What day of the week experiences the fewest flight delays on this route?

Saturday is statistically the day of the week which experiences the fewest number of delays on this flight route. Wednesday has historically seen more delays on average compared to the rest of the week.

What is the cheapest airline that flies from Melbourne to Cairns?

Jetstar and Virgin Australia are the most popular carriers operating from Melbourne to Cairns

What is the most punctual flight time for Melbourne to Cairns flights?

Generally, flights departing at night tend to experience fewer delays. Flights in the evening have, in the past, seen delays more frequently in comparison.

How many flights depart from Melbourne Airport to Cairns on average per week?

137 flights are operational weekly from Melbourne Airport to Cairns as of December 2025. The most popular departure day for this route is Sun, with 17% of flights per week taking off on this day.

How often are flights from Melbourne to Cairns delayed?

Historically, on average around 15% of flights between Melbourne and Cairns have experienced a delay on any given week. The average delay length over the past 12 months has been 102 minutes.

Which airline has the best punctuality record on Melbourne to Cairns flights?

According to our data, China Eastern have had the least number of delays on this route over the last 12 months; with about 5% of their flights experiencing any sort of delay.

How many flights depart from Melbourne Airport to Cairns on average per day?

The number of flights available between Melbourne Airport and Cairns is 19 per day as of December 2025. The most frequent departure time is 8:00AM, with 54% of daily flights leaving at noon.

When did momondo last update prices for flights from Melbourne Airport to Cairns Airport?

Prices for flights from Melbourne Airport to Cairns Airport were last updated today.

How many operators does momondo search for flights from Melbourne Airport to Cairns Airport?

There are 2 operators available for flights from Melbourne Airport to Cairns Airport as of December 2025.

How old do you have to be to fly from Melbourne Airport to Cairns Airport?

The minimum age for a child to fly alone is five, but airlines that offer an unaccompanied minor (UNMR) service may have their own age limitations. Flight duration, scheduling, and layovers are among the considerations that may influence age limits. We recommend that you double-check with the airline you are booking with for travel from Melbourne Airport to Cairns Airport.

What documentation or ID do you need to fly to Cairns Airport?

The required travel and health documents for your Cairns Airport trip may vary depending on your itinerary and personal circumstances. As a general rule, you should carry multiple documents, including a national ID card or driver's license and a passport valid for six months after your intended arrival at Cairns Airport. We recommend that you seek guidance from your airline or a reliable third party such as IATA.

$83 Cheap Flights from Melbourne Airport to Cairns in 2025/26

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Find the cheapest flights from Melbourne Airport to Cairns

