Cheap flights from Melbourne to Cairns

Tullamarine
MEL
Cairns
CNS

Flight deals from Melbourne to Cairns

Below you can see the best deals on flights Melbourne — Cairns 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 6 October, from AED 311.

Top 10 cheap flights from Melbourne to Cairns

JQ
 467

Melbourne — Cairns

18:55—22:20
1 Sep 2026
3 h 25 m
Direct flight
JQ
 499

Melbourne — Cairns

18:25—21:50
5 Sep 2026
3 h 25 m
Direct flight
JQ
 503

Melbourne — Cairns

18:55—22:20
8 Sep 2026
3 h 25 m
Direct flight
JQ
 503

Melbourne — Cairns

18:55—22:20
7 Sep 2026
3 h 25 m
Direct flight
JQ
 506

Melbourne — Cairns

19:05—22:30
30 Aug 2026
3 h 25 m
Direct flight
JQ
 506

Melbourne — Cairns

19:05—22:30
31 Aug 2026
3 h 25 m
Direct flight
JQ
 516

Melbourne — Cairns

18:55—22:20
2 Sep 2026
3 h 25 m
Direct flight
JQ
JQ
 532

Melbourne — Cairns

14:55—22:25
9 Sep 2026
7 h 30 m
1 stop
JQ
JQ
 532

Melbourne — Cairns

06:00—22:25
9 Sep 2026
16 h 25 m
1 stop
JQ
JQ
 539

Melbourne — Cairns

06:00—22:25
25 Aug 2026
16 h 25 m
1 stop

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

About the Melbourne — Cairns flight

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

The route has direct flights — around 106 flights per week, flights are operated by Jetstar Airways, Virgin Australia, Qantas, Latam Airlines Group and 1 more airline, 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 Cairns travel guide, how to get from the airport into town and Cairns 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 AED 242Min. price
DecemberCheapest
AugustPeak season
YesDirect flights
2,317 kmDistance
3 h 20 minTravel time
5Airlines
106 / wkFlights

Flight schedule from Melbourne to Cairns

The table shows direct flights from Melbourne to Cairns on the selected date. The flight takes approximately 3 h 20 min. Regular flights are operated by Jetstar Airways, Virgin Australia, Qantas and Latam Airlines Group. Departures from Tullamarine Airport and Avalon Airport airports, arrivals at Cairns 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: 15 Aug 2026

Flight ticket prices by day: Melbourne — Cairns

Below is a calendar of the lowest flight ticket prices for Melbourne — Cairns by day. Pick a convenient date and instantly see the fare. The cheapest flights on this route start from AED 242 in December, and the most expensive are around AED 506 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 Melbourne to Cairns by month. Tickets are usually cheapest in February (around AED 450) and priciest in July (about AED 846) — use the table and chart below to pick the best time to fly.

MonthAverage priceLevelMonthAverage priceLevelMonthAverage priceLevel
JanAED 688highMayAED 740highSepAED 608medium
FebAED 450lowJunAED 793highOctAED 502low
MarAED 714highJulAED 846highNovAED 529low
AprAED 555mediumAugAED 688mediumDecAED 820high

Some values are estimated based on seasonality.

When to fly

Weather in Cairns: it is warmest in February (up to 28 °C on average) and coolest in July (around 22 °C). The driest month is August.

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

Temperature · Cairns

Dry and wet days · Cairns

Wind speed and direction · Cairns

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

  • Book ahead: fares for Melbourne — Cairns 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.
  • Melbourne is served by more than one airport — compare fares and travel time to each before you book.
  • The cheapest month to fly to Cairns is usually December — 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 Melbourne — Cairns route are operated by 5 airlines; Jetstar Airways runs the most flights (around 42% of all flights). Compare carriers, flight shares and schedules below.

  • Jetstar AirwaysJQ
    15x/week
    WebsiteFleet: 8120M pax/year
    • Direct flight MEL → CNS15x/week
      Duration
      3h 23m
      Days
      MTWTFSS
    41.5%Open →
  • Virgin AustraliaVA
    13x/week
    WebsiteFleet: 9231M pax/year
    • Direct flight MEL → CNS13x/week
      Duration
      3h 25m
      Days
      MTWTFSS
    36.8%Open →
  • QantasQF
    6x/week
    WebsiteFleet: 33646M pax/year
    • Direct flight MEL → CNS6x/week
      Duration
      3h 25m
      Days
      MTWTFSS
    17.9%Open →
  • Latam Airlines GroupLA
    1x/week
    WebsiteFleet: 34782M pax/year
    • Direct flight MEL → CNS1x/week
      Days
      MTWTFSS
    1.9%Open →
  • Qatar AirwaysQR
    1x/week
    WebsiteFleet: 26640M pax/year
    • Direct flight MEL → CNS1x/week
      Days
      MTWTFSS
    1.9%Open →

Cities and airports on the Melbourne — Cairns route

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

Departure

Melbourne

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

Cairns

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

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Frequently asked questions about the Melbourne — Cairns flight

How long is the flight from Melbourne to Cairns?

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

How far is it from Melbourne to Cairns?

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

Are there direct flights from Melbourne to Cairns?

Yes, there are nonstop flights Melbourne — Cairns — around 106 flights per week.

Which airlines fly from Melbourne to Cairns?

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

Which airports do Melbourne — Cairns flights use?

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

How much is a ticket from Melbourne to Cairns?

The price of a Melbourne — Cairns ticket depends on your travel date, season and demand: it is usually cheapest to fly in December, and most expensive in August. Tickets typically cost between AED 242 and AED 506. Check the current lowest fare and low-price calendar on this page.

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

Flights Melbourne — Cairns 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 December. Compare prices by month in the price trend chart on this page.

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

To catch a low fare Melbourne — Cairns, 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 December.

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 Melbourne

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Where else you can fly from Cairns

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