-mainstream films for a $10 entrance fee. Gates open at 6pm and the film starts at 7.30pm. 
  • Fitzroy Island is just 45 minutes from Cairns. Just 339 hectares, of which 324 is designated Fitzroy Island National Park. It’s a castaway island where you can snorkel, hike, or kayak.
  • When is the best time to fly to Cairns?

    Peak Season: July to October is high season.  Off Season: The “wet season” is low season. Wet season runs from November to April when there are torrential rains and humidity levels are high. If you’re willing to brave the rains it’s a good time to book cheap flights to Cairns and take up the discounts offered by tour operators, hotels and apartments. Divers will experience the best underwater visibility during the “wet” months, more than 50 metres sometimes. Stinger (Box jellyfish) Season is November-May and bathers should ensure that they follow the lifeguards’ advice about swimming within enclosures and between lifeguard flags.  Shoulder Season: May and June are shoulder months.

  • What airport do you fly into for flights to Cairns?

    If you book a flight to Cairns, you will be flying into Cairns, which is the city’s only airport. Cairns (CNS) is located 4,4 km from the centre of Cairns.

  • Can I find cheaper flights to Cairns if I am willing to have stopovers?

    Yes, flights with stopovers are often cheaper than direct flights. Keep an eye out for flight deals to Cairns on Cheapflights that require 1 or 2 stops for potential cost savings.

  • What is the best airline to fly to Cairns?

    Based on reviews from Cheapflights users, Singapore Airlines is rated the highest out of the airlines that fly to Cairns.

  • Does Cairns have car hire?

    Yes. Those touching down at Cairns can take advantage of the car hire services offered upon their arrival.

  • Are there hotels close to Cairns?

    Yes. Cairns has hotels nearby for those requiring accommodations. Homestay - Butterfly Haven is the closest property to Cairns (0,0 km away from Cairns).

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