How often are flights from Cairns to Melbourne delayed?

Historically, on average around 18% of flights between Cairns and Melbourne have experienced a delay on any given week. The average delay length over the past 12 months has been 104 minutes.

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

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

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

According to our data, Qantas Airways has had the least delays on this route over the last 12 months, with about 16% of their flights experiencing any sort of delay.

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

146 flights are operational weekly from Cairns to Melbourne Airport as of September 2026. The most popular departure day for this route is Mon, with 23% of flights per week taking off on this day.

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

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

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

As of September 2026, there are 20 flights per day flying from Cairns to Melbourne Airport. The most common time of day flights depart is 12:00p.m., with 45% of flights taking off in the afternoon.

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

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

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

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

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

The minimum age for a child to fly alone is five, but airlines offering an unaccompanied minor (UNMR) service may have their age restrictions, such as regulations concerning flight duration, timing, and layovers. It is recommended that you verify with the airline you are booking with for travel from Cairns Airport to Melbourne Airport.

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

The required travel and health documents for your Melbourne 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 Melbourne Airport. We recommend that you seek guidance from your airline or a reliable third party such as IATA.

C$ 179 Cheap Flights from Cairns to Melbourne Airport in 2026/27

Find the cheapest flights from Cairns to Melbourne

Round-trip

One-way

Last minute

Direct

Cheap round-trip flights

Enter your travel dates to find the best prices.

7:10 p.m. - 11:35 p.m.CNS Cairns-MEL Melbourne

3h 25mdirect

7:50 p.m. - 10:10 p.m.MEL Melbourne-CNS Cairns

3h 20mdirect

C$ 258Jetstar

Thu, 10 Dec - Fri, 15 Jan

10:15 a.m. - 2:45 p.m.CNS Cairns-MEL Melbourne

3h 30mdirect

7:50 p.m. - 10:10 p.m.MEL Melbourne-CNS Cairns

3h 20mdirect

C$ 259Jetstar

Wed, 24 Feb - Sun, 28 Feb

9:45 a.m. - 2:15 p.m.CNS Cairns-MEL Melbourne

3h 30mdirect

6:15 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.MEL Melbourne-CNS Cairns

3h 15mdirect

C$ 273Jetstar

Thu, 25 Feb - Sun, 28 Feb

9:45 a.m. - 2:15 p.m.CNS Cairns-MEL Melbourne

3h 30mdirect

6:15 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.MEL Melbourne-CNS Cairns

3h 15mdirect

C$ 283Jetstar

Thu, 26 Nov - Sat, 28 Nov

7:10 p.m. - 11:35 p.m.CNS Cairns-MEL Melbourne

3h 25mdirect

7:50 p.m. - 10:10 p.m.MEL Melbourne-CNS Cairns

3h 20mdirect

C$ 292Jetstar

Thu, 10 Dec - Fri, 11 Dec

7:10 p.m. - 11:35 p.m.CNS Cairns-MEL Melbourne

3h 25mdirect

7:50 p.m. - 10:10 p.m.MEL Melbourne-CNS Cairns

3h 20mdirect

C$ 293Jetstar

Thu, 10 Dec - Fri, 11 Dec

8:35 p.m. - 12:55 a.m.CNS Cairns-MEL Melbourne

3h 20mdirect

8:05 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.MEL Melbourne-CNS Cairns

3h 25mdirect

C$ 299Jetstar

Thu, 15 Oct - Sat, 24 Oct

8:35 p.m. - 12:55 a.m.CNS Cairns-MEL Melbourne

3h 20mdirect

8:05 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.MEL Melbourne-CNS Cairns

3h 25mdirect

C$ 303Jetstar

Thu, 15 Oct - Sat, 24 Oct

8:35 p.m. - 12:55 a.m.CNS Cairns-MEL Melbourne

3h 20mdirect

8:05 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.MEL Melbourne-CNS Cairns

3h 25mdirect

C$ 338Jetstar

Thu, 15 Oct - Thu, 22 Oct

11:55 p.m. - 4:20 a.m.CNS Cairns-MEL Melbourne

3h 25mdirect

5:10 p.m. - 11:05 p.m.MEL Melbourne-CNS Cairns

6h 55m1 stop Brisbane

C$ 371Virgin Australia

Wed, 23 Dec - Mon, 28 Dec

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Jetstar flights from Cairns to Melbourne Airport

