Cheap flights from Cairns to Melbourne Airport from $147
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 17/10. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel.
CNS — MEL
24 Sep — 1 Oct1
Return
1 adult
Economy
Return
1 adult, Economy, 0 bags
Cheapflights Tip: The best prices from Cairns to Melbourne are usually found in January or February, booked 74 days in advance, depart on a Friday or Wednesday and return on a Wednesday
Cheap flight deals from Cairns to Melbourne
Enter your travel dates to find the best prices.
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One-way
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 25 August 2026.
Fri 9/1020:35 -
Nonstop3h 20m
Sun 11/1020:05 -
Nonstop3h 25m
Deal found 21/8$210
Thu 8/1010:00 -
Nonstop3h 30m
Sun 18/1020:05 -
Nonstop3h 25m
Deal found 20/8$212
Fri 9/1020:35 -
Nonstop3h 20m
Sat 17/1017:30 -
Nonstop3h 25m
Deal found 23/8$221
Thu 8/1010:00 -
Nonstop3h 30m
Wed 14/1006:05 -
Nonstop3h 25m
Deal found 20/8$239
Best flights from Cairns to Melbourne
Discover carefully curated flight deals from Cairns to Melbourne that have cost, travel time, and stopovers in mind to ensure you get the best travel experience. Data last updated 25 August 2026.
Wed 14/1020:35 -
Nonstop3h 20m
Sun 18/1020:05 -
Nonstop3h 25m
Deal found 22/8$286
Thu 8/1011:10 -
1 stop8h 55m
Wed 14/1006:25 -
Nonstop3h 20m
Deal found 22/8$334
Thu 18/211:40 -
Nonstop3h 25m
Thu 4/311:15 -
1 stop9h 00m
Deal found 24/8$443
Fri 9/1015:35 -
1 stop6h 30m
Fri 16/1006:00 -
1 stop5h 25m
Deal found 24/8$465
Tue 13/1007:00 -
Nonstop3h 30m
Wed 14/1020:05 -
Nonstop3h 25m
Deal found 24/8$293
Thu 8/1007:00 -
Nonstop3h 30m
Thu 15/1017:25 -
Nonstop3h 25m
Deal found 24/8$316
Fri 9/1014:50 -
1 stop8h 30m
Sat 17/1020:05 -
Nonstop3h 25m
Deal found 24/8$356
Sun 25/1019:20 -
Nonstop3h 25m
Sun 1/1119:50 -
Nonstop3h 20m
Deal found 20/8$325
Sun 21/211:40 -
Nonstop3h 25m
Thu 4/307:00 -
1 stop13h 15m
Deal found 24/8$443
Wed 7/1017:25 -
1 stop5h 55m
Wed 14/1020:05 -
Nonstop3h 25m
Deal found 23/8$404
Wed 14/1006:50 -
1 stop6h 25m
Sun 18/1011:05 -
1 stop9h 30m
Deal found 22/8$454
Thu 22/1020:35 -
Nonstop3h 20m
Mon 26/1019:50 -
Nonstop3h 20m
Deal found 24/8$394
Direct flights from Cairns to Melbourne
Explore direct flight options from Cairns to Melbourne based on user searches, and compare prices and availability for your desired travel dates. Data last updated 25 August 2026.
Fri 9/1020:35 -
Nonstop3h 20m
Sun 11/1020:05 -
Nonstop3h 25m
Deal found 21/8$210
Thu 8/1010:00 -
Nonstop3h 30m
Sun 18/1020:05 -
Nonstop3h 25m
Deal found 20/8$212
Wed 27/109:45 -
Nonstop3h 30m
Sun 31/119:50 -
Nonstop3h 20m
Deal found 22/8$215
Fri 9/1020:35 -
Nonstop3h 20m
Sat 17/1017:30 -
Nonstop3h 25m
Deal found 23/8$221
Thu 8/1010:00 -
Nonstop3h 30m
Wed 14/1006:05 -
Nonstop3h 25m
Deal found 20/8$239
Last-minute flights from Cairns to Melbourne
Discover last-minute flight deals from Cairns to Melbourne. Data last updated 25 August 2026 and is based on user searches.
