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$80+ Cheap flights from Melbourne (MEL) to Cairns (CNS)

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 2/12. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel.
MEL — CNS
Jan 21 — Jan 281
Tue 1/21
Tue 1/28
1 adult, Economy
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The best prices from Melbourne to Cairns are usually found in February or January, booked 69 days in advance, depart on a Wednesday or Sunday and return on a Wednesday

Cheap flight deals from Melbourne to Cairns

Discover tips and strategies to find the most affordable flight options for your journey from Melbourne (MEL) to Cairns (CNS). 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 January 16, 2025.

Most accurate provider

FlightHub
3 stars

Most trusted provider

FlightHub
3 stars

Round-trip from

$157
(Kiwi.com)

One-way from

$80
(OneTravel)

Popular in

July

Cheapest in

February

Average price

$223
Provider with most accurate pricing for Melbourne-Cairns flight deals.
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Provider most trusted by Cheapflights users for Melbourne-Cairns flights.
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From Melbourne to Cairns
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One-way flight from Melbourne to Cairns
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High demand for flights, 11% potential price rise
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Best time to find cheap flights, 1% potential price drop
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Average for round-trip flights in January 2025
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Find flight deals from Melbourne to Cairns

Cheapest flights from Melbourne to Cairns
Explore the most affordable flight options available from Melbourne to Cairns. Find the lowest fares from popular airlines and budget airlines, with prices last updated on January 16, 2025.

This OneTravel deal was found by Cheapflights users on 1/16. 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 OneTravel is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Thu 1/306:00 amMEL - CNS
Nonstop3h 15mJetstar
Sat 2/17:35 amCNS - MEL
Nonstop3h 25mJetstar
Deal found 1/16$150
This Kiwi.com deal was found by Cheapflights users on 1/16. 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 3/126:05 amMEL - CNS
Nonstop3h 30mVirgin Australia
Mon 3/319:10 amCNS - MEL
Nonstop3h 30mVirgin Australia
Deal found 1/16$157
This Trip.com deal was found by Cheapflights users on 1/16. 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.
Tue 3/186:05 amMEL - CNS
Nonstop3h 30mMultiple Airlines
Tue 4/299:30 pmCNS - MEL
Nonstop3h 25mMultiple Airlines
Deal found 1/16$165
This Qantas Airways deal was found by Cheapflights users on 1/16. 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 Qantas Airways is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Sun 12/289:45 amMEL - CNS
Nonstop3h 20mQantas Airways
Wed 12/316:00 amCNS - MEL
1 stop13h 20mQantas Airways
Deal found 1/16$431
This Mytrip deal was found by Cheapflights users on 1/16. 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 Mytrip is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Thu 1/307:00 amMEL - CNS
2 stops12h 30mAir Niugini
Fri 1/317:00 amCNS - MEL
2 stops14h 50mAir Niugini
Deal found 1/16$1,014

Find flights from Melbourne to Cairns within your budget

Customize your flight search to find flights from Melbourne to Cairns 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 January 16, 2025.