Our best Jetstar deals on Cairns to Melbourne Airport flight tickets

Jetstar

10 Dec

CNS7:10 p.m.Cairns

3h 25m

MEL11:35 p.m.Melbourne

15 Jan

MEL7:50 p.m.Melbourne

3h 20m

CNS10:10 p.m.Cairns

C$ 258

Jetstar

24 Feb

CNS10:15 a.m.Cairns

3h 30m

MEL2:45 p.m.Melbourne

28 Feb

MEL7:50 p.m.Melbourne

3h 20m

CNS10:10 p.m.Cairns

C$ 259

Jetstar

25 Feb

CNS9:45 a.m.Cairns

3h 30m

MEL2:15 p.m.Melbourne

28 Feb

MEL6:15 a.m.Melbourne

3h 15m

CNS8:30 a.m.Cairns

C$ 273

Virgin Australia flights from Cairns to Melbourne Airport

Our best Virgin Australia deals on Cairns to Melbourne Airport flight tickets

Virgin Australia

23 Dec

CNS11:55 p.m.Cairns

3h 25m

MEL4:20 a.m.Melbourne

28 Dec

MEL5:10 p.m.Melbourne

6h 55m

1 stop

CNS11:05 p.m.Cairns

C$ 371

Virgin Australia

31 Dec

CNS7:50 p.m.Cairns

3h 25m

MEL12:15 a.m.Melbourne

2 Jan

MEL9:00 a.m.Melbourne

6h 55m

1 stop

CNS2:55 p.m.Cairns

C$ 395

Virgin Australia

23 Feb

CNS11:45 a.m.Cairns

3h 25m

MEL4:10 p.m.Melbourne

24 Feb

MEL8:35 a.m.Melbourne

3h 30m

CNS11:05 a.m.Cairns

C$ 397

momondo Fare Finder

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

Fly from

Fly to

Route

Depart

Return

Price

Cheapest round-trip

Quickest round-trip

CairnsMelbourne

CNS Cairns - MEL Melbourne

CNSMEL

Cairns

Thu 10/12

7:10 p.m.-11:35 p.m.

Nonstop3h 25m

Melbourne

Fri 15/1

7:50 p.m.-10:10 p.m.

Nonstop3h 20m

C$ 258

CairnsMelbourne

CNS Cairns - MEL Melbourne

CNSMEL

Cairns

Wed 24/2

10:15 a.m.-2:45 p.m.

Nonstop3h 30m

Melbourne

Sun 28/2

7:50 p.m.-10:10 p.m.

Nonstop3h 20m

C$ 259

CairnsMelbourne

CNS Cairns - MEL Melbourne

CNSMEL

Cairns

Thu 25/2

9:45 a.m.-2:15 p.m.

Nonstop3h 30m

Melbourne

Sun 28/2

6:15 a.m.-8:30 a.m.

Nonstop3h 15m

C$ 273

CairnsMelbourne

CNS Cairns - MEL Melbourne

CNSMEL

Cairns

Thu 26/11

9:45 a.m.-2:15 p.m.

Nonstop3h 30m

Melbourne

Sat 28/11

6:15 a.m.-8:30 a.m.

Nonstop3h 15m

C$ 283

CairnsMelbourne

CNS Cairns - MEL Melbourne

CNSMEL

Cairns

Thu 10/12

7:10 p.m.-11:35 p.m.

Nonstop3h 25m

Melbourne

Fri 11/12

7:50 p.m.-10:10 p.m.

Nonstop3h 20m

C$ 292

CairnsMelbourne

CNS Cairns - MEL Melbourne

CNSMEL

Cairns

Thu 10/12

7:10 p.m.-11:35 p.m.

Nonstop3h 25m

Melbourne

Fri 11/12

7:50 p.m.-10:10 p.m.

Nonstop3h 20m

C$ 293

CairnsMelbourne

CNS Cairns - MEL Melbourne

CNSMEL

Cairns

Thu 15/10

8:35 p.m.-12:55 a.m.

Nonstop3h 20m

Melbourne

Sat 24/10

8:05 p.m.-10:30 p.m.

Nonstop3h 25m

C$ 299

CairnsMelbourne

CNS Cairns - MEL Melbourne

CNSMEL

Cairns

Thu 15/10

8:35 p.m.-12:55 a.m.

Nonstop3h 20m

Melbourne

Sat 24/10

8:05 p.m.-10:30 p.m.

Nonstop3h 25m

C$ 303

CairnsMelbourne

CNS Cairns - MEL Melbourne

CNSMEL

Cairns

Thu 15/10

8:35 p.m.-12:55 a.m.

Nonstop3h 20m

Melbourne

Thu 22/10

8:05 p.m.-10:30 p.m.

Nonstop3h 25m

C$ 338

CairnsMelbourne

CNS Cairns - MEL Melbourne

CNSMEL

Cairns

Wed 23/12

11:55 p.m.-4:20 a.m.

Nonstop3h 25m

Melbourne

Mon 28/12

5:10 p.m.-11:05 p.m.

1 stop6h 55m

C$ 371

Flights are sorted by cheapest round-trip flights first.

