CNS

$117 Find cheap flights from Melbourne to Cairns

This is the cheapest return flight price found by a KAYAK user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight from Melbourne to Cairns departing on 6/12. 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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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
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 Melbourne to Cairns

 
These are the cheapest deals for flights from Melbourne to Cairns 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 Melbourne to Cairns

Recommended round-trip 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
19:50 - 22:10MEL-CNS
3h 20mdirect
09:05 - 13:30CNS-MEL
3h 25mdirect
$117Jetstar
Find Deal
Fri, 6 Dec - Sun, 8 Dec
15:45 - 18:05MEL-CNS
3h 20mdirect
09:05 - 13:30CNS-MEL
3h 25mdirect
$118Jetstar
Find Deal
Wed, 4 Dec - Tue, 10 Dec
15:45 - 18:05MEL-CNS
3h 20mdirect
14:30 - 19:00CNS-MEL
3h 30mdirect
$134Jetstar
Find Deal
Wed, 4 Dec - Sun, 8 Dec
06:00 - 08:15MEL-CNS
3h 15mdirect
14:30 - 19:00CNS-MEL
3h 30mdirect
$135Jetstar
Find Deal
Sat, 7 Dec - Sat, 7 Dec
12:45 - 15:05MEL-CNS
3h 20mdirect
07:35 - 12:00CNS-MEL
3h 25mdirect
$138Jetstar
Find Deal
Wed, 4 Dec - Thu, 12 Dec
06:15 - 08:30MEL-CNS
3h 15mdirect
09:05 - 13:30CNS-MEL
3h 25mdirect
$140Jetstar
Find Deal
Sat, 7 Dec - Tue, 10 Dec
19:50 - 22:10MEL-CNS
3h 20mdirect
09:15 - 13:40CNS-MEL
3h 25mdirect
Thu, 5 Dec - Wed, 11 Dec
06:05 - 08:35MEL-CNS
3h 30mdirect
09:15 - 13:40CNS-MEL
3h 25mdirect
$358Virgin Australia
Find Deal
Fri, 6 Dec - Mon, 9 Dec
06:05 - 08:35MEL-CNS
3h 30mdirect
09:15 - 13:40CNS-MEL
3h 25mdirect
$378Virgin Australia
Find Deal
Tue, 3 Dec - Wed, 11 Dec
09:10 - 16:40MEL-CNS
8h 30m1 stop
09:15 - 13:40CNS-MEL
3h 25mdirect
$384Virgin Australia
Find Deal
Thu, 5 Dec - Mon, 9 Dec

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 one-way flights from Melbourne to Cairns.
Our data shows that the cheapest route for a one-way flight from Melbourne to Cairns cost $132 and was between Melbourne Airport and Cairns. On average, the best prices are found if you fly this route. The average price for a return flight for this route is $196.

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

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

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 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 $295 on average. On the other hand, the most expensive months are June and July, where the average cost of tickets is $467 and $465 respectively.

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

To calculate daily average prices, KAYAK takes all prices for each day before departure over the last year for 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 month.
To get a below average price on the flight from Melbourne to Cairns, you should book around 5 weeks before departure. For the absolute cheapest price, our data suggests you should book 153 days before departure.

Good to know

Cheapest flight

$117
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 $82 for a one-way ticket and $76 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.
7.6
Qantas AirwaysOverall score based on 820 reviews
7.7Boarding
8.2Crew
7.5Comfort
7.0Food
7.3Entertainment
Airline reviews

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.

8.0 ExcellentBaldev, Nov 2024MEL - DFW
Read more Qantas Airways reviews

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.

We paid for business class seats for the comfort that comes with that but couldn’t use the bathroom as it was full all the time.

Flight was cancelled about 1.5 hours before departure. Replacement flight provided scheduled 1 hour later. Late boarding, late departure and arrived Melbourne nearly 2 hours after originally scheduled.

