$1,019 Cheap Flights from Des Moines (DSM) to Cairns (CNS)

View $1,019 flight on Thu, Jan 15, 2026Opens in a new window

Popular airlines from Des Moines International Airport (DSM) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS)

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Cheap Flights from Des Moines to Cairns (DSM-CNS)

Prices were available within the past 7 days and start at $1,019 for one-way flights and $1,708 for round trip, for the period specified. Prices and availability are subject to change. Additional terms apply.

American Airlines
Thu, Jan 15 - Wed, Jan 21
DSM
Des Moines
CNS
Cairns
$1,708 Roundtrip, found 2 days ago
$1,708
Roundtrip
found 2 days ago
Select American Airlines flight, departing Thu, Jan 15 from Des Moines to Cairns, returning Wed, Jan 21, priced at $1,708 found 2 days ago
American Airlines
Thu, Jan 15 - Wed, Jan 21
DSM
Des Moines
CNS
Cairns
$1,791 Roundtrip, found 2 days ago
$1,791
Roundtrip
found 2 days ago
Select American Airlines flight, departing Thu, Jan 15 from Des Moines to Cairns, returning Wed, Jan 21, priced at $1,791 found 2 days ago
American Airlines
Thu, Jan 15 - Wed, Jan 21
DSM
Des Moines
CNS
Cairns
$1,792 Roundtrip, found 2 days ago
$1,792
Roundtrip
found 2 days ago
Select American Airlines flight, departing Thu, Jan 15 from Des Moines to Cairns, returning Wed, Jan 21, priced at $1,792 found 2 days ago
American Airlines
Thu, Jan 15 - Wed, Jan 21
DSM
Des Moines
CNS
Cairns
$1,803 Roundtrip, found 2 days ago
$1,803
Roundtrip
found 2 days ago
Select American Airlines flight, departing Thu, Jan 15 from Des Moines to Cairns, returning Wed, Jan 21, priced at $1,803 found 2 days ago
American Airlines
Thu, Jan 15 - Wed, Jan 21
DSM
Des Moines
CNS
Cairns
$1,846 Roundtrip, found 2 days ago
$1,846
Roundtrip
found 2 days ago
Select American Airlines flight, departing Thu, Jan 15 from Des Moines to Cairns, returning Wed, Jan 21, priced at $1,846 found 2 days ago
American Airlines
Thu, Jan 15 - Wed, Jan 21
DSM
Des Moines
CNS
Cairns
$1,852 Roundtrip, found 2 days ago
$1,852
Roundtrip
found 2 days ago
Select American Airlines flight, departing Thu, Jan 15 from Des Moines to Cairns, returning Wed, Jan 21, priced at $1,852 found 2 days ago
American Airlines
Thu, Jan 15 - Wed, Jan 21
DSM
Des Moines
CNS
Cairns
$1,926 Roundtrip, found 2 days ago
$1,926
Roundtrip
found 2 days ago
Select American Airlines flight, departing Thu, Jan 15 from Des Moines to Cairns, returning Wed, Jan 21, priced at $1,926 found 2 days ago
American Airlines
Thu, Jan 15 - Wed, Jan 21
DSM
Des Moines
CNS
Cairns
$1,928 Roundtrip, found 2 days ago
$1,928
Roundtrip
found 2 days ago
Select American Airlines flight, departing Thu, Jan 15 from Des Moines to Cairns, returning Wed, Jan 21, priced at $1,928 found 2 days ago
Qantas Airways
Thu, Jan 15 - Wed, Jan 21
DSM
Des Moines
CNS
Cairns
$2,226 Roundtrip, found 2 days ago
$2,226
Roundtrip
found 2 days ago
Select Qantas Airways flight, departing Thu, Jan 15 from Des Moines to Cairns, returning Wed, Jan 21, priced at $2,226 found 2 days ago
Japan Airlines
Thu, Jan 15 - Wed, Jan 21
DSM
Des Moines
CNS
Cairns
$10,865 Roundtrip, found 2 days ago
$10,865
Roundtrip
found 2 days ago
Select Japan Airlines flight, departing Thu, Jan 15 from Des Moines to Cairns, returning Wed, Jan 21, priced at $10,865 found 2 days ago

Alternative airports near Cairns

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

Select flight to Cairns Intl. CNS. Cheapest and Closest option available. Average driving time to city center is 8 minutes. Flights from $3,074
CNS
Cairns Intl.
CheapestClosest
Average driving time to city center8 min
Flights from $3,074

Frequently asked questions

How much does a flight from Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) cost?
Grab a cheap one-way flight from $1,019 or cheap return flight from $1,708 from Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) with Expedia. Enter your travel dates and sort by "Price (lowest to highest)" to see our cheapest flight offers on this route.
What is the cheapest month to fly from Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS)?
January is the cheapest month to fly from DSM to CNS. Traveling outside of peak seasons is often the key to finding better fares.
What is the cheapest airline that flies from Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS)?
Use the filters on Expedia to compare different airlines and find the most affordable carrier that'll take you from DSM to CNS. Then, sort your results by "Price (lowest to highest)" to snap up the best deal available.
How many flights per day from Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS)?
Direct flights from Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) aren't available daily, so you'll have to take a flight with a layover. Explore your options with Expedia's filter tool. Enter your dates and pick either "1 Stop" or "2+ Stops."
What day of the week has the most flights from DSM to CNS?
Friday is generally the busiest day for flights, while Tuesday is often the quietest.* Remember that flight schedules can change depending on various factors, including the time of year and carrier.*Busiest/quietest day to travel is based on Expedia flight demand through January to December 2024.
What is the best time to fly from Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS)?
Choose a flight from Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) that leaves before 3 PM to reduce the risk 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 Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) last-minute?
Waiting until just before your trip to book a flight from DSM to CNS often results in higher prices. While it's possible to find some last-minute offers, they're not always guaranteed. Keep your travel schedule open for a better chance of landing a bargain.
Is it cheaper to book a DSM to CNS flight and hotel package?
You can save money by securing a DSM to CNS flight and hotel package compared to booking separately. In fact, travelers could save hundreds of dollars by bundling with Expedia. And it's simple to manage everything in one place. After selecting your preferred accommodations and flights, consider adding extras like tours, activities and car rentals.
Can I cancel or change the date of my flight from Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS)?
If you reserved your DSM to CNS flight within the last 24 hours, you may be able to modify or cancel it without any fees. Depending on the airline and the type of fare you purchased, additional charges may apply for changes beyond that time. Airline policies and contact information can be found in your itinerary or confirmation email. Or, go to our Customer Service portal if you want more information.

Travel information

Travel information

Origin airport
Des Moines Intl.
Destination airport
Cairns Intl.
Roundtrip price
$1,708
Distance
8557 mi

Book with confidence

Book with confidence

Des Moines to Cairns Flights

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

 

The best time to book a flight from Des Moines to Cairns

Sunday is one of the best days to book for cheap flights from Des Moines 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 Des Moines 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 Des Moines to Cairns in 2025. You can also book with separate airlines for your outbound and return journeys, from $1,019 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 Des Moines 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 Des Moines 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.

 

Des Moines to Cairns Flights

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