Showing 1-10 of 20 resultsSorted by cheapest first

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

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 typical price of a round-trip flight between Cairns and Melbourne Airport?

Prices are currently low for flights on this route.

Typical prices usually range from C$ 263 to C$ 445.
The lowest price recently found on this route was C$ 258.

What is the cheapest month to fly to Melbourne Airport?

If you aren’t able to travel during the month of January, then book flights to Melbourne Airport from Cairns during November instead. Flights to Melbourne Airport in November, while not as cheap as those in January, still average around C$ 278.

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

You are more likely to see cheaper flights to Melbourne Airport from Cairns when booking weeks ahead of your departure date. In general, you can expect to find flights to Melbourne Airport for around C$ 312 when searching weeks out. However, flight prices might be lower outside of this timeframe. For example, people recently found flights to Melbourne Airport from Cairns for as low as C$ 212 on momondo.

Can stopping save me money on Cairns to Melbourne Airport flights?

No. A direct flight is the cheapest option for a flight between Cairns to Melbourne Airport.

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

As of September 2026, prices for Cairns to Melbourne Airport flights are approximately 15% cheaper when compared to flights at the same time last year.

When to book flights from Cairns to Melbourne Airport

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

Estimated round-trip price

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

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

Best price found	C$ 179
Fastest flight time	5h 20m
Direct flights	Every day

The best one-way flight to Melbourne Airport from Cairns in the past 72 hours is C$ 179. The best round-trip flight deal from Cairns to Melbourne Airport found on momondo in the last 72 hours is C$ 258.

The fastest flight from Cairns to Melbourne Airport takes 5h 20m

Direct flights go from Cairns to Melbourne Airport every day.

Search flight deals

Frequently asked questions about flying from Cairns to Melbourne Airport

How far is Cairns to Melbourne by plane?
Cairns and Melbourne are 2307.1 km apart from one another. In terms of flight time, this usually takes a little over 5h 20m.
When did momondo last update prices for flights from Cairns Airport to Melbourne Airport?
Prices for flights from Cairns Airport to Melbourne Airport were last updated today.
How old do you have to be to fly from Cairns Airport to Melbourne Airport?
The minimum age for a child to fly alone is five, but airlines offering an unaccompanied minor (UNMR) service may have their age restrictions, such as regulations concerning flight duration, timing, and layovers. It is recommended that you verify with the airline you are booking with for travel from Cairns Airport to Melbourne Airport.
What documentation or ID do you need to fly to Melbourne Airport?
The required travel and health documents for your Melbourne 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 Melbourne 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 Cairns to Melbourne Airport?
momondo data reveals that the most frequently booked plane model on the route from Cairns to Melbourne Airport is Boeing 737-800 Passenger/BBJ2 (winglets), representing 32.19% of all bookings. The subsequent popular models are Airbus A320-100/200 at 23.46%, Airbus A321neo at 21.36%, and Airbus A321-100/200 at 9.73%.

Torquay

St Kilda

Why use momondo?

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

Finding the right flight to Melbourne from Cairns is quick and easy when you have a range of options in front of you, from reputable agents and recognizable airlines. Options that can then be filtered down to find the best fit. That is what momondo does. We make finding flights to Melbourne quick and easy, saving you time and money.

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

Yes. momondo allows you to filter the results for Cairns to Melbourne flights to just show those with flexible booking policies.

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

Once you have performed a search in the form on the page, momondo provides useful filters and insights. We can show you the cheapest days and times to fly as well as help filter your options to help you make an informed choice when booking flights to Melbourne from Cairns.

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

If you are not ready to book a flight from Cairns to Melbourne now, use our insights above to find helpful tips or alternatively set up a price alert, where momondo will track prices on flights to Melbourne and let you know when they change.

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Cheap flights from Cairns to Melbourne from C$ 179

This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a momondo user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight from Cairns to Melbourne departing on 22/10. 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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Jetstar flights from Cairns to Melbourne Airport

Our best Jetstar deals on Cairns to Melbourne Airport flight tickets

Virgin Australia flights from Cairns to Melbourne Airport

Our best Virgin Australia deals on Cairns to Melbourne Airport flight tickets

momondo Fare Finder

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

See travel insights to Melbourne from

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

What is the typical price of a round-trip flight between Cairns and Melbourne Airport?

What is the cheapest month to fly to Melbourne Airport?

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

Can stopping save me money on Cairns to Melbourne Airport flights?

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

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

How often are flights from Cairns to Melbourne delayed?

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

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

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

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

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

When to book flights from Cairns to Melbourne Airport

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

Best price found

Fastest flight time

Direct flights

Frequently asked questions about flying from Cairns to Melbourne Airport

Travelling to a place near Melbourne?

Why use momondo?

An easier way to manage your Melbourne Airport 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.

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According to popular flight searches on momondo this year

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