$588 Cheap Flights from Johannesburg (JNB) to Cairns (CNS)

View $588 flight on Tue, Oct 14, 2025Opens in a new window

Popular airlines from O.R. Tambo Intl. Airport (JNB) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS)

Cheap Flights from Johannesburg to Cairns (JNB-CNS)

Prices were available within the past 7 days and start at $588 for one-way flights and $1,013 for round trip, for the period specified. Prices and availability are subject to change. Additional terms apply.

Cathay Pacific
Tue, Oct 14 - Tue, Nov 4
JNB
Johannesburg
CNS
Cairns
$1,013 Roundtrip, found 20 hours ago
$1,013
Roundtrip
found 20 hours ago
Select Cathay Pacific flight, departing Tue, Oct 14 from Johannesburg to Cairns, returning Tue, Nov 4, priced at $1,013 found 20 hours ago
Cathay Pacific
Tue, Oct 14 - Tue, Nov 4
JNB
Johannesburg
CNS
Cairns
$1,014 Roundtrip, found 20 hours ago
$1,014
Roundtrip
found 20 hours ago
Select Cathay Pacific flight, departing Tue, Oct 14 from Johannesburg to Cairns, returning Tue, Nov 4, priced at $1,014 found 20 hours ago
Cathay Pacific
Tue, Oct 14 - Tue, Nov 4
JNB
Johannesburg
CNS
Cairns
$1,016 Roundtrip, found 20 hours ago
$1,016
Roundtrip
found 20 hours ago
Select Cathay Pacific flight, departing Tue, Oct 14 from Johannesburg to Cairns, returning Tue, Nov 4, priced at $1,016 found 20 hours ago
Cathay Pacific
Tue, Oct 14 - Tue, Nov 4
JNB
Johannesburg
CNS
Cairns
$1,018 Roundtrip, found 20 hours ago
$1,018
Roundtrip
found 20 hours ago
Select Cathay Pacific flight, departing Tue, Oct 14 from Johannesburg to Cairns, returning Tue, Nov 4, priced at $1,018 found 20 hours ago
Cathay Pacific
Tue, Oct 14 - Tue, Nov 4
JNB
Johannesburg
CNS
Cairns
$1,020 Roundtrip, found 20 hours ago
$1,020
Roundtrip
found 20 hours ago
Select Cathay Pacific flight, departing Tue, Oct 14 from Johannesburg to Cairns, returning Tue, Nov 4, priced at $1,020 found 20 hours ago
Cathay Pacific
Tue, Oct 14 - Tue, Nov 4
JNB
Johannesburg
CNS
Cairns
$1,092 Roundtrip, found 20 hours ago
$1,092
Roundtrip
found 20 hours ago
Select Cathay Pacific flight, departing Tue, Oct 14 from Johannesburg to Cairns, returning Tue, Nov 4, priced at $1,092 found 20 hours ago
Cathay Pacific
Tue, Oct 14 - Tue, Nov 4
JNB
Johannesburg
CNS
Cairns
$1,096 Roundtrip, found 20 hours ago
$1,096
Roundtrip
found 20 hours ago
Select Cathay Pacific flight, departing Tue, Oct 14 from Johannesburg to Cairns, returning Tue, Nov 4, priced at $1,096 found 20 hours ago
Qantas Airways
Tue, Oct 14 - Tue, Nov 4
JNB
Johannesburg
CNS
Cairns
$1,683 Roundtrip, found 20 hours ago
$1,683
Roundtrip
found 20 hours ago
Select Qantas Airways flight, departing Tue, Oct 14 from Johannesburg to Cairns, returning Tue, Nov 4, priced at $1,683 found 20 hours ago
Emirates
Tue, Oct 14 - Tue, Nov 4
JNB
Johannesburg
CNS
Cairns
$1,830 Roundtrip, found 20 hours ago
$1,830
Roundtrip
found 20 hours ago
Select Emirates flight, departing Tue, Oct 14 from Johannesburg to Cairns, returning Tue, Nov 4, priced at $1,830 found 20 hours ago
Qatar Airways
Tue, Oct 14 - Tue, Nov 4
JNB
Johannesburg
CNS
Cairns
$2,102 Roundtrip, found 20 hours ago
$2,102
Roundtrip
found 20 hours ago
Select Qatar Airways flight, departing Tue, Oct 14 from Johannesburg to Cairns, returning Tue, Nov 4, priced at $2,102 found 20 hours ago
Flights from Johannesburg (JNB) to Cairns (CNS)
Origin airport
O.R. Tambo Intl.
Destination airport
Cairns Intl.
Airlines serving
Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Qantas Airways, Qatar Airways
Roundtrip price
$1,012
Distance
7296 mi

Johannesburg to Cairns Flights

The cheapest times to fly from Johannesburg to Cairns

On average, Thursday can be the cheapest time to fly, according to data from the Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC), one of the world's biggest databases for global airline sales. The data reveals that you could save up to 16% by flying on a Thursday—the cheapest day to travel on average—instead of a Sunday—the most expensive. Some of the most affordable flights from Johannesburg to Cairns are during the month of October. You can find some of the cheapest flights from Johannesburg to Cairns with Expedia's search tool and vast selection of airlines.

