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Cheap flights from Cairns to Melbourne from $123

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 1/4. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel.
CNS — MEL
25 Feb — 4 Mar1
1 adult

The best prices from Cairns to Melbourne are usually found in February or January, booked 44 days in advance, depart on a Wednesday or Friday 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 20 February 2025.

Round-trip from

$241

One-way from

$123

Popular in

June

Cheapest in

February

Average price

$321
Jetstar
  • Jetstar
  • 13/3-17/3
  • Nonstop
  • 6h 40m total
  • Cairns to Melbourne
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Jetstar
  • Jetstar
  • 1/4
  • Nonstop
  • 3h 25m total
  • Cairns to Melbourne
Search Deals
Highest demand for flights based on searches. 16% potential increase in price ($125 potential increase over avg. return price).
Search Deals
Cheapest flight prices on average. 2% potential price decrease ($17 potential savings vs. average return price).
Search Deals
Average for round-trip flights in February 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 20 February 2025.

Thu 13/307:35CNS - MEL
Nonstop3h 25mJetstar
Mon 17/306:15MEL - CNS
Nonstop3h 15mJetstar
Deal found 20/2$241
Thu 6/307:35CNS - MEL
Nonstop3h 25mMultiple Airlines
Mon 10/321:20MEL - CNS
1 stop12h 45mMultiple Airlines
Deal found 20/2$324
Sat 22/318:20CNS - AVV
1 stop12h 15mJetstar
Wed 26/320:55AVV - CNS
1 stop12h 05mJetstar
Deal found 20/2$345
Wed 5/315:45CNS - AVV
1 stop6h 30mMultiple Airlines
Sun 9/308:10AVV - CNS
1 stop24h 50mMultiple Airlines
Deal found 19/2$406
Fri 10/1019:50CNS - MEL
Nonstop3h 30mVirgin Australia
Thu 16/1010:00MEL - CNS
1 stop7h 55mVirgin Australia
Deal found 19/2$417
Fri 21/307:00CNS - MEL
2 stops14h 50mAir Niugini
Wed 26/307:00MEL - CNS
2 stops12h 30mAir Niugini
Deal found 18/2$1,519
Sat 5/410:55CNS - MEL
2 stops21h 15mAir New Zealand
Sat 12/418:25MEL - CNS
2 stops23h 35mAir New Zealand
Deal found 19/2$2,630

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 20 February 2025.

Fly from

Cairns

Fly to

Melbourne

Route

Depart

Return

Price

CairnsMelbourne

CNS - MEL

CNSMEL

Cairns

Thu 13/3

07:35-12:00

Nonstop3h 25m

Melbourne

Mon 17/3

06:15-08:30

Nonstop3h 15m

$241

CairnsMelbourne

CNS - MEL

CNSMEL

Cairns

Thu 6/3

07:35-12:00

Nonstop3h 25m

Melbourne

Mon 10/3

21:20-09:05

1 stop12h 45m

$324

CairnsMelbourne

CNS - AVV

CNSAVV

Cairns

Sat 22/3

18:20-07:35

1 stop12h 15m

Melbourne Avalon

Wed 26/3

20:55-08:00

1 stop12h 05m

$345

CairnsMelbourne

CNS - AVV

CNSAVV

Cairns

Wed 5/3

15:45-23:15

1 stop6h 30m

Melbourne Avalon

Sun 9/3

08:10-08:00

1 stop24h 50m

$406

CairnsMelbourne

CNS - MEL

CNSMEL

Cairns

Wed 12/3

15:45-23:05

1 stop6h 20m

Melbourne

Fri 14/3

06:00-10:10

1 stop5h 10m

$445

CairnsMelbourne

CNS - MEL

CNSMEL

Cairns

Fri 21/3

07:00-22:50

2 stops14h 50m

Melbourne

Wed 26/3

07:00-18:30

2 stops12h 30m

$1,519

CairnsMelbourne

CNS - MEL

CNSMEL

Cairns

Sat 5/4

10:55-09:10

2 stops21h 15m

Melbourne

Sat 12/4

18:25-18:00

2 stops23h 35m

$2,630

CairnsMelbourne

CNS - MEL

CNSMEL

Cairns

Tue 1/4

20:30-00:55

Nonstop3h 25m

$123

CairnsMelbourne

CNS - MEL

CNSMEL

Cairns

Thu 3/7

20:25-23:55

Nonstop3h 30m

$161

CairnsMelbourne

CNS - AVV

CNSAVV

Cairns

Sat 1/3

18:20-07:35

1 stop12h 15m

$173

Flights are sorted by cheapest return flights first.

Deals found on 19/2

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.

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?

Use this chart to determine the optimal time to book a return flight from Cairns to Melbourne. Price data was last updated on 14 February 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 20 February 2025.

It’s typically best to fly out from Cairns to Melbourne in the afternoon. Doing so could potentially save you 81% 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.

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 20 February 2025.

