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Cheap flights from Cairns to Melbourne from $117

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 4/5. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel.
CNS — MEL
20 Apr — 27 Apr1
1 adult

Cheapflights Tip: The best prices from Cairns to Melbourne are usually found in March or February, booked 44 days in advance, depart on a Friday or Wednesday and return on a Tuesday

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 (ME1). 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 15 April 2025.

Round-trip from

$223

One-way from

$117

Popular in

June

Cheapest in

March

Average price

$344
Jetstar
  • Jetstar
  • 14/5-18/5
  • Nonstop
  • 6h 50m total
  • Cairns to Melbourne
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Jetstar
  • Jetstar
  • 4/5
  • Nonstop
  • 3h 25m total
  • Cairns to Melbourne
Search Deals
Highest demand for flights based on searches. 19% potential increase in price ($155 potential increase over avg. return price).
Search Deals
Cheapest flight prices on average. 2% potential price decrease ($18 potential savings vs. average return price).
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Average for round-trip flights in April 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 15 April 2025.

Wed 14/511:00CNS - MEL
Nonstop3h 30mJetstar
Sun 18/519:45MEL - CNS
Nonstop3h 20mJetstar
Deal found 14/4$223
Thu 4/1209:15CNS - MEL
Nonstop3h 25mVirgin Australia
Tue 9/1206:05MEL - CNS
Nonstop3h 30mVirgin Australia
Deal found 13/4$258
Mon 2/621:30CNS - MEL
Nonstop3h 25mMultiple Airlines
Fri 13/606:15MEL - CNS
Nonstop3h 25mMultiple Airlines
Deal found 14/4$260
Sat 14/606:45CNS - AVV
1 stop7h 25mJetstar
Wed 18/616:40AVV - CNS
1 stop6h 10mJetstar
Deal found 15/4$361
Thu 15/506:00CNS - AVV
1 stop14h 05mMultiple Airlines
Thu 22/520:40AVV - CNS
1 stop12h 00mMultiple Airlines
Deal found 14/4$394
Tue 2/906:00CNS - MEL
1 stop5h 25mQantas Airways
Tue 16/908:20MEL - CNS
1 stop5h 25mQantas Airways
Deal found 14/4$611

Cheapflights Fare Finder

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 15 April 2025.
Use the filters below to find and compare flights from Cairns to Melbourne that are best for you.

Fly from

Cairns

Fly to

Melbourne

Route

Depart

Return

Price

CairnsMelbourne

CNS - MEL

CNSMEL

Cairns

Wed 14/5

11:00-14:30

Nonstop3h 30m

Melbourne

Sun 18/5

19:45-23:05

Nonstop3h 20m

$223

CairnsMelbourne

CNS - MEL

CNSMEL

Cairns

Mon 2/6

21:30-00:55

Nonstop3h 25m

Melbourne

Fri 13/6

06:15-09:40

Nonstop3h 25m

$260

CairnsMelbourne

CNS - AVV

CNSAVV

Cairns

Sat 14/6

06:45-14:10

1 stop7h 25m

Melbourne Avalon

Wed 18/6

16:40-22:50

1 stop6h 10m

$361

CairnsMelbourne

CNS - MEL

CNSMEL

Cairns

Fri 10/10

06:00-14:20

1 stop7h 20m

Melbourne

Thu 16/10

16:45-19:10

Nonstop3h 25m

$383

CairnsMelbourne

CNS - AVV

CNSAVV

Cairns

Thu 15/5

06:00-20:05

1 stop14h 05m

Melbourne Avalon

Thu 22/5

20:40-08:40

1 stop12h 00m

$394

CairnsMelbourne

CNS - MEL

CNSMEL

Cairns

Tue 2/9

06:00-11:25

1 stop5h 25m

Melbourne

Tue 16/9

08:20-13:45

1 stop5h 25m

$611

CairnsMelbourne

CNS - MEL

CNSMEL

Cairns

Thu 1/5

06:00-20:35

2 stops14h 35m

Melbourne

Tue 6/5

18:25-18:00

2 stops23h 35m

$2,388

CairnsMelbourne

CNS - MEL

CNSMEL

Cairns

Sun 4/5

21:30-00:55

Nonstop3h 25m

$117

CairnsMelbourne

CNS - AVV

CNSAVV

Cairns

Wed 14/5

06:45-14:10

1 stop7h 25m

$174

CairnsMelbourne

CNS - MEL

CNSMEL

Cairns

Wed 23/4

10:20-13:50

Nonstop3h 30m

$179

Flights are sorted by cheapest return flights first.

Deals found on 14/4

Showing 1-10 of 14 results
1
2

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.

Cheapflights Insights

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

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

Use this chart to determine the optimal time to book a return flight from Cairns to Melbourne. Price data was last updated on 11 April 2025.

Booking 44 days in advance of your planned departure date is, on average, the best time to get cheap flights from Cairns to Melbourne. 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?

Currently, May is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from Cairns to Melbourne (average of $132). Flying from Cairns to Melbourne 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 15 April 2025.

It’s typically best to fly out from Cairns to Melbourne in the afternoon. Doing so could potentially save you 72% on the flight price compared to flying at midday, which is usually more expensive.

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

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 flight should consider departing on Saturday afternoons when fares are most often at their lowest. Saturday at midday flights should be avoided if possible as fares are typically the most expensive at this time.

Weekly flight availability from Cairns to Melbourne

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 15 April 2025.