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6:15 am - 8:30 am

MEL

CNS

3h 15mnonstop

7:30 pm - 11:55 pm

CNS

MEL

3h 25mnonstop

$156Jetstar

Thu, Feb 12 - Mon, Feb 16

6:15 am - 8:30 am

MEL

CNS

3h 15mnonstop

7:30 pm - 11:55 pm

CNS

MEL

3h 25mnonstop

$159Jetstar

Wed, Jan 28 - Fri, Jan 30

7:45 pm - 10:05 pm

MEL

CNS

3h 20mnonstop

2:35 pm - 7:05 pm

CNS

MEL

3h 30mnonstop

$166Jetstar

Mon, Feb 16 - Mon, Feb 23

6:15 am - 8:30 am

MEL

CNS

3h 15mnonstop

6:40 pm - 11:05 pm

CNS

MEL

3h 25mnonstop

$172Jetstar

Sun, Mar 1 - Sat, Mar 7

7:45 pm - 10:05 pm

MEL

CNS

3h 20mnonstop

9:45 am - 2:10 pm

CNS

MEL

3h 25mnonstop

$179Jetstar

Sun, Feb 1 - Thu, Feb 5

7:45 pm - 10:05 pm

MEL

CNS

3h 20mnonstop

11:55 pm - 4:20 am

CNS

MEL

3h 25mnonstop

$181Multiple Airlines

Mon, Mar 16 - Fri, Mar 20

8:35 am - 11:05 am

MEL

CNS

3h 30mnonstop

7:30 pm - 11:55 pm

CNS

MEL

3h 25mnonstop

$184Multiple Airlines

Wed, Jan 28 - Fri, Jan 30

6:15 am - 8:30 am

MEL

CNS

3h 15mnonstop

7:30 pm - 11:55 pm

CNS

MEL

3h 25mnonstop

$189Jetstar

Fri, Feb 20 - Sun, Feb 22

7:15 pm - 10:40 pm

MEL

CNS

3h 25mnonstop

9:40 pm - 1:00 am

CNS

MEL

3h 20mnonstop

$190Jetstar

Thu, May 7 - Thu, May 14

6:15 am - 8:30 am

MEL

CNS

3h 15mnonstop

7:50 pm - 12:15 am

CNS

MEL

3h 25mnonstop

$192Multiple Airlines

Mon, Jan 12 - Fri, Jan 16

Qantas Airways flights from Melbourne Airport to Cairns

Our best Qantas Airways deals on Melbourne Airport to Cairns flight tickets

Qantas Airways

Dec 16

MEL3:50 pmMelbourne

8h 15m

1 stop

CNS11:05 pmCairns

Dec 20

CNS5:00 pmCairns

5h 35m

1 stop

MEL11:35 pmMelbourne

$570

Find similar

Qantas Airways

Dec 16

MEL11:30 amMelbourne

9h 15m

1 stop

CNS7:45 pmCairns

Dec 20

CNS5:00 pmCairns

5h 35m

1 stop

MEL11:35 pmMelbourne

$602

Find similar

Qantas Airways

Dec 25

MEL2:20 pmMelbourne

7h 40m

1 stop

CNS9:00 pmCairns

Dec 30

CNS3:35 pmCairns

7h 15m

1 stop

MEL11:50 pmMelbourne

$628

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Jetstar flights from Melbourne Airport to Cairns

Our best Jetstar deals on Melbourne Airport to Cairns flight tickets

Jetstar

Feb 12

MEL6:15 amMelbourne

3h 15m

CNS8:30 amCairns

Feb 16

CNS7:30 pmCairns

3h 25m

MEL11:55 pmMelbourne

$156

Find similar

Jetstar

Jan 28

MEL6:15 amMelbourne

3h 15m

CNS8:30 amCairns

Jan 30

CNS7:30 pmCairns

3h 25m

MEL11:55 pmMelbourne

$159

Find similar

Jetstar

Feb 16

MEL7:45 pmMelbourne

3h 20m

CNS10:05 pmCairns

Feb 23

CNS2:35 pmCairns

3h 30m

MEL7:05 pmMelbourne

$166

Find similar

momondo Fare Finder

Use the filters below to find and compare flights from Melbourne Airport to Cairns that are best for you.

