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Cheap flights from Cairns to Melbourne Airport from $137

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 20/2. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel.
CNS — MEL
22 Jan — 29 Jan1
1 adult

The best prices from Cairns to Melbourne are usually found in March or January, booked 60 days in advance, depart on a Thursday or Monday and return on a Wednesday

Cheap flight deals from Cairns to Melbourne

Discover tips and strategies to find the most affordable flight options for your journey from Cairns (CNS) to Melbourne (MEL). 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 17 January 2025.

Round-trip from

$227

One-way from

$137

Popular in

June

Cheapest in

March

Average price

$357
Jetstar
  • Jetstar
  • 14/2-21/2
  • Nonstop
  • 6h 50m total
  • Cairns to Melbourne
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Virgin Australia
  • Virgin Australia
  • 20/2
  • Nonstop
  • 3h 25m total
  • Cairns to Melbourne
Search Deals
High demand for flights, 14% potential price rise
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Best time to find cheap flights, 2% potential price drop
Search Deals
Average for round-trip flights in January 2025
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Find flight deals from Cairns to Melbourne

Cheapest flights from Cairns to Melbourne
Explore the most affordable flight options available from Cairns to Melbourne. Find the lowest fares from popular airlines and budget airlines, with prices last updated on 17 January 2025.

Fri 14/214:30CNS - MEL
Nonstop3h 30mJetstar
Fri 21/219:50MEL - CNS
Nonstop3h 20mJetstar
Deal found 17/1$227
Sun 2/309:05CNS - MEL
Nonstop3h 25mMultiple Airlines
Thu 6/306:05MEL - CNS
Nonstop3h 30mMultiple Airlines
Deal found 17/1$245
Mon 17/309:15CNS - MEL
Nonstop3h 25mVirgin Australia
Fri 21/316:45MEL - CNS
Nonstop3h 30mVirgin Australia
Deal found 16/1$249
Sat 8/212:45CNS - MEL
Nonstop3h 25mQantas Airways
Fri 14/209:45MEL - CNS
Nonstop3h 20mQantas Airways
Deal found 16/1$550

Find flights from Cairns to Melbourne within your budget

Customise your flight search to find flights from Cairns to Melbourne 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 17 January 2025.

Fly from

Any airport

Fly to

Any airport

Route

Depart

Return

Price

CairnsMelbourne

CNS - MEL

CNSMEL

Cairns

Fri 14/2

14:30-19:00

Nonstop3h 30m

Melbourne

Fri 21/2

19:50-22:10

Nonstop3h 20m

$227

CairnsMelbourne

CNS - MEL

CNSMEL

Cairns

Sun 2/3

09:05-13:30

Nonstop3h 25m

Melbourne

Thu 6/3

06:05-08:35

Nonstop3h 30m

$245

CairnsMelbourne

CNS - MEL

CNSMEL

Cairns

Mon 17/3

09:15-13:40

Nonstop3h 25m

Melbourne

Fri 21/3

16:45-19:15

Nonstop3h 30m

$249

CairnsMelbourne

CNS - MEL

CNSMEL

Cairns

Sat 8/2

12:45-17:10

Nonstop3h 25m

Melbourne

Fri 14/2

09:45-12:05

Nonstop3h 20m

$550

CairnsMelbourne

CNS - MEL

CNSMEL

Cairns

Thu 20/2

09:15-13:40

Nonstop3h 25m

$137

CairnsMelbourne

CNS - MEL

CNSMEL

Cairns

Thu 17/4

21:30-00:55

Nonstop3h 25m

$138

CairnsMelbourne

CNS - MEL

CNSMEL

Cairns

Sun 2/3

06:40-18:05

1 stop10h 25m

$211

CairnsMelbourne

CNS - MEL

CNSMEL

Cairns

Sun 26/1

12:45-17:10

Nonstop3h 25m

$320

CairnsMelbourne

CNS - MEL

CNSMEL

Cairns

Wed 16/4

15:35-08:05

2 stops16h 30m

$882

CairnsMelbourne

CNS - MEL

CNSMEL

Cairns

Tue 3/6

14:35-08:05

2 stops17h 30m

$943

Flights are sorted by cheapest return flights first.

Deals found on 17/1

Best time to book a flight from Cairns to Melbourne

Have a flexible travel schedule? Discover the best time to fly to Melbourne from Cairns 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.

