Cheap flight from Melbourne to Cairns from $73

Frequently Asked Questions

• Which airlines offer direct flights from Melbourne to Cairns?

  At the moment, you can catch a nonstop flight from Melbourne to Cairns with the following airlines, including: Jetstar Airways Virgin Australia Qantas Airways Selected airlines are based on historical data collected from flight bookings users made on Trip.com within the last 90 days.

• How long does it take to fly from Melbourne (MEL) to Cairns (CNS) and what is the distance?

  It takes around 3 hours 27 minutes to fly from Melbourne (MEL) to Cairns (CNS).

• When is the best time to book flights from Melbourne to Cairns?

  By analyzing data from all airlines on the Trip.com flight calendar, it looks like the best time to book a flight from Melbourne to Cairns is around 40 days (6 weeks) in advance, and the best time to fly is usually on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday. Tuesday typically offers the cheapest flights for departure, while Saturday offers the best return deals.

• How many flights are there per week from Melbourne to Cairns?

  Based on Trip.com data in the past 4 weeks, there is 65 flight per week flying from Melbourne to Cairns. You can check the weekly schedule for popular airlines on this route below: Jetstar Airways: S/M/T/W/T/F/S -- JQ942 (15:42)

• When are flight tickets from Melbourne (MEL) to Cairns (CNS) the cheapest?

  The cheapest months to fly from Melbourne to Cairns is October, when demand for travel is lower.

• Which upcoming date is cheapest to fly from Melbourne to Cairns on?

  After crunching the numbers on our November flight calendar, it's currently cheapest to fly from Melbourne to Cairns on November 25, 2025 with Jetstar Airways, with prices starting at $68.

• Which airports can I fly to for Cairns from Melbourne?

  You can land at any one of the following hubs in Cairns, with Melbourne Airport to Cairns Airport (MEL-CNS) is by far the most common option on this route: Cairns Airport (CNS).

• Is there any time difference between Melbourne and Cairns?

  The time difference between Cairns and Melbourne is 0h.

• How do I change or cancel my ticket from Melbourne to Cairns?

  Tickets can only be changed or canceled if permitted by airline policy. To submit a change or cancellation request, go to the flight bookings page, select the option to change or cancel your booking, choose the relevant passengers and segment, and submit a request. Please note that additional charges may apply according to the airline ticket policy. However, if the flight has been rescheduled and you would like to change or cancel your ticket, you can submit an involuntary cancellation request. For more details about change and cancellation policies, please check the customer support pages.