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Cheap flights from Cairns to Melbourne Airport from $131

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 18/1. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel.
CNS — MEL
24 Aug — 31 Aug1
1 adult

Cheapflights Tip: The best prices from Cairns to Melbourne are usually found in February or March, booked 44 days in advance, depart on a Thursday or Friday 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 19 August 2025.

Round-trip from

$218

One-way from

$131

Popular in

September

Cheapest in

February

Average price

$317

Good round-trip deal

$247 or less

Good one-way deal

$227 or less
Jetstar
  • Jetstar
  • 1/9-7/9
  • Nonstop
  • 6h 45m total
  • Cairns to Melbourne
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Virgin Australia
  • Virgin Australia
  • 18/1
  • Nonstop
  • 3h 25m total
  • Cairns to Melbourne
Search Deals
Highest demand for flights based on searches. 12% potential increase in price ($70 potential increase over avg. return price).
Search Deals
Cheapest flight prices on average. 2% potential price decrease ($14 potential savings vs. average return price).
Search Deals
Average for round-trip flights in August 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 19 August 2025.

Mon 1/921:30CNS - MEL
Nonstop3h 25mJetstar
Sun 7/919:45MEL - CNS
Nonstop3h 20mJetstar
Deal found 17/8$218
Mon 1/921:30CNS - MEL
Nonstop3h 25mJetstar
Fri 5/919:45MEL - CNS
Nonstop3h 20mJetstar
Deal found 18/8$228
Tue 2/921:30CNS - MEL
Nonstop3h 25mJetstar
Tue 9/906:25MEL - CNS
Nonstop3h 20mJetstar
Deal found 18/8$234
Sat 18/1020:30CNS - MEL
Nonstop3h 25mJetstar
Wed 22/1017:20MEL - CNS
Nonstop3h 20mJetstar
Deal found 19/8$235
Thu 28/821:30CNS - MEL
Nonstop3h 25mJetstar
Wed 3/919:45MEL - CNS
Nonstop3h 20mJetstar
Deal found 18/8$237
Wed 27/821:30CNS - MEL
Nonstop3h 25mJetstar
Mon 1/919:45MEL - CNS
Nonstop3h 20mJetstar
Deal found 17/8$238
Sat 6/921:30CNS - MEL
Nonstop3h 25mJetstar
Wed 10/919:45MEL - CNS
Nonstop3h 20mJetstar
Deal found 18/8$243
Thu 9/1020:30CNS - MEL
Nonstop3h 25mJetstar
Sun 12/1020:45MEL - CNS
Nonstop3h 20mJetstar
Deal found 18/8$244
Tue 2/921:30CNS - MEL
Nonstop3h 25mJetstar
Thu 4/919:45MEL - CNS
Nonstop3h 20mJetstar
Deal found 18/8$246

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 19 August 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

Mon 1/9

21:30-00:55

Nonstop3h 25m

Melbourne

Sun 7/9

19:45-23:05

Nonstop3h 20m

$218

CairnsMelbourne

CNS - MEL

CNSMEL

Cairns

Fri 5/9

21:30-00:55

Nonstop3h 25m

Melbourne

Sun 14/9

19:45-23:05

Nonstop3h 20m

$218

CairnsMelbourne

CNS - MEL

CNSMEL

Cairns

Mon 1/9

21:30-00:55

Nonstop3h 25m

Melbourne

Fri 5/9

19:45-23:05

Nonstop3h 20m

$228

CairnsMelbourne

CNS - MEL

CNSMEL

Cairns

Thu 11/9

19:50-23:20

Nonstop3h 30m

Melbourne

Tue 16/9

19:45-23:05

Nonstop3h 20m

$234

CairnsMelbourne

CNS - MEL

CNSMEL

Cairns

Tue 2/9

21:30-00:55

Nonstop3h 25m

Melbourne

Tue 9/9

06:25-09:45

Nonstop3h 20m

$234

CairnsMelbourne

CNS - MEL

CNSMEL

Cairns

Sat 18/10

20:30-00:55

Nonstop3h 25m

Melbourne

Wed 22/10

17:20-19:40

Nonstop3h 20m

$235

CairnsMelbourne

CNS - MEL

CNSMEL

Cairns

Tue 9/9

07:00-10:30

Nonstop3h 30m

Melbourne

Sat 13/9

19:45-23:05

Nonstop3h 20m

$237

CairnsMelbourne

CNS - MEL

CNSMEL

Cairns

Sun 18/1

19:50-00:15

Nonstop3h 25m

$131

CairnsMelbourne

CNS - MEL

CNSMEL

Cairns

Fri 12/12

14:35-19:05

Nonstop3h 30m

$132

CairnsMelbourne

CNS - MEL

CNSMEL

Cairns

Mon 8/9

20:25-23:55

Nonstop3h 30m

$132

Flights are sorted by cheapest return flights first.

Deals found on 18/8

Showing 1-10 of 19 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 8 August 2025.

Booking 44 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 19 August 2025.

It’s typically best to fly out from Cairns to Melbourne Airport in the evening. Doing so could potentially save you 59% 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 17 August 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. Saturday 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 19 August 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
7.5
Good
413 reviews
Check prices

Entertainment

6.4

Boarding

7.7

Overall

7.5

Crew

8.2

Comfort

7.5

Food

6.4

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
7.5
Good
413 reviews
Virgin Australia
7.5
Good
413 reviews
Check prices

Entertainment

6.4

Boarding

7.7

Overall

7.5

Crew

8.2

Comfort

7.5

Food

6.4

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
465 reviews
Virgin Australia
7.5
Good
413 reviews
Check prices

Entertainment

6.4

Boarding

7.7

Overall

7.5

Crew

8.2

Comfort

7.5

Food

6.4

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 16 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 $188, 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: Cathay Pacific (100%), Emirates (84%), Air New Zealand( 84%).

  • 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 $356, our data indicates the cheapest price to be $124. The most popular route (Cairns - Melbourne), is priced around $218.

  • 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 $60 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
Dandenong
Geelong
Ballarat
Tullamarine
Apollo Bay
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 19 August 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 19 August 2025.
AirlineCheapestAverageFlexibilityOn-time
Virgin AustraliaCheapest$188Average$425FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time80%
Search Virgin Australia flights
JetstarCheapest$197Average$314FlexibilityNo 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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