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Cheap flights from Cairns to Melbourne Airport from $120

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 12/10. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel.
CNS — MEL
18 Oct — 25 Oct1
1 adult
1 adult, Economy

Cheapflights Tip: The best prices from Cairns to Melbourne are usually found in February or March, booked 52 days in advance, depart on a Friday or Thursday and return on a Tuesday

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 (MEL). 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 18 September 2025.

Round-trip from

$235

One-way from

$120

Popular in

November

Cheapest in

February

Average price

$354

Good round-trip deal

$255 or less

Good one-way deal

$181 or less
Jetstar
  • Jetstar
  • 15/10-19/10
  • Nonstop
  • 6h 45m total
  • Cairns to Melbourne
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Jetstar
  • Jetstar
  • 12/10
  • Nonstop
  • 3h 25m total
  • Cairns to Melbourne
Search Deals
Highest demand for flights based on searches. 16% potential increase in price ($90 potential increase over avg. return price).
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Cheapest flight prices on average. 2% potential price decrease ($13 potential savings vs. average return price).
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Average for round-trip flights in September 2025
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Price to beat on a round-trip flight from Cairns to Melbourne.
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Price to beat on a one-way flight from Cairns to Melbourne.
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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 18 September 2025.

Fri 17/1020:30CNS - MEL
Nonstop3h 25mJetstar
Sat 25/1020:45MEL - CNS
Nonstop3h 20mJetstar
Deal found 16/9$235
Thu 9/1020:30CNS - MEL
Nonstop3h 25mJetstar
Wed 15/1020:45MEL - CNS
Nonstop3h 20mJetstar
Deal found 16/9$237
Tue 21/1020:30CNS - MEL
Nonstop3h 25mMultiple Airlines
Sun 26/1021:25MEL - CNS
Nonstop3h 30mMultiple Airlines
Deal found 16/9$243
Wed 31/1214:35CNS - MEL
Nonstop3h 30mMultiple Airlines
Sun 4/121:25MEL - CNS
Nonstop3h 30mMultiple Airlines
Deal found 17/9$244
Mon 20/1020:30CNS - MEL
Nonstop3h 25mJetstar
Sat 25/1020:45MEL - CNS
Nonstop3h 20mJetstar
Deal found 15/9$246
Wed 22/1020:30CNS - MEL
Nonstop3h 25mJetstar
Mon 27/1019:45MEL - CNS
Nonstop3h 20mJetstar
Deal found 17/9$249
Sat 18/1020:30CNS - MEL
Nonstop3h 25mMultiple Airlines
Sun 26/1021:25MEL - CNS
Nonstop3h 30mMultiple Airlines
Deal found 17/9$253
Sat 15/1119:50CNS - MEL
Nonstop3h 25mMultiple Airlines
Wed 19/1106:15MEL - CNS
Nonstop3h 15mMultiple Airlines
Deal found 16/9$256
Fri 31/1023:55CNS - MEL
Nonstop3h 25mVirgin Australia
Fri 7/1121:25MEL - CNS
Nonstop3h 30mVirgin Australia
Deal found 16/9$258
Thu 23/1019:50CNS - MEL
Nonstop3h 30mVirgin Australia
Sun 26/1021:25MEL - CNS
Nonstop3h 30mVirgin Australia
Deal found 16/9$259
Fri 31/1023:55CNS - MEL
Nonstop3h 25mMultiple Airlines
Tue 4/1119:45MEL - CNS
Nonstop3h 20mMultiple Airlines
Deal found 16/9$270
Fri 31/1023:55CNS - MEL
Nonstop3h 25mMultiple Airlines
Fri 7/1119:45MEL - CNS
Nonstop3h 20mMultiple Airlines
Deal found 16/9$288

Cheapflights Fare Finder

 
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 18 September 2025.
Use the filters below to find and compare flights from Cairns to Melbourne Airport that are best for you.

Fly from

Cairns

Fly to

Melbourne

Route

Depart

Return

Price

CairnsMelbourne

CNS - MEL

CNSMEL

Cairns

Fri 17/10

20:30-00:55

Nonstop3h 25m

Melbourne

Tue 21/10

20:45-23:05

Nonstop3h 20m

$235

CairnsMelbourne

CNS - MEL

CNSMEL

Cairns

Sun 16/11

19:30-23:55

Nonstop3h 25m

Melbourne

Thu 20/11

19:45-22:05

Nonstop3h 20m

$235

CairnsMelbourne

CNS - MEL

CNSMEL

Cairns

Tue 21/10

20:30-00:55

Nonstop3h 25m

Melbourne

Sun 26/10

21:25-23:55

Nonstop3h 30m

$243

CairnsMelbourne

CNS - MEL

CNSMEL

Cairns

Thu 5/3

09:45-14:10

Nonstop3h 25m

Melbourne

Sun 8/3

06:15-08:30

Nonstop3h 15m

$247

CairnsMelbourne

CNS - MEL

CNSMEL

Cairns

Fri 6/3

09:45-14:10

Nonstop3h 25m

Melbourne

Sun 8/3

06:15-08:30

Nonstop3h 15m

$247

CairnsMelbourne

CNS - MEL

CNSMEL

Cairns

Fri 14/11

19:30-23:55

Nonstop3h 25m

Melbourne

Tue 18/11

06:15-08:30

Nonstop3h 15m

$247

CairnsMelbourne

CNS - MEL

CNSMEL

Cairns

Fri 31/10

23:55-04:20

Nonstop3h 25m

Melbourne

Fri 7/11

21:25-23:55

Nonstop3h 30m

$253

CairnsMelbourne

CNS - MEL

CNSMEL

Cairns

Sat 1/11

19:50-00:15

Nonstop3h 25m

Melbourne

Wed 5/11

21:25-23:55

Nonstop3h 30m

$259

CairnsMelbourne

CNS - MEL

CNSMEL

Cairns

Thu 30/10

23:55-04:20

Nonstop3h 25m

Melbourne

Thu 6/11

21:25-23:55

Nonstop3h 30m

$282

CairnsMelbourne

CNS - MEL

CNSMEL

Cairns

Sun 12/10

20:30-00:55

Nonstop3h 25m

$120

Flights are sorted by cheapest return flights first.

