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$160 Find cheap flights from Cairns to Melbourne

This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a KAYAK user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight from Cairns to Melbourne departing on 20/1. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel. Click the price to replicate the search for this deal.
1 adult

Search hundreds of travel sites at once for deals on flights to Melbourne

 
These are the airlines KAYAK users have selected most often from within our search results in flight searches from Cairns to Melbourne, as well as popular online travel agencies
These are the airlines KAYAK users have selected most often from within our search results in flight searches from Cairns to Melbourne, as well as popular online travel agencies
In the last 7 days, travellers have searched 46,479,581 times on KAYAK, and here's why:

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Cheap flight deals from Cairns to Melbourne (CNS-MEL)

 
These are the cheapest deals for flights from Cairns to Melbourne currently on KAYAK along with options from the most popular airlines KAYAK users selected for this route. While these flights were available on KAYAK in the last 72 hours, prices and availability are subject to change and deals may expire.

Recent return flight deals from Cairns to Melbourne

Recommended round-trip deals departing in the coming months from the most popular airlines that fly from Cairns to Melbourne.

Recent one-way flight deals from Cairns to Melbourne

Only flying one-way? Below are some of the best one-way flight deals from Cairns to Melbourne found on KAYAK recently.

Recent last-minute flight deals from Cairns to Melbourne

Leaving soon but still want a bargain? Check out these latest deals for last minute flights from Cairns to Melbourne.

Recent direct flight deals from Cairns to Melbourne

The latest deals for direct flights from Cairns to Melbourne so you can sit back and relax without the need for a layover.

Cheap bus & train deals from Cairns to Melbourne

Find recent round-trip train or bus tickets from Cairns to Melbourne.

