CNS

$104 Find Cheap Flights from Melbourne to Cairns

This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a KAYAK user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight from Melbourne to Cairns departing on 21/2. 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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Search hundreds of travel sites at once for deals on flights to Cairns

 
These are the airlines KAYAK users have selected most often from within our search results in flight searches from Melbourne to Cairns, 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 Melbourne to Cairns, as well as popular online travel agencies
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Cheap Flight Deals from Melbourne to Cairns

 
Here are some of the best deals found on KAYAK recently from the most popular airlines for return flights from Melbourne to Cairns that are departing in the next months. 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 Melbourne to Cairns

Recommended return deals departing in the coming months from the most popular airlines that fly from Melbourne to Cairns.
Discover the best prices and deals for you by selecting your travel dates.
Choose your dates
06:15 - 08:30MEL-CNS
3h 15mdirect
07:35 - 12:00CNS-MEL
3h 25mdirect
$226Jetstar
Find Deal
Sat, 1 Mar - Sun, 9 Mar
06:15 - 08:30MEL-CNS
3h 15mdirect
07:35 - 12:00CNS-MEL
3h 25mdirect
$228Jetstar
Find Deal
Fri, 28 Feb - Wed, 5 Mar
06:00 - 08:15MEL-CNS
3h 15mdirect
09:45 - 14:15CNS-MEL
3h 30mdirect
$229Jetstar
Find Deal
Sat, 8 Mar - Thu, 13 Mar
06:15 - 08:30MEL-CNS
3h 15mdirect
07:35 - 12:00CNS-MEL
3h 25mdirect
$231Jetstar
Find Deal
Sat, 1 Mar - Wed, 5 Mar
06:05 - 08:35MEL-CNS
3h 30mdirect
09:10 - 13:40CNS-MEL
3h 30mdirect
$241Virgin Australia
Find Deal
Thu, 27 Mar - Mon, 31 Mar
06:05 - 08:35MEL-CNS
3h 30mdirect
09:15 - 13:40CNS-MEL
3h 25mdirect
$258Virgin Australia
Find Deal
Tue, 11 Mar - Wed, 19 Mar
06:00 - 08:15MEL-CNS
3h 15mdirect
19:55 - 00:20CNS-MEL
3h 25mdirect
Fri, 7 Mar - Fri, 7 Mar
21:20 - 09:05MEL-CNS
12h 45m1 stop
19:55 - 00:20CNS-MEL
3h 25mdirect
Mon, 10 Mar - Fri, 14 Mar
09:45 - 12:05MEL-CNS
3h 20mdirect
12:45 - 17:10CNS-MEL
3h 25mdirect
$578Qantas Airways
Find Deal
Thu, 27 Feb - Wed, 5 Mar
09:45 - 12:05MEL-CNS
3h 20mdirect
12:45 - 17:10CNS-MEL
3h 25mdirect
$582Qantas Airways
Find Deal
Thu, 27 Feb - Wed, 5 Mar

Flights from Melbourne to Cairns - Travel Insights & Trends

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

What is the cheapest Melbourne to Cairns flight route?

The cheapest price for flight routes found by users searching on KAYAK in the last 2 weeks for round-trip flights from Melbourne to Cairns.
Our data shows that the cheapest route for a return flight from Melbourne to Cairns cost $225 and was between Melbourne Airport (MEL) and Cairns (CNS). On average, the best prices are found if you fly this route. The average price for a return flight for this route is $225.

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

The average price of all round-trip flights from Melbourne to Cairns clicked on KAYAK for each day over the last 12 months.
If your flying dates are flexible, you should consider flying to Cairns on a Tuesday, as we generally find the cheapest rates on that day for this route. On the other hand, Thursday is the most expensive day to fly from Melbourne to Cairns. For your return ticket, we recommend flying on a Thursday and avoiding Tuesdays for the best deals.

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

To calculate monthly average prices, KAYAK takes all prices for each month over the last year for round-trip flights from Melbourne to Cairns, 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 Melbourne to Cairns is February, where tickets cost $284 (return) on average. On the other hand, the most expensive months are July and June, where the average cost of round-trip tickets is $483 and $473 respectively.