Deals found on 17/9

Showing 1-10 of 21 results
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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.

Cheapflights Insights

Everything you need to know about your flight from Cairns to Melbourne Airport

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

Use this chart to determine the optimal time to book a return flight from Cairns to Melbourne. Price data was last updated on 12 September 2025.

Booking 52 days in advance of your planned departure date is, on average, the best time to get cheap flights from Cairns to Melbourne Airport. 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 Airport?

Currently, May is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from Cairns to Melbourne Airport (average of $132). Flying from Cairns to Melbourne Airport 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 18 September 2025.

It’s typically best to fly out from Cairns to Melbourne Airport in the evening. Doing so could potentially save you 58% 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 Airport?

Use this chart to determine the cheapest time to fly return from Cairns to Melbourne. Price data was last updated on 14 September 2025.

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

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 18 September 2025.
Check out reviews from past customers who have flown with Virgin Australia and Jetstar from Cairns to Melbourne Airport to help guide your decision. You can also see how each airline stacks up in terms of entertainment options, comfort, food, crew/service, and boarding process.
Virgin Australia
7.6
Good
416 reviews
Check prices

Entertainment

6.4

Food

6.4

Overall

7.6

Comfort

7.5

Crew

8.2

Boarding

7.7

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
416 reviews
Virgin Australia
7.6
Good
416 reviews
Check prices

Entertainment

6.4

Food

6.4

Overall

7.6

Comfort

7.5

Crew

8.2

Boarding

7.7

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
6.5
Okay
474 reviews
Virgin Australia
7.6
Good
416 reviews
Check prices

Entertainment

6.4

Food

6.4

Overall

7.6

Comfort

7.5

Crew

8.2

Boarding

7.7

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 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 26 outbound flights to Melbourne per day. 2 airlines have flights to Melbourne from Cairns on a regular basis.

  • How long is the flight from Cairns to Melbourne Airport?

    There are many flights that can get you from Cairns to Melbourne Airport in 3h 25m. Fly via Jetstar to get the fastest option. Cairns and Melbourne Airport are separated by a distance of 2311 km. Most flights are nonstop.

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

    Virgin Australia, at $181, was found to be the cheapest airline from Cairns to Melbourne Airport. An alternate airline flying to your destination would be Jetstar. You may be able to fly from Cairns to Melbourne Airport for 42% less than the average price by searching for these airlines.

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

    Before booking your flight to Melbourne Airport from Cairns, have a look at the most reliable airlines to get you to your destination on time: IndiGo (97%), Jetstar (87%), Cathay Pacific( 86%).

  • What are the cheapest flights from Cairns to Melbourne Airport?

    Looking for the cheapest flight from Cairns to Melbourne Airport? While on average our users pay $330, our data indicates the cheapest price to be $115. The most popular route (Cairns - Melbourne), is priced around $235.

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

    Cairns to Melbourne Airport 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?

    Roma Street Parkland, Treasury Casino, and Cathedral of St Stephen are the most popular attractions in Brisbane if you're in need of something to do during your stopover. Those on a stopover in Brisbane interested in visiting Roma Street Parkland, Treasury Casino, or Cathedral of St Stephen can do so by traveling 12.6 km, 13.0 km, and 12.3 km, respectively from Brisbane. Travellers can rent a car at Brisbane for an average daily rate of $59 to make sightseeing during their stopover a little easier.

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

    Of the flights from Cairns to Melbourne Airport that have stopovers, the fewest flights stop in Sydney.

  • 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 Airport?

    Currently, May is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from Cairns to Melbourne Airport (average of $132). Flying from Cairns to Melbourne Airport 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

Travelling to a place near Melbourne Airport?

Book flights to Melbourne Airport if you plan to visit one of these locations
Geelong
Dandenong
Ballarat
Apollo Bay
Tullamarine
St Kilda
Lorne
Phillip Island
Torquay
Daylesford
Shepparton
Mornington
Sorrento
Doncaster

Browse thousands of different options on Cheapflights for your next trip

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Fly from Cairns to Melbourne on these airlines

Choose from the following airlines for your flight from Cairns to Melbourne. Flights are based on user searches made on Cheapflights and were last updated on 18 September 2025.
Jetstar flights from Cairns to Melbourne
Virgin Australia flights from Cairns to Melbourne

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 18 September 2025.
AirlineCheapestAverageFlexibilityOn-time
Virgin AustraliaCheapest$181Average$408FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time80%
Search Virgin Australia flights
JetstarCheapest$194Average$300FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time74%
Search Jetstar 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 Cairns to Melbourne?

900+ travel sites are searched through when a user searches for a flight using Cheapflights. From the search interface, users can use filters to choose airlines, airports, flight times, cabin classes and more to their preference. Book your flight to Melbourne from Cairns today with Cheapflights!

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

Cheapflights simply makes it quick and affordable to book flights from Cairns to Melbourne by bringing together all flight options from hundreds of airlines and agencies online — and put it in one place for you to choose from. Plus, Cheapflights is 100% free to use for all.

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 offers price alerts on Cairns to Melbourne flights so you can book your travel at the perfect time. Price Alerts can be enabled by clicking the bell icon next to the flight deals above and providing your email address where you want to receive the alerts.

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