$698 Cheap Flights from Raleigh (RDU) to Cairns (CNS)

View $698 flight on Sat, Nov 29, 2025Opens in a new window

Popular airlines from Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS)

Cheap Flights from Raleigh to Cairns (RDU-CNS)

Prices were available within the past 7 days and start at $698 for one-way flights and $1,345 for round trip, for the period specified. Prices and availability are subject to change. Additional terms apply.

Qantas Airways
Tue, Dec 9 - Tue, Dec 16
RDU
Raleigh
CNS
Cairns
$1,345 Roundtrip, found 5 days ago
$1,345
Roundtrip
found 5 days ago
Select Qantas Airways flight, departing Tue, Dec 9 from Raleigh to Cairns, returning Tue, Dec 16, priced at $1,345 found 5 days ago
Qantas Airways
Mon, Dec 8 - Tue, Dec 16
RDU
Raleigh
CNS
Cairns
$1,371 Roundtrip, found 5 days ago
$1,371
Roundtrip
found 5 days ago
Select Qantas Airways flight, departing Mon, Dec 8 from Raleigh to Cairns, returning Tue, Dec 16, priced at $1,371 found 5 days ago
Qantas Airways
Tue, Dec 9 - Thu, Dec 18
RDU
Raleigh
CNS
Cairns
$1,384 Roundtrip, found 5 days ago
$1,384
Roundtrip
found 5 days ago
Select Qantas Airways flight, departing Tue, Dec 9 from Raleigh to Cairns, returning Thu, Dec 18, priced at $1,384 found 5 days ago
Qantas Airways
Mon, Dec 8 - Thu, Dec 18
RDU
Raleigh
CNS
Cairns
$1,410 Roundtrip, found 5 days ago
$1,410
Roundtrip
found 5 days ago
Select Qantas Airways flight, departing Mon, Dec 8 from Raleigh to Cairns, returning Thu, Dec 18, priced at $1,410 found 5 days ago
Qantas Airways
Tue, Dec 9 - Sun, Dec 21
RDU
Raleigh
CNS
Cairns
$1,417 Roundtrip, found 5 days ago
$1,417
Roundtrip
found 5 days ago
Select Qantas Airways flight, departing Tue, Dec 9 from Raleigh to Cairns, returning Sun, Dec 21, priced at $1,417 found 5 days ago
Qantas Airways
Fri, Dec 12 - Sun, Dec 21
RDU
Raleigh
CNS
Cairns
$1,443 Roundtrip, found 5 days ago
$1,443
Roundtrip
found 5 days ago
Select Qantas Airways flight, departing Fri, Dec 12 from Raleigh to Cairns, returning Sun, Dec 21, priced at $1,443 found 5 days ago
Air Canada
Mon, Oct 20 - Mon, Nov 10
RDU
Raleigh
CNS
Cairns
$1,924 Roundtrip, found 15 hours ago
$1,924
Roundtrip
found 15 hours ago
Select Air Canada flight, departing Mon, Oct 20 from Raleigh to Cairns, returning Mon, Nov 10, priced at $1,924 found 15 hours ago
Cathay Pacific
Tue, Dec 9 - Sat, Dec 13
RDU
Raleigh
CNS
Cairns
$2,604 Roundtrip, found 5 days ago
$2,604
Roundtrip
found 5 days ago
Select Cathay Pacific flight, departing Tue, Dec 9 from Raleigh to Cairns, returning Sat, Dec 13, priced at $2,604 found 5 days ago
Lufthansa
Thu, Jun 18 - Sun, Jul 5
RDU
Raleigh
CNS
Cairns
$2,843 Roundtrip, found 3 days ago
$2,843
Roundtrip
found 3 days ago
Select Lufthansa flight, departing Thu, Jun 18 from Raleigh to Cairns, returning Sun, Jul 5, priced at $2,843 found 3 days ago
American Airlines
Tue, Dec 9 - Fri, Dec 19
RDU
Raleigh
CNS
Cairns
$3,550 Roundtrip, found 5 days ago
$3,550
Roundtrip
found 5 days ago
Select American Airlines flight, departing Tue, Dec 9 from Raleigh to Cairns, returning Fri, Dec 19, priced at $3,550 found 5 days ago
Flights from Raleigh (RDU) to Cairns (CNS)
Origin airport
Raleigh - Durham Intl.
Destination airport
Cairns Intl.
Airlines serving
Air Canada, Japan Airlines
Roundtrip price
$1,344
Distance
9415 mi

Raleigh to Cairns Flights

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

 

The best time to book a flight from Raleigh to Cairns

Sunday is one of the best days to book for cheap flights from Raleigh 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 Raleigh 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 Raleigh to Cairns in 2025. You can also book with separate airlines for your outbound and return journeys, from $698 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 Raleigh 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 Raleigh 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 Raleigh - Durham Intl. Airport (RDU) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) cost?
Secure a cheap one-way flight from $698 or cheap return flight from $1,345 from Raleigh - Durham Intl. Airport (RDU) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) with Expedia. Enter your travel dates and sort by "Price (lowest to highest)" to find our cheapest flight offers on this route.
What is the cheapest month to fly from Raleigh - Durham Intl. Airport (RDU) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS)?
Traveling in December can help you save, as it's the cheapest month for flights between RDU and CNS. You'll often find the lowest fares during off-peak months.
What is the cheapest airline that flies from Raleigh - Durham Intl. Airport (RDU) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS)?
To find the cheapest airline flying from RDU to CNS, use Expedia's filter tool. Tailor your search based on what matters most to you, such as preferred carriers and flight duration. You can then sort your results by "Price (lowest to highest)" to list the most affordable options first.
How many flights per day from Raleigh - Durham Intl. Airport (RDU) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS)?
You'll need to book a flight with a layover if you're traveling from Raleigh - Durham Intl. Airport (RDU) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS). There are no daily direct flights on this route. However, just filter your search to include one or more stops to find an option that works for you.
What day of the week has the most flights from RDU to CNS?
Friday is generally the busiest day for flights, while Tuesday is often the quietest.* Remember that flight schedules can change based on a range of factors, such as 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 Raleigh - Durham Intl. Airport (RDU) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS)?
To land at Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) on time, pick a flight that leaves Raleigh - Durham Intl. Airport (RDU) 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 Raleigh - Durham Intl. Airport (RDU) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) last-minute?
Waiting until just before your trip to book your flight from RDU to CNS generally means paying more. While you may find some last-minute discounts, they aren't always guaranteed. Keep your travel schedule open for a better chance of landing a bargain.
Is it cheaper to book a RDU to CNS flight and hotel package?
Booking a RDU to CNS flight and hotel package is typically 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 car rentals, activities and flights to your booking. Bundle everything together, and you could save hundreds of dollars.
Can I cancel or change the date of my flight from Raleigh - Durham Intl. Airport (RDU) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS)?
If you booked your RDU to CNS flight within the last 24 hours, you may be able to cancel or modify it at no cost. Depending on the airline and the type of ticket you purchased, additional charges may apply for changes after 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'd like more information.

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*Available to One Key members.