Cheap Flights from Christchurch to Cairns

Compare Christchurch to Cairns flight deals

Find the cheapest month or even day of the year to fly to Cairns

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Flight deals from Christchurch to Cairns

Looking for a cheap last-minute deal or the best return flight from Christchurch to Cairns? Find the lowest prices on one-way and return tickets right here.

Cairns.$410 per passenger.Departing Fri, 2 May, returning Sun, 4 May.Return flight with Jetstar.Outbound direct flight with Jetstar departs from Christchurch on Fri, 2 May, arriving in Cairns.Inbound direct flight with Jetstar departs from Cairns on Sun, 4 May, arriving in Christchurch.Price includes taxes and charges.From $410, select.

Cairns.$413 per passenger.Departing Wed, 21 May, returning Sun, 1 Jun.Return flight with Jetstar.Outbound direct flight with Jetstar departs from Christchurch on Wed, 21 May, arriving in Cairns.Inbound direct flight with Jetstar departs from Cairns on Sun, 1 Jun, arriving in Christchurch.Price includes taxes and charges.From $413, select.

Cairns.$413 per passenger.Departing Wed, 30 Apr, returning Thu, 15 May.Return flight with Jetstar.Outbound direct flight with Jetstar departs from Christchurch on Wed, 30 Apr, arriving in Cairns.Inbound direct flight with Jetstar departs from Cairns on Thu, 15 May, arriving in Christchurch.Price includes taxes and charges.From $413, select.

Cairns.$443 per passenger.Departing Fri, 6 Jun, returning Tue, 10 Jun.Return flight with Jetstar.Outbound direct flight with Jetstar departs from Christchurch on Fri, 6 Jun, arriving in Cairns.Inbound direct flight with Jetstar departs from Cairns on Tue, 10 Jun, arriving in Christchurch.Price includes taxes and charges.From $443, select.

Cairns.$447 per passenger.Departing Wed, 20 Aug, returning Sun, 24 Aug.Return flight with Jetstar.Outbound direct flight with Jetstar departs from Christchurch on Wed, 20 Aug, arriving in Cairns.Inbound direct flight with Jetstar departs from Cairns on Sun, 24 Aug, arriving in Christchurch.Price includes taxes and charges.From $447, select.

Cairns.$447 per passenger.Departing Wed, 30 Jul, returning Sun, 3 Aug.Return flight with Jetstar.Outbound direct flight with Jetstar departs from Christchurch on Wed, 30 Jul, arriving in Cairns.Inbound direct flight with Jetstar departs from Cairns on Sun, 3 Aug, arriving in Christchurch.Price includes taxes and charges.From $447, select.

Cairns.$455 per passenger.Departing Wed, 8 Oct, returning Tue, 14 Oct.Return flight with Jetstar.Outbound direct flight with Jetstar departs from Christchurch on Wed, 8 Oct, arriving in Cairns.Inbound direct flight with Jetstar departs from Cairns on Tue, 14 Oct, arriving in Christchurch.Price includes taxes and charges.From $455, select.

Cairns.$455 per passenger.Departing Mon, 21 Jul, returning Tue, 29 Jul.Return flight with Jetstar.Outbound direct flight with Jetstar departs from Christchurch on Mon, 21 Jul, arriving in Cairns.Inbound direct flight with Jetstar departs from Cairns on Tue, 29 Jul, arriving in Christchurch.Price includes taxes and charges.From $455, select.

Find the cheapest month to fly from Christchurch to Cairns

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

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Direct flights from Christchurch to Cairns

Christchurch to Cairns: Alternative routes

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

Christchurch to Cairns: Flight information

The things to know before you go.

Cheapest flight found	$410
Cheapest month to fly	May
Average flight time	5 hrs, 35 mins
Most popular airline	Qantas
Average flights per week	10

Finding cheap flights from Christchurch to Cairns: Frequently asked questions

How much are return flights from Christchurch to Cairns?

The best price we found for a return flight from Christchurch to Cairns is $410. 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.

How long does it take to fly from Christchurch to Cairns?

5 hours and 35 minutes is the average flight time from Christchurch to Cairns.

Which airlines fly direct from Christchurch to Cairns?

Qantas and Jetstar fly direct from Christchurch to Cairns.

How many flights are there a week from Christchurch to Cairns?

As of April 2025, there are 10 flights per week flying from Christchurch to Cairns.

When is the cheapest time to fly from Christchurch to Cairns?

The cheapest month to fly from Christchurch to Cairns is usually April 2025.