Sun 30/809:20 -
1 stop14h 35m
Tue 1/918:55 -
Nonstop3h 25m
Deal found 22/8$482
Sun 30/809:20 -
1 stop14h 00m
Tue 1/916:10 -
1 stop7h 10m
Deal found 22/8$539
Sun 30/821:40 -
Nonstop3h 20m
Tue 1/918:55 -
Nonstop3h 25m
Deal found 22/8$595
Tue 1/906:00 -
1 stop7h 20m
Sat 5/918:25 -
Nonstop3h 25m
Deal found 21/8$489
Tue 1/907:00 -
Nonstop3h 30m
Sat 5/918:25 -
Nonstop3h 25m
Deal found 21/8$524
Wed 2/911:00 -
Nonstop3h 30m
Wed 9/918:55 -
Nonstop3h 25m
Deal found 22/8$469
Wed 2/913:55 -
1 stop10h 00m
Wed 9/918:55 -
Nonstop3h 25m
Deal found 22/8$479
One-way flights from Cairns to Melbourne
Search for one-way flight options from Cairns to Melbourne. Find affordable one-way fares based on user searches. Data last updated 25 August 2026.
Sat 17/1012:30 -
Nonstop3h 20m
Deal found 20/8$147
Mon 14/1219:50 -
Nonstop3h 25m
Deal found 21/8$151
Sun 11/1020:35 -
Nonstop3h 20m
Deal found 22/8$154
Fri 11/921:40 -
Nonstop3h 20m
Deal found 21/8$155
Sun 18/1020:35 -
Nonstop3h 20m
Deal found 22/8$158
Fri 18/921:35 -
Nonstop3h 20m
Deal found 20/8$159
Mon 21/921:00 -
Nonstop3h 30m
Deal found 21/8$162
Sun 3/123:55 -
Nonstop3h 25m
Deal found 21/8$163
Sun 7/211:40 -
Nonstop3h 25m
Deal found 24/8$170
Find 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 25 August 2026.
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 7,457,451 searches. Data last updated 25 August 2026.
Use the filters below to find and compare flights from Cairns to Melbourne Airport that are best for you.
Fly from
Fly to
Route
Depart
Return
Price
Cheapest return flight
CairnsMelbourne
CNS Cairns - MEL Melbourne
CNSMEL
Cairns
Wed 14/10
20:35-00:55
Nonstop3h 20m
Melbourne
Sun 18/10
20:05-22:30
Nonstop3h 25m
$286
CairnsMelbourne
CNS Cairns - MEL Melbourne
CNSMEL
Cairns
Tue 13/10
07:00-11:30
Nonstop3h 30m
Melbourne
Wed 14/10
20:05-22:30
Nonstop3h 25m
$293
CairnsMelbourne
CNS Cairns - MEL Melbourne
CNSMEL
Cairns
Thu 8/10
07:00-11:30
Nonstop3h 30m
Melbourne
Thu 15/10
17:25-19:50
Nonstop3h 25m
$316
CairnsMelbourne
CNS Cairns - MEL Melbourne
CNSMEL
Cairns
Sun 25/10
19:20-23:45
Nonstop3h 25m
Melbourne
Sun 1/11
19:50-22:10
Nonstop3h 20m
$325
CairnsMelbourne
CNS Cairns - MEL Melbourne
CNSMEL
Cairns
Thu 8/10
11:10-21:05
1 stop8h 55m
Melbourne
Wed 14/10
06:25-08:45
Nonstop3h 20m
$334
CairnsMelbourne
CNS Cairns - MEL Melbourne
CNSMEL
Cairns
Fri 9/10
14:50-00:20
1 stop8h 30m
Melbourne
Sat 17/10
20:05-22:30
Nonstop3h 25m
$356
Fastest return journey
CairnsMelbourne
CNS Cairns - MEL Melbourne
CNSMEL
Cairns
Thu 22/10
20:35-00:55
Nonstop3h 20m
Melbourne
Mon 26/10
19:50-22:10
Nonstop3h 20m
$394
CairnsMelbourne
CNS Cairns - MEL Melbourne
CNSMEL
Cairns
Wed 7/10
17:25-00:20
1 stop5h 55m
Melbourne
Wed 14/10
20:05-22:30
Nonstop3h 25m
$404
CairnsMelbourne
CNS Cairns - MEL Melbourne
CNSMEL
Cairns
Thu 18/2
11:40-16:05
Nonstop3h 25m
Melbourne
Thu 4/3
11:15-19:15
1 stop9h 00m
$443
CairnsMelbourne
CNS Cairns - MEL Melbourne
CNSMEL
Cairns
Sun 21/2
11:40-16:05
Nonstop3h 25m
Melbourne
Thu 4/3
07:00-19:15
1 stop13h 15m
$443
Flights are sorted by cheapest return flights first.