The most flights from CNS to ME1 are scheduled on a Thursday (20 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 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 20 February 2025.
Air New Zealand
7.9
Good
461 reviews
Check prices

Comfort

7.9

Overall

7.9

Food

7.2

Boarding

8.2

Entertainment

7.4

Crew

8.5

Reviews

1 / 20

4.0
Okay

eric,Jan 2025

SFO - BOS

Connection Booked by United was one hour and 20 minutes to come from international Auckland to San Francisco, deplane, clear customs and immigration, collect baggage, transfer baggage, go through TSA, walk/run across terminals 20 minutes and barely make connection When united informed pre-vacation of the tightness of the connection,would not switch to a flight two hours later, despite open seats, the flight that the baggage actually took Passengers made connection; baggage did not Food: nonexistent for a cross country six hour flight Arrived early, but of course gate unavailable and then plane door to get off stuck for 20 minutes

Air New Zealand
7.9
Good
461 reviews
Air New Zealand
7.9
Good
461 reviews
Check prices

Comfort

7.9

Overall

7.9

Food

7.2

Boarding

8.2

Entertainment

7.4

Crew

8.5

Reviews

1 / 20

4.0
Okay

eric,Jan 2025

SFO - BOS

Connection Booked by United was one hour and 20 minutes to come from international Auckland to San Francisco, deplane, clear customs and immigration, collect baggage, transfer baggage, go through TSA, walk/run across terminals 20 minutes and barely make connection When united informed pre-vacation of the tightness of the connection,would not switch to a flight two hours later, despite open seats, the flight that the baggage actually took Passengers made connection; baggage did not Food: nonexistent for a cross country six hour flight Arrived early, but of course gate unavailable and then plane door to get off stuck for 20 minutes

Virgin Australia
7.5
Good
417 reviews
Air New Zealand
7.9
Good
461 reviews
Check prices

Comfort

7.9

Overall

7.9

Food

7.2

Boarding

8.2

Entertainment

7.4

Crew

8.5

Reviews

1 / 20

4.0
Okay

eric,Jan 2025

SFO - BOS

Connection Booked by United was one hour and 20 minutes to come from international Auckland to San Francisco, deplane, clear customs and immigration, collect baggage, transfer baggage, go through TSA, walk/run across terminals 20 minutes and barely make connection When united informed pre-vacation of the tightness of the connection,would not switch to a flight two hours later, despite open seats, the flight that the baggage actually took Passengers made connection; baggage did not Food: nonexistent for a cross country six hour flight Arrived early, but of course gate unavailable and then plane door to get off stuck for 20 minutes

Qantas Airways
7.4
Good
817 reviews
Air New Zealand
7.9
Good
461 reviews
Check prices

Comfort

7.9

Overall

7.9

Food

7.2

Boarding

8.2

Entertainment

7.4

Crew

8.5

Reviews

1 / 20

4.0
Okay

eric,Jan 2025

SFO - BOS

Connection Booked by United was one hour and 20 minutes to come from international Auckland to San Francisco, deplane, clear customs and immigration, collect baggage, transfer baggage, go through TSA, walk/run across terminals 20 minutes and barely make connection When united informed pre-vacation of the tightness of the connection,would not switch to a flight two hours later, despite open seats, the flight that the baggage actually took Passengers made connection; baggage did not Food: nonexistent for a cross country six hour flight Arrived early, but of course gate unavailable and then plane door to get off stuck for 20 minutes

Jetstar
6.6
Okay
444 reviews
Air New Zealand
7.9
Good
461 reviews
Check prices

Comfort

7.9

Overall

7.9

Food

7.2

Boarding

8.2

Entertainment

7.4

Crew

8.5

Reviews

1 / 20

4.0
Okay

eric,Jan 2025

SFO - BOS

Connection Booked by United was one hour and 20 minutes to come from international Auckland to San Francisco, deplane, clear customs and immigration, collect baggage, transfer baggage, go through TSA, walk/run across terminals 20 minutes and barely make connection When united informed pre-vacation of the tightness of the connection,would not switch to a flight two hours later, despite open seats, the flight that the baggage actually took Passengers made connection; baggage did not Food: nonexistent for a cross country six hour flight Arrived early, but of course gate unavailable and then plane door to get off stuck for 20 minutes

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 14 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 $241 on this airline. Additional options worth looking into are Virgin Australia and Air Niugini, starting at $445 and $1,519 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?

    $123 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 $161 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: Cathay Pacific (89%), Qatar Airways (85%), Etihad Airways (85%).

  • What are the cheapest flights from Cairns to Melbourne?

    On average you can expect to pay $406 for a flight from Cairns to Melbourne. The cheapest flight overall is $121 while the most popular route, (Cairns - Melbourne) is currently priced at $230.

  • 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 St. John's Anglican Cathedral. Roma Street Parkland, Treasury Casino, and St. John's Anglican Cathedral are located about 12.6 km, 13.0 km, and 11.9 km, respectively from Brisbane. Those on a stopover in Brisbane in need of a car hire can book one at Brisbane for about $45.

  • 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 20 February 2025.
AirlineCheapestAverageFlexibilityOn-time
JetstarCheapest$182Average$467FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time74%
Search Jetstar flights
Virgin AustraliaCheapest$208Average$476FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time80%
Search Virgin Australia flights

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

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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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