Cheap flights from Cairns to Melbourne

Cairns
CNS
Tullamarine
MEL

Flight deals from Cairns to Melbourne

Below you can see the best deals on flights Cairns — Melbourne for upcoming dates. Direct and connecting flights from various airlines — compare prices and choose the right ticket.

The lowest price for the next 2 months is on 16 September, from $87.

Top 10 cheap flights from Cairns to Melbourne

JQ
$ 100

Cairns — Melbourne

21:40—01:00
11 Sep 2026
3 h 20 m
Direct flight
JQ
$ 136

Cairns — Melbourne

21:40—01:00
11 Sep 2026
3 h 20 m
Direct flight
JQ
$ 142

Cairns — Melbourne

07:00—10:30
12 Sep 2026
3 h 30 m
Direct flight
JQ
$ 159

Cairns — Melbourne

19:35—23:00
11 Sep 2026
3 h 25 m
Direct flight
JQ
$ 165

Cairns — Melbourne

11:00—14:30
11 Sep 2026
3 h 30 m
Direct flight
JQ
$ 165

Cairns — Melbourne

19:35—23:00
10 Sep 2026
3 h 25 m
Direct flight
JQ
$ 165

Cairns — Melbourne

07:00—10:30
14 Sep 2026
3 h 30 m
Direct flight
JQ
$ 165

Cairns — Melbourne

19:35—23:00
7 Sep 2026
3 h 25 m
Direct flight
JQ
JQ
$ 170

Cairns — Melbourne

06:45—16:05
12 Sep 2026
9 h 20 m
1 stop
JQ
JQ
$ 170

Cairns — Melbourne

06:45—22:50
12 Sep 2026
16 h 5 m
1 stop

Prices were found in the last 72 hours and may change — check the exact price when you continue.

About the Cairns — Melbourne flight

Looking for cheap flights from Cairns to Melbourne? Compare fares from different airlines, check the flight schedule and travel time — and book your Cairns — Melbourne ticket online at the best price.

The route has direct flights — around 108 flights per week, flights are operated by Jetstar Airways, Virgin Australia, Qantas, Qatar Airways, a nonstop flight takes about 3 h 20 min, the distance between the cities is around 2,317 km.

Planning your trip? You may find our Melbourne travel guide, how to get from the airport into town and Melbourne weather forecast useful. To catch a low fare, use the low-price calendar and the monthly price chart on this page.

Facts about this route

from $76Min. price
NovemberCheapest
AugustPeak season
YesDirect flights
2,317 kmDistance
3 h 20 minTravel time
4Airlines
108 / wkFlights

Flight schedule from Cairns to Melbourne

The table shows direct flights from Cairns to Melbourne on the selected date. The flight takes approximately 3 h 20 min. Regular flights are operated by Jetstar Airways, Virgin Australia, Qantas and Qatar Airways. Departures from Cairns Airport airports, arrivals at Tullamarine Airport and Avalon Airport.

For each flight, the following details are shown: departure time (local), arrival city and airport, flight number and airline, terminal or gate, and status. Click on a flight to open its details and go to ticket search. To view flights on a different day, change the date above the table.

Today
Any time
Last update: 14 Aug 2026

Flight ticket prices by day: Cairns — Melbourne

Below is a calendar of the lowest flight ticket prices for Cairns — Melbourne by day. Pick a convenient date and instantly see the fare. The cheapest flights on this route start from $76 in November, and the most expensive are around $198 in August. If your travel dates are flexible, the calendar will help you find the best price for your preferred period. To view round-trip fares, switch to the "Round trip" tab above the calendar, select your departure date — and the right-hand calendar will highlight the lowest prices for return flights on each day.

 
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Prices by month

Average one-way fares from Cairns to Melbourne by month. Tickets are usually cheapest in February (around $105) and priciest in December (about $151) — use the table and chart below to pick the best time to fly.

MonthAverage priceLevelMonthAverage priceLevelMonthAverage priceLevel
Jan$149highMay$108lowSep$127medium
Feb$105lowJun$120mediumOct$123medium
Mar$111lowJul$141highNov$129medium
Apr$123mediumAug$114lowDec$151high

Some values are estimated based on seasonality.

When to fly

Weather in Melbourne: it is warmest in January (up to 26 °C on average) and coolest in July (around 13 °C). The driest month is February.

Tickets are usually cheapest in November and most expensive in August. Compare prices and weather by month in the charts below to pick the best time to fly.

