How long is the flight from South Africa to Cairns?

Airlines like Qantas Airways, Qatar Airways, and Emirates fly from South Africa to Cairns in about 30h 25m. The time it takes to get you to your destination can typically vary by up to 37h 55m. The distance from South Africa to Cairns is about 11734 km. This flight may include one or multiple stops.

In terms of precipitation, rainfall in Cairns ranges from 20.0 - 430.0 inches 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.

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).

What are the most popular airlines that fly from South Africa to Cairns?

Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways and Qantas Airways are the most popular airlines when flying from South Africa to Cairns.

What is the cheapest time of day to fly from ZA to CNS?

Regardless of the time of day you decide to fly, the ticket price will remain around the same. Book flights from South Africa to Cairns as you normally would.

What airport do you fly into for flights to Cairns from South Africa?

For a flight from South Africa to Cairns, you will be flying into Cairns. Cairns (CNS) is just 4,4 km from the centre of the city.

Can I find deals for flights from South Africa to Cairns that include hotel bookings?

Yes. In addition to deals on South Africa to Cairns flights, Cheapflights offers holiday packages that include both flights and hotel.

How can I find direct flights from South Africa to Cairns?

After entering your origin and destination, apply the non-stop filter on the search result page to find direct flights from South Africa to Cairns.

Can I find deals for business class flights from South Africa to Cairns?

Yes. Cheapflights offers flight deals from South Africa to Cairns by cabin class. In addition to browsing deals, you can also filter by cabin class on the search results page after making a search.

R18 719+ Cheap Flights from South Africa to Cairns

Cheap flight deals from South Africa to Cairns

Enter your travel dates to find the best prices.

Cheapest

Best

Last-minute

Cheapest flights from South Africa to Cairns
Explore the most affordable flight options available from South Africa to Cairns. Find the lowest fares from popular airlines and budget airlines, with prices last updated on 29 September 2026.

Sun 8/1121:35 -

1 stop23h 40m

Wed 11/1112:35 -

1 stop34h 25m

Deal found 28/9R18 719

Wed 4/1117:55 -

1 stop35h 40m

Sun 15/118:00 -

1 stop39h 00m

Deal found 28/9R19 145

Sun 8/1121:35 -

1 stop23h 40m

Thu 12/1112:35 -

2 stops37h 50m

Deal found 28/9R19 309

Wed 4/1117:55 -

1 stop33h 55m

Sat 14/116:50 -

2 stops43h 35m

Deal found 28/9R19 752

Sun 8/1121:35 -

2 stops30h 15m

Sat 14/1112:35 -

2 stops37h 50m

Deal found 28/9R20 030

Mon 9/1117:55 -

2 stops32h 35m

Wed 11/1112:35 -

1 stop34h 25m

Deal found 28/9R20 604

Tue 10/1121:35 -

2 stops30h 15m

Thu 12/1117:40 -

2 stops32h 45m

Deal found 28/9R20 948

Fri 6/1121:35 -

2 stops50h 55m

Tue 17/1112:35 -

1 stop34h 25m

Deal found 28/9R21 309

Fri 6/1121:35 -

2 stops50h 55m

Sat 14/116:50 -

2 stops43h 35m

Deal found 28/9R21 915

Wed 4/1113:45 -

2 stops45h 20m

Mon 16/1119:50 -

2 stops51h 25m

Deal found 28/9R22 604

Thu 17/1212:25 -

3 stops68h 20m

Wed 6/110:55 -

3 stops56h 00m

Deal found 25/9R34 881

Thu 17/1212:15 -

2 stops38h 40m

Wed 6/16:00 -

2 stops60h 30m

Deal found 25/9R40 323

Find flight deals from South Africa to Cairns

Round-trip from	R18 719
Popular in	December
Cheapest in	November
Average price	R20 325

Qantas Airways
8/11-17/11
2 total stops
58h 05m total
South Africa to Cairns

Search Deals

Highest demand for flights based on searches. 3% potential increase in price (R10 204 potential increase over avg. return price).

