Cheap Flights from Melbourne (MEL) to Cairns (CNS)

View AU$128 flight on Tue, 2 Sep. 2025Opens in a new window

Popular airlines from Melbourne Airport (MEL) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS)

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Cheap Flights from Melbourne (MEL) to Cairns (CNS)

Prices were available within the past 7 days for one-way flights and round trip tickets for the period specified. Prices and availability are subject to change. Additional terms apply.

Jetstar
Wed, 10 Sep. - Wed, 17 Sep.
MEL
Melbourne
CNS
Cairns
AU$256 Return, just found
AU$256
Return
just found
Select Jetstar flight, departing Wed, 10 Sep. from Melbourne to Cairns, returning Wed, 17 Sep., priced at AU$256 just found
Jetstar
Wed, 10 Sep. - Wed, 17 Sep.
MEL
Melbourne
CNS
Cairns
AU$265 Return, just found
AU$265
Return
just found
Select Jetstar flight, departing Wed, 10 Sep. from Melbourne to Cairns, returning Wed, 17 Sep., priced at AU$265 just found
Jetstar
Wed, 10 Sep. - Wed, 17 Sep.
MEL
Melbourne
CNS
Cairns
AU$274 Return, just found
AU$274
Return
just found
Select Jetstar flight, departing Wed, 10 Sep. from Melbourne to Cairns, returning Wed, 17 Sep., priced at AU$274 just found
Virgin Australia
Tue, 10 Feb. - Sat, 14 Feb.
MEL
Melbourne
CNS
Cairns
AU$280 Return, found 2 hours ago
AU$280
Return
found 2 hours ago
Select Virgin Australia flight, departing Tue, 10 Feb. from Melbourne to Cairns, returning Sat, 14 Feb., priced at AU$280 found 2 hours ago
Virgin Australia
Wed, 7 Jan. - Sun, 18 Jan.
MEL
Melbourne
CNS
Cairns
AU$289 Return, found 2 hours ago
AU$289
Return
found 2 hours ago
Select Virgin Australia flight, departing Wed, 7 Jan. from Melbourne to Cairns, returning Sun, 18 Jan., priced at AU$289 found 2 hours ago
Virgin Australia
Thu, 19 Mar. - Wed, 25 Mar.
MEL
Melbourne
CNS
Cairns
AU$295 Return, found 2 days ago
AU$295
Return
found 2 days ago
Select Virgin Australia flight, departing Thu, 19 Mar. from Melbourne to Cairns, returning Wed, 25 Mar., priced at AU$295 found 2 days ago
Virgin Australia
Thu, 22 Jan. - Sun, 25 Jan.
MEL
Melbourne
CNS
Cairns
AU$296 Return, found 1 day ago
AU$296
Return
found 1 day ago
Select Virgin Australia flight, departing Thu, 22 Jan. from Melbourne to Cairns, returning Sun, 25 Jan., priced at AU$296 found 1 day ago
Virgin Australia
Mon, 2 Feb. - Wed, 4 Feb.
MEL
Melbourne
CNS
Cairns
AU$297 Return, found 1 day ago
AU$297
Return
found 1 day ago
Select Virgin Australia flight, departing Mon, 2 Feb. from Melbourne to Cairns, returning Wed, 4 Feb., priced at AU$297 found 1 day ago
Virgin Australia
Mon, 1 Jun. - Wed, 10 Jun.
MEL
Melbourne
CNS
Cairns
AU$298 Return, found 1 hour ago
AU$298
Return
found 1 hour ago
Select Virgin Australia flight, departing Mon, 1 Jun. from Melbourne to Cairns, returning Wed, 10 Jun., priced at AU$298 found 1 hour ago
Qantas Airways
Sun, 5 Oct. - Sun, 12 Oct.
MEL
Melbourne
CNS
Cairns
AU$536 Return, found 1 hour ago
AU$536
Return
found 1 hour ago
Select Qantas Airways flight, departing Sun, 5 Oct. from Melbourne to Cairns, returning Sun, 12 Oct., priced at AU$536 found 1 hour ago

Find the cheapest month to fly from Melbourne (MEL) to Cairns (CNS)

February is typically the cheapest month to fly

From AU$215 - AU$376 per traveller.

