Cheap flights from Melbourne to Cairns (MEL to CNS)

Featured airlines

Plan, book, fly with confidence
Be in the know
Get alerts if flight prices drop or rise*
Book smarter
Save up to 35% on select hotels after you book a flight*
Earn twice
Earn your airline miles on top of our rewards
Sign in

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.

All deals

One way

Return

Mon., 10 Mar. - Tue., 18 Mar.

MEL

Melbourne

CNS

Cairns

AU$268

Return

just found

Mon., 10 Mar. - Tue., 18 Mar.

MEL

Melbourne

CNS

Cairns

AU$282

Return

just found

Sun., 19 Jan. - Sun., 2 Feb.

MEL

Melbourne

CNS

Cairns

AU$296

Return

found 2 hours ago

Mon., 10 Mar. - Tue., 18 Mar.

MEL

Melbourne

CNS

Cairns

AU$300

Return

just found

Mon., 9 Jun. - Fri., 27 Jun.

MEL

Melbourne

CNS

Cairns

AU$310

Return

found 4 days ago

Mon., 10 Mar. - Tue., 18 Mar.

MEL

Melbourne

CNS

Cairns

AU$314

Return

just found

Fri., 6 Jun. - Fri., 27 Jun.

MEL

Melbourne

CNS

Cairns

AU$321

Return

found 4 days ago

Thu., 16 Jan. - Thu., 23 Jan.

MEL

Melbourne

CNS

Cairns

AU$332

Return

just found

Thu., 16 Jan. - Thu., 23 Jan.

MEL

Melbourne

CNS

Cairns

AU$335

Return

just found

Fri., 7 Feb. - Wed., 12 Feb.

MEL

Melbourne

CNS

Cairns

AU$341

Return

found 1 day ago

Travel information

Flight from Melbourne to Cairns route information
Origin airport	Tullamarine
Destination airport	Cairns Intl.
Airlines serving	Jetstar, Qantas Airways, Virgin Australia
Return price	AU$268
Distance	2300 km

Book with confidence

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$268. 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.

Explore a world of travel with Expedia

Top Routes from Melbourne

Related Carriers

Melbourne Airports

Melbourne

Avalon to Cairns

AU$535.29

Alternative Routes

Flights

Tullamarine to TYO-All AirportsPerth to BrisbaneTullamarine to HeathrowTullamarine to Kuala Lumpur Intl.Perth to TullamarineTullamarine to Roissy-Charles de GaulleTullamarine to CoolangattaTullamarine to Ninoy Aquino Intl.Tullamarine to Kingsford Smith Intl.Tullamarine to ChangiKingsford Smith Intl. to CoolangattaTullamarine to Auckland Intl.Brisbane to Los Angeles Intl.Tullamarine to Suvarnabhumi Intl.Indira Gandhi Intl. to TullamarineBrisbane to Suvarnabhumi Intl.Brisbane to TullamarineKingsford Smith Intl. to BrisbaneBrisbane to Kingsford Smith Intl.Brisbane to Narita Intl.Tullamarine to Incheon Intl.Tullamarine to Indira Gandhi Intl.Tullamarine to Ngurah Rai Intl.Brisbane to Ninoy Aquino Intl.Kingsford Smith Intl. to TullamarineTullamarine to PerthBrisbane to HeathrowTullamarine to Los Angeles Intl.Tullamarine to Eleftherios VenizelosTullamarine to Phuket Intl.

*Available to Expedia members.

Members save 10% or more on over 100,000 hotels worldwide when you’re signed in

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

Travellers

Featured airlines

Plan, book, fly with confidence

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

Travel information

Book with confidence

MEL to CNS Flights

Melbourne and Cairns Airports

Route Information

We Don’t Stop at Airfares

Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions

Explore a world of travel with Expedia

Top Routes from Melbourne

Top Routes to Cairns

Top Routes from Melbourne

Top Flight Destinations

Related Carriers

Melbourne

Alternative Routes