Flying from Christchurch International Airport (CHC) to Cairns Airport (CNS): what you need to know
Cairns is three hours behind Christchurch and follows the UTC+10 timezone.
Leave enough time to make your CHC to CNS flight. It's generally best to arrive two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
During popular months such as February, it's a good idea to get to the airport well in advance. Plan to arrive two hours before domestic departures and four hours ahead of international flights whenever you're travelling during a high season in general.
Think about adding a stopover when booking your ticket from Christchurch International Airport to Cairns Airport. Just uncheck 'Direct flights only' to break up your trip, or perhaps explore a new destination along the way. Here are some options between CHC and CNS:
Brisbane Airport
Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport
Melbourne Tullamarine Airport
How to find the cheapest flights from Christchurch International Airport (CHC) to Cairns Airport (CNS)
The lowest price we've seen for a one-way Christchurch International Airport to Cairns Airport flight is Rs32,370. A return ticket is currently Rs78,505. Depending on the availability when you book, these fares could change.
It's often best to book early if you're hoping to get cheap tickets from CHC to CNS. That's because airlines adjust prices based on demand, which tends to increase closer to the date of departure.
If you're flexible with your travel plans, try using the 'Whole month' tool. It'll find the cheapest price across the month when looking for your flight from Christchurch International Airport to Cairns Airport.
You don't need to check every day to see if fares have gone down when you create a Price Alert. We'll send you an update the moment there's a better deal on cheap flights from CHC to CNS.
Tailor your flights with filters. Pick your preferred arrival and departure times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort your results by 'Cheapest,' 'Fastest' or 'Best' flights from Christchurch International Airport to Cairns Airport.
Handy information about Christchurch International Airport (CHC)
Of all flights leaving Christchurch International Airport, 74.2% touch down on time at their destination.
Central Christchurch to Christchurch International Airport is approximately 56 kilometres. Depending on traffic, it'll take about 1 hour to get there if you're catching a cab, ride-sharing or driving.
Taking an early flight from Christchurch International Airport to Cairns Airport? Avoid rushing to the airport (and catch some extra z's) by picking one of these hotels close to CHC:
Arriving at Cairns Airport (CNS)
Consider booking a hotel near CNS if you have a late Christchurch International Airport to Cairns Airport flight. Settle into one of these accommodation options and skip the long transfer after landing:
Travel at your own speed with a Cairns Airport rental car. Book your wheels from simba car hire, Bargain Car Rentals or East Coast and experience more of Cairns and beyond.
To get the lowest price, reserve your ride from Cairns Airport about two weeks before you set off.
Getting from Cairns Airport (CNS) to central Cairns
From Cairns Airport, Cairns is approximately 6 kilometres away. It takes around 10 minutes to reach the centre by car.
It takes around 1 hour 25 minutes when travelling by public transport.
When to fly to Cairns Airport (CNS)
It's time to pick your travel dates for your flight from Christchurch International Airport to Cairns Airport. July is the most popular month to head to Cairns. If you want a quieter vibe, go in February.
Lock in your flight from Christchurch International Airport to Cairns Airport for January if you want to go to Cairns during its warmest month. You can expect temperatures of between 23ºC and 31ºC.
For cooler conditions, look for a cheap ticket from CHC to CNS in August. Temperatures average between 16ºC and 25ºC then.
Explore more of Australia
Cairns is always a good idea, but there are so many other parts of Australia you'll want to see. About 290 kilometres south of Cairns, a visit to Townsville will keep your itinerary busy. Start with popular sights like The Strand Beach, Castle Hill and Big Mama Sailing- Magnetic Island & Townsville.
Around 434 kilometres south-east of Cairns, Bowen is another favourite stop in Australia. No visit is complete without checking out Holbourne Island National Park, The Big Mango and Grays Bay.