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Cheap flights from Cairns to Melbourne from $119

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 13/4. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel.
CNS — MEL
31 Mar — 7 Apr1
1 adult

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

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 26 March 2025.

Round-trip from

$237

One-way from

$119

Popular in

June

Cheapest in

February

Average price

$275
Jetstar
  • Jetstar
  • 2/5-6/5
  • Nonstop
  • 6h 45m total
  • Cairns to Melbourne
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Jetstar
  • Jetstar
  • 15/5
  • Nonstop
  • 3h 25m total
  • Cairns to Melbourne
Search Deals
Highest demand for flights based on searches. 18% potential increase in price ($141 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 March 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 26 March 2025.

Fri 28/309:45CNS - MEL
Nonstop3h 30mJetstar
Sun 30/320:45MEL - CNS
Nonstop3h 20mJetstar
Deal found 25/3$237
Mon 23/620:25CNS - MEL
Nonstop3h 30mMultiple Airlines
Wed 25/619:45MEL - CNS
Nonstop3h 20mMultiple Airlines
Deal found 24/3$262
Mon 23/613:50CNS - MEL
1 stop6h 30mVirgin Australia
Wed 25/616:20MEL - CNS
Nonstop3h 25mVirgin Australia
Deal found 24/3$329
Tue 1/416:10CNS - AVV
1 stop5h 40mJetstar
Tue 8/416:40AVV - CNS
1 stop6h 10mJetstar
Deal found 24/3$367
Thu 8/513:50CNS - AVV
1 stop6h 15mMultiple Airlines
Mon 12/520:55AVV - CNS
1 stop12h 20mMultiple Airlines
Deal found 24/3$392
Fri 18/407:00CNS - MEL
2 stops14h 05mAir Niugini
Thu 24/406:00MEL - CNS
2 stops12h 30mAir Niugini
Deal found 25/3$1,616
Fri 9/514:25CNS - MEL
2 stops20h 25mAir New Zealand
Fri 16/508:35MEL - CNS
2 stops14h 15mAir New Zealand
Deal found 25/3$2,025

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 26 March 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

Fri 2/5

21:30-00:55

Nonstop3h 25m

Melbourne

Tue 6/5

17:20-20:40

Nonstop3h 20m

$237

CairnsMelbourne

CNS - MEL

CNSMEL

Cairns

Mon 23/6

20:25-23:55

Nonstop3h 30m

Melbourne

Wed 25/6

19:45-23:05

Nonstop3h 20m

$262

CairnsMelbourne

CNS - MEL

CNSMEL

Cairns

Mon 23/6

13:50-20:20

1 stop6h 30m

Melbourne

Wed 25/6

16:20-19:45

Nonstop3h 25m

$329

CairnsMelbourne

CNS - AVV

CNSAVV

Cairns

Tue 13/5

19:00-22:50

1 stop27h 50m

Melbourne Avalon

Sat 24/5

15:50-09:10

1 stop17h 20m

$370

CairnsMelbourne

CNS - AVV

CNSAVV

Cairns

Sat 10/5

13:50-20:05

1 stop6h 15m

Melbourne Avalon

Wed 14/5

20:55-09:15

1 stop12h 20m

$371

CairnsMelbourne

CNS - MEL

CNSMEL

Cairns

Fri 18/4

07:00-21:05

2 stops14h 05m

Melbourne

Thu 24/4

06:00-18:30

2 stops12h 30m

$1,616

CairnsMelbourne

CNS - MEL

CNSMEL

Cairns

Fri 9/5

14:25-10:50

2 stops20h 25m

Melbourne

Fri 16/5

08:35-22:50

2 stops14h 15m

$2,025

CairnsMelbourne

CNS - MEL

CNSMEL

Cairns

Thu 10/4

14:25-22:55

1 stop8h 30m

Melbourne

Mon 14/4

11:55-19:45

1 stop7h 50m

$2,854

CairnsMelbourne

CNS - MEL

CNSMEL

Cairns

Sun 13/4

21:30-00:55

Nonstop3h 25m

$119

CairnsMelbourne

CNS - MEL

CNSMEL

Cairns

Sun 15/6

20:25-23:55

Nonstop3h 30m

$144

Flights are sorted by cheapest return flights first.

