$538 Cheap Flights from Johannesburg (JNB) to Cairns (CNS)

View $538 flight on Mon, Sep 8, 2025Opens in a new window

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

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Cheap Flights from Johannesburg to Cairns (JNB-CNS)

Prices were available within the past 7 days and start at $538 for one-way flights and $970 for round trip, for the period specified. Prices and availability are subject to change. Additional terms apply.

Cathay Pacific
Fri, Sep 5 - Wed, Sep 24
JNB
Johannesburg
CNS
Cairns
$970 Roundtrip, found 12 hours ago
$970
Roundtrip
found 12 hours ago
Select Cathay Pacific flight, departing Fri, Sep 5 from Johannesburg to Cairns, returning Wed, Sep 24, priced at $970 found 12 hours ago
Cathay Pacific
Mon, Sep 8 - Wed, Sep 24
JNB
Johannesburg
CNS
Cairns
$971 Roundtrip, found 12 hours ago
$971
Roundtrip
found 12 hours ago
Select Cathay Pacific flight, departing Mon, Sep 8 from Johannesburg to Cairns, returning Wed, Sep 24, priced at $971 found 12 hours ago
Cathay Pacific
Mon, Sep 8 - Wed, Sep 24
JNB
Johannesburg
CNS
Cairns
$976 Roundtrip, found 12 hours ago
$976
Roundtrip
found 12 hours ago
Select Cathay Pacific flight, departing Mon, Sep 8 from Johannesburg to Cairns, returning Wed, Sep 24, priced at $976 found 12 hours ago
Cathay Pacific
Mon, Sep 8 - Wed, Sep 24
JNB
Johannesburg
CNS
Cairns
$979 Roundtrip, found 12 hours ago
$979
Roundtrip
found 12 hours ago
Select Cathay Pacific flight, departing Mon, Sep 8 from Johannesburg to Cairns, returning Wed, Sep 24, priced at $979 found 12 hours ago
Cathay Pacific
Fri, Sep 5 - Sun, Sep 21
JNB
Johannesburg
CNS
Cairns
$1,008 Roundtrip, found 12 hours ago
$1,008
Roundtrip
found 12 hours ago
Select Cathay Pacific flight, departing Fri, Sep 5 from Johannesburg to Cairns, returning Sun, Sep 21, priced at $1,008 found 12 hours ago
Cathay Pacific
Mon, Sep 8 - Sun, Sep 21
JNB
Johannesburg
CNS
Cairns
$1,014 Roundtrip, found 12 hours ago
$1,014
Roundtrip
found 12 hours ago
Select Cathay Pacific flight, departing Mon, Sep 8 from Johannesburg to Cairns, returning Sun, Sep 21, priced at $1,014 found 12 hours ago
Singapore Airlines
Mon, Sep 8 - Wed, Sep 24
JNB
Johannesburg
CNS
Cairns
$1,117 Roundtrip, found 12 hours ago
$1,117
Roundtrip
found 12 hours ago
Select Singapore Airlines flight, departing Mon, Sep 8 from Johannesburg to Cairns, returning Wed, Sep 24, priced at $1,117 found 12 hours ago
Qantas Airways
Tue, Sep 9 - Thu, Sep 25
JNB
Johannesburg
CNS
Cairns
$1,334 Roundtrip, found 12 hours ago
$1,334
Roundtrip
found 12 hours ago
Select Qantas Airways flight, departing Tue, Sep 9 from Johannesburg to Cairns, returning Thu, Sep 25, priced at $1,334 found 12 hours ago
Qatar Airways
Tue, Sep 9 - Thu, Sep 25
JNB
Johannesburg
CNS
Cairns
$1,464 Roundtrip, found 12 hours ago
$1,464
Roundtrip
found 12 hours ago
Select Qatar Airways flight, departing Tue, Sep 9 from Johannesburg to Cairns, returning Thu, Sep 25, priced at $1,464 found 12 hours ago
Emirates
Mon, Sep 8 - Wed, Sep 24
JNB
Johannesburg
CNS
Cairns
$1,701 Roundtrip, found 12 hours ago
$1,701
Roundtrip
found 12 hours ago
Select Emirates flight, departing Mon, Sep 8 from Johannesburg to Cairns, returning Wed, Sep 24, priced at $1,701 found 12 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, Singapore Airlines, Swiss International Air Lines
Roundtrip price
$970
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 September. 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 $538 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?
Discover the latest flight deals from JNB to CNS by entering your preferred travel dates and searching on Expedia. Easily compare prices by departure date if you have flexibility with your schedule and use handy filters to explore prices for your preferred journey. As a member of One Key™, our free loyalty program, you can use Price Tracking to watch fares and receive notifications if prices go up or down.
What is the cheapest month to fly from JNB to CNS?
The cheapest flights from JNB to CNS are usually during off-peak season, when demand is lower. To save money, avoid flying during public holidays, school breaks and major local events.
What is the cheapest airline that flies from JNB to CNS?
Use the filter tool on Expedia to compare airlines and find the cheapest carrier that'll take you from JNB to CNS. Sort your results by "Price (lowest to highest)" to snap up a great deal.
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.