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C$562 Cheap Flights from Cairns (CNS) to Nelson (NSN)

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Flight deals from Cairns to Nelson

Looking for a cheap last-minute deal or the best return flight from Cairns Airport to Nelson Airport? If you want to travel next month, return fares start from C$1,354. Find the lowest prices on one-way and return tickets right here.
Nelson.C$563 per passenger.Departing Tue., Aug. 25.One-way flight with Air New Zealand.Outbound indirect flight with Air New Zealand, departs from Cairns on Tue., Aug. 25, arriving in Nelson.Price includes taxes and charges.From C$563, select.
Nelson.C$587 per passenger.Departing Wed., Jul. 15.One-way flight with Virgin Australia.Outbound indirect flight with Virgin Australia, departs from Cairns on Wed., Jul. 15, arriving in Nelson.Price includes taxes and charges.From C$587, select.
Nelson.C$593 per passenger.Departing Sat., Jan. 16.One-way flight with Virgin Australia.Outbound indirect flight with Virgin Australia, departs from Cairns on Sat., Jan. 16, arriving in Nelson.Price includes taxes and charges.From C$593, select.
Nelson.C$693 per passenger.Departing Thu., Sep. 10.One-way flight with Qantas.Outbound indirect flight with Qantas, departs from Cairns on Thu., Sep. 10, arriving in Nelson.Price includes taxes and charges.From C$693, select.
Nelson.C$768 per passenger.Departing Tue., Jun. 23.One-way flight with Qantas.Outbound indirect flight with Qantas, departs from Cairns on Tue., Jun. 23, arriving in Nelson.Price includes taxes and charges.From C$768, select.
Nelson.C$1,239 per passenger.Departing Fri., Dec. 25.One-way flight with Qantas.Outbound indirect flight with Qantas, departs from Cairns on Fri., Dec. 25, arriving in Nelson.Price includes taxes and charges.From C$1,239, select.

Find the cheapest month to fly from Cairns to Nelson

We’re always keeping an eye on fares, so you can find the best one in seconds. It looks like Cairns to Nelson flights are currently cheapest in August.
Jun.
from C$767
Jul.
from C$586
Aug.
from C$562
Sep.
from C$692
Oct.
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Nov.
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Dec.
from C$1,238
Jan.
from C$592
Feb.
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Mar.
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Apr.
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May
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Cairns to Nelson: Alternative routes

Compare routes from Cairns to Nelson below. You may find an airport to fly into that's cheaper, faster, or easier than Nelson.

Nelson

6km from central Nelson
Closest
from C$563
Search flights

Blenheim

56km from central Nelson
Cheapest
from C$560
Search flights

Takaka

62km from central Nelson
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Picton

63km from central Nelson
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Cairns to Nelson: Flight information

The things to know before you go.
Cheapest flight foundC$563
Cheapest month to flyAugust

Finding cheap flights from Cairns to Nelson: Frequently asked questions

The best price we found for a return flight from Cairns to Nelson is C$1,033. This is an estimate based on information collected from different airlines and travel providers over the last 4 days and is subject to change and availability.
Currently, there are no airlines that fly direct from Cairns to Nelson. But we found flights with one or more stops from C$1,033.
As of June 2026, there are no flights flying from Cairns to Nelson.
The cheapest month to fly from Cairns to Nelson is usually July.
After crunching the numbers on our flight calendar, we found that it's currently cheapest to fly from Cairns Airport to Nelson Airport on Friday, July 31, 2026.
No airlines currently offer direct flights between Cairns Airport and Nelson Airport. Most routes have one or more stops.
We show every price from over 1,200 airlines and travel agents, comparing them all so you don’t have to. If you know you want to fly to Nelson but you’re not ready to book, set up a Price Alert. We’ll track prices for you, and let you know when they rise or fall.
We crunched all the numbers in our flight calendar and it looks like the cheapest time to book a flight to Nelson is around 40 days in advance, so don’t leave your flight to the last minute.
Currently, Jetstar offers the cheapest flight tickets to Nelson.

