CNS - MEL

$87 Find Cheap Flights from Cairns to Melbourne

This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a KAYAK user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight from Cairns to Melbourne departing on 3/18. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel. Click the price to replicate the search for this deal.
1 adult
1 adult, Economy, 0 bags

KAYAK searches hundreds of travel sites at once for deals on flights to Melbourne Airport

 
These are the airlines KAYAK users have selected most often from within our search results in flight searches from Cairns to Melbourne, as well as popular online travel agencies
These are the airlines KAYAK users have selected most often from within our search results in flight searches from Cairns to Melbourne, as well as popular online travel agencies
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41,299,237 searches in the past 7 days on KAYAK

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Everything you should know

Cheapest round-trip
$173
Overall average: $163
Jetstar
Fri 2/27Sat 2/28
CNS - MEL • Non-stop
Cheapest one-way
$87
Typical prices: $77-$114
Jetstar
Wed 3/18
CNS - MEL • Non-stop
Top airlines
Jetstar
Cheapest • from $173 (round-trip)
Jetstar
Best reviews • 6.5 score
Airline reviews
Airline reviews
+1
+1
Airline reviews
Airline reviews
+1
When to book
3 weeks
in advance
Our data shows that travelers who book at least 3 weeks in advance save around 21% compared to booking last minute.
Insights
Insights
Insights
Insights
When to travel
March
Cheapest • 18% price drop
October
Most popular
Good to know
Good to know
+1
+1
Good to know
Good to know
+1
Start a new search
KAYAK searches 100s of sites at once to find you the best travel deals.
We hope you love your trip to Melbourne!
Flight Deals
Booking Insights
Flight Deals

Cheap Flights from Cairns to Melbourne (CNS-MEL)

 
Here are some of the best deals found on KAYAK recently from the most popular airlines for round-trip flights from Cairns to Melbourne that are departing in the next months. While these flights were available on KAYAK in the last 72 hours, prices and availability are subject to change and deals may expire.
Discover the best prices for you by selecting your travel dates on KAYAK.

Recent round-trip flight deals from Cairns to Melbourne

Fri, Feb 27 - Sat, Feb 28
Jetstar Logo
6:45 pm - 11:10 pm
CNS
-
MEL
3h 25mnonstop
Jetstar Logo
6:15 am - 8:30 am
MEL
-
CNS
3h 15mnonstop
$173Jetstar
Tue, Mar 3 - Tue, Mar 10
Jetstar Logo
7:45 am - 12:10 pm
CNS
-
MEL
3h 25mnonstop
Jetstar Logo
6:15 am - 8:30 am
MEL
-
CNS
3h 15mnonstop
$174Jetstar
Sun, Mar 29 - Fri, Apr 3
Jetstar Logo
7:10 pm - 11:35 pm
CNS
-
MEL
3h 25mnonstop
Jetstar Logo
8:15 pm - 10:40 pm
MEL
-
CNS
3h 25mnonstop
$175Jetstar
Wed, May 13 - Sat, May 16
Jetstar Logo
9:40 pm - 1:00 am
CNS
-
MEL
3h 20mnonstop
Jetstar Logo
7:15 pm - 10:40 pm
MEL
-
CNS
3h 25mnonstop
$180Jetstar
Wed, Mar 25 - Tue, Mar 31
Jetstar Logo
4:00 pm - 8:20 pm
CNS
-
MEL
3h 20mnonstop
Jetstar Logo
5:25 pm - 7:50 pm
MEL
-
CNS
3h 25mnonstop
$183Jetstar
Thu, May 14 - Tue, May 19
Jetstar Logo
9:40 pm - 1:00 am
CNS
-
MEL
3h 20mnonstop
Jetstar Logo
7:15 pm - 10:40 pm
MEL
-
CNS
3h 25mnonstop
$207Jetstar
Mon, Feb 23 - Thu, Mar 12
Jetstar Logo
7:30 pm - 11:55 pm
CNS
-
MEL
3h 25mnonstop
Jetstar Logo
4:25 pm - 6:45 pm
MEL
-
CNS
3h 20mnonstop
$212Jetstar
Tue, Mar 24 - Thu, Mar 26
Virgin Australia Logo
11:45 am - 4:10 pm
CNS
-
MEL
3h 25mnonstop
Virgin Australia Logo
9:25 pm - 11:55 pm
MEL
-
CNS
3h 30mnonstop
$233Virgin Australia
Tue, Mar 24 - Thu, Mar 26
Virgin Australia Logo
11:45 am - 4:10 pm
CNS
-
MEL
3h 25mnonstop
Virgin Australia Logo
9:25 pm - 11:55 pm
MEL
-
CNS
3h 30mnonstop
$234Virgin Australia
Tue, Mar 24 - Thu, Mar 26
Virgin Australia Logo
11:45 am - 4:10 pm
CNS
-
MEL
3h 25mnonstop
Virgin Australia Logo
9:25 pm - 11:55 pm
MEL
-
CNS
3h 30mnonstop
$236Virgin Australia
Booking Insights

