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Cheap flights from Melbourne to Cairns from $118

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 2/2. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel.
MEL — CNS
4 Jan — 11 Jan1
1 adult
1 adult, Economy, 0 bags

Cheapflights Tip: The best prices from Melbourne to Cairns are usually found in March or February, booked 66 days in advance, depart on a Tuesday or Wednesday and return on a Friday

Cheap flight deals from Melbourne to Cairns

Enter your travel dates to find the best prices.

Cheapest flights from Melbourne to Cairns
Explore the most affordable flight options available from Melbourne to Cairns. Find the lowest fares from popular airlines and budget airlines, with prices last updated on 5 December 2025.

Thu 11/1206:15MEL - CNS
Nonstop3h 15mJetstar
Tue 16/1219:30CNS - MEL
Nonstop3h 25mJetstar
Deal found 4/12$236
Wed 10/1219:45MEL - CNS
Nonstop3h 20mMultiple Airlines
Wed 17/1223:55CNS - MEL
Nonstop3h 25mMultiple Airlines
Deal found 3/12$245
Fri 12/1219:45MEL - CNS
Nonstop3h 20mJetstar
Tue 16/1219:30CNS - MEL
Nonstop3h 25mJetstar
Deal found 4/12$247
Wed 10/1221:25MEL - CNS
Nonstop3h 30mVirgin Australia
Sun 14/1223:55CNS - MEL
Nonstop3h 25mVirgin Australia
Deal found 3/12$248
Thu 11/1221:25MEL - CNS
Nonstop3h 30mVirgin Australia
Mon 15/1223:55CNS - MEL
Nonstop3h 25mVirgin Australia
Deal found 4/12$250
Fri 12/1221:25MEL - CNS
Nonstop3h 30mVirgin Australia
Mon 15/1223:55CNS - MEL
Nonstop3h 25mVirgin Australia
Deal found 4/12$251
Tue 9/1221:25MEL - CNS
Nonstop3h 30mMultiple Airlines
Tue 16/1219:30CNS - MEL
Nonstop3h 25mMultiple Airlines
Deal found 3/12$260
Fri 5/1221:25MEL - CNS
Nonstop3h 30mVirgin Australia
Tue 9/1223:55CNS - MEL
Nonstop3h 25mVirgin Australia
Deal found 4/12$263
Mon 15/1221:25MEL - CNS
Nonstop3h 30mVirgin Australia
Thu 18/1219:50CNS - MEL
Nonstop3h 25mVirgin Australia
Deal found 2/12$280
Fri 5/1219:45MEL - CNS
Nonstop3h 20mMultiple Airlines
Tue 9/1223:55CNS - MEL
Nonstop3h 25mMultiple Airlines
Deal found 4/12$286
Sun 7/1206:15MEL - CNS
Nonstop3h 15mMultiple Airlines
Mon 8/1223:55CNS - MEL
Nonstop3h 25mMultiple Airlines
Deal found 4/12$298
Fri 12/1217:00AVV - CNS
1 stop17h 05mJetstar
Wed 17/1206:40CNS - AVV
1 stop23h 55mJetstar
Deal found 2/12$463

Find flight deals from Melbourne to Cairns

Discover tips and strategies to find the most affordable flight options for your journey from Melbourne (ME1) to Cairns (CNS). 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 5 December 2025.

Round-trip from

$239

One-way from

$118

Popular in

July

Cheapest in

March

Average price

$364
Jetstar
  • Jetstar
  • 1/2-5/2
  • Nonstop
  • 6h 40m total
  • Melbourne to Cairns
Search Deals
Jetstar
  • Jetstar
  • 14/2
  • Nonstop
  • 3h 15m total
  • Melbourne to Cairns
Search Deals
Highest demand for flights based on searches. 10% potential increase in price ($54 potential increase over avg. return price).
Search Deals
Cheapest flight prices on average. 3% potential price decrease ($17 potential savings vs. average return price).
Search Deals
Average for round-trip flights in December 2025
Search Deals

Cheapflights Fare Finder

 
Customise your flight search to find flights from Melbourne to Cairns 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 5 December 2025.
Use the filters below to find and compare flights from Melbourne to Cairns that are best for you.

