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Cheap flights from Melbourne to Cairns from $118

This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a Cheapflights user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight departing on 2/4. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel.
MEL — CNS
2 Apr — 9 Apr1
1 adult

Cheapflights Tip: The best prices from Melbourne to Cairns are usually found in February or March, booked 69 days in advance, depart on a Thursday or Saturday and return on a Friday

Cheap flight deals from Melbourne to Cairns

Discover tips and strategies to find the most affordable flight options for your journey from Melbourne (ME1) to Cairns (CNS). Learn about various techniques such as flexible date searches, comparing prices across and setting up price alerts. Use these methods to find the cheapest flights available for your travel needs. Data last updated 28 March 2025.

Round-trip from

$230

One-way from

$118

Popular in

July

Cheapest in

February

Average price

$289
Virgin Australia
  • Virgin Australia
  • 4/5-13/5
  • Nonstop
  • 6h 50m total
  • Melbourne to Cairns
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Jetstar
  • Jetstar
  • 31/3
  • Nonstop
  • 3h 20m total
  • Melbourne to Cairns
Search Deals
Highest demand for flights based on searches. 12% potential increase in price ($90 potential increase over avg. return price).
Search Deals
Cheapest flight prices on average. 2% potential price decrease ($15 potential savings vs. average return price).
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Average for round-trip flights in March 2025
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Find flight deals from Melbourne to Cairns

Cheapest flights from Melbourne to Cairns
Explore the most affordable flight options available from Melbourne to Cairns. Find the lowest fares from popular airlines and budget airlines, with prices last updated on 28 March 2025.

Sat 10/519:45MEL - CNS
Nonstop3h 20mMultiple Airlines
Wed 14/510:20CNS - MEL
Nonstop3h 30mMultiple Airlines
Deal found 28/3$226
Mon 31/320:45MEL - CNS
Nonstop3h 20mJetstar
Fri 4/420:30CNS - MEL
Nonstop3h 25mJetstar
Deal found 28/3$232
Sat 10/512:10MEL - CNS
1 stop8h 10mVirgin Australia
Wed 14/510:20CNS - MEL
Nonstop3h 30mVirgin Australia
Deal found 28/3$278
Wed 7/520:55AVV - CNS
1 stop14h 30mMultiple Airlines
Tue 13/516:35CNS - AVV
1 stop6h 15mMultiple Airlines
Deal found 27/3$294
Wed 11/620:55AVV - CNS
1 stop12h 20mJetstar
Wed 18/606:45CNS - AVV
1 stop7h 25mJetstar
Deal found 26/3$358

Cheapflights Fare Finder

Customise your flight search to find flights from Melbourne to Cairns that fit within your specific budget. Explore options based on user searches and filter the results based on your desired price range. Find flights that match your budget for a cost-effective journey. Over the last 7 days, Cheapflights users made 647,157 searches. Data last updated 28 March 2025.
Use the filters below to find and compare flights from Melbourne to Cairns that are best for you.

Fly from

Melbourne

Fly to

Cairns

Route

Depart

Return

Price

MelbourneCairns

MEL - CNS

MELCNS

Melbourne

Sun 4/5

19:45-23:05

Nonstop3h 20m

Cairns

Tue 13/5

10:20-13:50

Nonstop3h 30m

$230

MelbourneCairns

MEL - CNS

MELCNS

Melbourne

Sun 27/4

19:45-23:05

Nonstop3h 20m

Cairns

Thu 1/5

21:30-00:55

Nonstop3h 25m

$232

MelbourneCairns

MEL - CNS

MELCNS

Melbourne

Sun 11/5

06:00-11:25

1 stop5h 25m

Cairns

Sun 18/5

10:20-13:50

Nonstop3h 30m

$267

MelbourneCairns

AVV - CNS

AVVCNS

Melbourne Avalon

Wed 7/5

20:55-11:25

1 stop14h 30m

Cairns

Tue 13/5

16:35-22:50

1 stop6h 15m

$294

MelbourneCairns

AVV - CNS

AVVCNS

Melbourne Avalon

Wed 11/6

20:55-09:15

1 stop12h 20m

Cairns

Wed 18/6

06:45-14:10

1 stop7h 25m

$358

MelbourneCairns

MEL - CNS

MELCNS

Melbourne

Wed 2/4

17:20-19:40

Nonstop3h 20m

$118

MelbourneCairns

MEL - CNS

MELCNS

Melbourne

Fri 16/5

06:15-09:40

Nonstop3h 25m

$132

MelbourneCairns

AVV - CNS

AVVCNS

Melbourne Avalon

Wed 25/6

20:55-18:35

1 stop21h 40m

$149

MelbourneCairns

AVV - CNS

AVVCNS

Melbourne Avalon

Mon 12/5

20:55-09:15

1 stop12h 20m

$176

MelbourneCairns

MEL - CNS

MELCNS

Melbourne

Mon 9/6

20:20-09:10

1 stop12h 50m

$178

Flights are sorted by cheapest return flights first.