The most flights from CNS to ME1 are scheduled on a Tuesday (26 on average). You will have fewer flight options on Saturday, which is when the least amount of flights are scheduled (21 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 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 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, 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 15 April 2025.
To help decide which airline to fly from Cairns to Melbourne, see what other customers have to say about Emirates, Air New Zealand and Qantas Airways. 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
8.0
Very Good
3,196 reviews
Check prices

Food

7.8

Boarding

8.1

Overall

8.0

Comfort

8.0

Entertainment

8.2

Crew

8.3

Reviews

1 / 20
2.0
Mediocre

Anonymous,June 2024

DXB - IAH

It was not a good experience the seats were small and uncomfortable the food was not good and they forgot to serve me my breakfast - there were 5 us in 2 rows that they just completely skipped us. Very disappointed.
Emirates
8.0
Very Good
3,196 reviews
Emirates
8.0
Very Good
3,196 reviews
Check prices

Food

7.8

Boarding

8.1

Overall

8.0

Comfort

8.0

Entertainment

8.2

Crew

8.3

Reviews

1 / 20
2.0
Mediocre

Anonymous,June 2024

DXB - IAH

It was not a good experience the seats were small and uncomfortable the food was not good and they forgot to serve me my breakfast - there were 5 us in 2 rows that they just completely skipped us. Very disappointed.
Air New Zealand
8.0
Very Good
464 reviews
Emirates
8.0
Very Good
3,196 reviews
Check prices

Food

7.8

Boarding

8.1

Overall

8.0

Comfort

8.0

Entertainment

8.2

Crew

8.3

Reviews

1 / 20
2.0
Mediocre

Anonymous,June 2024

DXB - IAH

It was not a good experience the seats were small and uncomfortable the food was not good and they forgot to serve me my breakfast - there were 5 us in 2 rows that they just completely skipped us. Very disappointed.
Qantas Airways
7.5
Good
818 reviews
Emirates
8.0
Very Good
3,196 reviews
Check prices

Food

7.8

Boarding

8.1

Overall

8.0

Comfort

8.0

Entertainment

8.2

Crew

8.3

Reviews

1 / 20
2.0
Mediocre

Anonymous,June 2024

DXB - IAH

It was not a good experience the seats were small and uncomfortable the food was not good and they forgot to serve me my breakfast - there were 5 us in 2 rows that they just completely skipped us. Very disappointed.
Virgin Australia
7.5
Good
398 reviews
Emirates
8.0
Very Good
3,196 reviews
Check prices

Food

7.8

Boarding

8.1

Overall

8.0

Comfort

8.0

Entertainment

8.2

Crew

8.3

Reviews

1 / 20
2.0
Mediocre

Anonymous,June 2024

DXB - IAH

It was not a good experience the seats were small and uncomfortable the food was not good and they forgot to serve me my breakfast - there were 5 us in 2 rows that they just completely skipped us. Very disappointed.
Jetstar
6.6
Okay
437 reviews
Emirates
8.0
Very Good
3,196 reviews
Check prices

Food

7.8

Boarding

8.1

Overall

8.0

Comfort

8.0

Entertainment

8.2

Crew

8.3

Reviews

1 / 20
2.0
Mediocre

Anonymous,June 2024

DXB - IAH

It was not a good experience the seats were small and uncomfortable the food was not good and they forgot to serve me my breakfast - there were 5 us in 2 rows that they just completely skipped us. Very disappointed.

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 23 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 round-trip?

    Our cheapest airline available from Cairns to Melbourne is Jetstar. Our recent data shows that you can find tickets from as low as $223 on this airline. Additional options worth looking into are Virgin Australia and Qantas Airways, starting at $399 and $1,704 round-trip. Jetstar is priced at 43% lower than the current average price of a flight leaving 3 months from now.

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

    $117 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 $179 and $458, respectively.

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

    Looking for the most reliable airlines to get you to your destination on time? Our data shows these are most likely to get you from Cairns to Melbourne on time: Etihad Airways (96%), Cathay Pacific (96%), Qatar Airways (96%).

  • What are the cheapest flights from Cairns to Melbourne?

    On average you can expect to pay $1,869 for a flight from Cairns to Melbourne. The cheapest flight overall is $112 while the most popular route, (Cairns - Melbourne) is currently priced at $204.

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

    Cairns to Melbourne 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?

    Most Brisbane visitors opt to spend their time experiencing Roma Street Parkland, Treasury Casino, and Queensland Performing Arts Centre. Roma Street Parkland, Treasury Casino, and Queensland Performing Arts Centre are located about 12.6 km, 13.0 km, and 13.5 km, respectively from Brisbane. Those on a stopover in Brisbane in need of a car hire can book one at Brisbane for about $55.

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

    Cairns to Melbourne flights have a stopover in Sydney least often.

  • 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?

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

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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 15 April 2025.
AirlineCheapestAverageFlexibilityOn-time
Virgin AustraliaCheapest$212Average$482FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time80%
Search Virgin Australia flights
JetstarCheapest$214Average$505FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time74%
Search Jetstar flights

Fly with Cheapflights

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

When you search for this flight from Cairns to Melbourne, Cheapflights searches on 900+ travel sites to save you time finding great flight deals online. Additionally, we offer filter features so you can choose a preferred cabin class or airline, see different price ranges, and much more so you can book the flight for you.

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

It’s simple! Cheapflights, which is free to use for everyone, saves millions of users time and money every year by helping them find the cheapest and most suitable flights from Cairns to Melbourne.

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

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