There are 2 ways to get from Cairns to Papeete by plane or car ferry
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Fly to Fa'A'Ā International Airport
best- Fly from Cairns (CNS) to Fa'A'Ā International Airport (PPT)plane CNS - PPT
13h$500–1,900Fly to Moorea-Temae Airport, car ferry
- Fly from Cairns (CNS) to Moorea-Temae Airport (MOZ)plane CNS - MOZ
- Take the carferry from Moorea to Papeete Ferry Terminalcarferry
17h 21m$518–1,673
Cairns (CNS) to Fa'A'Ā International Airport (PPT) flights
Comparing Your Travel Options
The cheapest way to get from Cairns to Papeete is to fly and car ferry which costs $500 - $1,700 and takes 17h 21m.
The fastest way to get from Cairns to Papeete is to fly which takes 13h and costs $500 - $1,900.
The distance between Cairns and Papeete is 6842 km.
It takes approximately 13h to get from Cairns to Papeete, including transfers.
Papeete is 20h behind Cairns. It is currently 5:51 AM in Cairns and 9:51 AM in Papeete.
There are 577+ hotels available in Papeete.
What companies run services between Cairns, QLD, Australia and Papeete, French Polynesia?
Air New Zealand, Jetstar, and three other airlines fly from Cairns (CNS) to Fa'A'Ā International Airport (PPT) 6 times a week.
- Website
- airtahitinui.com
Flights from Cairns to Fa'A'Ā International Airport via Sydney
- Ave. Duration
- 11h 18m
- When
- Tuesday and Friday
- Estimated price
- $1,100–6,000
- Phone
- +689 40 46 11 60
- [email protected]
- Website
- vaearai.com
Car ferry from Moorea to Papeete Ferry Terminal
- Ave. Duration
- 50 min
- Frequency
- 5 times a day
- Estimated price
- $10–70
- Schedules at
- vaearai.com
- Adult one way
- $18
- Child (2-12 years) one way
- $10
- Vehicle
- $35–70
Want to know more about travelling around French Polynesia
Rome2Rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. Filled with useful and timely travel information, the guides answer all the hard questions - such as 'How do I buy a ticket?', 'Should I book online before I travel? ', 'How much should I expect to pay?', 'Do the trains and buses have Wifi?' - to help you get the most out of your next trip.
Related travel guides
5 delightfully under-the-radar French towns you need to visit
Read the travel guide
10 amazing places to get away from it all in Australia
Read the travel guide
4 of the smartest ways to explore Australia
Read the travel guide