Search Deals

Cheapest flight prices on average. 2% potential price decrease (R8 105 potential savings vs. average return price).

Search Deals

Average for round-trip flights in September 2026

Search Deals

Cheapflights Fare Finder

Use the filters below to find and compare flights from South Africa to Cairns that are best for you.

Fly from

Fly to

Route

Depart

Return

Price

Cheapest return flight

JohannesburgCairns

JNB Johannesburg OR Tambo - CNS Cairns

JNBCNS

Johannesburg OR Tambo

Wed 10/2

17:55-8:20

1 stop30h 25m

Cairns

Sun 14/2

12:35-15:00

1 stop34h 25m

R18 899

Fastest return journey

JohannesburgCairns

JNB Johannesburg OR Tambo - CNS Cairns

JNBCNS

Johannesburg OR Tambo

Tue 10/11

21:35-11:50

2 stops30h 15m

Cairns

Sun 15/11

12:35-15:00

1 stop34h 25m

R19 440

JohannesburgCairns

JNB Johannesburg OR Tambo - CNS Cairns

JNBCNS

Johannesburg OR Tambo

Thu 5/11

13:45-19:05

2 stops45h 20m

Cairns

Thu 12/11

17:35-15:35

2 stops54h 00m

R23 210

DurbanCairns

DUR Durban King Shaka Intl - CNS Cairns

DURCNS

Durban King Shaka Intl

Thu 17/12

12:25-16:45

3 stops68h 20m

Cairns

Wed 6/1

10:55-10:55

3 stops56h 00m

R34 881

DurbanCairns

DUR Durban King Shaka Intl - CNS Cairns

DURCNS

Durban King Shaka Intl

Thu 17/12

12:15-10:55

2 stops38h 40m

Cairns

Wed 6/1

6:00-10:30

2 stops60h 30m

R40 323

DurbanCairns

DUR Durban King Shaka Intl - CNS Cairns

DURCNS

Durban King Shaka Intl

Thu 17/12

12:15-10:55

2 stops38h 40m

Cairns

Wed 6/1

9:45-19:30

3 stops41h 45m

R45 158

Flights are sorted by cheapest return flights first.

Deals found on 24/9

Sorted by cheapest first

Best time to book a flight from South Africa to Cairns

Have a flexible travel schedule? Discover the best time to fly to Cairns from South Africa with our price prediction graph.

JNB-CNS

DUR-CNS

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.

Cheapflights Insights

Everything you need to know about your flight from South Africa to Cairns

ZA0-CNS

JNB-CNS

DUR-CNS

What is the cheapest month to book a flight from South Africa to Cairns?

Currently, November is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from South Africa to Cairns (average of R15 736). Flying from South Africa to Cairns in December is currently the most expensive (average of R25 423). There are several factors that can impact the price of a flight, so comparing airlines, departure airports and flight times can provide users with more options.

Reviews of airlines servicing Cairns

Check out reviews from past customers who have flown with Singapore Airlines,Qantas Airways, andQatar Airways from South Africa to Cairns to help guide your decision. You can also see how each airline stacks up in terms of entertainment options, comfort, food, crew/service, and boarding process.

Singapore Airlines

8,2

Very Good

1 618 reviews

Check prices

Reviews

1 / 20

10,0

Excellent

Rob,Sept 2026

JFK - SIN

The gate agent was rude. Very disappointing. The cabin crew was amazing. Every thing with them was great once we boarded the plane.

Singapore Airlines

8,2

Very Good

1 618 reviews

Singapore Airlines

8,2

Very Good

1 618 reviews

Check prices

Reviews

1 / 20

10,0

Excellent

Rob,Sept 2026

JFK - SIN

The gate agent was rude. Very disappointing. The cabin crew was amazing. Every thing with them was great once we boarded the plane.

