$117 Find cheap flights from Cairns to Melbourne

This is the cheapest return flight price found by a KAYAK user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight from Cairns to Melbourne departing on 13/12. 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.
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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 46,646,933 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.
Discover the best prices and deals for you by selecting your travel dates.
Choose your dates
09:45 - 14:15CNS-MEL
3h 30mdirect
06:15 - 08:30MEL-CNS
3h 15mdirect
$117Jetstar
Find Deal
Fri, 13 Dec - Tue, 17 Dec
09:45 - 14:15CNS-MEL
3h 30mdirect
06:00 - 08:15MEL-CNS
3h 15mdirect
$118Jetstar
Find Deal
Wed, 11 Dec - Sun, 15 Dec
07:35 - 12:00CNS-MEL
3h 25mdirect
19:50 - 22:10MEL-CNS
3h 20mdirect
$193Jetstar
Find Deal
Fri, 6 Dec - Tue, 10 Dec
15:45 - 22:05CNS-MEL
5h 20m1 stop
19:50 - 22:10MEL-CNS
3h 20mdirect
Fri, 13 Dec - Tue, 17 Dec
10:55 - 18:35CNS-MEL
6h 40m1 stop
19:50 - 22:10MEL-CNS
3h 20mdirect
Mon, 9 Dec - Thu, 12 Dec
20:25 - 23:50CNS-MEL
3h 25mdirect
06:15 - 11:25MEL-CNS
5h 10m1 stop
$382Virgin Australia
Find Deal
Thu, 17 Apr - Thu, 19 Jun
09:15 - 13:40CNS-MEL
3h 25mdirect
12:10 - 23:15MEL-CNS
12h 05m1 stop
$384Virgin Australia
Find Deal
Sun, 15 Dec - Thu, 19 Dec
09:00 - 22:05CNS-MEL
12h 05m1 stop
11:55 - 19:35MEL-CNS
8h 40m1 stop
$930Qantas Airways
Find Deal
Tue, 24 Dec - Sun, 29 Dec
12:45 - 19:45CNS-MEL
6h 00m1 stop
09:20 - 18:00MEL-CNS
9h 40m1 stop
$958Qantas Airways
Find Deal
Mon, 23 Dec - Thu, 2 Jan
20:30 - 17:45CNS-MEL
20h 15m2 stops
18:55 - 11:45MEL-CNS
17h 50m2 stops
$2,276Air New Zealand
Find Deal
Thu, 12 Dec - Sat, 14 Dec

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 $129 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 $153.

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 $341 on average. On the other hand, the most expensive months are June and July, where the average cost of tickets is $499 and $477 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 $704, 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

$117
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 $78 for a one-way ticket and $76 for a return.

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

    We unfortunately don’t have that data for this specific 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, Cathay Pacific, China Eastern, +8 more

Air New Zealand, Cathay Pacific, +9 more

Wednesday

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

Air New Zealand, China Eastern, +8 more

Thursday

Air New Zealand, Cathay Pacific, China Eastern, +8 more

Air New Zealand, Cathay Pacific, +9 more

Friday

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

Air New Zealand, China Eastern, +8 more

Saturday

Air New Zealand, Cathay Pacific, China Eastern, +8 more

Air New Zealand, Cathay Pacific, +9 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.
7.5
Virgin AustraliaOverall score based on 485 reviews
6.5Entertainment
8.2Crew
6.5Food
7.8Boarding
7.4Comfort
Airline reviews

Virgin has always provided a smooth and comfortable flight. This one was no different. Seats are comfortable. Staff are great. This is my favourite airline.

8.0 ExcellentRuby, Nov 2024SYD - BNE
Read more Virgin Australia reviews

Virgin has always provided a smooth and comfortable flight. This one was no different. Seats are comfortable. Staff are great. This is my favourite airline.

Virgin changed the flight to an Alliance flight. Smaller plane, tea coffee and water the only refreshments available and not sure what happened to the extra money I paid to sit in a selected seat with extra leg room. This is obviously a regular switch as it happened on our flight there and back. Do not recommend.

Late boarding, late departure due to weather and slow boarding, packed 5+hour flight, only 2 toilets for main cabin, tight leg room, no free food except tea, coffee, and water, arrived 75 minutes late.

Cramped, crowded flight, with no complimentary food except coffee, tea, or water.

Check-in was good and efficient, Boarding was quick and easy. Didn't like the entertainment side of things requiring your phone to connect for a screen, my eyes are bad enough to use my phone more than I already do. Trip was comfortable and baggage claim was good. If coffee and tea were free, then why not a soda or juice as well, its not like its an alcoholic drink.

Check-in was good and efficient, Boarding was quick and easy. Didn't like the entertainment side of things requiring your phone to connect for a screen, my eyes are bad enough to use my phone more than I already do. Trip was comfortable and baggage claim was good.

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.

The crew were great. The seat was older than an old Holden with a big metal bar sticking right into my back. The passenger next to me complained that hers was the same. The pre purchase system for food was disappointing as the pie/quiche took 20 mins to warm up, arrived too hot and with no utensils. It was one of the most uncomfortable flights I've ever been on.

Fabulous I have no issues with JetStar great service always use them to fly

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.

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.
5/12Thu
directVirgin Australia
3h 25mCNS-MEL
$120
17/12Tue
directJetstar
3h 30mCNS-MEL
$127
12/12Thu
directJetstar
3h 30mCNS-MEL
$129
10/12Tue
directJetstar
3h 25mCNS-MEL
$130
18/3Tue
directJetstar
3h 30mCNS-MEL
$134
7/4Mon
directJetstar
3h 30mCNS-MEL
$135
14/4Mon
directVirgin Australia
3h 25mCNS-MEL
$172
5/1Sun
2 stopsQantas Airways
13h 45mCNS-MEL
$600
5/1Sun
3 stopsQantas Airways
31h 45mCNS-MEL
$744
18/1Sat
2 stopsAir New Zealand
18h 10mCNS-MEL
$988

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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.
23/11Sat
directJetstar
3h 30mCNS-MEL
27/11Wed
directJetstar
3h 20mMEL-CNS
$361
24/11Sun
directJetstar
3h 25mCNS-MEL
28/11Thu
directJetstar
3h 15mMEL-CNS
$385
27/11Wed
directJetstar
3h 25mCNS-MEL
1/12Sun
directJetstar
3h 20mMEL-CNS
$394
25/11Mon
directJetstar
3h 25mCNS-MEL
29/11Fri
directJetstar
3h 20mMEL-CNS
$407
26/11Tue
directJetstar
3h 25mCNS-MEL
30/11Sat
directJetstar
3h 15mMEL-CNS
$413
24/11Sun
multi-stopVirgin Australia
15h 30mCNS-MEL
28/11Thu
directVirgin Australia
3h 30mMEL-CNS
$433
24/11Sun
multi-stop
13h 45mCNS-MEL
28/11Thu
direct
3h 15mMEL-CNS
$444
26/11Tue
direct
3h 25mCNS-MEL
30/11Sat
multi-stop
5h 15mMEL-CNS
$473
24/11Sun
multi-stopVirgin Australia
13h 45mCNS-MEL
28/11Thu
multi-stopVirgin Australia
10h 05mMEL-CNS
$483
26/11Tue
multi-stopVirgin Australia
11h 35mCNS-MEL
30/11Sat
multi-stopVirgin Australia
9h 55mMEL-CNS
$536

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

Information on your arrival and departure airports

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