KAYAK's insights & trends for Cairns to Melbourne flights

Get data-powered insights and trends into flights from Cairns to Melbourne to help you find the cheapest flights, the best time to fly and much more.

What’s the cheapest day of the week to fly from Cairns to Melbourne?

The average price of all round-trip flights from Cairns to Melbourne Airport clicked on KAYAK for each day over the last 12 months.

Your flight ticket price will generally be cheaper if you fly to Melbourne on a Tuesday and more expensive on a Wednesday. On your return trip to Cairns, you should consider flying back on a Wednesday, and avoid Fridays for better deals.

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

To calculate monthly average prices, KAYAK takes all prices for each month over the last year for round-trip flights from Cairns to Melbourne Airport, removes the top 0.1% to account for outliers, and then takes the median of all values for each month.

The cheapest month for flights from Cairns to Melbourne Airport is March, where tickets cost $162 (return) on average. On the other hand, the most expensive months are July and December, where the average cost of round-trip tickets is $261 and $232 respectively.

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

To calculate weekly average prices, KAYAK takes all prices for each week before departure over the last year for round-trip flights from Cairns to Melbourne Airport, removes the top 0.1% to account for outliers, and then takes the average of all the values for each week.

To get a below average price on the flight from Cairns to Melbourne Airport, you should book around 3 weeks before departure, which saves you about 21% compared to booking last minute. For the absolute cheapest price, our data suggests you should book 26 weeks before departure.

Good to know

Low seasonNovember
Cheapest flight$87
Best time to beat the crowds but there is an average 1% increase in price.
Most popular time to fly with an average 7% increase in price.
Flight from Cairns to Melbourne

When to book flights from Cairns to Melbourne

Are your dates flexible? Find out the best times to travel from Cairns to Melbourne based on our flight data from the last year. Discover the cheapest month and even day to fly.
Estimated round-trip price
KAYAK looks at all historical flight data for each date to provide a predicted price for one-way trips or round-trips with a duration up to 40 days. While we try to provide actual minimum prices for each date, some prices are predictions and actual prices may differ.

FAQs for booking Cairns to Melbourne flights

  • What is the easiest way to get from Melbourne Airport to the city centre?

    SkyBus offers express bus services between Melbourne Airport and the city centre that take 40min and cost around A$ 15 for a one-way trip. Taxi ranks can be found at all terminals. A trip to the city centre will take 30min and cost around A$ 40, with an additional fee for airport pickups. Rideshare services also have dedicated pickup points. If you prefer to hire a car, a number of leading car rental companies are conveniently located opposite Terminal 2.

  • Can I park my car at Cairns Airport?

    If you are driving to Cairns Airport, you can leave your vehicle safely at the airport for the duration of your trip. Whether you’re visiting Melbourne for a weekend getaway, a week-long trip or planning an extended stay, travellers can get great savings on short and long-term parking if you pre-book online. Parking rates start from about A$ 77 per week.

  • Are there any direct flights from Cairns to Melbourne (MEL)?

    Yes, there are direct flights to Melbourne from Cairns. A number of airlines, including Jetstar, Qantas and Virgin Australia offer direct flights along the route from tropical Northern Queensland to Melbourne. Some flights also have a layover in Sydney or Brisbane.

