Flights from Melbourne (MEL) to Cairns (CNS)

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Melbourne to Cairns Flight Information

Find the Cheapest Flights from Melbourne (MEL) to Cairns (CNS)

Work hard, travel harder! Wotif brings you the cheapest Melbourne to Cairns flights, making it possible to have a five star holiday without that five star price tag. Browse and compare our top MEL to CNS routes and airport options. So, go ahead and treat yourself, your sweetheart, or the kids to an unforgettable holiday this year.

Melbourne to Cairns Information

Traveling From
Tullamarine
Origin Airport
Melbourne
Origin Airport IATA Code
MEL
Traveling To
Cairns Intl.
Destination Airport
Cairns
Destination Airport IATA Code
CNS
Number of Airlines Serving
11
Average Flight Time
3 hours 22 mins
Direct Flight Time
3 hours 20 mins
Flight Price

Frequently asked questions

How long is the flight from Tullamarine Airport to Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS)?
The journey between Melbourne and Cairns takes on average 3 hours and 21 minutes — consider the trip ahead and bring all you need to be comfortable.
What airlines fly direct from MEL to Cairns Airport?
You won’t have to bother about long stopovers or your belongings going to another part of the world. Take your pick of a number of airlines flying direct from Tullamarine Airport to Cairns Airport, such as Jetstar and Virgin Australia.
How many flights are there from Tullamarine Airport to Cairns Airport?
Fasten your seat belt, because your ride to Cairns is ready to leave. At least 8 flights operate each day between MEL and Cairns Intl. Airport (CNS).
What are the cheapest days to fly?
Here’s an insider tip: Tuesday is typically the cheapest day to fly! Looking at flights booked on Wotif.co.nz in 2021, we found that flights departing on a Tuesday generally had the lowest average price. Wotif data also shows Wednesdays and Fridays generally have the highest average ticket prices according to our demand data.
What is the best day to buy a plane ticket?
Guess what? Saturday is actually the best day to score the cheapest plane tickets. Looking at flight demand on Wotif.co.nz in 2021, we found that flights purchased on Saturdays had the lowest airfares on average. Thursday, on the other hand, can be the most expensive day of the week to buy your airfare, with generally a higher than average ticket value.
What is the cheapest month to fly?
When comparing 2021 flight demand on Wotif.co.nz, September is one of the cheapest months to fly, when ticket prices are generally at their lowest. May is a close second for the cheapest time to fly. The months December and January are often the most expensive ones to travel, with higher than average ticket prices, so plan ahead and book early for your travel plans.
How far in advance can you book a flight?
Are you a super organised traveller? Even though not all airlines release their fares a year in advance, you can start researching your flights 12 months in advance for many carriers. It’s good to book your international flights to popular destinations early, particularly in peak holiday periods. According to Wotif’s 2021 travel trends, last minute planners can also bag a bargain with some of the cheapest fares appearing 1-2 weeks prior to travel.*According to flight demand on Wotif.co.nz from January to December 2021. Savings are subject to change and may vary depending on selections made.
Address:
Cairns QLD,
Australia
IATA code:
CNS
Longitude:
145.754041
Latitude:
-16.876538
Time zone:
Australia/Brisbane
Address:
Melbourne VIC,
Australia
IATA code:
MEL
Longitude:
144.843013
Latitude:
-37.673295
Time zone:
Australia/Sydney

Melbourne to Cairns Flight Deals from

Considering a quick trip to Cairns, but not sure which is the best route for you? Well, you’re in luck! Wotif has done the hard work, so all you need to do is check out these flights from MEL to CNS. With heaps of cheap fares from Melbourne, we guarantee you’ll be arriving to your holiday destination in style without emptying your bank account in the process.

It’s easy to book flights to Cairns from Melbourne  

For a huge choice of flights, simply enter your travel dates and hit search and we’ll hunt out fantastic deals on one-way, return and multi-city airfares to Cairns from Melbourne from different airlines. If you click the ‘direct flights’ box, you see flights that’ll get you to Cairns in just 3 hour(s) and 20 mins, too.   

Snap up great deals on flights to Cairns from Melbourne 

Choose from 17 flights a day on average, with prices starting at and rising to depending on the cabin class, travel dates, and airline carrier. And if you’re up for a last-minute getaway, you can get great deals on flights from Melbourne to Cairns today!  

Find cheap airfares to Cairns from Melbourne 

Here are our insider tips for bagging a flight bargain: 

  • Look for midweek flights and late night, early morning arrival and departure times
  • Check out other airports near Melbourne and Cairns
  • Avoid peak season (prices tend to be lower in )
  • Be flexible with your travel dates and you can usually get cheaper options  

Reasons to book your flights to Cairns from Melbourne with Wotif

Wotif is a super-easy way to find the best flight for you to Cairns. Get more bang for your buck on flight and hotel or car rental combos and download the free Wotif app to tap into exclusive deals. Book now with Wotif and have a great flight!

 

Great places to stay after flight from Melbourne to Cairns

Cairns Colonial Club Resort
Cairns Colonial Club Resort
4 out of 5
18-26 Cannon Street, Manunda, QLD
The price is NZ$145 per night from 12 May to 13 May
NZ$145
per night
12 May - 13 May
Stay at this 4-star family-friendly hotel in Cairns. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 3 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in ...
7.6/10 Good! (997 reviews)
Family catch up
"This accomodation was cheap. In the location that we needed to catch with family as we all live interstate. I will definitely book here again."

Reviewed on 7 May 2024

Cairns Colonial Club Resort
Rydges Esplanade Resort Cairns
Rydges Esplanade Resort Cairns
4 out of 5
209-217 Abbott Street, Cairns North, QLD
The price is NZ$246 per night from 1 Jun to 2 Jun
NZ$246
per night
1 Jun - 2 Jun
Stay at this 4-star family-friendly hotel in Cairns. Enjoy free WiFi, 3 outdoor pools, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,001 reviews)
"Excellent staff"

Reviewed on 7 May 2024

Rydges Esplanade Resort Cairns
Shangri-La The Marina, Cairns
Shangri-La The Marina, Cairns
5 out of 5
Pierpoint Road, Cairns, QLD
The price is NZ$272 per night from 28 May to 29 May
NZ$272
per night
28 May - 29 May
Book a stay at this family-friendly hotel in Cairns. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 bars/lounges, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,001 reviews)
Upscale hotel
"This is an upscale hotel. If you are looking for that, with the same clientele, this is the place for you. If you are looking for something that is Australian, this is not it - staff are mostly foreign, catering to foreigners."

Reviewed on 2 May 2024

Shangri-La The Marina, Cairns
See all 1,236 properties in Cairns Intl.
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Flights From MEL

Flights From CNS

Other Flight Destinations

^Savings based on all package bookings made with Flight + Hotel on Wotif.co.nz from , as compared to the price of the same components booked separately. Savings will vary based on origin/destination, length of trip, stay dates and selected travel supplier(s). Savings not available on all packages.