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$85+ Cheap flights from Cairns (CNS) to Melbourne (MEL)

This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a Cheapflights user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight departing on 9/21. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel.
CNS — MEL
Aug 19 — Aug 261
Tue 8/19
Tue 8/26
1 adult, Economy
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Cheapflights Tip: The best prices from Cairns to Melbourne are usually found in February or March, booked 44 days in advance, depart on a Tuesday or Saturday and return on a Wednesday

Cheap flight deals from Cairns to Melbourne

Discover tips and strategies to find the most affordable flight options for your journey from Cairns (CNS) to Melbourne (MEL). Learn about various techniques such as flexible date searches, comparing prices across and setting up price alerts. Use these methods to find the cheapest flights available for your travel needs. Data last updated August 14, 2025.

Round-trip from

$158
(Kiwi.com)

One-way from

$85
(Jetstar)

Popular in

September

Cheapest in

February

Average price

$206

Good round-trip deal

$199 or less

Good one-way deal

$129 or less
From Cairns to Melbourne
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One-way flight from Cairns to Melbourne
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Highest demand for flights based on searches. 12% potential increase in price ($29 potential increase over avg. RT price).
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Cheapest flight prices on average. 2% potential price decrease ($6 potential savings vs. average RT price).
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Average for round-trip flights in August 2025
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Price to beat on a round-trip flight from Cairns to Melbourne.
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Price to beat on a one-way flight from Cairns to Melbourne.
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Find flight deals from Cairns to Melbourne

Cheapest flights from Cairns to Melbourne
Explore the most affordable flight options available from Cairns to Melbourne. Find the lowest fares from popular airlines and budget airlines, with prices last updated on August 14, 2025.

This Kiwi.com deal was found by Cheapflights users on 8/14. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure Kiwi.com is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Thu 8/289:30 pmCNS - MEL
Nonstop3h 25mJetstar
Wed 9/37:45 pmMEL - CNS
Nonstop3h 20mJetstar
Deal found 8/14$158
This Jetstar deal was found by Cheapflights users on 8/12. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure Jetstar is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Fri 12/57:30 pmCNS - MEL
Nonstop3h 25mJetstar
Mon 12/86:15 amMEL - CNS
Nonstop3h 15mJetstar
Deal found 8/12$164
This Kiwi.com deal was found by Cheapflights users on 8/13. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure Kiwi.com is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Sun 9/79:30 pmCNS - MEL
Nonstop3h 25mJetstar
Thu 9/117:45 pmMEL - CNS
Nonstop3h 20mJetstar
Deal found 8/13$167
This Kiwi.com deal was found by Cheapflights users on 8/12. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure Kiwi.com is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Mon 9/157:00 amCNS - MEL
Nonstop3h 30mJetstar
Mon 9/157:45 pmMEL - CNS
Nonstop3h 20mJetstar
Deal found 8/12$169
This Kiwi.com deal was found by Cheapflights users on 8/12. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure Kiwi.com is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Wed 9/249:30 pmCNS - MEL
Nonstop3h 25mJetstar
Tue 9/307:45 pmMEL - CNS
Nonstop3h 20mJetstar
Deal found 8/12$186
This Jetstar deal was found by Cheapflights users on 8/12. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure Jetstar is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Wed 9/249:30 pmCNS - MEL
Nonstop3h 25mJetstar
Sun 9/287:45 pmMEL - CNS
Nonstop3h 20mJetstar
Deal found 8/12$199
This Virgin Australia deal was found by Cheapflights users on 8/12. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure Virgin Australia is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Sat 12/207:50 pmCNS - MEL
Nonstop3h 25mVirgin Australia
Sun 1/49:25 pmMEL - CNS
Nonstop3h 30mVirgin Australia
Deal found 8/12$208
This Virgin Australia deal was found by Cheapflights users on 8/13. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure Virgin Australia is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Fri 10/317:50 pmCNS - MEL
Nonstop3h 25mVirgin Australia
Sun 11/24:35 pmMEL - CNS
Nonstop3h 30mVirgin Australia
Deal found 8/13$211
This Kiwi.com deal was found by Cheapflights users on 8/12. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure Kiwi.com is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Thu 9/259:30 pmCNS - MEL
Nonstop3h 25mJetstar
Wed 10/15:20 pmMEL - CNS
Nonstop3h 20mJetstar
Deal found 8/12$213
This Trip.com deal was found by Cheapflights users on 8/12. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure Trip.com is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Thu 9/258:25 pmCNS - MEL
Nonstop3h 30mMultiple Airlines
Tue 9/307:45 pmMEL - CNS
Nonstop3h 20mMultiple Airlines
Deal found 8/12$216
This Virgin Australia deal was found by Cheapflights users on 8/13. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure Virgin Australia is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Tue 11/1111:55 pmCNS - MEL
Nonstop3h 25mVirgin Australia
Sat 11/159:00 amMEL - CNS
1 stop6h 55mVirgin Australia
Deal found 8/13$229

Cheapflights Fare Finder

 
Customize your flight search to find flights from Cairns to Melbourne that fit within your specific budget. Explore options based on user searches and filter the results based on your desired price range. Find flights that match your budget for a cost-effective journey. Over the last 7 days, Cheapflights users made 2,558,603 searches. Data last updated August 14, 2025.
Use the filters below to find and compare flights from Cairns to Melbourne Airport that are best for you.

