How To Get Cheap Flights To Cairns
Regardless of your travel budget, it's always a great feeling to score a cheap flight. For those planning a trip to Tropical North Queensland, you're likely flying into Cairns. As the main travel hub for the Daintree Rainforest, the Great Barrier Reef, and the Port Douglas/Palm Cove area, the Cairns Airport is well connected to other domestic and international airports.
Here is your guide to finding cheap flights to Cairns!
How To Get Cheap Flights To Cairns
The best ways to get cheap flights to Cairns include travelling off-season and doing a bit of online research. Our travel experts have combined their top tips for finding and securing affordable flights to Cairns. If you have internet and a bit of flexibility with your travel plans, it's easy to make your way to Cairns on a budget.
Take a look at these activities around Cairns!
Travel during the off season (or the shoulder season)
For travelling anywhere in the world, you can save lots of money by avoiding peak travel season. Cairns is no different! Flight prices rise during holidays, so travelling at a quieter time of year almost guarantees cheaper flights.
The off season in Cairns is generally February and March. This is the rainy season, so the weather tends to be hot, humid, and rainy. But you'll encounter fewer crowds and very low prices! If you prefer nicer weather with mid-range flight prices, travel during the shoulder seasons (April-May and September-October).
Use online flight comparison tools and price alerts
Whenever you're searching for flights to Cairns, it's worth browsing a few different websites to compare prices. Skyscanner and Google Flights are handy websites where you can compare flight prices across a range of airlines and travel dates. Start looking at flights at least a few months in advance so you can get a feel for the costs.
Many websites also offer price alerts! This allows you to monitor a certain flight over time, and you'll get an email when the prices drop.
Have flexible travel days
A great way to save money on flights is to be flexible with your travel days. When using websites like Skyscanner and Google Flights, you can use a calendar view to see flight prices for each day of the month. If your travel dates are flexible, you can select the cheapest days to fly, then plan your trip around the flights.
Keep an eye out for airline sales
Australia's main domestic airlines, such as Jetstar, Qantas, and Virgin, often have flash sales throughout the year. During these sale periods, airlines often slash flight prices and you can find some amazing deals. Domestic flights between Australian cities can be as cheap as $50! So it doesn't hurt to keep an eye out for airline sales if you want to find a cheap flight to Cairns.
Get creative with your layovers
Most major cities around Australia have direct flights to Cairns. You can also fly direct to Cairns from Japan, New Zealand, Indonesia, and a few other countries. But if you're heading to Cairns from farther overseas, like Europe or North America, you'll likely have a few stopovers on the way.
Use the flight comparison websites mentioned above to compare routes to Cairns and consider making separate bookings to save money. For example, making one booking from Europe to Cairns may have 2, 3, or even 4 layovers. But if you fly from Europe to Sydney, then book a domestic flight separately from Sydney to Cairns, the entire cost can be significantly cheaper. Just make sure you leave plenty of time between flights that are on separate bookings in case of delays!
Consider travel credit cards or frequent flyer programs
If you travel often, it's worth signing up for frequent flyer programs or maybe even travel credit cards. Qantas is the biggest airline in Australia that offers points and rewards credit cards for travellers. Chat with a financial expert to see if a credit card is right for you. But if travel cards or frequent flyer programs fit into your lifestyle, you can easily rack up points on everyday spending and get some discounted flights!
Travel with a carry-on only
Many of Australia's budget airlines have strict baggage limits. To save money, try to keep your bags under the allowed limit so you don't have to pay extra for luggage. For example, Jetstar only allows 7kg of carry-on baggage per person for their basic economy flights. If you're able to pack light, you can generally save $30 - $60 per bag on a flight to Cairns.
It's also quite easy to pack light for Cairns. With a tropical climate, you'll be spending most of your time on outdoor adventures. Pack some swimsuits, shorts, t-shirts, comfy shoes, and you're basically good to go!
What is the cheapest way to get to Cairns from the airport?
Once you arrive at Cairns Airport, the cheapest way to get into the city is the local shuttle bus. Buses to and from Cairns Airport are generally around $20. A taxi or Uber is around $25 - $30, so you have a few affordable options. Cairns Airport is only about a 15-minute drive from the city center, so it's a quick and easy journey!
If you're staying in another travel hotspot north of Cairns, such as Palm Cove or Port Douglas, a bus will cost around $50 - $70 and a taxi or Uber might be around $100 - $150. You can also rent a car at Cairns Airport and have your own wheels for your stay. This is a great option if you want to do some exploring on the mainland and have the flexibility of your own vehicle.
Is it cheaper to stay in Cairns or Port Douglas?
Cairns and Port Douglas are similarly priced, though it's generally cheaper to stay in Cairns. Because Cairns is a small city, it has lots of amenities and accommodations of varying prices. There are lots of cheap backpacker hostels and affordable hotels in Cairns. It's also cheaper and easier to get to the airport, and there is a wider variety of cheap street markets and tours from Cairns.
Port Douglas, being a small town rather than a city, has a more relaxed vibe than Cairns. Its city centre and marina are both smaller, so there is less variety in terms of prices. But this gives Port Douglas a more peaceful feel and a more exclusive clientele, as opposed to Cairns which is more inclusive and attracts all types of travellers. But in reality, both destinations offer similar amenities and can be enjoyed by budget travellers or luxury travellers!