Which upcoming date is cheapest to fly from Christchurch Airport to Cairns Airport on?

After crunching the numbers on our flight calendar, we found that it's currently cheapest to fly from Christchurch Airport to Cairns Airport on Friday, 2 May 2025.

Can I get a direct flight from Christchurch Airport to Cairns Airport?

Yes – the average flight time is 5 hours and 35 minutes.

How can I find the best flight deal to Cairns?

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.

When is the best time to book flights to Cairns?

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.

Which is the cheapest airline to fly from Christchurch Airport to Cairns with?

Currently, Jetstar offers the cheapest flight tickets to Cairns.

Flying from Christchurch International Airport (CHC) to Cairns Airport (CNS): what you need to know

Flying during a peak time like July? School holidays and other popular periods can result in longer queues and delays at check-in and security. Play it safe and get there up to four hours ahead of international flights and two hours before domestic departures.
If you'd like to break up your flight from Christchurch International Airport to Cairns Airport, add a stopover to your trip. Just uncheck 'Direct flights only' to find a destination that interests you. The top stopovers on the CHC - CNS route include:
- Melbourne Tullamarine Airport
- Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport
- Brisbane Airport
Before organising your cheap ticket from CHC to CNS, check whether you need a visa to enter Australia. Travel document and visa requirements may differ and are updated frequently. For the latest information, contact the nearest embassy or consulate of the country you're travelling to.

How to find the cheapest flights from Christchurch International Airport (CHC) to Cairns Airport (CNS)

The best price we've seen for a one-way ticket from Christchurch International Airport to Cairns Airport is $161. The cheapest price for a return flight is $410. Keep in mind that fares could change due to availability at the time of booking.
It's often best to book early if you want to find cheap flight tickets from CHC to CNS. That's because airlines change prices based on demand, which tends to rise closer to the date of departure.
The 'Whole month' search tool shows you the cheapest tickets from Christchurch International Airport to Cairns Airport throughout the month. It's a good way to find a bargain if your plans aren't set in stone.
Log into your online account or use the app to create a Price Alert. You'll be notified straight away if there's a cheaper deal on this route. It's easy to do, and it'll save you time checking for cheap flight tickets from CHC to CNS every day.
Tailor your flights with filters. Select your preferred departure and arrival times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort the results by 'Cheapest,' 'Fastest' or 'Best' flights from Christchurch International Airport to Cairns Airport.

Handy information about Christchurch International Airport (CHC)

Christchurch International Airport is approximately 56 kilometres from central Christchurch. If you're catching a cab, ride-sharing or driving from the centre, it'll take you 59 minutes or so to get there, depending on the traffic.
After an easy way to start to your travels? Stay near CHC. Whether you're boarding an early flight from Christchurch International Airport to Cairns Airport or want to avoid feeling rushed, these hotels are just the thing:

Arriving at Cairns Airport (CNS)

Book a hotel near CNS if you have a late flight from Christchurch International Airport to Cairns Airport. Check in to one of these options and skip the long transfer:

Getting from Cairns Airport (CNS) to central Cairns

Cairns Airport to the centre of Cairns is around 10 minutes in a car. It's approximately 6 kilometres away. Discover what options are available, such as cabs, car rentals or ride-sharing.
When travelling by public transport, expect a journey of around 1 hour and 26 minutes.

When to fly to Cairns Airport (CNS)

It's time to pick your trip dates for your flight from Christchurch International Airport to Cairns Airport. July is the busiest month to visit Cairns. If you like a more peaceful vibe, go in February.
The warmest month in Cairns is January, with temperatures ranging between 23ºC and 31ºC. Book your flights from Christchurch International Airport to Cairns Airport in this month if this is the type of weather you like.
If you'd rather travel in cooler conditions, search for a cheap ticket from CHC to CNS in August. Temperatures average between 16ºC and 25ºC then.

More about Cairns

If you're looking for somewhere to lay your head, you'll find the most popular stays in Cairns right here. Check out these hotels once you've booked your flight from CHC to CNS:
Kuranda Scenic Railway Freshwater Station and Cairns Esplanade Western High Water Pier are a couple of top-rated attractions to add to your Cairns must-do list. Keep the sightseeing going at Cairns Botanic Gardens.

Complete your Cairns trip with hotels and a car rental

Once you've secured your cheap ticket to Cairns Airport, browse the lowest prices and exclusive offers on hotels. You can also compare a range of car rental companies in one go to get the best car rental price for your Cairns holiday.