Deals found on 28/3

Showing 1-10 of 11 results
1
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Best time to book a flight from Melbourne to Cairns

Have a flexible travel schedule? Discover the best time to fly to Cairns from Melbourne with our price prediction graph.
Estimated return price
Rates are based on past data. Find the cheapest month and day to book your flight based on your travel requirements, then search for cheap deals.

Cheapflights Insights

Everything you need to know about your flight from Melbourne to Cairns

How far ahead should I book a flight from Melbourne to Cairns?

Use this chart to determine the optimal time to book a return flight from Melbourne to Cairns. Price data was last updated on 21 March 2025.

The best time to book flights from Melbourne to Cairns is 69 days before your desired departure date. The cost of your flight will likely increase significantly if you book two weeks in advance of your flight.

What is the cheapest month to book a flight from Melbourne to Cairns?

Currently, February is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from Melbourne to Cairns (average of $170). Flying from Melbourne to Cairns in June is currently the most expensive (average of $243). There are several factors that can impact the price of a flight, so comparing airlines, departure airports and flight times can provide users with more options.

What is the cheapest time of day to fly from MEL to CNS?

Find hourly flight availability from Melbourne to Cairns. Discover flight options and departure times throughout the day, allowing you to choose a departure time that suits your schedule. Data last updated 28 March 2025.

Unlike in the evening, when flights are generally more expensive, you can save up to 70% on flights from Melbourne to Cairns by exploring options for tickets in the afternoon.

What is the cheapest day to fly from Melbourne to Cairns?

Use this chart to determine the cheapest time to fly return from Melbourne to Cairns. Price data was last updated on 16 December 2024.

Travellers seeking maximum savings on their Melbourne to Cairns flight should consider departing on Tuesday evenings when fares are most often at their lowest. Wednesday evenings flights should be avoided if possible as fares are typically the most expensive at this time.

Rainfall in Cairns by month

Plan your trip to Cairns by taking into account the average rainfall totals by month.

In terms of precipitation, rainfall in Cairns ranges from 20.0 - 430.0 inches per month. March is typically the wettest month, when rainfall can reach 430.0 mm. July is typically the driest time to visit Cairns when rainfall is around 20.0 mm.

Temperature in Cairns by month

Plan your trip to Cairns by taking into account the average temperature totals by month.

If weather is an important factor for your trip to Cairns, use this chart to help with planning. For those seeking warmer temperatures, January is the ideal time of year to visit, when temperatures reach an average of 27.0 C. Travellers hoping to avoid the cold should look outside of June, when temperatures are typically at their lowest (around 21.0 C).

Reviews of airlines servicing Cairns

Get insights into the airlines that provide service to Cairns. Read reviews, discover amenities, and learn about the overall travel experience offered by airlines. Use this information to make informed decisions when choosing an airline for your flight to Cairns. Reviews last updated 28 March 2025.
See what other customers who have flown with Qantas Airways, Virgin Australia and Jetstar from Melbourne to Cairns have to say. You can also see how each airline compares in terms of entertainment options, comfort, food, crew/service, and boarding process.
Qantas Airways
7.5
Good
811 reviews
Check prices

Boarding

7.6

Entertainment

7.1

Overall

7.5

Comfort

7.4

Crew

8.1

Food

6.9

Reviews

1 / 20
8.0
Excellent

Tin,Feb 2025

LAX - MEL

The passengers had to wait in lines more than 40 minutes for boarding. The foods was okay to eat if you were hungry to dead . Thank you
Qantas Airways
7.5
Good
811 reviews
Qantas Airways
7.5
Good
811 reviews
Check prices

Boarding

7.6

Entertainment

7.1

Overall

7.5

Comfort

7.4

Crew

8.1

Food

6.9

Reviews

1 / 20
8.0
Excellent

Tin,Feb 2025

LAX - MEL

The passengers had to wait in lines more than 40 minutes for boarding. The foods was okay to eat if you were hungry to dead . Thank you
Virgin Australia
7.5
Good
395 reviews
Qantas Airways
7.5
Good
811 reviews
Check prices

Boarding

7.6

Entertainment

7.1

Overall

7.5

Comfort

7.4

Crew

8.1

Food

6.9

Reviews

1 / 20
8.0
Excellent

Tin,Feb 2025

LAX - MEL

The passengers had to wait in lines more than 40 minutes for boarding. The foods was okay to eat if you were hungry to dead . Thank you
Jetstar
6.6
Okay
434 reviews
Qantas Airways
7.5
Good
811 reviews
Check prices

Boarding

7.6

Entertainment

7.1

Overall

7.5

Comfort

7.4

Crew

8.1

Food

6.9

Reviews

1 / 20
8.0
Excellent

Tin,Feb 2025

LAX - MEL

The passengers had to wait in lines more than 40 minutes for boarding. The foods was okay to eat if you were hungry to dead . Thank you

Related info for your journey

Find useful and relevant information for your journey from Melbourne to Cairns. Access travel guides, tips, and recommendations to enhance your travel experience. Get information about local attractions, weather, transportation options, and more.