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MelbourneCairns

MEL - CNS

MELCNS

Melbourne

Thu 2/12

6:15 am-8:30 am

Nonstop3h 15m

Cairns

Mon 2/16

7:30 pm-11:55 pm

Nonstop3h 25m

$156

MelbourneCairns

MEL - CNS

MELCNS

Melbourne

Wed 1/28

6:15 am-8:30 am

Nonstop3h 15m

Cairns

Fri 1/30

7:30 pm-11:55 pm

Nonstop3h 25m

$159

MelbourneCairns

MEL - CNS

MELCNS

Melbourne

Mon 2/16

7:45 pm-10:05 pm

Nonstop3h 20m

Cairns

Mon 2/23

2:35 pm-7:05 pm

Nonstop3h 30m

$166

MelbourneCairns

MEL - CNS

MELCNS

Melbourne

Sun 3/1

6:15 am-8:30 am

Nonstop3h 15m

Cairns

Sat 3/7

6:40 pm-11:05 pm

Nonstop3h 25m

$172

MelbourneCairns

MEL - CNS

MELCNS

Melbourne

Sun 2/1

7:45 pm-10:05 pm

Nonstop3h 20m

Cairns

Thu 2/5

9:45 am-2:10 pm

Nonstop3h 25m

$179

MelbourneCairns

MEL - CNS

MELCNS

Melbourne

Mon 3/16

7:45 pm-10:05 pm

Nonstop3h 20m

Cairns

Fri 3/20

11:55 pm-4:20 am

Nonstop3h 25m

$181

MelbourneCairns

MEL - CNS

MELCNS

Melbourne

Wed 1/28

8:35 am-11:05 am

Nonstop3h 30m

Cairns

Fri 1/30

7:30 pm-11:55 pm

Nonstop3h 25m

$184

MelbourneCairns

MEL - CNS

MELCNS

Melbourne

Fri 2/20

6:15 am-8:30 am

Nonstop3h 15m

Cairns

Sun 2/22

7:30 pm-11:55 pm

Nonstop3h 25m

$189

MelbourneCairns

MEL - CNS

MELCNS

Melbourne

Thu 5/7

7:15 pm-10:40 pm

Nonstop3h 25m

Cairns

Thu 5/14

9:40 pm-1:00 am

Nonstop3h 20m

$190

MelbourneCairns

MEL - CNS

MELCNS

Melbourne

Mon 1/12

6:15 am-8:30 am

Nonstop3h 15m

Cairns

Fri 1/16

7:50 pm-12:15 am

Nonstop3h 25m

$192

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Showing 1-10 of 20 resultsSorted by cheapest first

How to get the cheapest flight ticket from Melbourne Airport to Cairns

Look no further. We've gone through all the searches for this route on momondo so you have the important information and insights to find the cheapest flight ticket for your trip

Prices

Airlines

Delays

Other information

What is the cheapest month to fly to Cairns?

The cheapest month to fly to Cairns from Melbourne Airport is in March. Flight prices, which tend to average around $160, are often lower during this time because this is during the off-season. The month of February is another great option to travel to Cairns, with average flight prices from Melbourne Airport averaging around $161.

What is the cheapest day to depart on your flight to Cairns?

Our data shows that Wednesday is the least expensive day to fly to Cairns. Tickets to fly out on this day can be as low as $196. The most expensive day to fly to Cairns is Friday, with ticket prices averaging around $328.

What is the cheapest time of day to depart on your flight to Cairns?

Our data shows that the cheapest Melbourne Airport to Cairns flights are usually those with departure times in the evening. Our users have found flights to Cairns in the evening for as low as $198. In the morning is when there is more demand to fly to Cairns, so prices are often more expensive at around $327 per ticket.

What is the cheapest Melbourne to Cairns flight route?

Fly from Melbourne to Cairns for the best Melbourne - Cairns flight prices

How far in advance should I book a flight to Cairns?

You are more likely to see cheaper flights to Cairns from Melbourne Airport when booking weeks ahead of your departure date. In general, you can expect to find flights to Cairns for around $210 when searching weeks out. However, flight prices might be lower outside of this timeframe. For example, people recently found flights to Cairns from Melbourne Airport for as low as $178 on momondo.

What cabin class options are available on Melbourne to Cairns flights?

There are 3 cabin classes available to choose from on Melbourne to Cairns flights. Cabin price and availability will vary by airline so perform a search above to find the right deals for you.

How have Melbourne Airport to Cairns flight prices changed over time?

As of December 2025, prices for Melbourne Airport to Cairns flights are approximately 14% cheaper when compared to flights at the same time last year.

When to book flights from Melbourne Airport to Cairns

Are you open to changing your travel dates? Check out the ideal times to fly from Melbourne Airport to Cairns according to our flight data. Find out which month and days have the cheapest flights.

Estimated round-trip price

Cheap Melbourne Airport to Cairns (MEL to CNS) flight deals and tips

Find info about flight duration, direct flights, and airports for your flight from Melbourne Airport to Cairns

Best Price Found	$120
Fastest flight time	3h 20m
Direct flights	Every day
Airports in Cairns	1 airport

The best one-way flight to Cairns from Melbourne Airport in the past 72 hours is $120. The best round-trip flight deal from Melbourne Airport to Cairns found on momondo in the last 72 hours is $196.

The fastest flight from Melbourne Airport to Cairns takes 3h 20m

Direct flights go from Melbourne Airport to Cairns every day.

There is 1 airport in Cairns. From Melbourne Airport there are direct flights to Cairns (CNS).

