CNS - MEL

$123 Find Cheap Flights from Cairns to Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine)

This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a KAYAK user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight from Cairns to Melbourne departing on 9/3. 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.
1 adult
1 adult, Economy, 0 bags

KAYAK searches hundreds of travel sites at once for deals on flights to Melbourne Airport

 
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
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Everything you should know

Cheapest return fare
$247
Typical prices: $222-$277
Jetstar
Thu 26/3Sun 29/3
CNS - MEL • Direct
Cheapest direct flights
$246
Typical prices: $209-$357
Jetstar
Fri 24/4Mon 27/4
CNS - MEL • Direct
Top airlines
Jetstar
Cheapest • from $246 (return)
Virgin Australia
Best reviews • 7.6 score
Airline reviews
Airline reviews
+1
+1
Airline reviews
Airline reviews
+1
When to book
3 weeks
in advance
Our data shows that travellers who book at least 3 weeks in advance save around 22% compared to booking last minute.
Insights
Insights
Insights
Insights
When to travel
March
Cheapest • 19% price drop
October
Most popular
Good to know
Good to know
+1
+1
Good to know
Good to know
+1
Start a new search
KAYAK searches hundreds of sites at once to find you the best travel deals.
We hope you love your trip to Melbourne!
Flight Deals
Booking Insights
Flight Deals

Cheap Flights from Cairns to Melbourne (CNS-MEL)

 
Here are some of the best deals found on KAYAK recently from the most popular airlines for return flights from Cairns to Melbourne 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.
Discover the best prices for you by selecting your travel dates on KAYAK.

Recent return flight deals from Cairns to Melbourne

Thu, 26 Mar - Sun, 29 Mar
Jetstar Logo
19:30 - 23:55
CNS
-
MEL
3h 25mdirect
Jetstar Logo
17:25 - 19:50
MEL
-
CNS
3h 25mdirect
$247Jetstar
Fri, 6 Mar - Fri, 13 Mar
Virgin Australia Logo
23:55 - 04:20
CNS
-
MEL
3h 25mdirect
Virgin Australia Logo
21:25 - 23:55
MEL
-
CNS
3h 30mdirect
$249Virgin Australia
Fri, 13 Mar - Sun, 15 Mar
Virgin Australia Logo
23:55 - 04:20
CNS
-
MEL
3h 25mdirect
Virgin Australia Logo
21:25 - 23:55
MEL
-
CNS
3h 30mdirect
$250Virgin Australia
Tue, 17 Feb - Sat, 21 Feb
Jetstar Logo
07:45 - 12:10
CNS
-
MEL
3h 25mdirect
Jetstar Logo
06:15 - 08:30
MEL
-
CNS
3h 15mdirect
$255Jetstar
Thu, 29 Jan - Wed, 4 Feb
Jetstar Logo
19:30 - 23:55
CNS
-
MEL
3h 25mdirect
Jetstar Logo
06:15 - 08:30
MEL
-
CNS
3h 15mdirect
$256Jetstar
Sat, 7 Mar - Sat, 14 Mar
Jetstar Logo
18:40 - 23:05
CNS
-
MEL
3h 25mdirect
Jetstar Logo
15:35 - 17:55
MEL
-
CNS
3h 20mdirect
$258Jetstar
Sat, 7 Mar - Sat, 14 Mar
Jetstar Logo
09:45 - 14:10
CNS
-
MEL
3h 25mdirect
Jetstar Logo
06:15 - 08:30
MEL
-
CNS
3h 15mdirect
$262Jetstar
Sat, 31 Jan - Fri, 6 Feb
Jetstar Logo
18:30 - 22:55
CNS
-
MEL
3h 25mdirect
Jetstar Logo
19:45 - 22:05
MEL
-
CNS
3h 20mdirect
$264Jetstar
Thu, 5 Feb - Mon, 9 Feb
Jetstar Logo
09:45 - 14:10
CNS
-
MEL
3h 25mdirect
Jetstar Logo
19:45 - 22:05
MEL
-
CNS
3h 20mdirect
$267Jetstar
Tue, 17 Feb - Tue, 24 Feb
Jetstar Logo
07:45 - 12:10
CNS
-
MEL
3h 25mdirect
Jetstar Logo
06:15 - 08:30
MEL
-
CNS
3h 15mdirect
$271Jetstar
Booking Insights

KAYAK's insights & trends for Cairns to Melbourne flights

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.