  • What is the cheapest flight from Cairns to Melbourne Airport?

    In the last 3 days, the lowest price for a flight from Cairns to Melbourne Airport was $87 for a one-way ticket and $173 for a round-trip.

  • Do I need a passport to fly between Cairns and Melbourne?

    No

  • Which airports will I be using when flying from Cairns to Melbourne?

    Cairns and Melbourne are both served by 1 main airport. You will leave Cairns from Cairns and will be arriving at Melbourne.

  • Which aircraft models fly most regularly from Cairns to Melbourne?

    The Boeing 737-800 Passenger/BBJ2 (winglets) is the aircraft model that flies most regularly on the Cairns to Melbourne flight route.

  • On which days can I fly direct from Cairns to Melbourne?

    There are nonstop flights from Cairns to Melbourne on a daily basis.

  • How does KAYAK find such low prices on flights from Cairns to Melbourne?

    KAYAK is a travel search engine. That means we look across the web to find the best prices we can find for our users. With over 2 billion flight queries processed yearly, we are able to display a variety of prices and options on flights from Cairns to Melbourne.

  • How does KAYAK's flight Price Forecast tool help me choose the right time to buy my flight ticket from Cairns to Melbourne?

    KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool uses historical data to determine whether the price for a flight to Melbourne from Cairns is likely to change within 7 days, so travelers know whether to wait or book now.

  • What is the Hacker Fare option on flights from Cairns to Melbourne?

    Hacker Fares allow you to combine one-way tickets in order to save you money over a traditional round-trip ticket. You could then fly to Melbourne with an airline and back to Cairns with another airline. Booking your flights between Cairns and MEL can sometimes prove cheaper using this method.

  • What is KAYAK's "flexible dates" feature and why should I care when looking for a flight from Cairns to Melbourne?

    Sometimes travel dates aren't set in stone. If your preferred travel dates have some wiggle room, flexible dates will show you all the options when flying to Melbourne from Cairns up to 3 days before/after your preferred dates. You can then pick the flights that suit you best.

KAYAK’s top tips for finding a cheap flight from Cairns to Melbourne Airport

  • Looking for a cheap flight? 25% of our users found flights on this route for $107 or less one-way and $211 or less round-trip.
  • If you need a transfer to Cairns Airport (CNS), you can book a shuttle bus service, ride share or take a taxi. Taxis cost about A$ 23 and will take around 10min from the city centre, depending on where you're departing from.
  • Business travellers and Qantas Club members can enjoy a comfortable pre-flight experience at the Lounge on Level 1 of the Domestic Terminal at Cairns Airport, which offers complimentary refreshments, business facilities, and Wi-Fi.
  • Cairns Airport offers infrastructure and facilities for passengers with disabilities, including accessible drop-off areas and parking, lowered check-in counters for people in wheelchairs, and accessible bathrooms throughout the airport.

Prefer to fly direct from Cairns to Melbourne?

 
Direct data is based off flight results for the next 60 days. Find direct flights from all airlines flying direct from Cairns to Melbourne.
Find which airlines fly direct from Cairns Airport to Melbourne Airport, which days they fly and book direct flights.