Search flight deals

How far is Melbourne to Cairns by plane?
The distance between Melbourne and Cairns is about 1433.6 mi. Flights usually cover this in 3h 20m, depending on flying conditions and air traffic around both airports.
When did momondo last update prices for flights from Melbourne Airport to Cairns Airport?
Prices for flights from Melbourne Airport to Cairns Airport were last updated today.
How many operators does momondo search for flights from Melbourne Airport to Cairns Airport?
There are 2 operators available for flights from Melbourne Airport to Cairns Airport as of December 2025.
How old do you have to be to fly from Melbourne Airport to Cairns Airport?
The minimum age for a child to fly alone is five, but airlines that offer an unaccompanied minor (UNMR) service may have their own age limitations. Flight duration, scheduling, and layovers are among the considerations that may influence age limits. We recommend that you double-check with the airline you are booking with for travel from Melbourne Airport to Cairns Airport.
What documentation or ID do you need to fly to Cairns Airport?
The required travel and health documents for your Cairns Airport trip may vary depending on your itinerary and personal circumstances. As a general rule, you should carry multiple documents, including a national ID card or driver's license and a passport valid for six months after your intended arrival at Cairns Airport. We recommend that you seek guidance from your airline or a reliable third party such as IATA.
What is the most popular plane model from Melbourne Airport to Cairns?
Based on momondo bookings for this flight route, the most popular plane model on flight routes from Melbourne Airport to Cairns is Boeing 737-800 Passenger/BBJ2 (winglets) (35.69% of total bookings). The next most popular plane models are Airbus A321neo (21.49%), Airbus A320-100/200 (20.86%), and Airbus A321-100/200 (9.44%).
What is the most popular airline from Melbourne Airport to Cairns?
momondo data reveals that the most frequently booked airline on the route from Melbourne Airport to Cairns is Jetstar, representing 70% of all bookings. The subsequent popular airline is Virgin Australia at 30%.

Best airlines flying from Melbourne Airport to Cairns

Compare and see reviews for airlines that fly from Melbourne Airport to Cairns with momondo

Airline	Rating	Free Cancellation	Price
Virgin Australia	PriceFrom $132	Free Cancellation	Rating 7.6 428 reviews		Search Virgin Australia flights
Jetstar	PriceFrom $148	Free Cancellation	Rating 6.6 491 reviews		Search Jetstar flights

Virgin Australia Flights From Melbourne Airport to Cairns
Virgin Australia flight deals from Melbourne Airport to Cairns start from $132 round-trip. Over the 6 Virgin Australia flights for this route in a normal week, average airfare is usually $281 round-trip - but some users have found much cheaper deals with momondo.
Jetstar Flights From Melbourne Airport to Cairns
The best Jetstar deal for Melbourne Airport to Cairns flight tickets found on momondo in the last 72 hours was $148, round-trip. It should be noted that an average Jetstar flight deal for this route in this time was higher, at $196 round-trip. Jetstar operates 27 flights out of Melbourne Airport into Cairns in an average week, so prices vary by time and availability. 491 Jetstar reviews by users on momondo have scored the airline at 6.6/10.

Port Douglas

Mission Beach

Palm Cove

Trinity Beach

Why use momondo?

Why should I use momondo to find a flight deal from Melbourne to Cairns?

We help find the flight that best suits your needs, momondo compares prices from hundreds of airlines and travel agents and helps you filter them to find the best flight from Melbourne to Cairns for you.

Can I find flights from Melbourne to Cairns with flexible booking policies on momondo?

Yes. All flights to Cairns from Melbourne on momondo can be compared and filtered by various policies on offer, including flexible booking.

How can momondo help me find flights from Melbourne to Cairns?

momondo provides multiple filters to help you find the best flight to Cairns from Melbourne. Filter by price, airline, airports, cabin, aircraft, payment method, number of stops and more.

I’m not ready to book a flight from Melbourne to Cairns right now. Can momondo alert me if prices change?

Price alerts on flights to Cairns from Melbourne are quick and easy to set up on momondo. Simply perform a search and select the price alert feature. It is as simple as that.

An easier way to manage your Cairns trip

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Cheap flights from Melbourne Airport to Cairns from $83

This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a momondo user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight from Melbourne Airport to Cairns departing on 3/13. Fares may change, and may not be available for all flights or travel dates. Click the price to refresh the search for this deal.

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Qantas Airways flights from Melbourne Airport to Cairns

Our best Qantas Airways deals on Melbourne Airport to Cairns flight tickets

Jetstar flights from Melbourne Airport to Cairns

Our best Jetstar deals on Melbourne Airport to Cairns flight tickets

momondo Fare Finder

Use the filters below to find and compare flights from Melbourne Airport to Cairns that are best for you.