All round-trip flight deals to Melbourne

The cheapest plane tickets to Melbourne found on KAYAK recently.
Discover the best prices and deals for you by selecting your travel dates.
Choose your dates
07:35 - 12:00CNS-MEL
3h 25mdirect
06:15 - 08:30MEL-CNS
3h 15mdirect
$247Jetstar
Find Deal
Wed, 25 Dec - Sun, 2 Feb
09:45 - 14:15CNS-MEL
3h 30mdirect
06:15 - 08:30MEL-CNS
3h 15mdirect
$253Jetstar
Find Deal
Sun, 8 Dec - Sun, 15 Dec
09:45 - 14:15CNS-MEL
3h 30mdirect
19:50 - 22:10MEL-CNS
3h 20mdirect
$254Jetstar
Find Deal
Sun, 8 Dec - Sat, 14 Dec
09:45 - 14:15CNS-MEL
3h 30mdirect
06:00 - 08:15MEL-CNS
3h 15mdirect
$256Jetstar
Find Deal
Sun, 8 Dec - Sun, 15 Dec
09:45 - 14:15CNS-MEL
3h 30mdirect
21:10 - 09:05MEL-CNS
12h 55m1 stop
Sun, 8 Dec - Sun, 15 Dec
09:45 - 14:15CNS-MEL
3h 30mdirect
21:10 - 09:05MEL-CNS
12h 55m1 stop
Sun, 8 Dec - Sun, 15 Dec
17:20 - 00:15CNS-MEL
5h 55m1 stop
12:00 - 16:45MEL-CNS
5h 45m1 stop
$431Virgin Australia
Find Deal
Sun, 24 Nov - Thu, 28 Nov
15:45 - 23:05CNS-MEL
6h 20m1 stop
18:50 - 23:15MEL-CNS
5h 25m1 stop
$452Virgin Australia
Find Deal
Fri, 15 Nov - Mon, 18 Nov
20:30 - 20:40CNS-MEL
23h 10m2 stops
18:55 - 12:00MEL-CNS
18h 05m2 stops
$2,125Air New Zealand
Find Deal
Thu, 5 Dec - Wed, 11 Dec
20:30 - 20:40CNS-MEL
23h 10m2 stops
17:00 - 12:00MEL-CNS
20h 00m2 stops
$2,132Air New Zealand
Find Deal
Thu, 5 Dec - Wed, 11 Dec
09:45 - 14:15CNS-MEL
3h 30mdirect
$160Jetstar
Find Deal
Mon, 20 Jan
09:45 - 14:15CNS-MEL
3h 30mdirect
$164Jetstar
Find Deal
Fri, 20 Dec
20:25 - 23:50CNS-MEL
3h 25mdirect
$174Virgin Australia
Find Deal
Mon, 14 Apr
19:55 - 00:20CNS-MEL
3h 25mdirect
$175Virgin Australia
Find Deal
Mon, 13 Jan
11:00 - 14:30CNS-MEL
3h 30mdirect
$178Jetstar
Find Deal
Mon, 7 Apr
15:45 - 23:15CNS-AVV
6h 30m1 stop
Mon, 13 Jan
06:00 - 20:20CNS-AVV
13h 20m2 stops
Mon, 13 Jan
15:35 - 22:05CNS-MEL
5h 30m1 stop
$475Qantas Airways
Find Deal
Thu, 9 Jan
14:35 - 23:35CNS-MEL
8h 00m2 stops
$507Qantas Airways
Find Deal
Sun, 12 Jan
06:00 - 20:40CNS-MEL
13h 40m2 stops
$1,828Air New Zealand
Find Deal
Sat, 21 Dec
07:35 - 12:00CNS-MEL
3h 25mdirect
06:00 - 08:15MEL-CNS
3h 15mdirect
$452Jetstar
Find Deal
Sun, 3 Nov - Tue, 5 Nov
07:35 - 12:00CNS-MEL
3h 25mdirect
15:10 - 23:15MEL-CNS
9h 05m1 stop
Sun, 3 Nov - Tue, 5 Nov
07:35 - 12:00CNS-MEL
3h 25mdirect
10:00 - 16:45MEL-CNS
7h 45m1 stop
Sun, 3 Nov - Sun, 10 Nov
07:35 - 12:00CNS-MEL
3h 25mdirect
06:00 - 08:15MEL-CNS
3h 15mdirect
$517Jetstar
Find Deal
Sun, 3 Nov - Sun, 10 Nov
17:35 - 09:35CNS-MEL
15h 00m1 stop
14:40 - 23:15MEL-CNS
9h 35m1 stop
$520Virgin Australia
Find Deal
Sun, 3 Nov - Tue, 5 Nov
11:40 - 20:45CNS-MEL
8h 05m1 stop
06:05 - 08:35MEL-CNS
3h 30mdirect
$527Virgin Australia
Find Deal
Wed, 6 Nov - Wed, 13 Nov
17:35 - 09:35CNS-MEL
15h 00m1 stop
20:50 - 23:15MEL-CNS
27h 25m1 stop
$528Virgin Australia
Find Deal
Sun, 3 Nov - Sun, 10 Nov
11:40 - 20:45CNS-MEL
8h 05m1 stop
16:10 - 23:15MEL-CNS
8h 05m1 stop
$548Virgin Australia
Find Deal
Wed, 6 Nov - Wed, 13 Nov
09:15 - 13:40CNS-MEL
3h 25mdirect
19:50 - 22:10MEL-CNS
3h 20mdirect
Wed, 6 Nov - Wed, 13 Nov
05:40 - 21:40CNS-MEL
15h 00m2 stops
10:30 - 08:20MEL-CNS
22h 50m2 stops
$1,041Jetstar
Find Deal
Sun, 3 Nov - Tue, 5 Nov
07:35 - 12:00CNS-MEL
3h 25mdirect
06:15 - 08:30MEL-CNS
3h 15mdirect
$286Jetstar
Find Deal
Wed, 4 Dec - Sun, 8 Dec
09:45 - 14:15CNS-MEL
3h 30mdirect
06:15 - 08:30MEL-CNS
3h 15mdirect
$289Jetstar
Find Deal
Wed, 11 Dec - Wed, 18 Dec
09:45 - 14:15CNS-MEL
3h 30mdirect
06:00 - 08:15MEL-CNS
3h 15mdirect
$294Jetstar
Find Deal
Wed, 12 Mar - Wed, 19 Mar
09:45 - 14:15CNS-MEL
3h 30mdirect
06:15 - 08:30MEL-CNS
3h 15mdirect
$303Jetstar
Find Deal
Wed, 11 Dec - Wed, 18 Dec
09:45 - 14:15CNS-MEL
3h 30mdirect
06:15 - 08:30MEL-CNS
3h 15mdirect
$321Jetstar
Find Deal
Sat, 21 Dec - Sun, 5 Jan
07:35 - 12:00CNS-MEL
3h 25mdirect
06:15 - 08:30MEL-CNS
3h 15mdirect
$353Jetstar
Find Deal
Sat, 30 Nov - Fri, 6 Dec
07:35 - 12:00CNS-MEL
3h 25mdirect
19:50 - 22:10MEL-CNS
3h 20mdirect
$361Jetstar
Find Deal
Sun, 24 Nov - Thu, 28 Nov
07:35 - 12:00CNS-MEL
3h 25mdirect
19:50 - 22:10MEL-CNS
3h 20mdirect
$370Jetstar
Find Deal
Sat, 23 Nov - Wed, 27 Nov
07:35 - 12:00CNS-MEL
3h 25mdirect
06:05 - 08:35MEL-CNS
3h 30mdirect
Fri, 22 Nov - Mon, 25 Nov
07:35 - 12:00CNS-MEL
3h 25mdirect
06:05 - 08:35MEL-CNS
3h 30mdirect
Fri, 22 Nov - Mon, 25 Nov