Fly from

Melbourne

Fly to

Cairns

Route

Depart

Return

Price

MelbourneCairns

MEL - CNS

MELCNS

Melbourne

Fri 15/5

17:25-20:45

Nonstop3h 20m

Cairns

Mon 18/5

21:35-01:00

Nonstop3h 25m

$236

MelbourneCairns

MEL - CNS

MELCNS

Melbourne

Tue 27/1

06:15-08:30

Nonstop3h 15m

Cairns

Sat 31/1

18:30-22:55

Nonstop3h 25m

$247

MelbourneCairns

MEL - CNS

MELCNS

Melbourne

Sun 3/5

19:45-23:05

Nonstop3h 20m

Cairns

Sun 17/5

21:35-01:00

Nonstop3h 25m

$247

MelbourneCairns

MEL - CNS

MELCNS

Melbourne

Wed 4/3

06:15-08:30

Nonstop3h 15m

Cairns

Sun 8/3

09:45-14:10

Nonstop3h 25m

$248

MelbourneCairns

MEL - CNS

MELCNS

Melbourne

Sun 1/2

06:15-08:30

Nonstop3h 15m

Cairns

Wed 4/2

14:35-19:05

Nonstop3h 30m

$251

MelbourneCairns

MEL - CNS

MELCNS

Melbourne

Sat 17/1

19:45-22:05

Nonstop3h 20m

Cairns

Sat 24/1

09:45-14:10

Nonstop3h 25m

$254

MelbourneCairns

MEL - CNS

MELCNS

Melbourne

Sat 2/5

19:45-23:05

Nonstop3h 20m

Cairns

Sun 17/5

21:35-01:00

Nonstop3h 25m

$256

MelbourneCairns

MEL - CNS

MELCNS

Melbourne

Mon 2/2

19:45-22:05

Nonstop3h 20m

Cairns

Fri 6/2

14:35-19:05

Nonstop3h 30m

$283

MelbourneCairns

MEL - CNS

MELCNS

Melbourne

Sat 7/3

06:15-08:30

Nonstop3h 15m

Cairns

Sat 21/3

09:45-14:10

Nonstop3h 25m

$293

MelbourneCairns

MEL - CNS

MELCNS

Melbourne

Wed 1/4

16:45-19:10

Nonstop3h 25m

Cairns

Tue 7/4

21:35-01:00

Nonstop3h 25m

$295

Flights are sorted by cheapest return flights first.

Deals found on 4/12

Showing 1-10 of 44 results
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Best time to book a flight from Melbourne to Cairns

Have a flexible travel schedule? Discover the best time to fly to Cairns from Melbourne 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 Melbourne to Cairns

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

Use this chart to determine the optimal time to book a return flight from Melbourne to Cairns. Price data was last updated on 28 November 2025.

The best time to book flights from Melbourne to Cairns is 66 days before your desired departure date. The cost of your flight will likely increase significantly if you book two weeks in advance of your flight.

What is the cheapest month to book a flight from Melbourne to Cairns?

Currently, May is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from Melbourne to Cairns (average of $116). Flying from Melbourne to Cairns in September is currently the most expensive (average of $201). 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 MEL to CNS?

Find hourly flight availability from Melbourne to Cairns. Discover flight options and departure times throughout the day, allowing you to choose a departure time that suits your schedule. Data last updated 5 December 2025.

Unlike at midday, when flights are generally more expensive, you can save up to 28% on flights from Melbourne to Cairns by exploring options for tickets in the evening.

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

Use this chart to determine the cheapest time to fly return from Melbourne to Cairns. Price data was last updated on 16 December 2024.

