Australia and the Pacific · Australia
Cheap flights to Cairns
The gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest.
- Best weather
- Jun to Oct
- Wet season
- Dec to Mar
- Warmest
- Dec, 32°C
- Airport
- CNS
Best time to visit Cairns
The best time to visit Cairns for the weather is from June to October, when daytime highs average 26 to 30°C (79 to 86°F) and it's mostly dry.
Cairns has a wet season from December to March, when most of the year's rain falls: about 16 rainy days in February, against about 5 rainy days in August. It's usually the quieter time to travel, which can mean cheaper fares, but expect heavy downpours.
The warmest month is December, with highs around 32°C (89°F); the coolest is July, at around 26°C (79°F) by day and 17°C (63°F) at night.
Cairns weather by month
Average daytime highs, overnight lows and rain for each month.
| Month | High | Low | Rain | What it's like |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 32°C 89°F | 24°C 75°F | 16 rainy days | Wet season, hot |
| February | 32°C 89°F | 24°C 75°F | 16 rainy days | Wet season, hot |
| March | 31°C 88°F | 23°C 74°F | 15 rainy days | Wet season, hot |
| April | 30°C 85°F | 22°C 72°F | 14 rainy days | Dry season, warm |
| May | 28°C 82°F | 20°C 68°F | 10 rainy days | Dry season, warm |
| June Best | 27°C 80°F | 19°C 65°F | 7 rainy days | Dry season, warm |
| July Best | 26°C 79°F | 17°C 63°F | 6 rainy days | Dry season, warm |
| August Best | 27°C 81°F | 17°C 63°F | 5 rainy days | Dry season, warm |
| September Best | 29°C 84°F | 19°C 66°F | 4 rainy days | Dry season, warm |
| October Best | 30°C 86°F | 21°C 69°F | 6 rainy days | Dry season, warm |
| November | 31°C 88°F | 23°C 73°F | 8 rainy days | Dry season, hot |
| December | 32°C 89°F | 24°C 75°F | 11 rainy days | Wet season, hot |
Long-term averages from Cairns Aero, 1991–2020. The weather on your dates will vary.
Flying to Cairns
Farepop finds fares to Cairns International Airport (CNS). These are the closest airports Farepop watches in each region, as the crow flies; with stops, the trip is longer.
| From | Closest airports |
|---|---|
| Australia | Brisbane 1,400 km · about 2 hours non-stop Sydney 2,000 km · about 3 hours non-stop |
| New Zealand | Auckland 3,600 km · about 5 hours non-stop Queenstown 3,800 km · about 5 hours non-stop |
| United States | San Francisco 7,000 mi · about 14.5 hours non-stop Seattle 7,200 mi · about 15 hours non-stop |
| Canada | Vancouver 11,500 km · about 15 hours non-stop Calgary 12,200 km · about 15.5 hours non-stop |
| United Kingdom | Newcastle 9,300 mi · about 19 hours non-stop Edinburgh 9,300 mi · about 19 hours non-stop |
| Europe | Helsinki 13,300 km · about 17 hours non-stop Athens 13,900 km · about 18 hours non-stop |
How Farepop finds cheap flights to Cairns
Compared with the usual price
Every fare is compared with what the same route usually costs for the same trip length and dates. Around busy holidays we use quieter neighbouring months, so a peak price never passes for a saving.
At least 25% below
A deal is at least 25% below the usual price for those dates, and a good fare at least 20%. Full-service airlines selling at budget prices, and travel agents undercutting the airline, are labelled as such.
Checked twice, then again
Fares are checked again on their exact dates before you hear about them, and regularly after. Ones that no longer qualify are withdrawn.
You book direct
Farepop doesn't sell tickets. Tap a deal and book with the airline or travel site; always check the final price, baggage and conditions before you pay.
The full rules are in our savings methodology.
Cairns: questions
When is the best time to visit Cairns?
For the weather, from June to October, when daytime highs average around 28°C. These are long-term averages from Cairns Aero, 1991–2020.
When is the rainy season in Cairns?
Cairns's wet season runs from December to March. February is usually the wettest month, with about 16 rainy days.
Which airport do you fly into for Cairns?
Farepop finds fares to Cairns International Airport (CNS).
How can I find cheap flights to Cairns?
Be flexible with your dates and let the fares come to you. Farepop watches flights from your home airports and alerts you when a trip to Cairns costs at least 25% less than it usually does for those dates, so you can book before the fare goes.
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