Qantas Airways

7,5

Good

1 102 reviews

Singapore Airlines

8,2

Very Good

1 618 reviews

Check prices

Reviews

1 / 20

10,0

Excellent

Rob,Sept 2026

JFK - SIN

The gate agent was rude. Very disappointing. The cabin crew was amazing. Every thing with them was great once we boarded the plane.

Qatar Airways

7,3

Good

3 729 reviews

Singapore Airlines

8,2

Very Good

1 618 reviews

Check prices

Reviews

1 / 20

10,0

Excellent

Rob,Sept 2026

JFK - SIN

The gate agent was rude. Very disappointing. The cabin crew was amazing. Every thing with them was great once we boarded the plane.

Related info for your journey

What airport do you fly into for flights to Cairns from South Africa?
For a flight from South Africa to Cairns, you will be flying into Cairns. Cairns (CNS) is just 4,4 km from the centre of the city.
How long is the flight from South Africa to Cairns?
Airlines like Qantas Airways, Qatar Airways, and Emirates fly from South Africa to Cairns in about 30h 25m. The time it takes to get you to your destination can typically vary by up to 37h 55m. The distance from South Africa to Cairns is about 11734 km. This flight may include one or multiple stops.
Can I find deals for flights from South Africa to Cairns that include hotel bookings?
Yes. In addition to deals on South Africa to Cairns flights, Cheapflights offers holiday packages that include both flights and hotel.
How can I find direct flights from South Africa to Cairns?
After entering your origin and destination, apply the non-stop filter on the search result page to find direct flights from South Africa to Cairns.
Can I find deals for business class flights from South Africa to Cairns?
Yes. Cheapflights offers flight deals from South Africa to Cairns by cabin class. In addition to browsing deals, you can also filter by cabin class on the search results page after making a search.
What is the cheapest month to book a flight from South Africa to Cairns?
Currently, November is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from South Africa to Cairns (average of R15 736). Flying from South Africa to Cairns in December is currently the most expensive (average of R25 423). There are several factors that can impact the price of a flight, so comparing airlines, departure airports and flight times can provide users with more options.

See more FAQs

Browse thousands of different options on Cheapflights for your next trip

Alternative routes

Complete your trip

Direct flights to Australia

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Other flight options

Popular flights

Alternative routes for South Africa to Cairns

OR Tambo to Brisbane flights

Cape Town to Brisbane flights

OR Tambo to Cairns flights

Top 3 airlines flying from South Africa to Cairns

Airline	Cheapest	Average	Flexibility	On-time
Singapore Airlines	CheapestR14 028	AverageR18 216	FlexibilityNo cancel fee	On-time81%	Search Singapore Airlines flights
Qantas Airways	CheapestR16 522	AverageR23 561	FlexibilityNo cancel fee	On-time74%	Search Qantas Airways flights
Qatar Airways	CheapestR19 048	AverageR20 739	FlexibilityNo cancel fee	On-time68%	Search Qatar Airways flights

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How does Cheapflights help users find flights from South Africa to Cairns?

Cheapflights helps you search for flights from South Africa to Cairns via 900+ travel sites so you don’t have to. After performing a flight search, users can also filter their flight selection by filtering for price, number of stops, airlines, and so on.

Why should you use Cheapflights to find cheap flight tickets from South Africa to Cairns?

Cheapflights simply makes it quick and affordable to book flights from South Africa to Cairns by bringing together all flight options from hundreds of airlines and agencies online — and put it in one place for you to choose from. Plus, Cheapflights is 100% free to use for all.

Can Cheapflights find flights from South Africa to Cairns with no change fees?

Need flexible booking options for your flight to Cairns from South Africa? Don’t worry, Cheapflights have you covered. Use our search filter to only show flights with no change fees.

Can Cheapflights notify me if prices for flights from South Africa to Cairns become cheaper?