Travellers seeking maximum savings on their Melbourne to Cairns flight should consider departing on Saturday evenings when fares are most often at their lowest. Sunday at midday flights should be avoided if possible as fares are typically the most expensive at this time.

Weekly flight availability from Melbourne to Cairns

Explore weekly flight availability from Melbourne to Cairns. 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 5 December 2025.

The most flights from ME1 to CNS are scheduled on a Thursday (23 on average). You will have fewer flight options on Monday, which is when the least amount of flights are scheduled (14 on average).

How often are flights from Melbourne to Cairns delayed?

About 15% of weekly flights between Melbourne and Cairns have experienced delays in the past year, with the average delay time being 102 minutes.

What is the most punctual flight time for Melbourne to Cairns flights?

Historically, flights departing at night are less likely to be delayed, whereas flights leaving in the evening tend to experience delays more often.

What day of the week experiences the fewest flight delays on this route?

Saturday tends to have the lowest number of delays on this route, whereas Wednesday has historically faced a higher average of delays compared to other days of the week.

Which airline has the best punctuality record on Melbourne to Cairns flights?

Over the past year, China Eastern have had the lowest number of delays on this route, with just 5% of flights being delayed.

Reviews of airlines servicing Cairns

Get insights into the airlines that provide service to Cairns. 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 Cairns. Reviews last updated 5 December 2025.
See what other customers who have flown with Virgin Australia, Qantas Airways, andJetstar from Melbourne to Cairns have to say. You can also see how each airline compares in terms of entertainment options, comfort, food, crew/service, and boarding process.
Virgin Australia
7.6
Good
426 reviews
Check prices

Boarding

7.7

Entertainment

6.4

Food

6.4

Comfort

7.5

Crew

8.2

Overall

7.6

Reviews

1 / 20
6.0
Good

Andrew,June 2025

MEL - CNS

We didn’t eat or drink, but feel like a sardine. No room at all.
Virgin Australia
7.6
Good
426 reviews
Virgin Australia
7.6
Good
426 reviews
Check prices

Boarding

7.7

Entertainment

6.4

Food

6.4

Comfort

7.5

Crew

8.2

Overall

7.6

Reviews

1 / 20
6.0
Good

Andrew,June 2025

MEL - CNS

We didn’t eat or drink, but feel like a sardine. No room at all.
Qantas Airways
7.5
Good
947 reviews
Virgin Australia
7.6
Good
426 reviews
Check prices

Boarding

7.7

Entertainment

6.4

Food

6.4

Comfort

7.5

Crew

8.2

Overall

7.6

Reviews

1 / 20
6.0
Good

Andrew,June 2025

MEL - CNS

We didn’t eat or drink, but feel like a sardine. No room at all.
Jetstar
6.6
Okay
488 reviews
Virgin Australia
7.6
Good
426 reviews
Check prices

Boarding

7.7

Entertainment

6.4

Food

6.4

Comfort

7.5

Crew

8.2

Overall

7.6

Reviews

1 / 20
6.0
Good

Andrew,June 2025

MEL - CNS

We didn’t eat or drink, but feel like a sardine. No room at all.

Related info for your journey

Find useful and relevant information for your journey from Melbourne to Cairns. 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 into for flights to Cairns from Melbourne?

    For a flight from Melbourne to Cairns, you will be flying into Cairns. Cairns (CNS) is just 4.4 km from the centre vof the city. Cairns is the only Cairns airport and it handles 17 inbound flights from Melbourne per day. 3 airlines have flights to Cairns from Melbourne on a regular basis.

  • How long is the flight from Melbourne to Cairns?

    Airlines like Jetstar fly from Melbourne to Cairns in about 3h 20m. The time it takes to get you to your destination is usually consistent. Melbourne and Cairns are separated by a distance of 2311 km. Most flights are nonstop.

  • What are the cheapest airlines flying from Melbourne to Cairns round-trip?