Travel insights for flights from Cairns to Melbourne

Get recent, data-driven insights about flights from Cairns to Melbourne including ideal travel times, pricing trends, and more.

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

Use this chart to determine the optimal time to book a return flight from Cairns to Melbourne. Price data was last updated on 10 January 2025.

Booking 60 days in advance of your planned departure date is, on average, the best time to get cheap flights from Cairns to Melbourne Airport. The general trend is that the closer you book to the departure date, the more expensive your flight will be.

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

Currently, May is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from Cairns to Melbourne Airport (average of $132). Flying from Cairns to Melbourne Airport in October is currently the most expensive (average of $184). 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 CNS to MEL?

Find hourly flight availability from Cairns to Melbourne. Discover flight options and departure times throughout the day, allowing you to choose a departure time that suits your schedule. Data last updated 17 January 2025.

It’s typically best to fly out from Cairns to Melbourne Airport in the evening. Doing so could potentially save you 6% on the flight price compared to flying in the afternoon, which is usually more expensive.

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

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

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

Weekly flight availability from Cairns to Melbourne Airport

Explore weekly flight availability from Cairns to Melbourne. Discover flights operating on different days of the week, giving you the flexibility to choose a travel day that best fits your plans. Compare info to find the most convenient option for your journey. Data last updated 17 January 2025.

The most flights from CNS to MEL are scheduled on a Thursday (25 on average). You will have fewer flight options on Saturday, which is when the least amount of flights are scheduled (12 on average).

Rainfall in Melbourne by month

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

In terms of precipitation, rainfall in Melbourne Airport ranges from 30.0 - 60.0 inches per month. November is typically the wettest month, when rainfall can reach 60.0 mm. March is typically the driest time to visit Melbourne Airport when rainfall is around 30.0 mm.

Temperature in Melbourne by month

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

If weather is an important factor for your trip to Melbourne Airport, 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 20.0 C. Travellers hoping to avoid the cold should look outside of July, when temperatures are typically at their lowest (around 8.0 C).

Reviews of airlines servicing Melbourne

Get insights into the airlines that provide service to Melbourne. 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 Melbourne. Reviews last updated 17 January 2025.
Get a feel of what it's like to fly with Qantas Airways, Virgin Australia and Jetstar from Cairns to Melbourne by reading reviews from past customers. Users can see the overall rating for each airline as well as how each is rated in terms of entertainment options, comfort, food, crew/service, and boarding process.
Emirates
8.1
Very Good
3,351 reviews
Check prices

Entertainment

8.2

Comfort

8.0

Overall

8.1

Boarding

8.1

Crew

8.3

Food

7.9

Reviews

1 / 10

Delayed flight a bit annoying but staff all good and surprisingly the main course of vegan meals were good.

Emirates
8.1
Very Good
3,351 reviews
Emirates
8.1
Very Good
3,351 reviews
Check prices

Entertainment

8.2

Comfort

8.0

Overall

8.1

Boarding

8.1

Crew

8.3

Food

7.9

Reviews

1 / 10

Delayed flight a bit annoying but staff all good and surprisingly the main course of vegan meals were good.

Air New Zealand
7.9
Good
485 reviews
Emirates
8.1
Very Good
3,351 reviews
Check prices

Entertainment

8.2

Comfort

8.0

Overall

8.1

Boarding

8.1

Crew

8.3

Food

7.9

Reviews

1 / 10

Delayed flight a bit annoying but staff all good and surprisingly the main course of vegan meals were good.

Qantas Airways
7.5
Good
821 reviews
Emirates
8.1
Very Good
3,351 reviews
Check prices

Entertainment

8.2

Comfort

8.0

Overall

8.1

Boarding

8.1

Crew

8.3

Food

7.9

Reviews

1 / 10

Delayed flight a bit annoying but staff all good and surprisingly the main course of vegan meals were good.

Virgin Australia
7.5
Good
434 reviews
Emirates
8.1
Very Good
3,351 reviews
Check prices

Entertainment

8.2

Comfort

8.0

Overall

8.1

Boarding

8.1

Crew

8.3

Food

7.9

Reviews

1 / 10

Delayed flight a bit annoying but staff all good and surprisingly the main course of vegan meals were good.

Jetstar
6.6
Okay
467 reviews
Emirates
8.1
Very Good
3,351 reviews
Check prices

Entertainment

8.2

Comfort

8.0

Overall

8.1

Boarding

8.1

Crew

8.3

Food

7.9

Reviews

1 / 10

Delayed flight a bit annoying but staff all good and surprisingly the main course of vegan meals were good.

