$85 Cheap Flights from Melbourne (MEL) to Cairns (CNS)

View $85 flight on Tue, Jan 27, 2026Opens in a new window

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

Cheap Flights from Melbourne to Cairns (MEL-CNS)

Prices were available within the past 7 days and start at $85 for one-way flights and $169 for round trip, for the period specified. Prices and availability are subject to change. Additional terms apply.

Jetstar
Fri, Jan 30 - Sun, Feb 1
MEL
Melbourne
CNS
Cairns
$169 Roundtrip, found 7 hours ago
$169
Roundtrip
found 7 hours ago
Select Jetstar flight, departing Fri, Jan 30 from Melbourne to Cairns, returning Sun, Feb 1, priced at $169 found 7 hours ago
Jetstar
Thu, Nov 6 - Wed, Nov 12
MEL
Melbourne
CNS
Cairns
$176 Roundtrip, found 4 hours ago
$176
Roundtrip
found 4 hours ago
Select Jetstar flight, departing Thu, Nov 6 from Melbourne to Cairns, returning Wed, Nov 12, priced at $176 found 4 hours ago
Jetstar
Sat, Nov 8 - Sun, Nov 16
MEL
Melbourne
CNS
Cairns
$183 Roundtrip, found 1 day ago
$183
Roundtrip
found 1 day ago
Select Jetstar flight, departing Sat, Nov 8 from Melbourne to Cairns, returning Sun, Nov 16, priced at $183 found 1 day ago
Jetstar
Thu, Nov 6 - Wed, Nov 12
MEL
Melbourne
CNS
Cairns
$196 Roundtrip, found 4 hours ago
$196
Roundtrip
found 4 hours ago
Select Jetstar flight, departing Thu, Nov 6 from Melbourne to Cairns, returning Wed, Nov 12, priced at $196 found 4 hours ago
Jetstar
Mon, Nov 17 - Fri, Nov 21
MEL
Melbourne
CNS
Cairns
$202 Roundtrip, found 2 days ago
$202
Roundtrip
found 2 days ago
Select Jetstar flight, departing Mon, Nov 17 from Melbourne to Cairns, returning Fri, Nov 21, priced at $202 found 2 days ago
Jetstar
Mon, Mar 23 - Thu, Mar 26
MEL
Melbourne
CNS
Cairns
$203 Roundtrip, found 4 days ago
$203
Roundtrip
found 4 days ago
Select Jetstar flight, departing Mon, Mar 23 from Melbourne to Cairns, returning Thu, Mar 26, priced at $203 found 4 days ago
Virgin Australia
Thu, Nov 6 - Wed, Nov 12
MEL
Melbourne
CNS
Cairns
$205 Roundtrip, found 4 hours ago
$205
Roundtrip
found 4 hours ago
Select Virgin Australia flight, departing Thu, Nov 6 from Melbourne to Cairns, returning Wed, Nov 12, priced at $205 found 4 hours ago
Jetstar
Mon, Nov 17 - Fri, Nov 21
MEL
Melbourne
CNS
Cairns
$209 Roundtrip, found 2 days ago
$209
Roundtrip
found 2 days ago
Select Jetstar flight, departing Mon, Nov 17 from Melbourne to Cairns, returning Fri, Nov 21, priced at $209 found 2 days ago
Jetstar
Thu, Nov 6 - Wed, Nov 12
MEL
Melbourne
CNS
Cairns
$209 Roundtrip, found 4 hours ago
$209
Roundtrip
found 4 hours ago
Select Jetstar flight, departing Thu, Nov 6 from Melbourne to Cairns, returning Wed, Nov 12, priced at $209 found 4 hours ago
Qantas Airways
Fri, Jan 30 - Sun, Feb 1
MEL
Melbourne
CNS
Cairns
$383 Roundtrip, found 7 hours ago
$383
Roundtrip
found 7 hours ago
Select Qantas Airways flight, departing Fri, Jan 30 from Melbourne to Cairns, returning Sun, Feb 1, priced at $383 found 7 hours ago

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

February is typically the cheapest month to fly

From $139 - $225 per traveler.

Alternative airports near Cairns

Prices were available within the past 7 days. Prices and availability are subject to change.

Select flight to Cairns Intl. CNS. Cheapest and Closest option available. Average driving time to city center is 8 minutes. Flights from $409
CNS
Cairns Intl.
CheapestClosest
Average driving time to city center8 min
Flights from $409

Frequently asked questions

How much does a flight from Tullamarine Airport (MEL) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) cost?
Grab a cheap one-way flight from $85 or cheap return flight from $169 from Tullamarine Airport (MEL) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) with Expedia. Enter your travel dates and sort by "Price (lowest to highest)" to find our cheapest flight deals on this route.
What is the cheapest month to fly from Tullamarine Airport (MEL) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS)?
January is the most affordable month to fly from MEL to CNS. Traveling during quieter months is often the key to scoring lower fares.
Which airlines fly direct from Tullamarine Airport (MEL) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS)?
Take the express route to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS). 3 carriers offer nonstop flights from Tullamarine Airport (MEL), including:

  • Jetstar
  • Virgin Australia
  • Qantas

What is the cheapest airline that flies from Tullamarine Airport (MEL) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS)?
While prices can vary depending on when you travel, low-cost airlines like Jetstar and Virgin Australia are often the most affordable options for flights between Tullamarine Airport (MEL) and Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS). Use Expedia's search tool to compare carriers and find the one that has the lowest fare for your MEL to CNS flight.
How many flights per day from Tullamarine Airport (MEL) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS)?
Every day, an average of 5 nonstop flights operate from Tullamarine Airport (MEL) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS). Choose the departure time that best fits your itinerary.
What are the most popular departure times for flights from Tullamarine Airport (MEL) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS)?
The 6 AM departures from MEL to CNS are the most sought after. Prices can be higher for these popular slots. If you're hoping to save money, pick a less crowded time to fly.
What day of the week has the most flights from MEL to CNS?
Friday has the most flights from Tullamarine Airport (MEL) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS). Consider leaving on this day and you'll have a greater chance of finding a departure that fits your plans.
What is the earliest flight from Tullamarine Airport (MEL) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS)?
Tullamarine Airport (MEL)'s first flight to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) leaves at approximately 6:00AM UTC+11. With a total flight time of 3h 15m, you'll land at around 8:15AM UTC+10.
How long does it take to fly from Tullamarine Airport (MEL) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS)?
It takes around 3 hours and 18 minutes to fly the 1,450 mi from MEL to CNS.
What airline has the least delays from MEL to CNS?
Consider traveling with Virgin Australia if you'd like to go straight from Tullamarine Airport (MEL) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) without any interruptions. This airline has the strongest track record for punctuality, with an on-time performance of 84%. Want real-time updates? You can check your flight status using the Expedia App.
What is the best time to fly from Tullamarine Airport (MEL) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS)?
To avoid possible delays on the Tullamarine Airport (MEL) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) route, aim to fly before 3 PM. Later flights have a 22% higher chance of being canceled.**Most reliable time of the day and month to travel recommendation is based on January through August 2024 flight status data sourced from OAG's global flight data platform.
What airports do you fly into for Cairns from Tullamarine Airport (MEL)?
Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) is the only airport in Cairns with direct flights from Tullamarine Airport (MEL). Explore the options and discover affordable fares on Expedia.
Is it cheaper to buy a plane ticket from Tullamarine Airport (MEL) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS) last-minute?
Waiting until right before your break to book a ticket from MEL to CNS often results in higher prices. While you might find some last-minute discounts, there's no guarantee. Keep your travel plans flexible for the best chance of getting a bargain.
Is it cheaper to book a MEL to CNS flight and hotel package?
Securing a MEL to CNS flight and hotel package is typically cheaper than booking separately. With Expedia, you can enjoy the ease of organizing your trip in one place. Pick from our wide range of accommodations and then add activities, car rentals and flights to your booking. Bundle it all together, and you could save hundreds of dollars.
Can I cancel or change the date of my flight from Tullamarine Airport (MEL) to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS)?
If you reserved your MEL to CNS flight within the last 24 hours, you may be able to modify or cancel it without any fees. Depending on the airline and the type of fare you purchased, additional charges may apply for changes beyond that time. Airline policies and contact information can be found in your itinerary or confirmation email. Or, go to our Customer Service portal for more details.

Travel information

Origin airport
Tullamarine
Destination airport
Cairns Intl.
Airlines serving
Jetstar, Qantas Airways, Virgin Australia
Roundtrip price
$169
Distance
1437 mi
Average flight time
2 hours 22 mins

Book with confidence

Melbourne to Cairns Flights

The cheapest times to fly from Melbourne to Cairns

On average, Thursday can be the cheapest time to fly, according to data from the Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC), one of the world's biggest databases for global airline sales. The data reveals that you could save up to 16% by flying on a Thursday—the cheapest day to travel on average—instead of a Sunday—the most expensive. Some of the most affordable flights from Melbourne to Cairns are during the month of January. You can find some of the cheapest flights from Melbourne to Cairns with Expedia's search tool and vast selection of airlines.

 

The best time to book a flight from Melbourne to Cairns

Sunday is one of the best days to book for cheap flights from Melbourne to Cairns: Tickets reserved on a Sunday cost between 6% and 13% less than those reserved on a Friday, according to ARC data. The data also suggests booking early can also lead to cheaper airfares. You could save 24% by buying your tickets for domestic flights at least a month in advance and 10% by booking international flights 2 months in advance.

 

How to find cheap round-trip tickets from Melbourne to Cairns

Being flexible with your dates and using Expedia's Price Drop Protection and Price Tracking features are some of the best ways of finding a cheap ticket from Melbourne to Cairns in 2025. You can also book with separate airlines for your outbound and return journeys, from $85 one-way. Expedia also offers Price Drop Protection, so if the cost of your airfare goes down after booking, you'll receive a credit for the difference*. This is available for a small fee, and is free to One Key Gold and Platinum tier members.

 

Expedia's Price Tracking feature means you can stay on top of airfares without manually checking every day. It sends you automated price alerts for cheap Melbourne to Cairns flights and uses historical data to indicate when the best time to book is. Download Expedia's free app to activate this handy tool in a few easy taps.

 

You could also save big by booking one of Expedia's vacation packages. Bundling together your Melbourne to Cairns airfare with your accommodations and car rental is often cheaper than booking everything separately. There’s also One Key, Expedia's generous rewards program. Join for free and you could earn One Key cash on most bookings to save on future adventures.

 

*Terms apply.

 

Disclaimer: ARC The statistics are based on average round-trip ticket prices between January and August 2023. The percentages you see are averages.

 

Melbourne to Cairns Flights

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*Available to One Key members.