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Cheap flights from Melbourne to Cairns from $121

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 29/3. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel.
MEL — CNS
18 Apr — 25 Apr1
1 adult
1 adult, Economy, 0 bags
Cheapflights Tip: The best prices from Melbourne to Cairns are usually found in February or March, booked 86 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 19 March 2026.

Fri 17/406:25
MEL
-
CNS
Nonstop3h 20m
Jetstar
Mon 20/411:00
CNS
-
MEL
Nonstop3h 30m
Jetstar
Deal found 18/3$227
Tue 28/415:55
MEL
-
CNS
Nonstop3h 20m
Jetstar
Sun 3/507:00
CNS
-
MEL
Nonstop3h 30m
Jetstar
Deal found 18/3$232
Thu 16/419:15
MEL
-
CNS
Nonstop3h 25m
Jetstar
Wed 22/407:00
CNS
-
MEL
Nonstop3h 30m
Jetstar
Deal found 19/3$233
Fri 1/517:25
MEL
-
CNS
Nonstop3h 25m
Jetstar
Mon 4/511:00
CNS
-
MEL
Nonstop3h 30m
Jetstar
Deal found 18/3$234
Fri 24/417:25
MEL
-
CNS
Nonstop3h 25m
Jetstar
Fri 8/521:40
CNS
-
MEL
Nonstop3h 20m
Jetstar
Deal found 18/3$236
Sun 21/606:25
MEL
-
CNS
Nonstop3h 20m
Jetstar
Sun 26/721:40
CNS
-
MEL
Nonstop3h 20m
Jetstar
Deal found 18/3$239
Tue 14/415:55
MEL
-
CNS
Nonstop3h 20m
Jetstar
Sun 19/421:40
CNS
-
MEL
Nonstop3h 20m
Jetstar
Deal found 18/3$240
Fri 24/415:55
MEL
-
CNS
Nonstop3h 20m
Jetstar
Mon 27/420:10
CNS
-
MEL
Nonstop3h 25m
Jetstar
Deal found 17/3$241
Thu 16/419:15
MEL
-
CNS
Nonstop3h 25m
Jetstar
Thu 23/420:10
CNS
-
MEL
Nonstop3h 25m
Jetstar
Deal found 17/3$244
Tue 12/519:15
MEL
-
CNS
Nonstop3h 25m
Jetstar
Thu 21/521:40
CNS
-
MEL
Nonstop3h 20m
Jetstar
Deal found 14/3$247
Fri 22/519:15
MEL
-
CNS
Nonstop3h 25m
Jetstar
Mon 25/521:40
CNS
-
MEL
Nonstop3h 20m
Jetstar
Deal found 18/3$248
Sat 25/420:55
AVV
-
CNS
1 stop12h 25m
Multiple Airlines
Wed 29/416:35
CNS
-
AVV
1 stop6h 15m
Multiple Airlines
Deal found 17/3$381

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 19 March 2026.

Round-trip from

$227

One-way from

$121

Popular in

July

Cheapest in

February

Average price

$256
Jetstar
  • Jetstar
  • 17/4-20/4
  • Nonstop
  • 6h 50m total
  • Melbourne to Cairns
Search Deals
Jetstar
  • Jetstar
  • 14/4
  • Nonstop
  • 3h 25m total
  • Melbourne to Cairns
Search Deals
Highest demand for flights based on searches. 9% potential increase in price ($45 potential increase over avg. return price).
Search Deals
Cheapest flight prices on average. 2% potential price decrease ($13 potential savings vs. average return price).
Search Deals
Average for round-trip flights in March 2026
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 19 March 2026.
Use the filters below to find and compare flights from Melbourne to Cairns that are best for you.