Related info for your journey

Find useful and relevant information for your journey from Cairns to Melbourne. 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 from for flights from Cairns to Melbourne?

    For a flight from Cairns to Melbourne, you will be flying from Cairns. Cairns (CNS) is just 4.4 km from the centre of the city. Cairns is the only Cairns airport and it handles 18 outbound flights to Melbourne per day. 2 airlines have flights to Melbourne from Cairns on a regular basis.

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

    Jetstar, at $227, was found to be the cheapest airline from Cairns to Melbourne Airport.Alternate airlines to your destination round-trip include Virgin Australia and Qantas Airways. You may be able to fly from Cairns to Melbourne Airport for 46% less than the average price by searching for these airlines.

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

    For one-way options, check prices for Virgin Australia. According to our data, you can fly for as low as $137. Users have also found prices from $138 and $320 on Jetstar and Qantas Airways, respectively.

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

    Before booking your flight to Melbourne Airport from Cairns, have a look at the most reliable airlines to get you to your destination on time: Cathay Pacific (92%), Qatar Airways (77%), Emirates( 77%).

  • What are the cheapest flights from Cairns to Melbourne Airport?

    Looking for the cheapest flight from Cairns to Melbourne Airport? While on average our users pay $920, our data indicates the cheapest price to be $137. The most popular route (Cairns - Melbourne), is priced around $249.

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

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

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

    Roma Street Parkland, Treasury Casino, and St. John's Anglican Cathedral are the most popular attractions in Brisbane if you're in need of something to do during your stopover. Those on a stopover in Brisbane interested in visiting Roma Street Parkland, Treasury Casino, or St. John's Anglican Cathedral can do so by traveling 12.6 km, 13.0 km, and 11.9 km, respectively from Brisbane. Travellers can rent a car at Brisbane for an average daily rate of $57 to make sightseeing during their stopover a little easier.

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

    Of the flights from Cairns to Melbourne Airport that have stopovers, the fewest flights stop in Sydney.

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

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

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

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

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

    Yes. Cheapflights offers flight deals from Cairns to Melbourne 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 Cairns to Melbourne Airport?

    Currently, May is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from Cairns to Melbourne Airport (average of $132). Flying from Cairns to Melbourne Airport in October is currently the most expensive (average of $184). 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

Travelling to a place near Cairns?

Book flights to Cairns if you plan to visit one of these locations
Geelong
Ballarat
Apollo Bay
Dandenong
Phillip Island
Lorne
Tullamarine
Shepparton
Sorrento
St Kilda
Torquay
Daylesford
Mornington
Brighton
Doncaster

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Fly from Cairns to Melbourne on these airlines

Choose from the following airlines for your flight from Cairns to Melbourne. Flights are based on user searches made on Cheapflights and were last updated on 17 January 2025.
Jetstar flights from Cairns to Melbourne
Virgin Australia flights from Cairns to Melbourne

Top 2 airlines flying from Cairns to Melbourne

Discover the top 2 airlines that operate flights from Cairns to Melbourne. 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 17 January 2025.
AirlineCheapestAverageFlexibilityOn-time
Virgin AustraliaCheapest$201Average$486FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time80%
Search Virgin Australia flights
JetstarCheapest$216Average$406FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time74%
Search Jetstar flights

Fly with Cheapflights

Find the best flight deals on Cheapflights, where travellers can enjoy low prices and a wide availability of flights to their desired destinations.

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

900+ travel sites are searched through when a user searches for a flight using Cheapflights. From the search interface, users can use filters to choose airlines, airports, flight times, cabin classes and more to their preference. Book your flight to Melbourne from Cairns today with Cheapflights!

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

Cheapflights simply makes it quick and affordable to book flights from Cairns to Melbourne by bringing together all flight options from hundreds of airlines and agencies online — and put it in one place for you to choose from. Plus, Cheapflights is 100% free to use for all.

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

Certainly. Search results for flights to Melbourne from Cairns shown to you on Cheapflights can be narrowed down with different useful search filters, which includes flexible booking options.

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

Yes, Cheapflights offers price alerts on Cairns to Melbourne flights so you can book your travel at the perfect time. Price Alerts can be enabled by clicking the bell icon next to the flight deals above and providing your email address where you want to receive the alerts.

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