  • What airport do you fly into for flights to Cairns from Melbourne?

    For a flight from Melbourne to Cairns, you will be flying into Cairns. Cairns (CNS) is just 4.4 km from the centre vof the city. Cairns is the only Cairns airport and it handles 10 inbound flights from Melbourne per day. 3 airlines have flights to Cairns from Melbourne on a regular basis.

  • What are the cheapest airlines flying from Melbourne to Cairns round-trip?

    Our cheapest airline available from Melbourne to Cairns is Jetstar. Our recent data shows that you can find tickets from as low as $232 on this airline. An additional option worth looking into is Virgin Australia, starting at $267. Jetstar is priced at 41% lower than the current average price of a flight leaving 3 months from now.

  • What are the cheapest airlines to fly from Melbourne to Cairns one-way?

    $118 is the cheapest one-way deal found within the past few days, from Jetstar. You may also be able to find cheap deals on Virgin Australia and Qantas Airways, with prices starting from $132 and $509, respectively.

  • What are the most reliable airlines from Melbourne to Cairns?

    No one likes to see their flight delayed. When booking a flight from Melbourne to Cairns consider choosing Air India(100%), United Airlines(100%) or Qatar Airways(100%), as they are the most reliable in getting you off to your destination on time.

  • What are the cheapest flights from Melbourne to Cairns?

    Looking at all options, your cheapest flight can be booked for $111. While the most popular route (Melbourne - Cairns) can be booked for $199 on average our data indicates $1,278 when flying from Melbourne to Cairns.

  • Where are the most common stopover locations when flying from Melbourne to Cairns?

    Melbourne to Cairns flights have a stopover in Sydney most of the time.

  • What are some popular things to do or see while on a stopover in Sydney?

    Sydney Opera House, The Rocks Markets, and State Theatre are the most popular attractions in Sydney if you're in need of something to do during your stopover. Sydney Opera House, The Rocks Markets, and State Theatre can be visited by traveling about 9.9 km, 9.6 km, and 8.2 km respectively from Sydney Kingsford Smith. Those looking to explore during their stopover in Sydney can hire a car from Sydney Kingsford Smith for about $54 per day.

  • Where are the least popular stopover locations for Melbourne to Cairns flights?

    The least popular stopover on flights from Melbourne to Cairns is Brisbane.

  • Can I find deals for flights from Melbourne to Cairns that include hotel bookings?

    Yes. In addition to deals on Melbourne to Cairns flights, Cheapflights offers holiday packages that include both flights and hotel.

  • How can I find direct flights from Melbourne to Cairns?

    After entering your origin and destination, apply the non-stop filter on the search result page to find direct flights from Melbourne to Cairns.

  • Can I find deals for business class flights from Melbourne to Cairns?

    Yes. Cheapflights offers flight deals from Melbourne to Cairns by cabin class. In addition to browsing deals, you can also filter by cabin class on the search results page after making a search.

  • What is the cheapest month to book a flight from Melbourne to Cairns?

    Currently, February is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from Melbourne to Cairns (average of $170). Flying from Melbourne to Cairns in June is currently the most expensive (average of $243). There are several factors that can impact the price of a flight, so comparing airlines, departure airports and flight times can provide users with more options.

See more FAQs

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Top 3 airlines flying from Melbourne to Cairns

Discover the top 3 airlines that operate flights from Melbourne to Cairns. Compare their services, reliability, and customer satisfaction ratings to choose the airline that best suits your travel preferences and needs. Over the last 7 days, Cheapflights users made 647,157 searches. Data last updated 28 March 2025.
AirlineCheapestAverageFlexibilityOn-time
JetstarCheapest$201Average$480FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time74%
Search Jetstar flights
Virgin AustraliaCheapest$246Average$520FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time80%
Search Virgin Australia flights
Qantas AirwaysCheapest$292Average$625FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time74%
Search Qantas Airways flights

Fly with Cheapflights

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How does Cheapflights help users find flights from Melbourne to Cairns?

Cheapflights goes through 900+ travel sites to look for the best flight deals for flights from Melbourne to Cairns. Too many options? Cheapflights also provides filters for things like airlines, price ranges, and number of stops to help you make a decision easily.

Why should you use Cheapflights to find cheap flight tickets from Melbourne to Cairns?

Cheapflights taps into our reliable network of hundreds of airlines and travel agencies to find the best deals for flights from Melbourne to Cairns for you. Better yet — we are completely free to use.

Can Cheapflights find flights from Melbourne to Cairns with no change fees?

Need flexible booking options for your flight to Cairns from Melbourne? Don’t worry, Cheapflights have you covered. Use our search filter to only show flights with no change fees.

Can Cheapflights notify me if prices for flights from Melbourne to Cairns become cheaper?

Yes, Cheapflights has a feature called Price Alert, which notifies users when flight prices change. Track prices for your flight to Cairns from Melbourne today and book when prices fit your budget.

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