Graph displaying average flight prices per month

Flight from Melbourne to Cairns route information
Origin airport
Tullamarine
Destination airport
Cairns Intl.
Airlines serving
Jetstar, Qantas Airways, Virgin Australia
Return price
AU$256
Distance
2300 km
Average flight time
3 hours 22 mins

MEL to CNS Flights

Melbourne and Cairns Airports

Melbourne Airport (MEL) is also known as Tullamarine Airport after the suburb of Tullamarine, which is adjacent to the terminals. It is the second-busiest airport in Australia, transporting over 30 million passengers a year. Melbourne to Cairns flights leave from all four terminals, depending on the airline you book with.

If you are using public transport to get to Melbourne Airport, take the Skybus Super Shuttle from Southern Cross or one of several local bus services from Melbourne suburbs and surrounding towns. If you’re driving yourself, there is a large car park about 100 m from the airport that is ideal for passengers departing from Terminals 1, 2, or 3. There is also a long-term lot for extended trips farther out that offers free shuttle service. Be sure to book online for better rates. If you’re being dropped off, there are two designated areas, one for Terminals 1, 2, and 3 and one at the new transportation hub for Terminal 4.

You’ll be landing at Cairns Airport (CNS), which is relatively small with one runway and two passenger terminals. It is the base for the Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia and the helicopters of the State Emergency Service, and is located about seven kilometres north of Cairns CBD.

After arriving from your Melbourne flight, take the Cairns Airport Connect buses to the Translink public transport network—from there you can get to Cairns City or the northern beaches. To grab a taxi, look for the sheltered areas for taxi ranks outside each terminal. Car rentals in Cairns can also be arranged at the airport or booked with us at Expedia.com.au before your trip to save you time and money.

Route Information

Cheap flights to Cairns from Melbourne travel 2320 km, with a flight time of roughly 3 ½ hours.?Several airlines service this flight route with daily flights, so you have a variety of carrier options.

We Don’t Stop at Airfares

Get your tickets for those cheap flights from Melbourne to Cairns right here at Expedia.com.au today. We not only offer cheap flights to Cairns but can also help you with accommodation that is just right for you. Booking couldn’t be easier and only takes a couple of minutes.

 

Frequently asked questions

How much is a flight from Tullamarine Airport to Cairns Airport?
The lowest price advertised for a round-trip flight from MEL to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) is AU$256. But you better act fast. This figure is taken from fares quoted within the last 7 days on Expedia for flights departing within the next year. Prices and availability are subject to change. Additional terms apply.
Do I need to pay a cancellation fee if I cancel my flight from Tullamarine Airport to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS)?
Each air carrier has its own terms and conditions. If you do decide to cancel, follow the simple instructions on our Customer Service Portal.
How do I find cheap flights from Tullamarine Airport (MEL) to CNS that have flexible change policies?
Many airlines offer the option to reschedule your flight without a change fee. All you pay is the difference between the original flight and the new flight. When you're searching for Tullamarine Airport to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) flights, you'll see a "no change fees" filter for you to select.
How far is the flight from MEL to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS)?
Around 2 300 kilometres separates Melbourne and Cairns, so pack some in-flight entertainment to keep you occupied for a couple of hours. That gripping novel you've yet to start will do the trick.
Which airlines fly direct from MEL to CNS?
Jetstar (JQ) is one of the preferred choices for travellers jetting between Tullamarine Airport (MEL) and Cairns Airport. Take your pick of the 99 flights it offers on this route each month. Another carrier servicing this route is Virgin Australia (VA). You'll have 65 flights each month to select from.
Are Tullamarine Airport to Cairns Airport flight tickets cheaper when they're purchased at the last minute?
Flight prices go up and down like a yo-yo, so it's no sure thing. While last-minute deals between MEL and Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) are of course possible, it's also a good idea to keep a close eye on prices well before you fly. In fact, some air carriers publish their prices up to a year ahead of the departure date. Expedia is continuously updating the best bargains around, so keep checking and be ready to grab your seat when the price is right.

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