Flights from Cairns to Auckland

Compare Cheap Flights from Cairns to Auckland

If you’re hoping to take a trip to New Zealand, Auckland is the perfect place to start. Auckland is located near the top of the North Island and is the country’s largest and most cosmopolitan city. It’s nestled between two harbours and is a popular place for sailing, earning itself the nickname, ‘the City of Sails’. There is something for everyone, no matter if you’re a fan of history, nature, shopping, or food and wine. Auckland is a diverse city, and you can experience all of these things without leaving the city boundaries. However, if you do decide to day trip outside of the city, there are a number of amazing excursions to take from Auckland. Whether you’re planning a short visit to Auckland or hope to continue your travels to the rest of New Zealand, you can never go wrong booking cheap flights from Cairns to Auckland.

Pack your bags and get ready to visit New Zealand with cheap flights from Cairns to Auckland with Webjet.

The best time to visit Auckland

The weather in Auckland is mild year-round, so it’s not hard to find a good time to book cheap airfares from Cairns to Auckland. In summer, the city is warm and sunny with little rain. Several festivals and events are held during summer, and it’s also the busiest time to visit Auckland. This is the high season for tourists, so be mindful of hotel rates increasing during the summer.

If you’d prefer a quieter experience, plan your trip from CNS to AKL in spring or autumn. During these seasons, temperatures are pleasant and there is not much rain. It is less busy than the summer, so you’ll may also be able to find a better deal on a hotel in Auckland.

If you don’t mind cold weather, you could save money by booking return flights from Cairns to Auckland in the winter. This is the quietest period in Auckland, so there is potential for you to score some great deals on CNS to AKL flights and Auckland hotels. Winter is chilly and experiences more rain than the other seasons, but you can still enjoy the occasional warm and sunny day.

Departing From Cairns

Cairns Airport (CNS) is located 6 kilometres (3.7 miles) north of the CBD. Since the airport is so close to the city, it’s quick to get to, and there are a variety of transport connections available.

There are approximately 250 cheap flights from Cairns to Auckland available every week. Virgin Australia, Qantas, Jetstar, Air New Zealand and Emirates offer daily cheap airfares from Cairns to Auckland. There are currently no direct flights available from Cairns (CNS) to Auckland (AKL), but with one stopover, you can arrive to Auckland Airport (AKL) in 7 hours.

Getting to Cairns Airport

The Airport Shuttle runs every half hour and meets all departing flights. The shuttle has several departure points in the Cairns CBD and it can also pick up passengers outside of the city. The more people you are travelling with, the more affordable your shuttle ride will be. A single passenger travels for $15 AUD one-way from the city; two people can ride for $17 AUD; three people for $20 AUD. Any more than three people and you will only need to pay $5 AUD per person.

For a budget-friendly ride from the CBD to the airport, you can catch the Airport Connect Bus. This bus picks up passengers from the Sheridan Street bus stop in the city. The bus will get you to the airport in about 10 minutes. Tickets to ride the bus are $6 AUD one-way and $8 AUD return.

With Cairns Airport located so close to the city centre, a taxi is a practical option to get to the airport for your flight to Auckland Airport (AKL). A taxi from the city centre only takes 10 minutes and costs about $20 to $25 AUD.

Parking at Cairns Airport

If you plan on driving to the airport, be sure to book a spot in advance. Doing so can save you up to 40% on your parking space.

Where to Park at Cairns Airport

• The Budget Price Buster Car Park is located just outside of the International Terminal. Booking online, and parking rates start at $58 AUD for 4 days and $66 AUD for a week. Spaces in this car park are uncovered, and you can walk from your car into the airport in just a couple of minutes.

Arriving in Auckland

There is one airport in Auckland that receives all flights entering the city. Auckland Airport (AKL) has both an International Terminal and a Domestic Terminal. The airport is located about 25 kilometres (15.5 miles) south of the CBD and offers several convenient ways to get into the city.