Flights from Cairns to Melbourne - Travel Insights & Trends

Get data-powered insights and trends into flights from Cairns to Melbourne to help you find the cheapest flights, the best time to fly and much more.

What is the cheapest Cairns to Melbourne flight route?

The cheapest price for flight routes found by users searching on KAYAK in the last 2 weeks for one-way flights from Cairns to Melbourne.
Our data shows that the cheapest route for a one-way flight from Cairns to Melbourne cost $145 and was between Cairns and Melbourne Airport. On average, the best prices are found if you fly this route. The average price for a return flight for this route is $176.

What’s the cheapest day of the week to fly from Cairns to Melbourne?

The average price of all flights from Cairns to Melbourne clicked on KAYAK for each day over the last 12 months.
When flying from Cairns to Melbourne, you should consider leaving on a Monday and avoid Saturdays if you are looking for the best rates. For your return to Cairns, you’ll find the best rates on Wednesdays and the most expensive ones on Thursdays.

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

To calculate monthly average prices, KAYAK takes all prices for each month over the last year for flights from Cairns to Melbourne, removes the top 0.1% to account for outliers, and then takes the median of all values for each month.
The cheapest month for flights from Cairns to Melbourne is April, where tickets cost $333 on average. On the other hand, the most expensive months are June and July, where the average cost of tickets is $495 and $473 respectively.

Can I save money by flying with a stopover from Cairns to Melbourne?

The average price for all direct flights, flights with one stopover, and flights with two stopovers for the route found by users searching on KAYAK in the last 2 weeks.
No, with an average price for the route of $660, prices are generally cheapest when you fly direct.

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

To calculate daily average prices, KAYAK takes all prices for each day before departure over the last year for flights from Cairns to Melbourne, removes the top 0.1% to account for outliers, and then takes the average of all the values for each month.
To get a below average price on the flight from Cairns to Melbourne, you should book around 4 weeks before departure. For the absolute cheapest price, our data suggests you should book 141 days before departure.

Good to know

Cheapest flight

$160
Flight from Cairns to Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine)

When to book flights from Cairns to Melbourne

Are your dates flexible? Find out the best times to travel from Cairns to Melbourne based on our flight data from the last year. Discover the cheapest month and even day to fly.
Estimated return price
KAYAK looks at all historical flight data for each date to provide a predicted price for one-way trips or returns with a duration up to 40 days. While we try to provide actual minimum prices for each date, some prices are predictions and actual prices may differ.

FAQs for booking flights from Cairns to Melbourne

  • What is the cheapest flight from Cairns to Melbourne?

    In the last 3 days, the lowest price for a flight from Cairns to Melbourne was $105 for a one-way ticket and $162 for a return.

  • Which aircraft models fly most regularly from Cairns to Melbourne?

    We unfortunately don’t have that data for this specific route.

  • Which airline alliances offer flights from Cairns to Melbourne?

    oneworld, and Star Alliance are the airline alliances operating flights between Cairns and Melbourne, with oneworld being the most commonly used for this route.

  • How does KAYAK find such low prices on flights from Cairns to Melbourne?

    KAYAK is a travel search engine. That means we look across the web to find the best prices we can find for our users. With over 2 billion flight queries processed yearly, we are able to display a variety of prices and options on flights from Cairns to Melbourne.

  • How does KAYAK's flight Price Forecast tool help me choose the right time to buy my flight ticket from Cairns to Melbourne?

    KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool uses historical data to determine whether the price for a flight to Melbourne from Cairns is likely to change within 7 days, so travelers know whether to wait or book now.

  • What is the Hacker Fare option on flights from Cairns to Melbourne?

    Hacker Fares allow you to combine one-way tickets in order to save you money over a traditional return ticket. You could then fly to Melbourne with an airline and back to Cairns with another airline.