Deals found on 20/8
Showing 1-10 of 22 resultsSorted by cheapest first
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2
3
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.
CNS-MEL
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
Prices
Airlines
Delays
How far ahead should I book a flight from Cairns to Melbourne Airport?
Booking 73 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, January is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from Cairns to Melbourne Airport (average of $277). Flying from Cairns to Melbourne Airport in June is currently the most expensive (average of $416). 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 25 August 2026.
It’s typically best to fly out from Cairns to Melbourne Airport in the evening. Doing so could potentially save you 31% on the flight price compared to flying in the morning, 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 22 August 2026.
Travellers seeking maximum savings on their Cairns to Melbourne Airport flight should consider departing on Wednesday afternoons when fares are most often at their lowest. Monday afternoons flights should be avoided if possible as fares are typically the most expensive at this time.
How much does it cost for a return flight from Cairns to Melbourne Airport?
Airfare is below average for this route at the moment.
Cairns to Melbourne Airport flights typically cost between $242 and $405 in October.The cheapest return price found within the last 5 days was $210 on Jetstar (9 Oct–11 Oct).
Weekly flight availability from Cairns to Melbourne Airport
Explore weekly flight availability from Cairns to Melbourne. 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 25 August 2026.
The most flights from CNS to MEL are scheduled on a Monday (28 on average). You will have fewer flight options on Wednesday, which is when the least amount of flights are scheduled (16 on average).
How often are flights from Cairns to Melbourne delayed?
About 18% of weekly flights between Cairns and Melbourne have experienced delays in the past year, with the average delay time being 104 minutes.
What is the most punctual flight time for Cairns to Melbourne flights?
Historically, flights departing in the morning 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 Tuesday has historically faced a higher average of delays compared to other days of the week.
Which airline has the best punctuality record on Cairns to Melbourne flights?
Over the past year, Qantas Airways have had the lowest number of delays on this route, with just 17% of flights being delayed.
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 25 August 2026.
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.
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 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 17 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 20m. 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?
Jetstar, at $126, was found to be the cheapest airline from Cairns to Melbourne Airport. An alternate airline flying to your destination would be Virgin Australia. You may be able to fly from Cairns to Melbourne Airport for 59% less than the average price by searching for these airlines.
What are the cheapest airlines to fly from Cairns to Melbourne Airport one-way?
For one-way options, check prices for Jetstar. According to our data, you can fly for as low as $106. Users have also found prices from $109 and $196 on Virgin Australia and Qantas Airways, respectively.
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: KLM (93%), Qatar Airways (86%), Virgin Australia( 81%).
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 $328, our data indicates the cheapest price to be $121. The most popular route (Cairns - Melbourne), is priced around $215.
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, January is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from Cairns to Melbourne Airport (average of $277). Flying from Cairns to Melbourne Airport in June is currently the most expensive (average of $416). 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.
Book flights to Melbourne Airport if you plan to visit one of these locations
Dandenong
Geelong
Ballarat
Tullamarine
Apollo Bay
Lorne
Shepparton
St Kilda
Phillip Island
Sorrento
Torquay
Daylesford
Mornington
Brighton
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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 25 August 2026.
Explore flights to Melbourne departing from other origins. Flights are based on user searches made on Cheapflights and were last updated on 25 August 2026.
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 7,457,451 searches. Data last updated 25 August 2026.
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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