Cheap Flights from Melbourne to Cairns

Compare Melbourne to Cairns flight deals

Find the cheapest month or even day of the year to fly to Cairns

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Flight deals from Melbourne to Cairns

Looking for a cheap last-minute deal or the best return flight from Melbourne to Cairns? Find the lowest prices on one-way and return tickets right here.

Cairns.R 1,221 per passenger.Departing Tue, 10 Mar.One-way flight with Jetstar.Outbound direct flight with Jetstar departs from Melbourne Tullamarine on Tue, 10 Mar, arriving in Cairns.Price includes taxes and charges.From R 1,221, select.

Cairns.R 1,221 per passenger.Departing Tue, 28 Apr.One-way flight with Jetstar.Outbound direct flight with Jetstar departs from Melbourne Tullamarine on Tue, 28 Apr, arriving in Cairns.Price includes taxes and charges.From R 1,221, select.

Cairns.R 1,221 per passenger.Departing Sat, 2 May.One-way flight with Jetstar.Outbound direct flight with Jetstar departs from Melbourne Tullamarine on Sat, 2 May, arriving in Cairns.Price includes taxes and charges.From R 1,221, select.

Cairns.R 1,224 per passenger.Departing Fri, 6 Feb.One-way flight with Jetstar.Outbound direct flight with Jetstar departs from Melbourne Tullamarine on Fri, 6 Feb, arriving in Cairns.Price includes taxes and charges.From R 1,224, select.

Cairns.R 1,224 per passenger.Departing Mon, 1 Jun.One-way flight with Jetstar.Outbound direct flight with Jetstar departs from Melbourne Tullamarine on Mon, 1 Jun, arriving in Cairns.Price includes taxes and charges.From R 1,224, select.

Cairns.R 1,228 per passenger.Departing Thu, 29 Jan.One-way flight with Jetstar.Outbound direct flight with Jetstar departs from Melbourne Tullamarine on Thu, 29 Jan, arriving in Cairns.Price includes taxes and charges.From R 1,228, select.

Cairns.R 1,387 per passenger.Departing Tue, 2 Dec.One-way flight with Jetstar.Outbound direct flight with Jetstar departs from Melbourne Tullamarine on Tue, 2 Dec, arriving in Cairns.Price includes taxes and charges.From R 1,387, select.

Cairns.R 1,391 per passenger.Departing Mon, 1 Sep.One-way flight with Jetstar.Outbound direct flight with Jetstar departs from Melbourne Tullamarine on Mon, 1 Sep, arriving in Cairns.Price includes taxes and charges.From R 1,391, select.

Find the cheapest month to fly from Melbourne to Cairns

We’re always keeping an eye on fares, so you can find the best one in seconds. It looks like Melbourne to Cairns flights are currently cheapest in March.

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Direct flights from Melbourne to Cairns

Melbourne to Cairns: Alternative routes

Compare routes from Melbourne to Cairns below. You may find an airport to fly into that's cheaper, faster, or easier than Cairns.

Melbourne to Cairns: Flight information

The things to know before you go.

Cheapest flight found	R 1,221
Cheapest month to fly	March
Average flight time	3 hrs, 25 mins
Most popular airline	Qatar Airways
Average flights per week	155

Finding cheap flights from Melbourne to Cairns: Frequently asked questions

How much are return flights from Melbourne to Cairns?

The best price we found for a return flight from Melbourne to Cairns is R 2,442. This is an estimate based on information collected from different airlines and travel providers over the last 4 days and is subject to change and availability.

How long does it take to fly from Melbourne to Cairns?

3 hours and 25 minutes is the average flight time from Melbourne to Cairns.

Which airlines fly direct from Melbourne to Cairns?

Qatar Airways, IndiGo and Qantas fly direct from Melbourne to Cairns.

How many flights are there a week from Melbourne to Cairns?

As of August 2025, there are 155 flights per week flying from Melbourne to Cairns.

When is the cheapest time to fly from Melbourne to Cairns?

The cheapest month to fly from Melbourne to Cairns is usually February.

Which upcoming date is cheapest to fly from Melbourne to Cairns Airport on?

After crunching the numbers on our flight calendar, we found that it is currently cheapest to fly from Melbourne to Cairns Airport on Sunday, 1 February 2026.

Can I get a direct flight from Melbourne to Cairns Airport?

Yes – the average flight time is 3 hours and 25 minutes.

How can I find the best flight deal to Cairns?

We show every price from over 1,200 airlines and travel agents, comparing them all so you don’t have to. If you know you want to fly to Cairns but you’re not ready to book, set up a Price Alert. We’ll track prices for you, and let you know when they rise or fall.

When is the best time to book flights to Cairns?

We crunched all the numbers in our flight calendar and it looks like the cheapest time to book a flight to Cairns is around 40 days in advance, so don’t leave your flight to the last minute.

Which is the cheapest airline to fly from Melbourne to Cairns with?

The cheapest airline that flies to Cairns is Jetstar .