  • What is KAYAK's "flexible dates" feature and why should I care when looking for a flight from Cairns to Melbourne?

    Sometimes travel dates aren't set in stone. If your preferred travel dates have some wiggle room, flexible dates will show you all the options when flying to Melbourne from Cairns up to 3 days before/after your preferred dates. You can then pick the flights that suit you best.

See more FAQs

Prefer to fly direct from Cairns to Melbourne?

Find which airlines fly direct from Cairns Airport to Melbourne, which days they fly and book direct flights.

Direct departures

Cairns to Melbourne

Monday

Air New Zealand, China Eastern, China Southern, +7 more

Air New Zealand, China Eastern, +8 more

Tuesday

Air New Zealand, China Eastern, China Southern, +7 more

Air New Zealand, China Eastern, +8 more

Wednesday

Air New Zealand, China Eastern, China Southern, +7 more

Air New Zealand, China Eastern, +8 more

Thursday

Air New Zealand, China Eastern, China Southern, +7 more

Air New Zealand, China Eastern, +8 more

Friday

Air New Zealand, China Eastern, China Southern, +7 more

Air New Zealand, China Eastern, +8 more

Saturday

Air New Zealand, China Eastern, China Southern, +7 more

Air New Zealand, China Eastern, +8 more

Sunday

Air New Zealand, China Eastern, China Southern, +7 more

Air New Zealand, China Eastern, +8 more

See more direct flights

Direct returns

Melbourne to Cairns

Monday

Air New Zealand, Cathay Pacific, China Eastern, +9 more

Air New Zealand, Cathay Pacific, +10 more

Tuesday

Air New Zealand, Cathay Pacific, China Eastern, +9 more

Air New Zealand, Cathay Pacific, +10 more

Wednesday

Air New Zealand, Cathay Pacific, China Eastern, +9 more

Air New Zealand, Cathay Pacific, +10 more

Thursday

Air New Zealand, Cathay Pacific, China Eastern, +9 more

Air New Zealand, Cathay Pacific, +10 more

Friday

Air New Zealand, Cathay Pacific, China Eastern, +9 more

Air New Zealand, Cathay Pacific, +10 more

Saturday

Air New Zealand, Cathay Pacific, China Eastern, +9 more

Air New Zealand, Cathay Pacific, +10 more

Sunday

Air New Zealand, Cathay Pacific, China Eastern, +9 more

Air New Zealand, Cathay Pacific, +10 more

See more direct flights
See more direct flights

Top airlines flying from Cairns to Melbourne

 
See real verified KAYAK customer reviews for airlines flying from Cairns to Melbourne. Airline scores are aggregated from all reviews left by passengers on KAYAK after flying with an airline. KAYAK doesn’t show reviews that are older than 5 years. Learn how KAYAK collects reviews.
Need help choosing which airline to fly with from Cairns to Melbourne? KAYAK airline reviews give an overall score for each airline based on loads of factors, including comfort, boarding, in-flight entertainment and more, to make your decision easier. See airline scores according to verified KAYAK customer reviews.
7.6
Virgin AustraliaOverall score based on 494 reviews
7.4Comfort
8.2Crew
7.8Boarding
6.6Food
6.6Entertainment
Airline reviews

The flight was delayed by 45 minutes, but boarding, actual flight, and crew were great. However, there was Zero free food and only water, tea, or coffee to drink. Everything else was for sale. No onboard entertainment but it was a short flight.

10.0 ExcellentAnonymous, Oct 2024SYD - BNE
Read more Virgin Australia reviews

The flight was delayed by 45 minutes, but boarding, actual flight, and crew were great. However, there was Zero free food and only water, tea, or coffee to drink. Everything else was for sale. No onboard entertainment but it was a short flight.

Boarding was smooth after a 25 min delay. Notification of delay could be more efficient and change in boarding gate was not notified on the flights board or app.

Excellent. Shelley was very attentive and caring regarding my sister who required pre approved oxygen during the flight. Shelley checked up on her regularly throughout the flight and made her feel more relaxed and comfortable.

I did not use the in flight entertainment, but the selection appeared to be decent. Take off was delayed, but otherwise the process was uneventful.

Great flight - on time, lovely staff. I’ll always have the same complaint and essentially it’s the limited food options for people who are celiac. But that’s all airlines !

The level of incompetence of this airline is truly astounding.