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Cheap flights from South Africa to Cairns from R18 719

This is the cheapest retur flight price found by a Cheapflights user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight departing on 8/11. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel.

Cheap flight deals from South Africa to Cairns

Cheapest flights from South Africa to CairnsExplore the most affordable flight options available from South Africa to Cairns. Find the lowest fares from popular airlines and budget airlines, with prices last updated on 29 September 2026.

Explore the most affordable flight options available from South Africa to Cairns. Find the lowest fares from popular airlines and budget airlines, with prices last updated on 29 September 2026.

Best flights from South Africa to CairnsDiscover carefully curated flight deals from South Africa to Cairns that have cost, travel time, and stopovers in mind to ensure you get the best travel experience. Data last updated 29 September 2026.

Discover carefully curated flight deals from South Africa to Cairns that have cost, travel time, and stopovers in mind to ensure you get the best travel experience. Data last updated 29 September 2026.

Last-minute flights from South Africa to CairnsDiscover last-minute flight deals from South Africa to Cairns. Data last updated 29 September 2026 and is based on user searches.

Discover last-minute flight deals from South Africa to Cairns. Data last updated 29 September 2026 and is based on user searches.

Find flight deals from South Africa to Cairns

Round-trip from

Popular in

Cheapest in

Average price

Cheapflights Fare Finder

Use the filters below to find and compare flights from South Africa to Cairns that are best for you.

Best time to book a flight from South Africa to Cairns

Have a flexible travel schedule? Discover the best time to fly to Cairns from South Africa with our price prediction graph.

Cheapflights Insights

What is the cheapest month to book a flight from South Africa to Cairns?

Reviews of airlines servicing Cairns

Check out reviews from past customers who have flown with Singapore Airlines,Qantas Airways, andQatar Airways from South Africa to Cairns to help guide your decision. You can also see how each airline stacks up in terms of entertainment options, comfort, food, crew/service, and boarding process.

Related info for your journey

What airport do you fly into for flights to Cairns from South Africa?

How long is the flight from South Africa to Cairns?

Can I find deals for flights from South Africa to Cairns that include hotel bookings?

How can I find direct flights from South Africa to Cairns?

Can I find deals for business class flights from South Africa to Cairns?

What is the cheapest month to book a flight from South Africa to Cairns?

Browse thousands of different options on Cheapflights for your next trip

Toggle through the tabs below to find thousands of options on Cheapflights for your next trip.

Alternative routes for South Africa to Cairns

See prices for flight routes from nearby airports that may be better suited for you.

Complete your trip

Complete your trip to Cairns by adding a car hire and/or hotel booking to your travel itinerary.

Direct flights to Australia

Book a non-stop flight to one of these other cities located in Australia.

Search flights from South Africa to Cairns by cabin class

Find flights from South Africa to Cairns, based on your preferred cabin class, be it economy, premium economy, business, or first class.

South Africa and Cairns flights

Browse other South Africa and Cairns flight options. Last updated on 29 September 2026.

Popular flight searches

Check out other popular destinations found by fellow travellers in 2026

Top 3 airlines flying from South Africa to Cairns

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How does Cheapflights help users find flights from South Africa to Cairns?

Why should you use Cheapflights to find cheap flight tickets from South Africa to Cairns?

Can Cheapflights find flights from South Africa to Cairns with no change fees?

Can Cheapflights notify me if prices for flights from South Africa to Cairns become cheaper?

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Cheapest flights from South Africa to Cairns
Explore the most affordable flight options available from South Africa to Cairns. Find the lowest fares from popular airlines and budget airlines, with prices last updated on 29 September 2026.

Best flights from South Africa to Cairns
Discover carefully curated flight deals from South Africa to Cairns that have cost, travel time, and stopovers in mind to ensure you get the best travel experience. Data last updated 29 September 2026.

Last-minute flights from South Africa to Cairns
Discover last-minute flight deals from South Africa to Cairns. Data last updated 29 September 2026 and is based on user searches.