Fly from

Any airport

Fly to

Any airport

Route

Depart

Return

Price

MelbourneCairns

MEL - CNS

MELCNS

Melbourne

Thu 1/30

6:00 am-8:15 am

Nonstop3h 15m

Cairns

Sat 2/1

7:35 am-12:00 pm

Nonstop3h 25m

$150

MelbourneCairns

MEL - CNS

MELCNS

Melbourne

Wed 3/12

6:05 am-8:35 am

Nonstop3h 30m

Cairns

Mon 3/31

9:10 am-1:40 pm

Nonstop3h 30m

$157

MelbourneCairns

MEL - CNS

MELCNS

Melbourne

Tue 3/18

6:05 am-8:35 am

Nonstop3h 30m

Cairns

Tue 4/29

9:30 pm-12:55 am

Nonstop3h 25m

$165

MelbourneCairns

MEL - CNS

MELCNS

Melbourne

Sun 1/26

9:45 am-12:05 pm

Nonstop3h 20m

Cairns

Tue 2/4

9:00 am-4:05 pm

1 stop6h 05m

$432

MelbourneCairns

MEL - CNS

MELCNS

Melbourne

Thu 1/30

7:00 am-6:30 pm

2 stops12h 30m

Cairns

Fri 1/31

7:00 am-10:50 pm

2 stops14h 50m

$1,014

MelbourneCairns

MEL - CNS

MELCNS

Melbourne

Fri 2/7

7:50 pm-10:10 pm

Nonstop3h 20m

$81

MelbourneCairns

MEL - CNS

MELCNS

Melbourne

Sun 3/16

6:05 am-8:35 am

Nonstop3h 30m

$106

MelbourneCairns

MEL - CNS

MELCNS

Melbourne

Sun 3/23

9:50 pm-5:35 pm

2 stops20h 45m

$197

Flights are sorted by cheapest round-trip flights first.

Deals found on 1/15

Compare providers for flights from Melbourne to Cairns

Provider information is updated monthly. Please note that these providers often have deals for this flight, but the availability may vary on a day-by-day basis on Cheapflights.
Use the table below to compare price accuracy, trust ratings, and cancellation policies for each provider offering flight deals from Melbourne to Cairns in January.
ProviderPrice AccuracyTrust Score*
eDreamsPrice Accuracy3 starsTrust Score*3 stars
FlightHubPrice Accuracy3 starsTrust Score*3 stars
Kiwi.comPrice Accuracy3 starsTrust Score*3 stars
GotogatePrice Accuracy2 starsTrust Score*2 stars

*The Trust Score is based on feedback from users after their booking experience. It measures overall satisfaction, helping us identify issues like hidden fees, problems during the ticketing process, and the quality of customer service. This score is our best indicator of the provider's quality and reliability.

  • Most accurate provider: When it comes to deals on Melbourne Airport-Cairns flights, users find the pricing of FlightHub to be most consistent on Cheapflights vs. FlightHub Users can find the same prices on Melbourne Airport-Cairns flight deals on Cheapflights vs. FlightHub >95% of the time. Price accuracy is based on data collected from Melbourne Airport-Cairns flight searches over the past month and is updated monthly.
  • Most trusted provider: When it comes to deals on Melbourne Airport-Cairns flights, Cheapflights users trust FlightHub the most. FlightHub has received a user feedback score of 3 out of 3 stars (3 being the best), meaning they have been trusted the most by Cheapflights users looking for Melbourne Airport-Cairns flight deals. Provider user feedback score is based on Cheapflights searches over the past month and is updated monthly.

Best time to book a flight from Melbourne to Cairns

Have a flexible travel schedule? Discover the best time to fly to Cairns from Melbourne 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.

Travel insights for flights from Melbourne to Cairns

Get recent, data-driven insights about flights from Melbourne to Cairns including ideal travel times, pricing trends, and more.

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

Use this chart to determine the optimal time to book a round-trip flight from Melbourne to Cairns. Price data was last updated on January 10, 2025.

The price you pay for your flight from Melbourne Airport to Cairns may vary depending on when you book. For the best chance of a lower fare, look to book 62 days in advance of your trip. Fares are likely to increase a fortnight or so before your departure date.

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

Currently, February is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from Melbourne Airport to Cairns (average of $1,068). Flying from Melbourne Airport to Cairns in December is currently the most expensive (average of $2,397). 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 MEL to CNS?

Find hourly flight availability from Melbourne to Cairns. Discover flight options and departure times throughout the day, allowing you to choose a departure time that suits your schedule. Data last updated January 16, 2025.

It’s typically best to fly out from Melbourne Airport to Cairns in the evening. Doing so could potentially save you 22% on the flight price compared to flying in the morning, which is usually more expensive.

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

Use this chart to determine the cheapest time to fly round-trip from Melbourne to Cairns. Price data was last updated on December 16, 2024.

Travelers seeking maximum savings on their Melbourne Airport to Cairns flight should consider departing on Thursday evenings when fares are most often at their lowest. Thursday at noon flights should be avoided if possible as fares are typically the most expensive at this time.

Weekly flight availability from Melbourne Airport to Cairns

Explore weekly flight availability from Melbourne to Cairns. 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 January 16, 2025.

The most flights from MEL to CNS are scheduled on a Thursday (25 on average). You will have fewer flight options on Saturday, which is when the least amount of flights are scheduled (15 on average).