Fly from

Cairns

Fly to

Melbourne

Route

Depart

Return

Price

CairnsMelbourne

CNS - MEL

CNSMEL

Cairns

Thu 8/28

9:30 pm-12:55 am

Nonstop3h 25m

Melbourne

Wed 9/3

7:45 pm-11:05 pm

Nonstop3h 20m

$158

CairnsMelbourne

CNS - MEL

CNSMEL

Cairns

Fri 12/5

7:30 pm-11:55 pm

Nonstop3h 25m

Melbourne

Mon 12/8

6:15 am-8:30 am

Nonstop3h 15m

$164

CairnsMelbourne

CNS - MEL

CNSMEL

Cairns

Sun 9/7

9:30 pm-12:55 am

Nonstop3h 25m

Melbourne

Thu 9/11

7:45 pm-11:05 pm

Nonstop3h 20m

$167

CairnsMelbourne

CNS - MEL

CNSMEL

Cairns

Mon 9/15

7:00 am-10:30 am

Nonstop3h 30m

Melbourne

Mon 9/15

7:45 pm-11:05 pm

Nonstop3h 20m

$169

CairnsMelbourne

CNS - MEL

CNSMEL

Cairns

Wed 9/24

9:30 pm-12:55 am

Nonstop3h 25m

Melbourne

Wed 10/1

5:20 pm-8:40 pm

Nonstop3h 20m

$186

CairnsMelbourne

CNS - MEL

CNSMEL

Cairns

Wed 9/24

9:30 pm-12:55 am

Nonstop3h 25m

Melbourne

Tue 9/30

7:45 pm-11:05 pm

Nonstop3h 20m

$186

CairnsMelbourne

CNS - MEL

CNSMEL

Cairns

Mon 2/9

9:45 am-2:10 pm

Nonstop3h 25m

Melbourne

Mon 2/16

6:15 am-8:30 am

Nonstop3h 15m

$191

CairnsMelbourne

CNS - MEL

CNSMEL

Cairns

Wed 9/24

9:30 pm-12:55 am

Nonstop3h 25m

Melbourne

Sun 9/28

7:45 pm-11:05 pm

Nonstop3h 20m

$199

CairnsMelbourne

CNS - MEL

CNSMEL

Cairns

Sat 12/20

7:50 pm-12:15 am

Nonstop3h 25m

Melbourne

Sun 1/4

9:25 pm-11:55 pm

Nonstop3h 30m

$208

CairnsMelbourne

CNS - MEL

CNSMEL

Cairns

Fri 10/31

7:50 pm-12:15 am

Nonstop3h 25m

Melbourne

Sun 11/2

4:35 pm-7:05 pm

Nonstop3h 30m

$211

Flights are sorted by cheapest round-trip flights first.

Deals found on 8/13

Showing 1-10 of 24 results
1
2
3

Best time to book a flight from Cairns to Melbourne

Have a flexible travel schedule? Discover the best time to fly to Melbourne from Cairns with our price prediction graph.
Estimated round-trip price
Rates are based on past data. Find the cheapest month and day to book your flight based on your travel requirements, then search for cheap deals.

Cheapflights Insights

Everything you need to know about your flight from Cairns to Melbourne Airport

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

Use this chart to determine the optimal time to book a round-trip flight from Cairns to Melbourne. Price data was last updated on August 8, 2025.

The best time to book flights from Cairns to Melbourne Airport is 44 days before your desired departure date. The cost of your flight will likely increase significantly if you book two weeks in advance of your flight.

What is the cheapest month to book a flight from Cairns to Melbourne Airport?

Currently, March is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from Cairns to Melbourne Airport (average of $1,071). Flying from Cairns to Melbourne Airport in December is currently the most expensive (average of $1,774). There are several factors that can impact the price of a flight, so comparing airlines, departure airports and flight times can provide users with more options.

What is the cheapest time of day to fly from CNS to MEL?

Find hourly flight availability from Cairns to Melbourne. Discover flight options and departure times throughout the day, allowing you to choose a departure time that suits your schedule. Data last updated August 14, 2025.

It’s typically best to fly out from Cairns to Melbourne Airport in the afternoon. Doing so could potentially save you 27% on the flight price compared to flying at noon, which is usually more expensive.