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

To calculate weekly average prices, KAYAK takes all prices for each week before departure over the last year for round-trip flights from Melbourne to Cairns, removes the top 0.1% to account for outliers, and then takes the average of all the values for each week.
To get a below average price on the flight from Melbourne to Cairns, you should book around 7 weeks before departure. For the absolute cheapest price, our data suggests you should book 17 weeks before departure.

Good to know

Cheapest flight

$104
Flight from Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine) to Cairns

When to book flights from Melbourne to Cairns

Are your dates flexible? Find out the best times to travel from Melbourne to Cairns 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 Melbourne to Cairns

  • What is the cheapest flight from Melbourne to Cairns?

    In the last 3 days, the lowest price for a flight from Melbourne to Cairns was $65 for a one-way ticket and $142 for a return.

  • Which airports will I be using when flying from Melbourne to Cairns?

    Melbourne is served by 2 major airports and there is only 1 main airport in Cairns. You will leave Melbourne from one of these airports: Melbourne Avalon or Melbourne. You will be arriving at Cairns.

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

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

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

    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 Melbourne to Cairns.

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

    KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool uses historical data to determine whether the price for a flight to Cairns from Melbourne 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 Melbourne to Cairns?

    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 Cairns with an airline and back to Melbourne with another airline.

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

    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 Cairns from Melbourne 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 Melbourne to Cairns?

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

Direct departures

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

Direct returns

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
See more direct flights

Top 3 airlines serving from Melbourne to Cairns

 
See real verified KAYAK customer reviews for airlines flying from Melbourne to Cairns. 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 Melbourne to Cairns? 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 423 reviews
7.4Comfort
6.4Entertainment
8.2Crew
7.6Boarding
6.4Food
Airline reviews

Crew was great but flight was delayed almost three hours due to a technical issue and we had to go back to the terminal and wait for another one.

4.0 OkayAnonymous, Feb 2025SYD - MEL
Read more Virgin Australia reviews

Crew was great but flight was delayed almost three hours due to a technical issue and we had to go back to the terminal and wait for another one.

Being told why we delayed three hours and not even given an apology by someone. Not a word. Not my airline of choice ever.

Checked Baggage line up was long but moved quickly, rest of the process, boarding, crew was excellent

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.

Wheelchair assistance to move through the terminals and to/from the plane door was excellent. No vegan snack on the flight, only something with salami and cheese in it.

I have flown Qantas multiple times in the past it seemed this flight the plane had less seat room or the seats were way less comfortable than before. Everything else was about the same. Thanks

The old Plane had not been cleaned properly in a long time.

I got upgraded from economy to business, and the experience was outstanding

I have taken this flight many times. It is ALWAYS late. Every time there is significant delay (1-3 hours) before boarding. It’s very consistent. Even after boarding the expected landing time was delayed twice. The seats are very narrow and cramped. Food is barely editable. Considering an economy ticket often costs about $2,000 it’s one of the worst services ever.

Boarding was over 3 hrs late and we didn’t land until almost 1:30am

Headphone jacks worked poorly, seat recline was broken. Planes were rundown.

Good communication regarding any updates time of flight and flight delayed. The fight was delayed by two and half hours at eleventh hour. That was unexpected, especially when you international passenger.

It was very nice. I will try to fly with Qantas whenever I can.

Terrible. 6 hour delay with no explanations and only 15 dollars in food credits. A disaster. I'll just leave it at that.

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.

Not very good, no food and not drink ( caffe or tea). Never ever fly with jet star.

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.

Travelling to a place near Cairns?

Book flights to Cairns if you plan to visit one of these locations
Mission Beach
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Everything you need to know for your flight from Melbourne to Cairns

Other airlines flying from Melbourne to Cairns

Flights from the other most popular airlines that fly from Melbourne to Cairns according to KAYAK users. Prices are the lowest found on KAYAK over the last 7 days. Price and availability are not guaranteed.

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