Temperature · Melbourne

Dry and wet days · Melbourne

Wind speed and direction · Melbourne

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How to get the best deal on a Cairns — Melbourne ticket

  • Book ahead: fares for Cairns — Melbourne are usually lower 3–8 weeks before departure than at the last minute.
  • Play with your dates — Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday departures are often cheaper than Friday and Sunday.
  • The cheapest month to fly to Melbourne is usually November — plan your trip around it if your dates are flexible.
  • Compare direct and connecting flights: nonstop is faster, while a connection is sometimes noticeably cheaper.
  • Watch the low-price calendar and the monthly price trend on this page — they make it easier to catch a good date.
  • Travelling light? Pick a cabin-baggage-only fare — tickets without checked luggage are noticeably cheaper.
  • Get to the airport in good time — about 2–3 hours before an international departure and roughly an hour before a domestic one.

Airlines

Flights on the Cairns — Melbourne route are operated by 4 airlines; Jetstar Airways runs the most flights (around 44% of all flights). Compare carriers, flight shares and schedules below.

  • Jetstar AirwaysJQ
    16x/week
    WebsiteFleet: 8120M pax/year
    • Direct flight CNS → MEL16x/week
      Duration
      3h 27m
      Days
      MTWTFSS
    44.4%Open →
  • Virgin AustraliaVA
    13x/week
    WebsiteFleet: 9231M pax/year
    • Direct flight CNS → MEL13x/week
      Duration
      3h 30m
      Days
      MTWTFSS
    36.1%Open →
  • QantasQF
    6x/week
    WebsiteFleet: 33646M pax/year
    • Direct flight CNS → MEL6x/week
      Duration
      3h 25m
      Days
      MTWTFSS
    17.6%Open →
  • Qatar AirwaysQR
    1x/week
    WebsiteFleet: 26640M pax/year
    • Direct flight CNS → MEL1x/week
    1.9%Open →

Cities and airports on the Cairns — Melbourne route

Flights Cairns — Melbourne depart from Cairns Airport and arrive at Tullamarine Airport and Avalon Airport. Below are pages for the cities, countries, and airports on the route: airlines, schedules, and travel guides.

Departure

Cairns

CNS
Australia
About the cityHow to get thereWeatherAll about the country Australia
Arrival

Melbourne

MEL
Australia
About the cityHow to get thereWeatherAll about the country Australia
Departure airports
Arrival airports

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Frequently asked questions about the Cairns — Melbourne flight

How long is the flight from Cairns to Melbourne?

A nonstop Cairns — Melbourne flight takes about 3 h 20 min — the distance between the cities is around 2,317 km.

How far is it from Cairns to Melbourne?

The distance from Cairns to Melbourne is about 2,317 km, which a nonstop flight covers in around 3 h 20 min.

Are there direct flights from Cairns to Melbourne?

Yes, there are nonstop flights Cairns — Melbourne — around 108 flights per week.

Which airlines fly from Cairns to Melbourne?

Airlines operating Cairns — Melbourne include Jetstar Airways, Virgin Australia, Qantas, Qatar Airways. See the full list with schedules in the "Airlines" section on this page.

Which airports do Cairns — Melbourne flights use?

Flights from Cairns depart from Cairns Airport, and arrive at Tullamarine Airport, Avalon Airport. If a city has more than one airport, check which one your ticket uses before you travel.

How much is a ticket from Cairns to Melbourne?

The price of a Cairns — Melbourne ticket depends on your travel date, season and demand: it is usually cheapest to fly in November, and most expensive in August. Tickets typically cost between $76 and $198. Check the current lowest fare and low-price calendar on this page.

When is the best time to book flights Cairns — Melbourne?

Flights Cairns — Melbourne are usually cheaper when booked in advance — a few weeks before departure and away from peak dates; the most budget-friendly month to fly is November. Compare prices by month in the price trend chart on this page.

How can I find the cheapest flights from Cairns to Melbourne?

To catch a low fare Cairns — Melbourne, book a few weeks in advance, keep your dates flexible, and compare airlines and connecting options. The low-price calendar and monthly price chart on this page show the cheapest days and months at a glance: the most budget-friendly month to fly is usually November.

How early should I arrive at the airport?

For international flights, plan to be at the airport about 2–3 hours before departure, and around an hour before a domestic flight. Allow extra time during busy travel seasons and at large hubs, where check-in and security lines can be longer.

Where else you can fly from Cairns

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BrisbaneSydneyTownsvilleAdelaideWeipaDarwinGold CoastDenpasarPort MoresbyPerthHorn IslandTokyoSingaporeYularaOsakaAucklandSunshine CoastHong KongNadiBamagaChristchurchMackayProserpineLockhart RiverKowanyamaEdward RiverRockhamptonAurukun

Where else you can fly from Melbourne

See all
SydneyBrisbaneAdelaideGold CoastPerthSingaporeHobartAucklandCanberraLauncestonDenpasarSunshine CoastKuala LumpurHong KongNewcastleChristchurchDarwinBangkokNadiMilduraQueenstownDubaiHo Chi Minh CityWellingtonShanghaiDevonportDohaGuangzhouBurnieLos AngelesTownsvilleDelhiTokyoManilaJakartaSantiagoAlice SpringsColomboXiamenSan Francisco

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