Traveling from Cairns Airport (CNS) to Nelson Airport (NSN): what you need to know

  • Traveling during a peak time like July? Major public holidays and other high seasons can mean longer lines at checkpoints. Play things extra safe and get there up to four hours before an international flight and two hours before domestic departures.

  • Opt for a stopover if you'd like to break up your flight from Cairns Airport to Nelson Airport. To see the options, just uncheck 'Direct flights only.' Auckland Airport is a top stopover on the CNS to NSN route.

  • To find out whether you need a visa to enter New Zealand, contact your carrier and the local consulate or embassy. They'll provide you with all the necessary information, including additional travel documents you may need after booking your cheap ticket from CNS to NSN.

How to find the cheapest flights from Cairns Airport (CNS) to Nelson Airport (NSN)

  • C$562 is the best price for a one-way ticket from Cairns Airport to Nelson Airport. Return flights start from C$1,034. These fares can change depending on availability and demand.

  • To score cheap flight tickets from CNS to NSN, book early. Airlines usually offer the most competitive fares when flights are first released.

  • If you can be flexible with your trip dates, try using the 'Whole month' tool. It'll give you the lowest price across every month when searching for your ticket from Cairns Airport to Nelson Airport.

  • Create a Price Alert for cheap flight tickets from CNS to NSN. There's no need to check back in every day to find out if fares have dropped. We'll tell you the moment the price changes.

  • Tailor your flights with filters. Choose your arrival and departure times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort results by 'Best,' 'Fastest' or 'Cheapest' flights from Cairns Airport to Nelson Airport.

Handy information about Cairns Airport (CNS)

  • Located around 6 kilometres from the center of Cairns, Cairns Airport can be reached in approximately 10 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The same journey on public transport takes roughly 1 hour and 26 minutes.

  • Got an early flight from Cairns Airport to Nelson Airport? Avoid rushing to the airport (and get some extra shut-eye) by picking one of these hotels close to CNS:

Arriving at Nelson Airport (NSN)

  • The last thing you want is a long journey to your hotel if you're landing late on a flight from Cairns Airport to Nelson Airport. Check in to one of these accommodation options near NSN instead:

Getting from Nelson Airport (NSN) to central Nelson

  • Nelson Airport is approximately 2 kilometres from the center of Nelson. With your own car rental or if you take a cab, the drive is around 3 minutes.

  • If you're traveling on public transport, expect a journey of about 21 minutes.

When to fly to Nelson Airport (NSN)

  • It's time to work out your travel dates for your flight from Cairns Airport to Nelson Airport. June is the most popular month to visit Nelson. If you like a more relaxed vibe, go in April.

  • When reserving your flight from Cairns Airport to Nelson Airport, consider the kind of weather you enjoy. January is the warmest month in Nelson, with the temperature ranging from 10ºC to 24ºC.

  • If you want to travel in cooler conditions, look for a cheap ticket from CNS to NSN in July. Temperatures average between 3ºC and 12ºC then.

More about Nelson

  • Start your Nelson trip right by finding a fantastic place to stay. Once you've booked your flight from CNS to NSN, check out our range of accommodation options including:

  • There are so many things to see and do in this city it can be tricky to know where to begin. World of WearableArt & Classic Cars Museum, Tahunanui Beach and Queen's Gardens are popular attractions which should feature on any good Nelson itinerary.

Complete your Nelson trip with hotels and a car rental

  • We've got more party tricks up our sleeve than just comparing flights. Once you've secured your cheap ticket to Nelson Airport, explore our great car rental deals that'll give you the flexibility to travel around at your own pace. Next, take a look at our exclusive rates for hotels to find your perfect Nelson stay.

Plan the rest of your trip from Cairns to Nelson

Prices shown on this page are estimated lowest prices only. Found in the last 12 days.