Rainfall in Cairns by month

Plan your trip to Cairns by taking into account the average rainfall totals by month.

In terms of precipitation, rainfall in Cairns ranges from 0.8 - 16.9 inches per month. March is typically the wettest month, when rainfall can reach 16.9 in. July is typically the driest time to visit Cairns when rainfall is around 0.8 in.

Temperature in Cairns by month

Plan your trip to Cairns by taking into account the average temperature totals by month.

If weather is an important factor for your trip to Cairns, use this chart to help with planning. For those seeking warmer temperatures, January is the ideal time of year to visit, when temperatures reach an average of 80.6 F. Travelers looking to avoid the cold should look outside of June, when temperatures are typically at their lowest (around 69.8 F).

Reviews of airlines servicing Cairns

Get insights into the airlines that provide service to Cairns. 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 Cairns. Reviews last updated January 16, 2025.
Read reviews from past customers who have flown Virgin Australia and Qantas Airways from Melbourne to Cairns. Users have also rated airlines in terms of entertainment options, comfort, food, crew/service, and boarding process.
Qantas Airways
7.5
Good
821 reviews

Entertainment

7.2

Food

6.9

Overall

7.5

Comfort

7.4

Crew

8.1

Boarding

7.6

Reviews

1 / 10

Flight was delayed as usual and just an E190 which is junk.

Qantas Airways
7.5
Good
821 reviews
Qantas Airways
7.5
Good
821 reviews

Entertainment

7.2

Food

6.9

Overall

7.5

Comfort

7.4

Crew

8.1

Boarding

7.6

Reviews

1 / 10

Flight was delayed as usual and just an E190 which is junk.

Virgin Australia
7.5
Good
434 reviews
Qantas Airways
7.5
Good
821 reviews

Entertainment

7.2

Food

6.9

Overall

7.5

Comfort

7.4

Crew

8.1

Boarding

7.6

Reviews

1 / 10

Flight was delayed as usual and just an E190 which is junk.

Jetstar
6.6
Okay
467 reviews
Qantas Airways
7.5
Good
821 reviews

Entertainment

7.2

Food

6.9

Overall

7.5

Comfort

7.4

Crew

8.1

Boarding

7.6

Reviews

1 / 10

Flight was delayed as usual and just an E190 which is junk.

Related info for your journey

Find useful and relevant information for your journey from Melbourne to Cairns. 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 into for flights to Cairns from Melbourne?

    Cairns (CNS) is the airport you will fly into if you book a flight from Melbourne to Cairns. You should not have trouble finding flights to Cairns from Melbourne; the airport handles an average of 20 inbound flights from Melbourne per day. You should also have plenty of airline options to choose from since 3 airlines have flights to the Cairns airport from Melbourne. It is only a 2.8 mi journey from Cairns (CNS) to Cairns’s city center.

  • What are the cheapest airlines flying from Melbourne Airport to Cairns round-trip?

    Cheapflights users have booked flights from Melbourne Airport to Cairns round-trip from $157. Other airlines that can offer you cheap pricing are Jetstar, from $162, and Qantas Airways, from $427. Virgin Australia is priced at 38% lower than the current average price of a flight leaving 3 months from now.

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

    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 Melbourne Airport to Cairns on time: Qatar Airways (94%), Etihad Airways (91%), Virgin Australia (86%).

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

    Looking at all options, your cheapest flight can be booked for $79. While the most popular route (Melbourne - Cairns) can be booked for $171 on average our data indicates $481 when flying from Melbourne Airport to Cairns.

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

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

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

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

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

    Yes. Cheapflights offers flight deals from Melbourne to Cairns 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 Melbourne Airport to Cairns?

    Currently, February is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from Melbourne Airport to Cairns (average of $1,068). Flying from Melbourne Airport to Cairns in December is currently the most expensive (average of $2,397). 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.

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Alternative routes for Melbourne to Cairns

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

Top 3 airlines flying from Melbourne to Cairns

Discover the top 3 airlines that operate flights from Melbourne to Cairns. 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 January 16, 2025.
AirlineCheapestAverageFlexibilityOn-time
Virgin AustraliaCheapest$162Average$338FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time80%
JetstarCheapest$164Average$285FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time74%
Qantas AirwaysCheapest$182Average$515FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time74%
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