Weekly flight availability from Cairns to Melbourne Airport

Explore weekly flight availability from Cairns to Melbourne. Discover flights operating on different days of the week, giving you the flexibility to choose a travel day that best fits your plans. Compare info to find the most convenient option for your journey. Data last updated August 14, 2025.

The most flights from CNS to MEL are scheduled on a Wednesday (19 on average). You will have fewer flight options on Tuesday, which is when the least amount of flights are scheduled (14 on average).

How much does it cost to fly round-trip from Cairns to Melbourne Airport?

Reviews of airlines servicing Melbourne

Get insights into the airlines that provide service to Melbourne. Read reviews, discover amenities, and learn about the overall travel experience offered by airlines. Use this information to make informed decisions when choosing an airline for your flight to Melbourne. Reviews last updated August 14, 2025.
See what other customers who have flown with Jetstar from Cairns to Melbourne Airport have to say. You can also see how each airline compares in terms of entertainment options, comfort, food, crew/service, and boarding process.
Jetstar
6.5
Okay
463 reviews

Entertainment

5.1

Crew

7.3

Overall

6.5

Boarding

6.8

Comfort

6.4

Food

5.6

Reviews

1 / 20
2.0
Mediocre

Matt,Jul 2025

DPS - MEL

One of the worst flights I've ever been on. Avoid Jetstar and particular this redeye at all costs
Jetstar
6.5
Okay
463 reviews
Jetstar
6.5
Okay
463 reviews

Entertainment

5.1

Crew

7.3

Overall

6.5

Boarding

6.8

Comfort

6.4

Food

5.6

Reviews

1 / 20
2.0
Mediocre

Matt,Jul 2025

DPS - MEL

One of the worst flights I've ever been on. Avoid Jetstar and particular this redeye at all costs

Related info for your journey

Find useful and relevant information for your journey from Cairns to Melbourne. Access travel guides, tips, and recommendations to enhance your travel experience. Get information about local attractions, weather, transportation options, and more.

  • What airport do you fly from for flights from Cairns to Melbourne?

    Cairns (CNS) is the airport you will fly out of if you book a flight from Cairns to Melbourne. You should not have trouble finding flights to Melbourne from Cairns; the airport handles an average of 17 outbound flights to Melbourne per day. You should also have plenty of airline options to choose from since 1 airline has flights from the Cairns airport to Melbourne. It is only a 2.8 mi journey to Cairns (CNS) from Cairns’s city center.

  • What is the cheapest airline to fly from Cairns to Melbourne Airport round-trip?

    According to our current data, Jetstar ($142), offers the cheapest pricing from Cairns to Melbourne Airport. Jetstar is currently priced 32% below the average price you’ll pay for this route.

  • What are the most reliable airlines from Cairns to Melbourne Airport?

    Looking for the most reliable airlines to get you to your destination on time? Our data shows these are most likely to get you from Cairns to Melbourne Airport on time: Cathay Pacific (100%), Emirates (87%), Air New Zealand (87%).

  • What are the cheapest flights from Cairns to Melbourne Airport?

    While on average a flight from Cairns to Melbourne Airport is generally $190, our data shows the cheapest flight currently is $105. When looking at the most popular route, (Cairns - Melbourne), you can expect to pay $331 for that flight.

  • Can I find deals for flights from Cairns to Melbourne that include hotel bookings?

    Yes. In addition to deals on Cairns to Melbourne flights, Cheapflights offers vacation packages that include both flights and hotel.

  • How can I find direct flights from Cairns to Melbourne?

    After entering your origin and destination, apply the non-stop filter on the search result page to find direct flights from Cairns to Melbourne.

  • Can I find deals for business class flights from Cairns to Melbourne?

    Yes. Cheapflights offers flight deals from Cairns to Melbourne by cabin class. In addition to browsing deals, you can also filter by cabin class on the search results page after making a search.

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

    Currently, March is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from Cairns to Melbourne Airport (average of $1,071). Flying from Cairns to Melbourne Airport in December is currently the most expensive (average of $1,774). There are several factors that can impact the price of a flight, so comparing airlines, departure airports and flight times can provide users with more options.

See more FAQs

Traveling to a place near Melbourne Airport?

Book flights to Melbourne Airport if you plan to visit one of these locations
Geelong
Tullamarine
Doncaster
Phillip Island

Browse thousands of different options on Cheapflights for your next trip

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Alternative routes for Cairns to Melbourne

See prices for flight routes from nearby airports that may be better suited for you.
Brisbane to Melbourne flights
Coolangatta to Melbourne flights

Top airline flying from Cairns to Melbourne

Discover the top airline that operate flights from Cairns to Melbourne. Compare their services, reliability, and customer satisfaction ratings to choose the airline that best suits your travel preferences and needs. Over the last 7 days, Cheapflights users made 2,558,603 searches. Data last updated August 14, 2025.
AirlineCheapestAverageFlexibilityOn-time
JetstarCheapest$142Average$177FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time74%

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