There are 2 ways to get from Rarotonga to Cairns by plane or train
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 Cairns
best- Fly from Rarotonga International Airport (RAR) to Cairns (CNS)plane RAR - CNS
14h 59m$504–1,716Fly to Townsville Airport, train
- Fly from Rarotonga International Airport (RAR) to Townsville Airport (TSV)plane RAR - TSV
- Take the train from Townsville to Cairns Central Stationtrain
21h 35m$601–3,218
Rarotonga International Airport (RAR) to Cairns (CNS) flights
Comparing Your Travel Options
The cheapest way to get from Rarotonga to Cairns is to fly which costs $500 - $1,800 and takes 14h 59m.
The fastest way to get from Rarotonga to Cairns is to fly which takes 14h 59m and costs $500 - $1,800.
The distance between Rarotonga and Cairns is 5725 km.
It takes approximately 14h 59m to get from Rarotonga to Cairns, including transfers.
Cairns is 20h ahead of Rarotonga. It is currently 4:38 PM in Rarotonga and 12:38 PM in Cairns.
There are 1027+ hotels available in Cairns.
What companies run services between Rarotonga, Cook Islands and Cairns, QLD, Australia?
Jetstar, Qantas, and Air New Zealand fly from Rarotonga International Airport (RAR) to Cairns (CNS) once daily.
- Website
- qantas.com
Flights from Rarotonga International Airport to Cairns via Brisbane
- Ave. Duration
- 11h 40m
- When
- Monday, Thursday, and Saturday
- Estimated price
- $500–1,700
Flights from Rarotonga International Airport to Cairns via Sydney
- Ave. Duration
- 13h 25m
- When
- Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $550–1,800
Flights from Rarotonga International Airport to Townsville Airport via Brisbane
- Ave. Duration
- 12h 20m
- When
- Monday, Thursday, and Saturday
- Estimated price
- $550–1,900
Flights from Rarotonga International Airport to Townsville Airport via Sydney
- Ave. Duration
- 17h
- When
- Tuesday, Wednesday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $600–2,000
Flights from Rarotonga International Airport to Townsville Airport via Brisbane, Mackay
- Ave. Duration
- 13h
- When
- Monday, Thursday, and Saturday
- Estimated price
- $550–1,900
- Website
- airnewzealand.com
Flights from Rarotonga International Airport to Cairns via Auckland
- Ave. Duration
- 16h 30m
- When
- Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday
- Estimated price
- $470–1,800
Flights from Rarotonga International Airport to Townsville Airport via Auckland, Brisbane
- Ave. Duration
- 17h 40m
- When
- Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $500–1,900
Flights from Rarotonga International Airport to Townsville Airport via Christchurch, Brisbane
- Ave. Duration
- 17h 50m
- When
- Monday, Wednesday, and Friday
- Estimated price
- $550–2,100
- Website
- jetstar.com
Flights from Rarotonga International Airport to Cairns via Sydney
- Ave. Duration
- 13h 25m
- When
- Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $550–1,800
Flights from Rarotonga International Airport to Townsville Airport via Brisbane
- Ave. Duration
- 12h 20m
- When
- Monday, Thursday, and Saturday
- Estimated price
- $550–1,900
- Phone
- 1800 872 467
- Website
- Queensland Rail Travel
Train from Townsville to Cairns Central Station
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 25m
- Frequency
- 4 times a week
- Estimated price
- $45–1,267
- Book at
- Queensland Rail Travel
- Website
- Queensland Rail Travel
- Schedules at
- Queensland Rail Travel
- BQuick
- $45–70
- AChoice
- $60–80
- Gold Class
- $1,012
- Heritage Class
- $1,267
Want to know more about travelling around Australia
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
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