Fly from

Fly to

Route

Depart

Return

Price

Cheapest return flight
Fastest return journey

MelbourneCairns

MEL - CNS

MELCNS

Melbourne

Wed 29/4

19:15-22:40

Nonstop3h 25m

Cairns

Wed 6/5

21:40-01:00

Nonstop3h 20m

$246

MelbourneCairns

MEL - CNS

MELCNS

Melbourne

Fri 24/4

15:55-19:15

Nonstop3h 20m

Cairns

Mon 27/4

20:10-23:35

Nonstop3h 25m

$246

MelbourneCairns

MEL - CNS

MELCNS

Melbourne

Sat 11/4

19:15-22:40

Nonstop3h 25m

Cairns

Tue 14/4

21:40-01:00

Nonstop3h 20m

$248

MelbourneCairns

MEL - CNS

MELCNS

Melbourne

Fri 15/5

19:15-22:40

Nonstop3h 25m

Cairns

Tue 19/5

21:40-01:00

Nonstop3h 20m

$263

MelbourneCairns

MEL - CNS

MELCNS

Melbourne

Sun 19/4

19:15-22:40

Nonstop3h 25m

Cairns

Fri 4/12

19:20-23:45

Nonstop3h 25m

$299

MelbourneCairns

MEL - CNS

MELCNS

Melbourne

Sun 5/4

19:15-22:40

Nonstop3h 25m

Cairns

Wed 8/4

21:40-01:00

Nonstop3h 20m

$340

MelbourneCairns

MEL - CNS

MELCNS

Melbourne

Sun 26/7

10:00-18:25

1 stop8h 25m

Cairns

Fri 31/7

21:00-00:30

Nonstop3h 30m

$344

MelbourneCairns

MEL - CNS

MELCNS

Melbourne

Thu 11/6

19:15-22:40

Nonstop3h 25m

Cairns

Tue 16/6

21:40-01:00

Nonstop3h 20m

$354

MelbourneCairns

MEL - CNS

MELCNS

Melbourne

Sat 25/4

06:25-09:50

Nonstop3h 25m

Cairns

Wed 29/4

12:10-18:35

1 stop6h 25m

$380

MelbourneCairns

MEL - CNS

MELCNS

Melbourne

Fri 12/6

19:15-22:40

Nonstop3h 25m

Cairns

Mon 15/6

21:40-01:00

Nonstop3h 20m

$385

Flights are sorted by cheapest return flights first.

Deals found on 14/3

Showing 1-10 of 45 resultsSorted by cheapest first
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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 13 March 2026.

The best time to book flights from Melbourne to Cairns is 86 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 $109). Flying from Melbourne to Cairns in September is currently the most expensive (average of $186). 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 19 March 2026.

Unlike at midday, when flights are generally more expensive, you can save up to 59% 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 14 March 2026.

Travellers seeking maximum savings on their Melbourne to Cairns flight should consider departing on Wednesday at midday 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 19 March 2026.

The most flights from ME1 to CNS are scheduled on a Wednesday (17 on average). You will have fewer flight options on Saturday, which is when the least amount of flights are scheduled (11 on average).

How much does it cost for a return flight from Melbourne to Cairns?

How often are flights from Melbourne to Cairns delayed?

About 17% of weekly flights between Melbourne and Cairns have experienced delays in the past year, with the average delay time being 110 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 early afternoon 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, Virgin Australia have had the lowest number of delays on this route, with just 11% 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 19 March 2026.
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
449 reviews
Check prices

Boarding

7.7

Food

6.4

Crew

8.2

Overall

7.6

Comfort

7.5

Entertainment

6.4

Reviews

1 / 20
8.0
Excellent

Elio,Jan 2026

MEL - ADL

Starting to be as efficient as qantas… bar the food offerings Virgin is up there now
Virgin Australia
7.6
Good
449 reviews
Virgin Australia
7.6
Good
449 reviews
Check prices

Boarding

7.7

Food

6.4

Crew

8.2

Overall

7.6

Comfort

7.5

Entertainment

6.4

Reviews

1 / 20
8.0
Excellent

Elio,Jan 2026

MEL - ADL

Starting to be as efficient as qantas… bar the food offerings Virgin is up there now
Qantas Airways
7.5
Good
1,006 reviews
Virgin Australia
7.6
Good
449 reviews
Check prices

Boarding

7.7

Food

6.4

Crew

8.2

Overall

7.6

Comfort

7.5

Entertainment

6.4

Reviews

1 / 20
8.0
Excellent

Elio,Jan 2026

MEL - ADL

Starting to be as efficient as qantas… bar the food offerings Virgin is up there now
Jetstar
6.5
Okay
532 reviews
Virgin Australia
7.6
Good
449 reviews
Check prices

Boarding

7.7

Food

6.4

Crew

8.2

Overall

7.6

Comfort

7.5

Entertainment

6.4

Reviews

1 / 20
8.0
Excellent

Elio,Jan 2026

MEL - ADL

Starting to be as efficient as qantas… bar the food offerings Virgin is up there now

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 14 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 25m. 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 Jetstar. Our recent data shows that you can find tickets from as low as $115 on this airline. Additional options worth looking into are Virgin Australia and Qantas Airways, starting at $152 and $212 round-trip. Jetstar is priced at 62% 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?

    $90 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 $133 and $203, 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 United Airlines(100%), China Southern(100%) or Qatar Airways(100%), 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 $117. While the most popular route (Melbourne - Cairns) can be booked for $227 on average, our data indicates $676 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 Metro Theatre, and Theatre Royal are the most popular attractions in Sydney if you're in need of something to do during your stopover. Sydney Opera House, The Metro Theatre, and Theatre Royal can be visited by traveling about 9.9 km, 7.6 km, and 8.4 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 $51 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 $109). Flying from Melbourne to Cairns in September is currently the most expensive (average of $186). 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 19 March 2026.
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 19 March 2026.
AirlineCheapestAverageFlexibilityOn-time
JetstarCheapest$115Average$360FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time74%
Search Jetstar flights
Virgin AustraliaCheapest$152Average$357FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time80%
Search Virgin Australia flights
Qantas AirwaysCheapest$212Average$533FlexibilityNo 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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