$393 Cheap Flights from Shanghai (SHA) to Cairns (CNS)

View $393 flight on Sun, Dec 14, 2025Opens in a new window

Popular airlines from Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS)

Cheap Flights from Shanghai to Cairns (SHA-CNS)

Prices were available within the past 7 days and start at $393 for one-way flights and $743 for round trip, for the period specified. Prices and availability are subject to change. Additional terms apply.

Cathay Pacific
Sun, Feb 1 - Mon, Feb 16
SHA
Shanghai
CNS
Cairns
$743 Roundtrip, found 6 days ago
$743
Roundtrip
found 6 days ago
Select Cathay Pacific flight, departing Sun, Feb 1 from Shanghai to Cairns, returning Mon, Feb 16, priced at $743 found 6 days ago
Cathay Pacific
Sun, Feb 1 - Mon, Feb 16
SHA
Shanghai
CNS
Cairns
$744 Roundtrip, found 6 days ago
$744
Roundtrip
found 6 days ago
Select Cathay Pacific flight, departing Sun, Feb 1 from Shanghai to Cairns, returning Mon, Feb 16, priced at $744 found 6 days ago
Cathay Pacific
Sun, Feb 1 - Mon, Feb 16
SHA
Shanghai
CNS
Cairns
$746 Roundtrip, found 6 days ago
$746
Roundtrip
found 6 days ago
Select Cathay Pacific flight, departing Sun, Feb 1 from Shanghai to Cairns, returning Mon, Feb 16, priced at $746 found 6 days ago
Cathay Pacific
Sun, Feb 1 - Sun, Feb 22
SHA
Shanghai
CNS
Cairns
$975 Roundtrip, found 6 days ago
$975
Roundtrip
found 6 days ago
Select Cathay Pacific flight, departing Sun, Feb 1 from Shanghai to Cairns, returning Sun, Feb 22, priced at $975 found 6 days ago
Cathay Pacific
Sun, Feb 1 - Mon, Feb 16
SHA
Shanghai
CNS
Cairns
$1,016 Roundtrip, found 6 days ago
$1,016
Roundtrip
found 6 days ago
Select Cathay Pacific flight, departing Sun, Feb 1 from Shanghai to Cairns, returning Mon, Feb 16, priced at $1,016 found 6 days ago
Cathay Pacific
Sun, Feb 1 - Mon, Feb 16
SHA
Shanghai
CNS
Cairns
$1,017 Roundtrip, found 6 days ago
$1,017
Roundtrip
found 6 days ago
Select Cathay Pacific flight, departing Sun, Feb 1 from Shanghai to Cairns, returning Mon, Feb 16, priced at $1,017 found 6 days ago
Cathay Pacific
Sun, Feb 1 - Mon, Feb 16
SHA
Shanghai
CNS
Cairns
$1,031 Roundtrip, found 6 days ago
$1,031
Roundtrip
found 6 days ago
Select Cathay Pacific flight, departing Sun, Feb 1 from Shanghai to Cairns, returning Mon, Feb 16, priced at $1,031 found 6 days ago

Frequently asked questions

How much does a flight from Hongqiao Intl. Airport (SHA) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) cost?
Grab a cheap one-way flight from $393 or cheap return flight from $743 from Hongqiao Intl. Airport (SHA) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) with Expedia. Enter your travel dates and sort by "Price (lowest to highest)" to find our cheapest flight deals on this route.
What is the cheapest month to fly from Hongqiao Intl. Airport (SHA) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS)?
Flying in February can help you save, as it's the cheapest month for flights between SHA and CNS. You'll often find the lowest prices during the off-season.
What is the cheapest airline that flies from Hongqiao Intl. Airport (SHA) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS)?
Expedia's filter tool lets you easily compare airlines, flight times and baggage options all in one place. Choose your preferences, then sort by "Price (lowest to highest)" to see which carrier offers the cheapest SHA to CNS flight.
How many flights per day from Hongqiao Intl. Airport (SHA) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS)?
There are no daily nonstop flights from Hongqiao Intl. Airport (SHA) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS). But you can opt for flights with layovers. Filter your search results on Expedia to include one or two stops, and you'll be soaring above the clouds in no time at all.
What day of the week has the most flights from SHA to CNS?
You'll usually find Tuesday the quietest day for flights, while Fridays tend to be the busiest.* However this can vary from season to season and during peak travel times or public holidays.*Busiest/quietest day to travel is based on Expedia flight demand through January to December 2024.
What is the best time to fly from Hongqiao Intl. Airport (SHA) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS)?
To touch down at Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) on time, choose a flight that takes off from Hongqiao Intl. Airport (SHA) 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 Hongqiao Intl. Airport (SHA) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) last-minute?
Booking your plane ticket from SHA to CNS right before your trip is generally more expensive. However, if there's some wiggle room with your departure dates and times, you could snag a cheap last-minute fare.
Is it cheaper to book a SHA to CNS flight and hotel package?
You can save money by booking a SHA to CNS flight and hotel package compared to booking separately. In fact, you could save hundreds of dollars by bundling with Expedia. And it's easy to manage everything in one place. After choosing your preferred accommodations and flights, consider adding extras such as activities, tours and car rentals.
Can I cancel or change the date of my flight from Hongqiao Intl. Airport (SHA) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS)?
If you booked your SHA 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, visit our Customer Service portal if you'd like more information.

Travel information

Origin airport
Hongqiao Intl.
Destination airport
Cairns Intl.
Roundtrip price
$742
Distance
3695 mi

Book with confidence

Shanghai to Cairns Flights

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

 

The best time to book a flight from Shanghai to Cairns

Sunday is one of the best days to book for cheap flights from Shanghai 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 Shanghai 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 Shanghai to Cairns in 2025. You can also book with separate airlines for your outbound and return journeys, from $393 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 Shanghai 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 Shanghai 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.

 

Shanghai to Cairns Flights

Explore a world of travel with Expedia

*Available to One Key members.