$544 Cheap Flights from Chicago (ORD) to Cairns (CNS)

View $544 flight on Sat, Nov 8, 2025Opens in a new window

Popular airlines from Chicago O'Hare Intl. Airport (ORD) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS)

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Cheap Flights from Chicago to Cairns (ORD-CNS)

Prices were available within the past 7 days and start at $544 for one-way flights and $1,097 for round trip, for the period specified. Prices and availability are subject to change. Additional terms apply.

Qantas Airways
Mon, Jan 26 - Tue, Feb 3
ORD
Chicago
CNS
Cairns
$1,097 Roundtrip, found 4 days ago
$1,097
Roundtrip
found 4 days ago
Select Qantas Airways flight, departing Mon, Jan 26 from Chicago to Cairns, returning Tue, Feb 3, priced at $1,097 found 4 days ago
Qantas Airways
Mon, Jan 26 - Tue, Feb 3
ORD
Chicago
CNS
Cairns
$1,097 Roundtrip, found 4 days ago
$1,097
Roundtrip
found 4 days ago
Select Qantas Airways flight, departing Mon, Jan 26 from Chicago to Cairns, returning Tue, Feb 3, priced at $1,097 found 4 days ago
Qantas Airways
Fri, Jun 12 - Sat, Jun 20
ORD
Chicago
CNS
Cairns
$1,099 Roundtrip, found 4 days ago
$1,099
Roundtrip
found 4 days ago
Select Qantas Airways flight, departing Fri, Jun 12 from Chicago to Cairns, returning Sat, Jun 20, priced at $1,099 found 4 days ago
Qantas Airways
Mon, Jan 26 - Tue, Feb 3
ORD
Chicago
CNS
Cairns
$1,107 Roundtrip, found 4 days ago
$1,107
Roundtrip
found 4 days ago
Select Qantas Airways flight, departing Mon, Jan 26 from Chicago to Cairns, returning Tue, Feb 3, priced at $1,107 found 4 days ago
Qantas Airways
Thu, Feb 19 - Thu, Mar 5
ORD
Chicago
CNS
Cairns
$1,112 Roundtrip, found 4 days ago
$1,112
Roundtrip
found 4 days ago
Select Qantas Airways flight, departing Thu, Feb 19 from Chicago to Cairns, returning Thu, Mar 5, priced at $1,112 found 4 days ago
Qantas Airways
Thu, Feb 19 - Thu, Mar 5
ORD
Chicago
CNS
Cairns
$1,113 Roundtrip, found 4 days ago
$1,113
Roundtrip
found 4 days ago
Select Qantas Airways flight, departing Thu, Feb 19 from Chicago to Cairns, returning Thu, Mar 5, priced at $1,113 found 4 days ago
United
Sat, Jan 24 - Thu, Jan 29
ORD
Chicago
CNS
Cairns
$1,282 Roundtrip, found 6 days ago
$1,282
Roundtrip
found 6 days ago
Select United flight, departing Sat, Jan 24 from Chicago to Cairns, returning Thu, Jan 29, priced at $1,282 found 6 days ago
Fiji Airways
Tue, Mar 17 - Sat, Apr 11
ORD
Chicago
CNS
Cairns
$1,317 Roundtrip, found 16 hours ago
$1,317
Roundtrip
found 16 hours ago
Select Fiji Airways flight, departing Tue, Mar 17 from Chicago to Cairns, returning Sat, Apr 11, priced at $1,317 found 16 hours ago
Air Canada
Mon, Jun 8 - Mon, Jun 15
ORD
Chicago
CNS
Cairns
$1,411 Roundtrip, found 1 day ago
$1,411
Roundtrip
found 1 day ago
Select Air Canada flight, departing Mon, Jun 8 from Chicago to Cairns, returning Mon, Jun 15, priced at $1,411 found 1 day ago
Air New Zealand
Fri, Jul 24 - Sun, Aug 9
ORD
Chicago
CNS
Cairns
$1,738 Roundtrip, found 7 hours ago
$1,738
Roundtrip
found 7 hours ago
Select Air New Zealand flight, departing Fri, Jul 24 from Chicago to Cairns, returning Sun, Aug 9, priced at $1,738 found 7 hours 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 $1,725
CNS
Cairns Intl.
CheapestClosest
Average driving time to city center8 min
Flights from $1,725
Flights from Chicago (ORD) to Cairns (CNS)
Origin airport
O'Hare Intl.
Destination airport
Cairns Intl.
Airlines serving
Air Canada, All Nippon Airways, Cathay Pacific, Fiji Airways, Japan Airlines, Lufthansa, Qantas Airways, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, United
Roundtrip price
$1,096
Distance
8843 mi

Chicago to Cairns Flights

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

 

The best time to book a flight from Chicago to Cairns

Sunday is one of the best days to book for cheap flights from Chicago 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 Chicago 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 Chicago to Cairns in 2025. You can also book with separate airlines for your outbound and return journeys, from $544 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 Chicago 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 Chicago 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'Hare Intl. Airport (ORD) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) cost?
Snag a cheap one-way flight from $544 or cheap return flight from $1,097 from O'Hare Intl. Airport (ORD) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) with Expedia. Enter your travel dates and sort by "Price (lowest to highest)" to see our cheapest flight deals on this route.
What is the cheapest month to fly from O'Hare Intl. Airport (ORD) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS)?
Planning your trip for January can help you save, as it's the cheapest month for flights between ORD and CNS. You'll typically find the lowest prices during off-peak months.
What is the cheapest airline that flies from O'Hare Intl. Airport (ORD) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS)?
To find the cheapest airline that'll fly you from ORD to CNS, use Expedia's filter tool. Tailor your search based on your travel style, such as preferred carriers and cabin class. You can then sort your results by "Price (lowest to highest)" to see the most affordable options first.
How many flights per day from O'Hare Intl. Airport (ORD) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS)?
You'll need to catch a flight with a layover when traveling from O'Hare Intl. Airport (ORD) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS). There are no daily direct flights on this route. However, simply filter your search to include one or more stops to find the best option for your trip.
What day of the week has the most flights from ORD to CNS?
Friday is generally the busiest day for flights, while Tuesday tends to be the quietest.* Remember that flight schedules can change based 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 O'Hare Intl. Airport (ORD) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS)?
To arrive at Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) on schedule, choose a flight that takes off from O'Hare Intl. Airport (ORD) before 3 PM. The likelihood of cancellations is 22% higher, on average, for departures after this hour.**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'Hare Intl. Airport (ORD) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) last-minute?
Holding off until just before your trip to book your flight from ORD to CNS often results in higher prices. Although you may find some last-minute offers, they're not always guaranteed. Keep your travel schedule open for the best chance of landing a bargain.
Is it cheaper to book an ORD to CNS flight and hotel package?
Compared with arranging flights and hotels separately, booking an ORD to CNS flight and hotel package with Expedia could lead to significant savings. Better yet, having everything in one easy place will take the hassle out of travel planning. Simply secure your flights and select from our wide range of stays, then customize your trip with other add-ons like activities and car rentals.
Can I cancel or change the date of my flight from O'Hare Intl. Airport (ORD) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS)?
If you booked your ORD to CNS flight within the last 24 hours, you may be able to cancel or modify it without fees. 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, visit our Customer Service portal for further details.

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*Available to One Key members.