Flying from Melbourne to Cairns Airport (CNS): What you need to know

Start planning your trip by checking out the best place to catch your flight from Melbourne to Cairns Airport (CNS). Explore the options for setting off from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL) or Avalon Airport (AVV), two of the city's main airports.
Around 3 hours 20 minutes is how long you'll be in the air on a direct Melbourne to Cairns Airport flight.
Cairns is one hour behind Melbourne. Cairns Airport is located in Cairns, which operates on the UTC+10 timezone.
Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL) to Cairns Airport (CNS) is the most popular route. There are 50 direct weekly flights to pick from. If you prefer a later start to the day, take the last flight with Jetstar at 8:45pm. Choose the first MEL to CNS departure operated by Jetstar at 6am if getting there sooner works for you.
Arrive at the airport on time so you don't miss your flight from Melbourne to CNS. Be there at least two hours ahead for international flights and an hour early for domestic departures to prevent a last-minute sprint to your gate.
If you're jetting off during a bank holiday or other peak period, give yourself extra time. Get there two hours before domestic flights and up to four hours before international departures. Queues at check-in and security will be longer.

Airports in Melbourne

Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL)

Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL) offers an easy route to your destination. Nonstop flights from Melbourne to Cairns Airport (CNS) can be booked from this terminal.
At MEL, there's a range of airlines that operate direct flights from Melbourne to Cairns Airport, including:
The majority of passengers choose to book seats with Jetstar from MEL to CNS.
The carrier with the most consistent on-time arrival rate on this route is Virgin Australia Regional.
MEL is about 24 kilometres from central Melbourne. If you're catching a cab, driving or ride-sharing from the centre, it'll take you 30 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic conditions. If you're planning to take public transport, expect the trip time to be around 40 minutes.
Want a leisurely start to your travels? Stay near Melbourne Tullamarine Airport. Whether you're catching an early flight from Melbourne to Cairns Airport or just don't like being rushed, these hotels are just the thing:
Of all flights leaving Melbourne Tullamarine Airport, 67.71% land on schedule at their destination.

Avalon Airport (AVV)

You can arrive at AVV from the centre of Melbourne in approximately 50 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The journey by public transport takes roughly 2 hours 5 minutes to cover the 56 kilometres or so.
Getting everyone to the airport on time before your Melbourne to CNS flight is a lot easier when you stay close to Avalon Airport. If you have an early departure, Corio Bay Motel will put you a short ride from the airport.
Flights from Avalon Airport have a reputation for punctuality, with 80.09% of them touching down as planned.

About Cairns Airport (CNS)

Book a hotel near CNS if you're catching a late flight from Melbourne to Cairns Airport. Select one of these accommodation options and end the night sooner:
Travel at your own pace with a Cairns Airport rental car. Pick up your wheels from simba car hire, Bargain Car Rentals or East Coast and find adventure across Cairns and beyond.
To get the best deal, reserve your ride around two weeks ahead of your Melbourne to Cairns Airport flight.

Getting from Cairns Airport (CNS) to central Cairns

Cairns Airport to central Cairns is around 5 kilometres. If you're getting a cab or renting a car, plan in advance to make your trip as easy as possible. Journey times may vary based on the time of day and traffic conditions.
It takes around 1 hour 25 minutes if you're travelling on public transport.

How to find the cheapest flights from Melbourne to Cairns Airport (CNS)

Currently, R 1,221 is the best price we've found for a one-way ticket from Melbourne to Cairns Airport. The cheapest price for a return flight is R 2,442. Remember fares may change due to demand at the time of booking.
Book six months before you want to fly. Pricing trends show that this is the ideal window for finding cheap flights from Melbourne to CNS.
The best month for scoring cheap Melbourne to Cairns Airport tickets is November. Use the 'Whole month' tool to compare flight prices, then select the dates that offer the biggest savings.
Spend less time searching for cheap plane tickets from Melbourne to CNS by setting up a Price Alert. We'll send you an email or notification through the app when a lower fare becomes available.
Filters make it easier to save some cash on your flight from Melbourne to Cairns Airport. Choose the airlines, flight times and stops that line up with your plans. Then sort the results by 'Cheapest' to bring up the lowest fares right away.

The best time to fly from Melbourne to Cairns Airport (CNS)

February is the quietest month for flights from Melbourne to Cairns Airport (CNS), while July is the busiest. Figure out the best time to go to Cairns based on whether you prefer a laid-back vibe or a lively atmosphere.
The warmest month in Cairns is January, with temperatures ranging between 23ºC (73ºF) and 31ºC (88ºF). Lock in your Melbourne to CNS plane ticket then if that's your ideal forecast.
If you want to travel in cooler conditions, look for a cheap ticket from Melbourne to Cairns Airport in August when temperatures are between 16ºC (61ºF) and 25ºC (77ºF).

More about Cairns

When it comes to searching for somewhere to lay your head, you'll find the best places to stay in Cairns right here. Explore these options once you've booked your flight from Melbourne to Cairns Airport:
There are so many things to do and see in this city, it can be hard to work out where to start. Great Barrier Reef, Barrier Reef Park and Great Barrier Reef Liveaboard are leading attractions which should be on any well-planned Cairns itinerary.

Explore more of Australia

Cairns has plenty to offer, but there are so many other parts of Australia you'll want to see. Around 290 kilometres south of Cairns, a trip to Townsville will fill your itinerary to the brim. Check out popular attractions like Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, Reef HQ and Botanic Gardens.
Around 290 kilometres south-east of Cairns, North Ward is another favourite stop in Australia. No visit is complete without checking out The Strand Jetty, Ocean Siren Statue and The Drill Hall Studio.