How much is a return flight from Cairns to Melbourne Airport?

This analysis is based on the cheapest return trip price found on KAYAK in the last 12 months by searching for a flight from Cairns to Melbourne Airport departing in March.

What’s the cheapest day of the week to fly from Cairns to Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine)?

The average price of all round-trip flights from Cairns to Melbourne Airport clicked on KAYAK for each day over the last 12 months.

If you are looking for a flight deal from Cairns to Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine), look for departures on Fridays and avoid leaving on a Tuesday, as it's usually the priciest day. When flying back from Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine), Tuesday is the cheapest day to fly and Sunday is the most expensive.

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

To calculate monthly average prices, KAYAK takes all prices for each month over the last year for round-trip flights from Cairns to Melbourne Airport, 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 Airport is March, where tickets cost $237 (return) on average. On the other hand, the most expensive months are July and December, where the average cost of round-trip tickets is $386 and $344 respectively.

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

To calculate weekly average prices, KAYAK takes all prices for each week before departure over the last year for round-trip flights from Cairns to Melbourne Airport, 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 Cairns to Melbourne Airport, you should book around 3 weeks before departure, which saves you about 22% compared to booking last minute. For the absolute cheapest price, our data suggests you should book 26 weeks before departure.

Good to know

Low seasonNovember
Cheapest flight$123
Best time to beat the crowds but there is an average 1% increase in price.
Most popular time to fly (8% more expensive on average)
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 Cairns to Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine) flights

  • What is the easiest way to get from Melbourne Airport to the city centre?

    SkyBus offers express bus services between Melbourne Airport and the city centre that take 40min and cost around A$ 15 for a one-way trip. Taxi ranks can be found at all terminals. A trip to the city centre will take 30min and cost around A$ 40, with an additional fee for airport pickups. Rideshare services also have dedicated pickup points. If you prefer to hire a car, a number of leading car rental companies are conveniently located opposite Terminal 2.

  • Can I park my car at Cairns Airport?

    If you are driving to Cairns Airport, you can leave your vehicle safely at the airport for the duration of your trip. Whether you’re visiting Melbourne for a weekend getaway, a week-long trip or planning an extended stay, travellers can get great savings on short and long-term parking if you pre-book online. Parking rates start from about A$ 77 per week.

  • Are there any direct flights from Cairns to Melbourne (MEL)?

    Yes, there are direct flights to Melbourne from Cairns. A number of airlines, including Jetstar, Qantas and Virgin Australia offer direct flights along the route from tropical Northern Queensland to Melbourne. Some flights also have a layover in Sydney or Brisbane.

  • What’s the carry-on allowance for flights from Cairns to Melbourne?

    Your carry-on allowance will depend on your airline and your fare. For example, Jetstar generally allows one carry-on item up to 7 kg with the option to pay for an additional bag. Qantas offers a range of allowable configurations, with a maximum of two bags and one personal item, a 10 kg restriction per bag and a 14 kg limit in total.

  • Are there premium economy fares between Cairns and Melbourne?

    You won’t find premium economy, but Qantas and Virgin offer business-class fares featuring a range of premium advantages. Some Australian airlines also offer variations on the basic economy fare. For example, Virgin Australia’s Flex fare gives you checked luggage, free seat selection and flexibility with changing and cancelling your flight.

  • Do kids need a child car seat to get to and from the airport?

    You must abide by Australia’s child car seat laws, even if you’re taking a taxi or getting a ride to and from the airport. This means kids under the age of seven must use a booster or a rear or forward-facing car seat suitable for their age and height.

  • Can I take a pet on my flight from Cairns Airport (CNS) to Melbourne?

    Each Australian airline has its own rules regarding pets. However, you will generally find that they only allow service animals to travel with you in the passenger cabin. All other pets must generally travel in an appropriate-sized container in the cargo hold. To book pet travel, you can either contact your airline directly or use a commercial pet transport company.

  • What is the cheapest flight from Cairns to Melbourne Airport?

    In the last 3 days, the lowest price for a flight from Cairns to Melbourne Airport was $123 for a one-way ticket and $246 for a return.

  • Which aircraft models fly most regularly from Cairns to Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine)?

    The Boeing 737-800 Passenger/BBJ2 (winglets) is the aircraft model that flies most regularly on the Cairns to Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine) flight route.