Direct departures

Cairns to Melbourne

Monday

Jetstar, Qantas Airways, Virgin Australia

Jetstar, Qantas Airways, +1 more

Tuesday

Jetstar, Qantas Airways, Virgin Australia

Jetstar, Qantas Airways, +1 more

Wednesday

Jetstar, Qantas Airways, Virgin Australia

Jetstar, Qantas Airways, +1 more

Thursday

Jetstar, Qantas Airways, Virgin Australia

Jetstar, Qantas Airways, +1 more

Friday

Jetstar, Qantas Airways, Virgin Australia

Jetstar, Qantas Airways, +1 more

Saturday

Jetstar, Qantas Airways, Virgin Australia

Jetstar, Qantas Airways, +1 more

Sunday

Jetstar, Qantas Airways, Virgin Australia

Jetstar, Qantas Airways, +1 more

See more direct flights

Direct returns

Melbourne to Cairns

Monday

Jetstar, Qantas Airways, Virgin Australia

Jetstar, Qantas Airways, +1 more

Tuesday

Jetstar, Qantas Airways, Virgin Australia

Jetstar, Qantas Airways, +1 more

Wednesday

Jetstar, Qantas Airways, Virgin Australia

Jetstar, Qantas Airways, +1 more

Thursday

Jetstar, Qantas Airways, Virgin Australia

Jetstar, Qantas Airways, +1 more

Friday

Jetstar, Qantas Airways, Virgin Australia

Jetstar, Qantas Airways, +1 more

Saturday

Jetstar, Qantas Airways, Virgin Australia

Jetstar, Qantas Airways, +1 more

Sunday

Jetstar, Qantas Airways, Virgin Australia

Jetstar, Qantas Airways, +1 more

See more direct flights

Reviews of the top airline flying from Cairns to Melbourne

 
See real verified KAYAK customer reviews for airlines flying from Cairns to Melbourne. Airline scores are aggregated from all reviews left by passengers on KAYAK after flying with an airline. KAYAK doesn’t show reviews that are older than 5 years. Learn how KAYAK collects reviews.
Need help choosing which airline to fly with from Cairns to Melbourne? KAYAK airline reviews give an overall score for each airline based on loads of factors, including comfort, boarding, in-flight entertainment and more, to make your decision easier. See airline scores according to verified KAYAK customer reviews.
6.5
JetstarOverall score based on 514 reviews
6.8Boarding
6.4Comfort
5.6Food
7.3Crew
5.0Entertainment
Airline reviews

Improved experience over our last years flight when also we flew local but on an international scheduled flight. The double processing is still unwelcome i.e. by security and then by border force having to produce a licence and boarding pass repeatedly on departure and return. Obviously suits the airline rather than the local traveller. The flight and crew were good though a helper on return was offhand having to push the wheel chair did the bare minimum we felt.

8.0 ExcellentMrD, Jan 2026
PER - ADL
Read more Jetstar reviews

Improved experience over our last years flight when also we flew local but on an international scheduled flight. The double processing is still unwelcome i.e. by security and then by border force having to produce a licence and boarding pass repeatedly on departure and return. Obviously suits the airline rather than the local traveller. The flight and crew were good though a helper on return was offhand having to push the wheel chair did the bare minimum we felt.

Flight on time. New plane. No entertainment screen just device. No offer of water. Didn’t order food.

Flight was delayed both directions but once in the air was ok. Boarding out of Melbourne is just a mess.

Although a local trip via international flight it was fairly straight forward albeit more checks than desirable for local travel. On arrival Perth collecting luggage the trollies were hidden in one end of the long hall.

80 minute delay on departure based on two no show pax; removal of checked bags. Boarding very awkward, and waiting in terminal until specific rows called (not zones). Overhead not used for boarding, but specific staff member notifying people at the top of the stairs. Numerous people noted "this is confusing" on boarding. Seats ok, but entertainment (and food, and seat selection) all at extra cost. Smooth flight, and friendly neighbours.

Over four hours late. No entertainment without paying and same for food. Asked to check in at original time even though we were told it was going to be very late leaving. Way too long time to hang around the airport. Arriving to Sydney luggage did not arrive for an hour. Had to get staff to go and find out what was going on. All this made for a very long day and night for a eight hour flight.

I was disappointed to find that the QR code for purchasing in-flight entertainment did not function, leaving me without access to the amenities I had anticipated. (both flights)

I had opted to pay extra for a ticket on Jetstar A321-Neo in the first row, believing it would enhance my travel experience. Unfortunately, this was not the case. The constant line-up for the toilet resulted in people frequently standing next to me, causing significant discomfort throughout the flight. It was difficult to relax with the persistent disturbance from passengers bumping into my seat. Furthermore, I was disappointed to find that the QR code for purchasing in-flight entertainment did not function, leaving me without access to the amenities I had anticipated. Given these circumstances, I will not be purchasing seats in the first two rows in the future, nor will I choose to fly with your airline again.

Jet star delayed both trips with poor communication. Passengers were made to change gates often and then left to stand with no seating. As someone getting over surgery this was very trying.

Delayed twice. Poor communication and people made to change gates too often.

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

Information on your arrival and departure airports