$226 Cheap Flights from Queenstown (ZQN) to Cairns (CNS)

View $226 flight on Thu, Mar 26, 2026Opens in a new window

Popular airlines from Queenstown Intl. Airport (ZQN) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS)

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Cheap Flights from Queenstown to Cairns (ZQN-CNS)

Prices were available within the past 7 days and start at $226 for one-way flights and $507 for round trip, for the period specified. Prices and availability are subject to change. Additional terms apply.

Virgin Australia
Tue, Mar 3 - Fri, Mar 13
ZQN
Queenstown
CNS
Cairns
$507 Roundtrip, found 5 days ago
$507
Roundtrip
found 5 days ago
Select Virgin Australia flight, departing Tue, Mar 3 from Queenstown to Cairns, returning Fri, Mar 13, priced at $507 found 5 days ago
Virgin Australia
Tue, Feb 24 - Sat, Mar 7
ZQN
Queenstown
CNS
Cairns
$517 Roundtrip, found 5 days ago
$517
Roundtrip
found 5 days ago
Select Virgin Australia flight, departing Tue, Feb 24 from Queenstown to Cairns, returning Sat, Mar 7, priced at $517 found 5 days ago
Virgin Australia
Tue, Feb 3 - Mon, Feb 16
ZQN
Queenstown
CNS
Cairns
$526 Roundtrip, found 5 days ago
$526
Roundtrip
found 5 days ago
Select Virgin Australia flight, departing Tue, Feb 3 from Queenstown to Cairns, returning Mon, Feb 16, priced at $526 found 5 days ago
Virgin Australia
Fri, Feb 20 - Thu, Mar 12
ZQN
Queenstown
CNS
Cairns
$528 Roundtrip, found 5 days ago
$528
Roundtrip
found 5 days ago
Select Virgin Australia flight, departing Fri, Feb 20 from Queenstown to Cairns, returning Thu, Mar 12, priced at $528 found 5 days ago
Virgin Australia
Tue, Feb 3 - Thu, Feb 19
ZQN
Queenstown
CNS
Cairns
$529 Roundtrip, found 5 days ago
$529
Roundtrip
found 5 days ago
Select Virgin Australia flight, departing Tue, Feb 3 from Queenstown to Cairns, returning Thu, Feb 19, priced at $529 found 5 days ago
Virgin Australia
Thu, Feb 19 - Thu, Mar 12
ZQN
Queenstown
CNS
Cairns
$531 Roundtrip, found 5 days ago
$531
Roundtrip
found 5 days ago
Select Virgin Australia flight, departing Thu, Feb 19 from Queenstown to Cairns, returning Thu, Mar 12, priced at $531 found 5 days ago
Virgin Australia
Fri, Feb 27 - Fri, Mar 13
ZQN
Queenstown
CNS
Cairns
$532 Roundtrip, found 5 days ago
$532
Roundtrip
found 5 days ago
Select Virgin Australia flight, departing Fri, Feb 27 from Queenstown to Cairns, returning Fri, Mar 13, priced at $532 found 5 days ago
Virgin Australia
Wed, Jan 7 - Sun, Jan 18
ZQN
Queenstown
CNS
Cairns
$537 Roundtrip, found 5 days ago
$537
Roundtrip
found 5 days ago
Select Virgin Australia flight, departing Wed, Jan 7 from Queenstown to Cairns, returning Sun, Jan 18, priced at $537 found 5 days ago
Air New Zealand
Thu, Oct 30 - Wed, Nov 5
ZQN
Queenstown
CNS
Cairns
$807 Roundtrip, found 19 hours ago
$807
Roundtrip
found 19 hours ago
Select Air New Zealand flight, departing Thu, Oct 30 from Queenstown to Cairns, returning Wed, Nov 5, priced at $807 found 19 hours ago
Qantas Airways
Thu, Oct 30 - Wed, Nov 5
ZQN
Queenstown
CNS
Cairns
$843 Roundtrip, found 19 hours ago
$843
Roundtrip
found 19 hours ago
Select Qantas Airways flight, departing Thu, Oct 30 from Queenstown to Cairns, returning Wed, Nov 5, priced at $843 found 19 hours ago

Frequently asked questions

How much does a flight from Queenstown Intl. Airport (ZQN) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) cost?
Snag a cheap one-way flight from $226 or cheap return flight from $507 from Queenstown Intl. Airport (ZQN) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) with Expedia. Enter your travel dates and sort by "Price (lowest to highest)" to find our cheapest flight deals on this route.
What is the cheapest month to fly from Queenstown Intl. Airport (ZQN) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS)?
Flying in March can help you save, as it's the cheapest month for flights between ZQN and CNS. You'll usually find the lowest prices during the off-season.
What is the cheapest airline that flies from Queenstown Intl. Airport (ZQN) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS)?
Use the filter tool on Expedia to compare airlines and find the most affordable carrier that'll take you from ZQN to CNS. Then, sort your results by "Price (lowest to highest)" to snag a good deal.
How many flights per day from Queenstown Intl. Airport (ZQN) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS)?
There are no daily direct flights available from Queenstown Intl. Airport (ZQN) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS). But you can choose flights with layovers. Filter your search results on Expedia to include one or two stops, and you'll be on your way in no time at all.
What day of the week has the most flights from ZQN to CNS?
You'll typically find Tuesday the quietest day for flights, while Fridays are often the busiest.* However this can vary from season to season and during peak travel times or public holidays.*Busiest/quietest day to travel is based on Expedia flight demand through January to December 2024.
What is the best time to fly from Queenstown Intl. Airport (ZQN) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS)?
To avoid potential delays on the Queenstown Intl. Airport (ZQN) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) route, travel before 3 PM. Flights after this time have a 22% higher chance of being 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 Queenstown Intl. Airport (ZQN) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) last-minute?
Booking your ticket from ZQN to CNS shortly before your journey is typically more expensive. But if you're flexible with your schedule, you could score a cheap last-minute fare.
Is it cheaper to book a ZQN to CNS flight and hotel package?
Compared with arranging hotels and flights separately, booking a ZQN to CNS flight and hotel package with Expedia could lead to significant savings. What's more, having everything in one easy place will take the hassle out of travel planning. Simply secure your flights and choose from our extensive range of stays, then customize your trip with extras like tours and car rentals.
Can I cancel or change the date of my flight from Queenstown Intl. Airport (ZQN) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS)?
If you booked your ZQN to CNS flight in the last 24 hours, you may be able to cancel or modify it without any fees. Depending on the airline and the fare type you purchased, 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.

Travel information

Travel information

Origin airport
Queenstown Intl.
Destination airport
Cairns Intl.
Roundtrip price
$507
Distance
2355 mi

Book with confidence

Book with confidence

Queenstown to Cairns Flights

The cheapest times to fly from Queenstown 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 Queenstown to Cairns are during the month of March. You can find some of the cheapest flights from Queenstown to Cairns with Expedia's search tool and vast selection of airlines.

 

The best time to book a flight from Queenstown to Cairns

Sunday is one of the best days to book for cheap flights from Queenstown 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 Queenstown 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 Queenstown to Cairns in 2025. You can also book with separate airlines for your outbound and return journeys, from $226 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 Queenstown 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 Queenstown 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.

 

Queenstown to Cairns Flights

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*Available to One Key members.