  • On which days can I fly direct from Cairns to Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine)?

    There are direct flights from Cairns to Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine) on a daily basis.

  • Which is the best airline for flights from Cairns to Melbourne, Virgin Australia or Jetstar?

    The two airlines most popular with KAYAK users for flights from Cairns to Melbourne are Virgin Australia and Jetstar. With an average price for the route of $360 and an overall rating of 7.6, Virgin Australia is the most popular choice. Jetstar is also a great choice for the route, with an average price of $282 and an overall rating of 6.5.

  • How does KAYAK find such low prices on flights from Cairns to Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine)?

    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 Airport (Tullamarine).

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

    KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool uses historical data to determine whether the price for a flight to Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine) from Cairns is likely to change within 7 days, so travellers know whether to wait or book now.

  • What is the Hacker Fare option on flights from Cairns to Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine)?

    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 Airport (Tullamarine) 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 Airport (Tullamarine)?

    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 Airport (Tullamarine) from Cairns up to 3 days before/after your preferred dates. You can then pick the flights that suit you best.

KAYAK’s top tips for finding a cheap flight from Cairns to Melbourne Airport

  • Looking for a cheap flight? 25% of our users found flights on this route for $165 or less one-way and $241 or less round-trip.
  • If you need a transfer to Cairns Airport (CNS), you can book a shuttle bus service, ride share or take a taxi. Taxis cost about A$ 23 and will take around 10min from the city centre, depending on where you're departing from.
  • Business travellers and Qantas Club members can enjoy a comfortable pre-flight experience at the Lounge on Level 1 of the Domestic Terminal at Cairns Airport, which offers complimentary refreshments, business facilities, and Wi-Fi.
  • Cairns Airport offers infrastructure and facilities for passengers with disabilities, including accessible drop-off areas and parking, lowered check-in counters for people in wheelchairs, and accessible bathrooms throughout the airport.
  • If you need to travel with a lot of luggage and want the ability to change or cancel your flight without fees, consider booking a business class fare with Qantas or Virgin Australia.
  • Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL) is the home base for Jetstar and a key hub for Qantas and Virgin Australia. The airport features four terminals, with T1 and T3 handling domestic flights, T2 handling international flights and T4 servicing budget domestic flights.

Prefer to fly direct from Cairns to Melbourne?

 
Direct data is based off flight results for the next 60 days. Find direct flights from all airlines flying direct from Cairns to Melbourne.
Find which airlines fly direct from Cairns Airport to Melbourne Airport, which days they fly and book direct flights.

Direct departures

Cairns to Melbourne

Monday

Jetstar, Qantas Airways, Virgin Australia

Jetstar, Qantas Airways, +1 more

Tuesday

Jetstar, Qantas Airways, Virgin Australia

Jetstar, Qantas Airways, +1 more

Wednesday

Jetstar, Qantas Airways, Virgin Australia

Jetstar, Qantas Airways, +1 more

Thursday

Jetstar, Qantas Airways, Virgin Australia

Jetstar, Qantas Airways, +1 more

Friday

Jetstar, Qantas Airways, Virgin Australia

Jetstar, Qantas Airways, +1 more

Saturday

Jetstar, Qantas Airways, Virgin Australia

Jetstar, Qantas Airways, +1 more

Sunday

Jetstar, Qantas Airways, Virgin Australia

Jetstar, Qantas Airways, +1 more

See more direct flights

Direct returns

Melbourne to Cairns

Monday

Jetstar, Qantas Airways, Virgin Australia

Jetstar, Qantas Airways, +1 more

Tuesday

Jetstar, Qantas Airways, Virgin Australia

Jetstar, Qantas Airways, +1 more

Wednesday

Jetstar, Qantas Airways, Virgin Australia

Jetstar, Qantas Airways, +1 more

Thursday

Jetstar, Qantas Airways, Virgin Australia

Jetstar, Qantas Airways, +1 more

Friday

Jetstar, Qantas Airways, Virgin Australia

Jetstar, Qantas Airways, +1 more

Saturday

Jetstar, Qantas Airways, Virgin Australia

Jetstar, Qantas Airways, +1 more

Sunday

Jetstar, Qantas Airways, Virgin Australia

Jetstar, Qantas Airways, +1 more

See more direct flights

Reviews of the 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.
7.6
Virgin AustraliaOverall score based on 430 reviews
8.2Crew
7.7Boarding
7.5Comfort
6.4Entertainment
6.4Food
Airline reviews

Our 6.30am flight was boarded then cancelled to fly at 10.55am . We were flying to Brisbane to attend a funeral at 12 noon an hour away . This means missing the funeral due to unreliability of Virgin . Unimpressed !!