How to Get from Auckland Airport (AKL) to Your Auckland Hotel or Accommodation

For an affordable journey from Auckland Airport (AKL) to the CBD, catch the city’s SkyBus, which runs 24 hours a day. Buses depart from the airport every 10 minutes and arrive in the CBD in about 45 minutes. There are several stops available on Queen Street, Dominion Street, Symonds Street and Mount Eden Road. The SkyBus terminates near the harbour on Customs Street East, which is the main SkyBus stop. One-way tickets on the SkyBus cost $18 NZD ($16 AUD), and if you’ll be taking the SkyBus back to the airport at the end of your trip, return tickets cost $32 NZD ($29 AUD).

If you’d like a direct ride to your hotel, you can reserve a seat on the Super Shuttle that departs from the airport’s International Terminal. A shuttle to the CBD costs about $25 NZD ($23 AUD) per person for a shared ride. If you are travelling with a group, you can book a private shuttle for $125 NZD ($115 AUD) into the CBD for up to 11 people. Super Shuttles can also make stops in suburbs outside of the CBD. A shuttle to Ponsonby is $25 NZD ($23 AUD), a shuttle to Newmarket is $35 NZD ($32 AUD) and a shuttle to Mount Eden is $35 NZD ($32 AUD).

If you would prefer to take a taxi from Auckland Airport (AKL), you’ll get to the CBD in less than 30 minutes. Taxis are available outside of door 8 in the International Terminal. Several taxi companies pick up from the airport, and each offers a fixed rate into the CBD. The fare rate varies between taxi company, ranging between $38 NZD ($35 AUD) and $65 NZD ($60 AUD).

Things to do in Auckland

Sky Tower

The Sky Tower is Auckland’s tallest structure and dominates the city’s skyline. For an aerial view of the city, head to the observation deck at the top of the Sky Tower. Take in the spectacular outlook over the city before grabbing a bite to eat at the restaurant. Or, thrill-seekers can give their adrenalin levels a boost by buying tickets for the SkyWalk or SkyJump.

Auckland Domain and Wintergardens

One of the best spots in Auckland to experience Mother Nature is in the Auckland Domain and Wintergardens. The Domain is a large park, and the Wintergardens are located within it. The Wintergardens are made up of outdoor gardens and indoor greenhouses where you can see a variety of tropical plants and flowers. There is even a special flower that only blooms once every ten years. Although it doesn’t smell pleasant, crowds always flock to the Wintergardens when this flower is in bloom.

Mount Eden

Mount Eden is a dormant volcano just outside Auckland’s CBD. It is the city’s highest natural point. The walk to the top of Mount Eden is steep but relatively short, and once you are at the top, you’ll be rewarded with a great view. As well as being able to see the city and Sky Tower, you can look down into the centre of the volcano.

Waiheke Island

New Zealand is known for having some of the best wine in the world. Waiheke Island is a popular wine-producing region and it is only a 35-minute ferry ride from the Auckland CBD. There are more than a dozen wineries spread across the island, plus nice restaurants and boutique shops. If you visit in summer, Waiheke Island is also a popular spot for water sports such as kayaking and paddle boarding.

Devonport

Right across the harbour from Auckland is the town of Devonport. You can reach Devonport from the Auckland CBD by a ferry that takes just 12 minutes. Keen walkers can tackle the Takarunga and North Head hikes. Both trails offer great views over the harbour and city skyline. In the centre of town, there is a chocolate factory that will be hit with sweet-tooths, and those in need of retail therapy or souvenirs can browse the homeware and antique stores. Before you catch the ferry back to the city, spend some time walking along the Devonport side of the harbour for some beautiful city views.

Ponsonby

Located on one of the hills just outside of Auckland’s CBD, Ponsonby is known as one of the trendiest neighbourhoods in the city. The neighbourhood is scenic to walk around, and being located on a hill, it offers some great views of the CBD. Ponsonby has some of the best shopping in Auckland as well as a number of bars and restaurants.