 

The best time to book a flight from Johannesburg to Cairns

Sunday is one of the best days to book for cheap flights from Johannesburg to Cairns: Tickets reserved on a Sunday cost between 6% and 13% less than those reserved on a Friday, according to ARC data. The data also suggests booking early can also lead to cheaper airfares. You could save 24% by buying your tickets for domestic flights at least a month in advance and 10% by booking international flights 2 months in advance.

 

How to find cheap round-trip tickets from Johannesburg to Cairns

Being flexible with your dates and using Expedia's Price Drop Protection and Price Tracking features are some of the best ways of finding a cheap ticket from Johannesburg to Cairns in 2025. You can also book with separate airlines for your outbound and return journeys, from $588 one-way. Expedia also offers Price Drop Protection, so if the cost of your airfare goes down after booking, you'll receive a credit for the difference*. This is available for a small fee, and is free to One Key Gold and Platinum tier members.

 

Expedia's Price Tracking feature means you can stay on top of airfares without manually checking every day. It sends you automated price alerts for cheap Johannesburg to Cairns flights and uses historical data to indicate when the best time to book is. Download Expedia's free app to activate this handy tool in a few easy taps.

 

You could also save big by booking one of Expedia's vacation packages. Bundling together your Johannesburg to Cairns airfare with your accommodations and car rental is often cheaper than booking everything separately. There’s also One Key, Expedia's generous rewards program. Join for free and you could earn One Key cash on most bookings to save on future adventures.

 

*Terms apply.

 

Disclaimer: ARC The statistics are based on average round-trip ticket prices between January and August 2023. The percentages you see are averages.

 

Frequently asked questions

How much does a flight from O.R. Tambo Intl. Airport (JNB) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) cost?
Lock in a cheap one-way flight from $588 or cheap return flight from $1,013 from O.R. Tambo Intl. Airport (JNB) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) with Expedia. Enter your travel dates and sort by "Price (lowest to highest)" to find our cheapest flight offers on this route.
What is the cheapest month to fly from O.R. Tambo Intl. Airport (JNB) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS)?
The cheapest month to fly from JNB to CNS is October, when there's less demand. Off-peak season is typically when you'll find lower airfares between these airports.
What is the cheapest airline that flies from O.R. Tambo Intl. Airport (JNB) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS)?
Expedia's filter tool lets you easily compare different airlines, travel time and fares all in one place. Choose your preferences, then sort by "Price (lowest to highest)" to find out which carrier offers the cheapest JNB to CNS flight.
How many flights per day from O.R. Tambo Intl. Airport (JNB) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS)?
You'll have to catch a flight with a layover when traveling from O.R. Tambo Intl. Airport (JNB) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS). There are no daily direct flights on this route. However, just filter your search to include one or two stops to find an option that works for you.
What day of the week has the most flights from JNB to CNS?
Friday is typically the busiest day for flights, while Tuesday tends to be the quietest.* Remember that flight schedules can change depending on various factors, such as the season and airline.*Busiest/quietest day to travel is based on Expedia flight demand through January to December 2024.
What is the best time to fly from O.R. Tambo Intl. Airport (JNB) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS)?
Book a flight from O.R. Tambo Intl. Airport (JNB) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) that takes off before 3 PM to reduce the likelihood of delays and cancellations. Departures later than this are on average 22% more likely to be canceled.**Most reliable time of the day and month to travel recommendation is based on January through August 2024 flight status data sourced from OAG's global flight data platform.
Is it cheaper to buy a plane ticket from O.R. Tambo Intl. Airport (JNB) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) last-minute?
Booking your flight from JNB to CNS right before your journey is usually more expensive. But if there's some wiggle room with your travel dates and times, you could bag a cheap last-minute fare.
Is it cheaper to book a JNB to CNS flight and hotel package?
Securing a JNB to CNS flight and hotel package is generally cheaper than booking separately. With Expedia, you can enjoy the convenience of organizing your travels all in one place. Pick from our wide range of accommodations and then add activities, car rentals and flights to your booking. Bundle it all together, and you could save hundreds of dollars.
Can I cancel or change the date of my flight from O.R. Tambo Intl. Airport (JNB) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS)?
If you booked your JNB to CNS flight within the last 24 hours, you may be able to modify or cancel it at no cost. Depending on the airline and the type of fare you have, additional charges may apply for changes beyond this timeframe. Airline policies and contact information can be found in your itinerary or confirmation email. Or, head to our Customer Service portal if you want more information.

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*Available to One Key members.