2.0 MediocreRon, Dec 2025
CBR - BNE
Read more Virgin Australia reviews

Our 6.30am flight was boarded then cancelled to fly at 10.55am . We were flying to Brisbane to attend a funeral at 12 noon an hour away . This means missing the funeral due to unreliability of Virgin . Unimpressed !!

It was with Link Airways and the Saab 340 jet was noisy and little comfort.

They didn’t sent my luggage I got it 24 hours later

Plane was late and they wouldn’t check our bags through to Tokyo

Overall experience was good but what really impressed me the most was the care the flight attendants took of a sick passenger who was sitting in front of me. The flight attendants would come and check on her quite regularly providing her support and comfort. Brilliant service!

Only answered OK and poor as there was no entertainment and I didnt have any food

4.5 hr international flight. We got a glass of water. Ranks up there with Ryan Air, Easy Jet, Spirit and Frontier. Expected better.

Gluten free options less explicit on business class, but great service

Very good… seems the virgin staff particularly in the lounge and in flight exceeded expectations.

I liked everything about the experience but would have liked some free snacks!

Flight on time. New plane. No entertainment screen just device. No offer of water. Didn’t order food.

Flight was delayed both directions but once in the air was ok. Boarding out of Melbourne is just a mess.

Although a local trip via international flight it was fairly straight forward albeit more checks than desirable for local travel. On arrival Perth collecting luggage the trollies were hidden in one end of the long hall.

80 minute delay on departure based on two no show pax; removal of checked bags. Boarding very awkward, and waiting in terminal until specific rows called (not zones). Overhead not used for boarding, but specific staff member notifying people at the top of the stairs. Numerous people noted "this is confusing" on boarding. Seats ok, but entertainment (and food, and seat selection) all at extra cost. Smooth flight, and friendly neighbours.

Over four hours late. No entertainment without paying and same for food. Asked to check in at original time even though we were told it was going to be very late leaving. Way too long time to hang around the airport. Arriving to Sydney luggage did not arrive for an hour. Had to get staff to go and find out what was going on. All this made for a very long day and night for a eight hour flight.

I was disappointed to find that the QR code for purchasing in-flight entertainment did not function, leaving me without access to the amenities I had anticipated. (both flights)

I had opted to pay extra for a ticket on Jetstar A321-Neo in the first row, believing it would enhance my travel experience. Unfortunately, this was not the case. The constant line-up for the toilet resulted in people frequently standing next to me, causing significant discomfort throughout the flight. It was difficult to relax with the persistent disturbance from passengers bumping into my seat. Furthermore, I was disappointed to find that the QR code for purchasing in-flight entertainment did not function, leaving me without access to the amenities I had anticipated. Given these circumstances, I will not be purchasing seats in the first two rows in the future, nor will I choose to fly with your airline again.

Jet star delayed both trips with poor communication. Passengers were made to change gates often and then left to stand with no seating. As someone getting over surgery this was very trying.

Delayed twice. Poor communication and people made to change gates too often.

Very disappointed with my recent Jetstar experience. Firstly, it was extremely frustrating that we had to pay extra for basic things like in-flight entertainment and meals. Other airlines provide these essentials even with standard tickets, but Jetstar offered no comfort or amenities without additional charges. For a long international journey, this made the experience very uncomfortable. On top of that, there was a delay on our flight from Melbourne to Bangkok due to parts replacement, which was already inconvenient. But the biggest issue was the massive 5 hours and 15 minutes delay on our return flight, which completely disrupted our plans, caused unnecessary stress, and impacted both our time and health. Jetstar provided vouchers, but they were not nearly sufficient to cover proper meals or any meaningful service at Bangkok Airport. After such a long delay, this felt extremely inadequate and did not compensate for the inconvenience we faced. Overall, this has been one of my worst travel experiences. I am extremely disappointed and will not be booking with Jetstar in the future. I strongly request Jetstar to provide additional compensation for the significant delays and the discomfort we had to go through.

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

Other airlines flying to Cairns

Flight deals from the most popular airlines with KAYAK users flying the route