Flight Routes from Melbourne to Cairns

Compare cheap outbound and return flights from Melbourne (MEL) to Cairns (CNS) and find the best offer from numerous airlines and travel agencies.

Trip type
Cheapest roundtrip flight
from€323
Fastest flight
non-stop flights
20x / week
Flight distance
2,316 km
Time difference
Most popular airlines
  1. Qantas Airways
  2. Jetstar Airways
  3. Virgin Australia

Cheap flight offers from Melbourne to Cairns

sorted by price and recency
filters
  1. –
    Qantas Airways
    –
    MEL–CNS
    1 stopover
    Qantas Airways
    –
    CNS–MEL
    non-stop flight
    €597
  2. –
    Jetstar Airways
    –
    MEL–CNS
    non-stop flight
    Jetstar Airways
    –
    CNS–MEL
    non-stop flight
    €427
  3. –
    Virgin Australia
    –
    MEL–CNS
    non-stop flight
    Virgin Australia
    –
    CNS–MEL
    non-stop flight
    €323
  4. –
    Qantas Airways
    –
    MEL–CNS
    1 stopover
    Qantas Airways
    –
    CNS–MEL
    non-stop flight
    €667

Flight schedule from Melbourne (MEL) to Cairns (CNS)

Select a travel date in the flight schedule for the route from Melbourne (MEL) to Cairns (CNS) and compare affordable flight deals.

offers
Active filtersnone
Matching outbound flightsMEL–CNS · 13 of 13
fromto
dep.arr.
durationstopovers
  1. November 8 – 14, 2026
  2. November 15 – 21, 2026
  3. November 22 – 28, 2026
    1. MELCNS
      nonstop
      1. Jetstar Airways
    2. MELCNS
      nonstop
      1. Qantas Airways
    3. MELCNS
      nonstop
      1. Virgin Australia
    4. MELCNS
      nonstop
      1. Jetstar Airways
    5. MELCNS
      nonstop
      1. Qantas Airways
    6. MELCNS
      nonstop
      1. Jetstar Airways
    7. MELCNS
      nonstop
      1. Jetstar Airways
    8. MELCNS
      nonstop
      1. Jetstar Airways
    9. MELCNS
      nonstop
      1. Qantas Airways
    10. MELCNS
      nonstop
      1. Jetstar Airways
    11. MELCNS
      nonstop
      1. Virgin Australia
    12. MELCNS
      nonstop
      1. Qatar Airways
    13. MELCNS
      nonstop
      1. Jetstar Airways

      Tips and tricks to help you find cheap flights from Melbourne to Cairns

      Favorite airline: Jetstar Airways
      The favorite airline for flights from Melbourne to Cairns is Jetstar Airways.
      Jetstar Airways
      61 %
      Virgin Australia
      28 %
      Qantas Airways
      11 %
      Direct flights are cheaper
      Direct flights on this route are $111.00 cheaper on average than flights with a stopover.
      non stop flight
      1 stop
      03h 20min
      05h 15min
      $ 162
      $ 273
      The favorite connection is non-stop
      Non-stop flights are especially popular on this route. 76 % of travelers will book a direct flight.
      Route
      bookings
      Direct flights
      03h 20min, from $ 162
      76 %
      1 stopover Brisbane
      05h 15min, from $ 273
      18 %
      1 stopover Sydney-Kingsford Smith International Airport, NSW
      09h 05min, from $ 299
      6 %

      Important flight information

      Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

      How long is the flight from Melbourne to Cairns?
      A nonstop flight from Melbourne to Cairns typically takes around 3 hours 20 minutes. This makes the nonstop service the fastest and most convenient way to travel between Melbourne and Cairns. It is worth checking flight times when searching, as they can vary by airline and travel date.
      Are there nonstop flights from Melbourne to Cairns?
      Yes, there are nonstop flights from Melbourne to Cairns, averaging around 3 flights per day, operated by, among others, Jetstar Airways, Qantas Airways and Virgin Australia. If you want to fly without a layover, it is worth filtering specifically for nonstop flights when searching.
      Which airlines fly from Melbourne to Cairns?
      Direct flights from Melbourne to Cairns are operated by, among others, Jetstar Airways, Qantas Airways and Virgin Australia. These flights take you to Cairns nonstop, making them especially practical for short trips or weekend getaways. It is still worth comparing departure times and airline policies, as baggage rules and fees can vary.
      On which days are there nonstop flights from Melbourne to Cairns?
      Nonstop flights from Melbourne to Cairns operate daily. The schedule may vary by season, so it is worth comparing several travel dates. If your preferred day does not have a nonstop flight, nearby departure days or short connecting flights may be a good alternative.
      How many flights are there per day from Melbourne to Cairns?
      On the route from Melbourne to Cairns, there are on average around 3 flights per day. The number of flights can vary by day of the week and season. If you are flexible with your dates, it is worth comparing several departure days.
      How many flights per week are there from Melbourne to Cairns?
      On the route from Melbourne to Cairns, there are around 21 flights per week. The number of flights can vary depending on the season and day of the week. If you have flexibility, it is worth looking at several departure days.
      When does the first flight from Melbourne to Cairns depart?
      The earliest nonstop flight from Melbourne to Cairns usually departs at 6:15 AM. The exact departure time may vary by day of the week and airline. Early flights are especially useful if you want to make the most of your arrival day in Cairns.
      When does the last flight from Melbourne to Cairns depart?
      The last nonstop flight from Melbourne to Cairns usually departs at 9:25 PM. Late flights can be convenient if you want to travel after work or in the evening. Do check whether it is a nonstop flight, as a connecting itinerary could push the arrival time significantly later.

      Discover more flights around Melbourne and Cairns

      Departure airport Airport Melbourne-Tullamarine International Airport (MEL)
      Departure country Flights from Australia
      Arrival airport Airport Cairns (CNS)
      Destination country Flights to Australia
      Departure country - Arrival airport Australia - Cairns
      Departure airport - Destination country Melbourne-Tullamarine International Airport - Australia
      Alternative routes to Australia
      Alternative flights to Cairns
      Flight destinations with a similar price