$260 Cheap Flights from Cairns (CNS) to Queenstown (ZQN)

View $260 flight on Wed, Jan 28, 2026Opens in a new window

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

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Cheap Flights from Cairns to Queenstown (CNS-ZQN)

Prices were available within the past 7 days and start at $260 for one-way flights and $457 for round trip, for the period specified. Prices and availability are subject to change. Additional terms apply.

Virgin Australia
Tue, Jan 20 - Tue, Feb 3
CNS
Cairns
ZQN
Queenstown
$457 Roundtrip, found 1 day ago
$457
Roundtrip
found 1 day ago
Select Virgin Australia flight, departing Tue, Jan 20 from Cairns to Queenstown, returning Tue, Feb 3, priced at $457 found 1 day ago
Virgin Australia
Tue, Jan 20 - Wed, Feb 4
CNS
Cairns
ZQN
Queenstown
$462 Roundtrip, found 1 day ago
$462
Roundtrip
found 1 day ago
Select Virgin Australia flight, departing Tue, Jan 20 from Cairns to Queenstown, returning Wed, Feb 4, priced at $462 found 1 day ago
Virgin Australia
Thu, Jan 15 - Thu, Jan 29
CNS
Cairns
ZQN
Queenstown
$471 Roundtrip, found 1 day ago
$471
Roundtrip
found 1 day ago
Select Virgin Australia flight, departing Thu, Jan 15 from Cairns to Queenstown, returning Thu, Jan 29, priced at $471 found 1 day ago
Virgin Australia
Wed, Jan 28 - Wed, Feb 11
CNS
Cairns
ZQN
Queenstown
$481 Roundtrip, found 1 day ago
$481
Roundtrip
found 1 day ago
Select Virgin Australia flight, departing Wed, Jan 28 from Cairns to Queenstown, returning Wed, Feb 11, priced at $481 found 1 day ago
Virgin Australia
Wed, Jan 28 - Tue, Feb 10
CNS
Cairns
ZQN
Queenstown
$482 Roundtrip, found 1 day ago
$482
Roundtrip
found 1 day ago
Select Virgin Australia flight, departing Wed, Jan 28 from Cairns to Queenstown, returning Tue, Feb 10, priced at $482 found 1 day ago
Virgin Australia
Fri, Jan 30 - Wed, Feb 11
CNS
Cairns
ZQN
Queenstown
$484 Roundtrip, found 1 day ago
$484
Roundtrip
found 1 day ago
Select Virgin Australia flight, departing Fri, Jan 30 from Cairns to Queenstown, returning Wed, Feb 11, priced at $484 found 1 day ago
Jetstar
Mon, Nov 24 - Tue, Nov 25
CNS
Cairns
ZQN
Queenstown
$681 Roundtrip, found 3 days ago
$681
Roundtrip
found 3 days ago
Select Jetstar flight, departing Mon, Nov 24 from Cairns to Queenstown, returning Tue, Nov 25, priced at $681 found 3 days ago
Qantas Airways
Sat, Nov 8 - Sat, Nov 29
CNS
Cairns
ZQN
Queenstown
$828 Roundtrip, found 1 day ago
$828
Roundtrip
found 1 day ago
Select Qantas Airways flight, departing Sat, Nov 8 from Cairns to Queenstown, returning Sat, Nov 29, priced at $828 found 1 day ago
Emirates
Wed, Sep 2 - Fri, Sep 4
CNS
Cairns
ZQN
Queenstown
$872 Roundtrip, found 1 day ago
$872
Roundtrip
found 1 day ago
Select Emirates flight, departing Wed, Sep 2 from Cairns to Queenstown, returning Fri, Sep 4, priced at $872 found 1 day ago
Air New Zealand
Wed, Sep 2 - Fri, Sep 4
CNS
Cairns
ZQN
Queenstown
$897 Roundtrip, found 1 day ago
$897
Roundtrip
found 1 day ago
Select Air New Zealand flight, departing Wed, Sep 2 from Cairns to Queenstown, returning Fri, Sep 4, priced at $897 found 1 day ago

Alternative airports near Queenstown

Prices were available within the past 7 days. Prices and availability are subject to change.

Select flight to Queenstown Intl. ZQN. Cheapest and Closest option available. Average driving time to city center is 9 minutes. Flights from $915
ZQN
Queenstown Intl.
CheapestClosest
Average driving time to city center9 min
Flights from $915

Frequently asked questions

How much does a flight from Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) to Queenstown Intl. Airport (ZQN) cost?
Get a cheap one-way flight from $260 or cheap return flight from $457 from Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) to Queenstown Intl. Airport (ZQN) 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 Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) to Queenstown Intl. Airport (ZQN)?
Planning your trip for January can help you save, as it's the cheapest month for flights between CNS and ZQN. You'll often find the lowest fares during the off-season.
What is the cheapest airline that flies from Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) to Queenstown Intl. Airport (ZQN)?
Expedia's filter tool lets you easily compare different airlines, departure times and fares all in one place. Tailor the search to your trip, then sort by "Price (lowest to highest)" to find the carrier with the cheapest CNS to ZQN flight.
How many flights per day from Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) to Queenstown Intl. Airport (ZQN)?
Nonstop flights from Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) to Queenstown Intl. Airport (ZQN) aren't available daily, so you'll need to take a flight with a layover. Explore your options with our filter tool. Enter your travel dates and select either "1 Stop" or "2+ Stops."
What day of the week has the most flights from CNS to ZQN?
Friday is generally the busiest day for flights, while Tuesday is often the quietest.* Keep in mind that flight schedules can change depending on a range of factors, including the carrier and season.*Busiest/quietest day to travel is based on Expedia flight demand through January to December 2024.
What is the best time to fly from Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) to Queenstown Intl. Airport (ZQN)?
Select a flight from Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) to Queenstown Intl. Airport (ZQN) that leaves before 3 PM to reduce the risk of cancellations and delays. Departures after this time have a 22% higher chance of being canceled, on average.**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 Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) to Queenstown Intl. Airport (ZQN) last-minute?
Last-minute bookings from CNS to ZQN are typically more expensive. To secure the cheapest rates, start searching for flights well in advance. That said, if you're flexible with your travel plans, you may score a cheap fare right before your trip.
Is it cheaper to book a CNS to ZQN flight and hotel package?
Opting for a CNS to ZQN flight and hotel package tends to be cheaper than booking separately. With Expedia, you can enjoy the convenience of organizing your trip all in one place. Choose from our wide range of stays and then add flights, car rentals and activities 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 Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) to Queenstown Intl. Airport (ZQN)?
Usually, it's possible to cancel or reschedule your CNS to ZQN flight. However, if it's been more than 24 hours since booking, additional fees may apply. Check your airline's policies in your itinerary to see what changes are allowed and whether any costs are involved. You'll also find more details on our Customer Service portal.

Travel information

Origin airport
Cairns Intl.
Destination airport
Queenstown Intl.
Airlines serving
Air New Zealand, Jetstar, Qantas Airways, Virgin Australia
Roundtrip price
$457
Distance
2355 mi

Book with confidence

Cairns to Queenstown Flights

The cheapest times to fly from Cairns to Queenstown

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

 

The best time to book a flight from Cairns to Queenstown

Sunday is one of the best days to book for cheap flights from Cairns to Queenstown: 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 Cairns to Queenstown

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 Cairns to Queenstown in 2025. You can also book with separate airlines for your outbound and return journeys, from $260 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 Cairns to Queenstown 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 Cairns to Queenstown 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.

 

Cairns to Queenstown Flights

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*Available to One Key members.