$160 Find Cheap Flights from Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine) to Cairns – Compare and Save

These are the earliest and latest flight times available from Melbourne Airport to Cairns:

• Earliest: departs at 06:05 and lands at 09:28
• Latest: departs at 21:25 and lands at 00:48.

The flight takes about 3h 23m.

Two cabin classes are available on flights from Melbourne Airport to Cairns:

• Economy class
• Business Class

A direct flight from Melbourne Airport to Cairns takes 3h 23m, covering 3,719 km.

No, a passport is not required for this domestic route, but you will need another form of identification, such as a driving licence.

Return flights from Melbourne Airport to Cairns range from $277 to $471, with an average of $356 over the past 12 months. Anything below $277 counts as a good deal.

Last-minute fares on this route (booked within two weeks of departure) run 18% above the $356 route average. Book 13 weeks before departure for the lowest fares.

On this route, direct flights are cheaper than stopover options on average. Direct fares average $350 return, compared with $536 via a stopover through Sydney Kingsford Smith (SYD).

Virgin Australia is slightly above the route average for timely arrivals, while Qantas Airways has a lower on-time arrival rate. On-time arrival rates on Melbourne Airport to Cairns flights are:

• Virgin Australia: 88% on time
• Qantas Airways: 87% on time
• Jetstar: 73% on time

On average, flights on this route are punctual 80% of the time.

There is no standard. Checked bag policies vary by airline on this route. Most carriers charge $32–$144 for the first checked bag in Economy. Premium fares and elite status bookings typically include a free checked bag.

The Boeing 737-800 Passenger/BBJ2 (winglets) family is used most often on this route, operated mainly by Virgin Australia and Qantas Airways. Other aircraft seen on the route include Airbus A320-100/200 variants.

Morning is the busiest departure period on Melbourne Airport to Cairns flights, with 51% leaving in that window. Afternoon departures account for 33%, Evening flights for 16%, and Night flights for 0%.

Yes. Based on fares seen in the past 5 days, return flight prices on this route showed a wide range, from about $289 to $2,383. That means the highest observed fare was about 8x higher than the lowest one.

One-way fares from Melbourne Airport to Cairns are currently lower than usual. Average one-way flight prices are about $204, which is 5% below the typical average for this route.

Cairns Airport (CNS) hosts 5 major car hire companies, with daily rates starting from around $18 for economy cars. Top options include:

• Bargain Car Rentals
• East Coast Car Rentals
• Simba Car Hire
• Ace Rental Cars
• Budget

Flights from Melbourne Airport to Cairns usually depart from Melbourne (MEL) and arrive at Cairns (CNS).

Morning flights have the fewest delays on this route, while night departures tend to have the most.

A flight is considered delayed when it departs 15 minutes or more after its scheduled time. This is the standard used by the US Department of Transportation and most airline industry reporting. On the Melbourne Airport to Cairns route, 20% of flights were delayed in the past three months, with delays averaging 1h 40m.

Connecting flights from Melbourne Airport to Cairns most commonly pass through:

• Sydney Kingsford Smith (SYD) – 54% of one-stop connections
• Brisbane (BNE) – 46% of one-stop connections

Yes. Flexible dates can save you up to 12% on flights from Melbourne Airport to Cairns. Wednesday is the cheapest departure day at $333 return on average, while Friday is the most expensive at $375, a difference of $42.

KAYAK's flexible dates feature shows options up to three days before and after your selected dates, making it easier to compare nearby fares.

3 airlines operate flights between Melbourne Airport and Cairns. The airlines offering direct flights on this route include:

• Jetstar
• Virgin Australia
• Qantas Airways

Flying via Sydney Kingsford Smith (SYD) gives the shortest average 1-stop total travel time of 6h 35m, compared to 7h 23m via Brisbane (BNE).

Cairns is 1 hour behind Melbourne Airport (Eastern Australia Time vs Eastern Australia Time). Plan for the time shift when scheduling connections or first-day activities.

Some of the most popular sights in Cairns are Esplanade Lagoon, Reef Hotel Casino, and Cairns Convention Centre. These are among the most viewed places in Cairns on KAYAK.

Among airlines operating Melbourne Airport to Cairns flights:

• Virgin Australia: offers free seat selection
• Qantas Airways: offers free seat selection

Extra legroom and free seat selection availability depends on fare class and route.

Here are some options for this route, based on selected ticket types and cabin classes:

• Jetstar: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy class
• Virgin Australia: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy class
• Qantas Airways: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy class

Baggage allowance can vary by ticket type, cabin class, route, and airline, so always check the fare details before booking.

Yes – if you are considering booking a hotel close to the airport, check out The Lakes Cairns Resort & Spa or the Comfort Inn Discovery Cairns. Both of them are located a few minutes’ drive from the airport and provide transfers for an additional fee. For those who are travelling on a budget, Calypso Inn Backpackers Resort near the terminal building might be a better option.

Yes, you can choose from six car rental companies with counters in the Arrivals Hall at Cairns Airport. It is possible to check the full list of companies on the airport website and contact them to make all the necessary arrangements before your flight from Melbourne to Cairns.

Yes, there are a number of shops operating at the airport in Cairns, which between them sell a wide range of products. You will easily find snacks, travel accessories, cosmetics, reading material, souvenirs, electronics and some items of clothing.

The most convenient option for getting to your final destination from the airport is to book a hotel that offers airport transfers, but if this is not possible you can use the Sun Palm shuttle, which will drop you off in front of your hotel. To book the shuttle, simply look for the Sun Palm welcome desks at the airport. Passengers who prefer public transportation can catch the Airport Connect bus (a ticket costs $6) and then connect to a Translink bus costing around $2.

Virgin Australia is committed to providing a convenient airport and in-flight experience for travellers with limited mobility. You can enjoy priority boarding and wheelchair assistance, including battery-powered mobility aids that meet the airline’s requirements. Also, Virgin Australia has trained staff that will help you board and disembark from your flight.

Various airlines servicing the Melbourne to Cairns route allow pets on board, including Qantas, Virgin Australia and Jetstar. You can travel with your four-legged buddy in the cabin or as checked luggage, but size and weight restrictions apply. Check with your airline to learn its pet policy in advance.

Qantas offers a generous luggage policy for travellers with larger luggage items on this route. You can travel with a carry-on bag weighing up to 10 kg plus an extra bag not exceeding 4 kg. Also, you can check in up to 32 kg. The weight and size restrictions on this airline vary with the travel class.

Singapore Airlines is an excellent fit for hassle-free family travel from Melbourne to Cairns, offering various family-friendly amenities. Families with infants enjoy priority boarding and child-friendly onboard services like kids’ meals, kid-friendly entertainment and child restraint devices, including bassinets and child seats.