Deals found on 25/3

Showing 1-10 of 15 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 21 March 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 26 March 2025.

It’s typically best to fly out from Cairns to Melbourne in the afternoon. Doing so could potentially save you 79% 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. Monday at midday flights should be avoided if possible as fares are typically the most expensive at this time.

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 26 March 2025.
To help decide which airline to fly from Cairns to Melbourne, see what other customers have to say about Air New Zealand, Qantas Airways and Virgin Australia. 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.
Air New Zealand
7.9
Good
456 reviews
Check prices

Boarding

8.2

Crew

8.5

Entertainment

7.4

Comfort

8.0

Overall

7.9

Food

7.2

Reviews

1 / 20
10.0
Excellent

Anonymous,Feb 2025

SFO - CHC

Wifi was $20 for the whole flight--way too expensive! On a similar flight operated by Air New Zealand, wifi was free, and it should be included in the ticket price.
Air New Zealand
7.9
Good
456 reviews
Air New Zealand
7.9
Good
456 reviews
Check prices

Boarding

8.2

Crew

8.5

Entertainment

7.4

Comfort

8.0

Overall

7.9

Food

7.2

Reviews

1 / 20
10.0
Excellent

Anonymous,Feb 2025

SFO - CHC

Wifi was $20 for the whole flight--way too expensive! On a similar flight operated by Air New Zealand, wifi was free, and it should be included in the ticket price.
Qantas Airways
7.5
Good
811 reviews
Air New Zealand
7.9
Good
456 reviews
Check prices

Boarding

8.2

Crew

8.5

Entertainment

7.4

Comfort

8.0

Overall

7.9

Food

7.2

Reviews

1 / 20
10.0
Excellent

Anonymous,Feb 2025

SFO - CHC

Wifi was $20 for the whole flight--way too expensive! On a similar flight operated by Air New Zealand, wifi was free, and it should be included in the ticket price.
Virgin Australia
7.5
Good
395 reviews
Air New Zealand
7.9
Good
456 reviews
Check prices

Boarding

8.2

Crew

8.5

Entertainment

7.4

Comfort

8.0

Overall

7.9

Food

7.2

Reviews

1 / 20
10.0
Excellent

Anonymous,Feb 2025

SFO - CHC

Wifi was $20 for the whole flight--way too expensive! On a similar flight operated by Air New Zealand, wifi was free, and it should be included in the ticket price.
Jetstar
6.6
Okay
433 reviews
Air New Zealand
7.9
Good
456 reviews
Check prices

Boarding

8.2

Crew

8.5

Entertainment

7.4

Comfort

8.0

Overall

7.9

Food

7.2

Reviews

1 / 20
10.0
Excellent

Anonymous,Feb 2025

SFO - CHC

Wifi was $20 for the whole flight--way too expensive! On a similar flight operated by Air New Zealand, wifi was free, and it should be included in the ticket price.

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 15 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 $237 on this airline. Additional options worth looking into are Virgin Australia and Air Niugini, starting at $329 and $1,616 round-trip. Jetstar is priced at 40% 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?

    $119 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 $294, 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 (93%), Qatar Airways (93%), Cathay Pacific (92%).

  • What are the cheapest flights from Cairns to Melbourne?

    On average you can expect to pay $1,949 for a flight from Cairns to Melbourne. The cheapest flight overall is $99 while the most popular route, (Cairns - Melbourne) is currently priced at $235.

  • 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 Museum. Roma Street Parkland, Treasury Casino, and Queensland Museum are located about 12.6 km, 13.0 km, and 13.4 km, respectively from Brisbane. Those on a stopover in Brisbane in need of a car hire can book one at Brisbane for about $46.

  • 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

Browse thousands of different options on Cheapflights for your next trip

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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 26 March 2025.
AirlineCheapestAverageFlexibilityOn-time
Virgin AustraliaCheapest$212Average$486FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time80%
Search Virgin Australia flights
JetstarCheapest$215Average$458FlexibilityNo 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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