See travel insights to Cairns from

How to get the cheapest flight ticket from Melbourne Airport to Cairns

What is the cheapest month to fly to Cairns?

What is the cheapest day to depart on your flight to Cairns?

Our data shows that Wednesday is the least expensive day to fly to Cairns. Tickets to fly out on this day can be as low as $196. The most expensive day to fly to Cairns is Friday, with ticket prices averaging around $328.

What is the cheapest time of day to depart on your flight to Cairns?

What is the cheapest Melbourne to Cairns flight route?

Fly from Melbourne to Cairns for the best Melbourne - Cairns flight prices

How far in advance should I book a flight to Cairns?

What cabin class options are available on Melbourne to Cairns flights?

There are 3 cabin classes available to choose from on Melbourne to Cairns flights. Cabin price and availability will vary by airline so perform a search above to find the right deals for you.

How have Melbourne Airport to Cairns flight prices changed over time?

As of December 2025, prices for Melbourne Airport to Cairns flights are approximately 14% cheaper when compared to flights at the same time last year.

What is the cheapest airline that flies from Melbourne to Cairns?

Jetstar and Virgin Australia are the most popular carriers operating from Melbourne to Cairns

How often are flights from Melbourne to Cairns delayed?

Historically, on average around 15% of flights between Melbourne and Cairns have experienced a delay on any given week. The average delay length over the past 12 months has been 102 minutes.

What is the most punctual flight time for Melbourne to Cairns flights?

Generally, flights departing at night tend to experience fewer delays. Flights in the evening have, in the past, seen delays more frequently in comparison.

What day of the week experiences the fewest flight delays on this route?

Saturday is statistically the day of the week which experiences the fewest number of delays on this flight route. Wednesday has historically seen more delays on average compared to the rest of the week.

Which airline has the best punctuality record on Melbourne to Cairns flights?

According to our data, China Eastern have had the least number of delays on this route over the last 12 months; with about 5% of their flights experiencing any sort of delay.

How many flights depart from Melbourne Airport to Cairns on average per day?

The number of flights available between Melbourne Airport and Cairns is 19 per day as of December 2025. The most frequent departure time is 8:00AM, with 54% of daily flights leaving at noon.

How many flights depart from Melbourne Airport to Cairns on average per week?

137 flights are operational weekly from Melbourne Airport to Cairns as of December 2025. The most popular departure day for this route is Sun, with 17% of flights per week taking off on this day.

When to book flights from Melbourne Airport to Cairns

Cheap Melbourne Airport to Cairns (MEL to CNS) flight deals and tips

Find info about flight duration, direct flights, and airports for your flight from Melbourne Airport to Cairns

Best Price Found

Fastest flight time

Direct flights

Airports in Cairns

How far is Melbourne to Cairns by plane?

When did momondo last update prices for flights from Melbourne Airport to Cairns Airport?

How many operators does momondo search for flights from Melbourne Airport to Cairns Airport?

How old do you have to be to fly from Melbourne Airport to Cairns Airport?

What documentation or ID do you need to fly to Cairns Airport?

What is the most popular plane model from Melbourne Airport to Cairns?

What is the most popular airline from Melbourne Airport to Cairns?

Best airlines flying from Melbourne Airport to Cairns

Compare and see reviews for airlines that fly from Melbourne Airport to Cairns with momondo

Virgin Australia Flights From Melbourne Airport to Cairns

Jetstar Flights From Melbourne Airport to Cairns

Traveling to a place near Cairns?

Why use momondo?

Why should I use momondo to find a flight deal from Melbourne to Cairns?

Can I find flights from Melbourne to Cairns with flexible booking policies on momondo?

How can momondo help me find flights from Melbourne to Cairns?

I’m not ready to book a flight from Melbourne to Cairns right now. Can momondo alert me if prices change?

An easier way to manage your Cairns trip

We make it super easy to schedule, organize and travel with friends or family. Trips is free — and available to use no matter where you book.

Get notified when prices go down

Daily price changes in your inbox - only with Price Alerts.

Find better results for your trip to Australia

Airports servicing Queensland