I'll never transit from international through Sydney with Virgin until they improve the domestic transfer system. It's ridiculous that you have to take oversize baggage to the transfer desk to get it activated then struggle onto the shuttle bus (carrying a 25kg, 2m long ski bag and carry-on - along with about 6 others in the same situation) then negotiate the terminal and queue to put it onto the oversize receival bag drop.

For a red eye flight it is pretty uncomfortable. They provide nothing in the way of pillows, etc.

2 hrs + delay! Times kept changing, Onboard menu was half depleted, Entertainment wifi was N/A Overall very frustrating flight and I never slate Virgin.

Virgin Australia passed this flight onto Alliance, so my rating and comments are based on my experience with crew, aircraft and available options. Alliance only offers drinks which consisted of tea, coffee and water, free of charge. There was no on board entertainment. The aircraft seating although narrow accommodated my 6 foot 2 body with little discomfort.

Flight was as expected - we got what we paid for which was a base fare

Hardly we had overweight and we were asked to pay $75. We were checked by a female and weight was alright

Unaware of charge for carry on until i got to gate

I got what I paid for - flight was clean, staff were friendly

I like that fare is cheap but because there's no amenities whatsoever. You get what you paid for.

There's a reason why fare is cheap, no amenities.

It is what it is - nothing more, nothing less. No entertainment onboard but one kinda knows that when buying a ticket on a no frills airline. I choose Jetstar only because of price.

Plane was delayed both on arrival to Sydney and departure. We boarded the plane while it was in the process of being refuelled, which I am certain is against CASA regulations. Comfort for anyone over 6 foot is non existent.

The flight was over an hour late due to staff shortages and due to it being the last evening flight, I got back to Sydney very late

This was the most horrific experience we have ever had. I would advise people to steer clear of this airline at all costs.

Book cheap flights from Cairns to Melbourne

Recent one-way flight deals

 
Only flying one-way? Below are some of the best one-way flight deals from Cairns to Melbourne found on KAYAK in the last 72 hours.
20/1Mon
directJetstar
3h 30mCNS-MEL
$160
20/12Fri
directJetstar
3h 30mCNS-MEL
$164
14/4Mon
directVirgin Australia
3h 25mCNS-MEL
$174
13/1Mon
directVirgin Australia
3h 25mCNS-MEL
$175
7/4Mon
directJetstar
3h 30mCNS-MEL
$178
13/1Mon
1 stop
6h 30mCNS-AVV
$260
13/1Mon
2 stops
13h 20mCNS-AVV
$294
9/1Thu
1 stopQantas Airways
5h 30mCNS-MEL
$475
12/1Sun
2 stopsQantas Airways
8h 00mCNS-MEL
$507
21/12Sat
2 stopsAir New Zealand
13h 40mCNS-MEL
$1,828

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Last minute flights from Cairns to Melbourne

Last minute flight, train and bus deals

 
These last-minute flight deals are the cheapest flights found on KAYAK in the last 72 hours for flights from Cairns to Melbourne that are departing in the next 10 days.
3/11Sun
directJetstar
3h 25mCNS-MEL
5/11Tue
directJetstar
3h 15mMEL-CNS
$452
3/11Sun
direct
3h 25mCNS-MEL
5/11Tue
multi-stop
9h 05mMEL-CNS
$492
3/11Sun
direct
3h 25mCNS-MEL
10/11Sun
multi-stop
7h 45mMEL-CNS
$513
3/11Sun
directJetstar
3h 25mCNS-MEL
10/11Sun
directJetstar
3h 15mMEL-CNS
$517
3/11Sun
multi-stopVirgin Australia
15h 00mCNS-MEL
5/11Tue
multi-stopVirgin Australia
9h 35mMEL-CNS
$520
6/11Wed
multi-stopVirgin Australia
8h 05mCNS-MEL
13/11Wed
directVirgin Australia
3h 30mMEL-CNS
$527
3/11Sun
multi-stopVirgin Australia
15h 00mCNS-MEL
10/11Sun
multi-stopVirgin Australia
27h 25mMEL-CNS
$528
6/11Wed
multi-stopVirgin Australia
8h 05mCNS-MEL
13/11Wed
multi-stopVirgin Australia
8h 05mMEL-CNS
$548
6/11Wed
direct
3h 25mCNS-MEL
13/11Wed
direct
3h 20mMEL-CNS
$700
3/11Sun
multi-stopJetstar
15h 00mCNS-MEL
5/11Tue
multi-stopJetstar
22h 50mMEL-CNS
$1,041

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Everything you need to know for your flight from Cairns to Melbourne

Information on your arrival and departure airports