$666 Cheap Flights from Raleigh (RDU) to Cairns (CNS)

View $666 flight on Mon, Oct 20, 2025Opens in a new window

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

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Cheap Flights from Raleigh to Cairns (RDU-CNS)

Prices were available within the past 7 days and start at $666 for one-way flights and $1,192 for round trip, for the period specified. Prices and availability are subject to change. Additional terms apply.

Qantas Airways
Mon, Oct 20 - Mon, Nov 10
RDU
Raleigh
CNS
Cairns
$1,192 Roundtrip, found 3 hours ago
$1,192
Roundtrip
found 3 hours ago
Select Qantas Airways flight, departing Mon, Oct 20 from Raleigh to Cairns, returning Mon, Nov 10, priced at $1,192 found 3 hours ago
Qantas Airways
Mon, Oct 20 - Mon, Nov 10
RDU
Raleigh
CNS
Cairns
$1,193 Roundtrip, found 3 hours ago
$1,193
Roundtrip
found 3 hours ago
Select Qantas Airways flight, departing Mon, Oct 20 from Raleigh to Cairns, returning Mon, Nov 10, priced at $1,193 found 3 hours ago
Qantas Airways
Mon, Oct 20 - Mon, Nov 10
RDU
Raleigh
CNS
Cairns
$1,202 Roundtrip, found 3 hours ago
$1,202
Roundtrip
found 3 hours ago
Select Qantas Airways flight, departing Mon, Oct 20 from Raleigh to Cairns, returning Mon, Nov 10, priced at $1,202 found 3 hours ago
Qantas Airways
Mon, Oct 20 - Mon, Nov 10
RDU
Raleigh
CNS
Cairns
$1,203 Roundtrip, found 3 hours ago
$1,203
Roundtrip
found 3 hours ago
Select Qantas Airways flight, departing Mon, Oct 20 from Raleigh to Cairns, returning Mon, Nov 10, priced at $1,203 found 3 hours ago
Qantas Airways
Mon, Oct 20 - Mon, Nov 10
RDU
Raleigh
CNS
Cairns
$1,203 Roundtrip, found 3 hours ago
$1,203
Roundtrip
found 3 hours ago
Select Qantas Airways flight, departing Mon, Oct 20 from Raleigh to Cairns, returning Mon, Nov 10, priced at $1,203 found 3 hours ago
Qantas Airways
Mon, Oct 20 - Mon, Nov 10
RDU
Raleigh
CNS
Cairns
$1,204 Roundtrip, found 3 hours ago
$1,204
Roundtrip
found 3 hours ago
Select Qantas Airways flight, departing Mon, Oct 20 from Raleigh to Cairns, returning Mon, Nov 10, priced at $1,204 found 3 hours ago
Qantas Airways
Mon, Oct 20 - Mon, Nov 10
RDU
Raleigh
CNS
Cairns
$1,205 Roundtrip, found 3 hours ago
$1,205
Roundtrip
found 3 hours ago
Select Qantas Airways flight, departing Mon, Oct 20 from Raleigh to Cairns, returning Mon, Nov 10, priced at $1,205 found 3 hours ago
Air Canada
Sat, Apr 18 - Tue, Apr 21
RDU
Raleigh
CNS
Cairns
$1,495 Roundtrip, found 5 hours ago
$1,495
Roundtrip
found 5 hours ago
Select Air Canada flight, departing Sat, Apr 18 from Raleigh to Cairns, returning Tue, Apr 21, priced at $1,495 found 5 hours ago
United
Fri, Aug 1 - Tue, Aug 5
RDU
Raleigh
CNS
Cairns
$1,947 Roundtrip, found 1 day ago
$1,947
Roundtrip
found 1 day ago
Select United flight, departing Fri, Aug 1 from Raleigh to Cairns, returning Tue, Aug 5, priced at $1,947 found 1 day ago
Japan Airlines
Mon, Oct 20 - Mon, Nov 10
RDU
Raleigh
CNS
Cairns
$10,862 Roundtrip, found 3 hours ago
$10,862
Roundtrip
found 3 hours ago
Select Japan Airlines flight, departing Mon, Oct 20 from Raleigh to Cairns, returning Mon, Nov 10, priced at $10,862 found 3 hours ago
Flights from Raleigh (RDU) to Cairns (CNS)
Origin airport
Raleigh - Durham Intl.
Destination airport
Cairns Intl.
Airlines serving
Air Canada, Japan Airlines, Qantas Airways, United
Roundtrip price
$1,191
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 October. 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 $666 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?
Discover the latest flight deals from RDU 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 RDU to CNS?
The cheapest flights from RDU 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 RDU to CNS?
Use the filter tool on Expedia to compare airlines and find the cheapest carrier that'll take you from RDU to CNS. Sort your results by "Price (lowest to highest)" to snap up a great deal.
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.