    Our cheapest airline available from Melbourne to Cairns is Virgin Australia. Our recent data shows that you can find tickets from as low as $116 on this airline. Additional options worth looking into are Jetstar and Qantas Airways, starting at $129 and $198 round-trip. Virgin Australia is priced at 63% lower than the current average price of a flight leaving 3 months from now.

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

    $106 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 $120 and $218, respectively.

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

    No one likes to see their flight delayed. When booking a flight from Melbourne to Cairns consider choosing China Southern(96%), Emirates(95%) or Air New Zealand(95%), as they are the most reliable in getting you off to your destination on time.

  • What are the cheapest flights from Melbourne to Cairns?

    Looking at all options, your cheapest flight can be booked for $108. While the most popular route (Melbourne - Cairns) can be booked for $230 on average, our data indicates $919 when flying from Melbourne to Cairns.

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

    Melbourne to Cairns flights have a stopover in Sydney most of the time.

  • What are some popular things to do or see while on a stopover in Sydney?

    Sydney Opera House, The Rocks Markets, and The Metro Theatre are the most popular attractions in Sydney if you're in need of something to do during your stopover. Sydney Opera House, The Rocks Markets, and The Metro Theatre can be visited by traveling about 9.9 km, 9.6 km, and 7.6 km respectively from Sydney Kingsford Smith. Those looking to explore during their stopover in Sydney can hire a car from Sydney Kingsford Smith for about $55 per day.

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

    The least popular stopover on flights from Melbourne to Cairns is Brisbane.

  • Can I find deals for flights from Melbourne to Cairns that include hotel bookings?

    Yes. In addition to deals on Melbourne to Cairns flights, Cheapflights offers holiday packages that include both flights and hotel.

  • How can I find direct flights from Melbourne to Cairns?

    After entering your origin and destination, apply the non-stop filter on the search result page to find direct flights from Melbourne to Cairns.

  • Can I find deals for business class flights from Melbourne to Cairns?

    Yes. Cheapflights offers flight deals from Melbourne to Cairns 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 Melbourne to Cairns?

    Currently, May is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from Melbourne to Cairns (average of $116). Flying from Melbourne to Cairns in September is currently the most expensive (average of $201). 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

Travelling to a place near Cairns?

Book flights to Cairns if you plan to visit one of these locations
Mission Beach
Trinity Beach

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Fly from Melbourne to Cairns on these airlines

Choose from the following airlines for your flight from Melbourne to Cairns. Flights are based on user searches made on Cheapflights and were last updated on 5 December 2025.
Virgin Australia flights from Melbourne to Cairns
Qantas Airways flights from Melbourne to Cairns

Top 3 airlines flying from Melbourne to Cairns

Discover the top 3 airlines that operate flights from Melbourne to Cairns. 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 5 December 2025.
AirlineCheapestAverageFlexibilityOn-time
JetstarCheapest$185Average$382FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time74%
Search Jetstar flights
Virgin AustraliaCheapest$210Average$462FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time80%
Search Virgin Australia flights
Qantas AirwaysCheapest$250Average$605FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time74%
Search Qantas Airways flights

Fly with Cheapflights

Find the best flight deals on Cheapflights, where travellers can enjoy low prices and a wide availability of flights to their desired destinations.

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

Cheapflights goes through 900+ travel sites to look for the best flight deals for flights from Melbourne to Cairns. Too many options? Cheapflights also provides filters for things like airlines, price ranges, and number of stops to help you make a decision easily.

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

Cheapflights taps into our reliable network of hundreds of airlines and travel agencies to find the best deals for flights from Melbourne to Cairns for you. Better yet — we are completely free to use.

Can Cheapflights find flights from Melbourne to Cairns with no change fees?

Need flexible booking options for your flight to Cairns from Melbourne? Don’t worry, Cheapflights have you covered. Use our search filter to only show flights with no change fees.

Can Cheapflights notify me if prices for flights from Melbourne to Cairns become cheaper?

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

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