Flight is overpriced. Quality of service is poor. Constant delays. This flight again was multiple times delayed. The relaxed and careless attitude of staff is appalling. People are busy and it does matter if we do things more efficiently than chilled out. Once the flight was ready to depart we had more delays due to the careless approach of boarding passengers. Food is highly processed with limited options and super unhealthy. Leg room is shockingly bad. Even the biz class is pretty bad. Coupled with the horrendous prices Qantas only benefits given Australia is their home market. Otherwise they are not competitive at all.

It’s a very long flight and there are so many people on board. Perhaps a warm washcloth now and then to freshen up

Don't irreparably damage my luggage, don't stand around talking in the kitchen area of the plane when a passenger is waiting to speak to you, don't run out of a meal selection so have me end up eating bread for dinner. Lastly, regarding the code-share flight from DFW to JFK....STOP PARTNERING WITH AMERICAN AIRLINES - THEY ARE THE WORST AIRLINE IN THE WORLD! The delay, followed by another delay, followed by disorganized boarding, followed by stale snacks fit for a rodent, followed by a pilot who literally slammed the plane onto the runway when landing causing quite some concern among the passengers.

The crew was very helpful to my family, especially when my daughter became sick during the flight. Will fly with them again.

Too many passengers are bringing on too many large items as part of carry on baggage where it should be checked in. This is not the fault of Qantas but the stupid mindset passengers have now about trying to bring anything and everything on as carry on luggage where it should be checked in.

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.

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 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.

Book cheap flights from Melbourne to Cairns

Recent one-way flight deals

 
Only flying one-way? Below are some of the best one-way flight deals from Melbourne to Cairns found on KAYAK in the last 72 hours.
7/12Sat
directJetstar
3h 15mMEL-CNS
$126
12/1Sun
directJetstar
3h 20mMEL-CNS
$127
7/12Sat
directJetstar
3h 20mMEL-CNS
$129
30/11Sat
directVirgin Australia
3h 30mMEL-CNS
$180
14/2Fri
1 stop
12h 45mMEL-CNS
$204
24/3Mon
1 stopVirgin Australia
5h 10mMEL-CNS
$207
11/12Wed
1 stop
11h 45mAVV-CNS
$209
22/1Wed
2 stopsQantas Airways
7h 15mMEL-CNS
$506
20/12Fri
1 stopQantas Airways
8h 20mMEL-CNS
$551
13/1Mon
2 stopsAir Niugini
13h 30mMEL-CNS
$795

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Last minute flights from Melbourne to Cairns

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 Melbourne to Cairns that are departing in the next 10 days.
26/11Tue
directJetstar
3h 20mMEL-CNS
4/12Wed
directJetstar
3h 25mCNS-MEL
$319
26/11Tue
directJetstar
3h 20mMEL-CNS
5/12Thu
directJetstar
3h 25mCNS-MEL
$321
26/11Tue
directJetstar
3h 20mMEL-CNS
4/12Wed
directJetstar
3h 25mCNS-MEL
$336
26/11Tue
directJetstar
3h 20mMEL-CNS
6/12Fri
directJetstar
3h 25mCNS-MEL
$339
26/11Tue
direct
3h 20mMEL-CNS
3/12Tue
multi-stop
6h 20mCNS-MEL
$394
26/11Tue
direct
3h 20mMEL-CNS
3/12Tue
multi-stop
6h 20mCNS-MEL
$397
26/11Tue
directVirgin Australia
3h 30mMEL-CNS
2/12Mon
multi-stopVirgin Australia
6h 40mCNS-MEL
$459
26/11Tue
multi-stopVirgin Australia
5h 00mMEL-CNS
3/12Tue
multi-stopVirgin Australia
6h 20mCNS-MEL
$460
26/11Tue
multi-stopQantas Airways
5h 00mMEL-CNS
28/11Thu
multi-stopQantas Airways
5h 35mCNS-MEL
$824
23/11Sat
multi-stopQantas Airways
10h 20mMEL-CNS
3/12Tue
multi-stopQantas Airways
6h 50mCNS-MEL
$869

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

Information on your arrival and departure airports

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