Cheap flights from Melbourne to Cairns (MEL–CNS)
MELMelbourne Airport
Australia
Australia
CNSCairns International Airport
Australia
Australia
Jetstar Airways, Qantas and Virgin Australia fly Melbourne to Cairns (MEL–CNS) nonstop and back, a great-circle distance of 2,310 km (1,440 mi).
- From
- MEL
- Melbourne
- To
- CNS
- Cairns
- Nonstop
- Yes · 3 airlines
- Airlines
- JQ · QF · VA
- Cheapest fare found
- A$134 one-way
- Distance
- 2,310 km (1,440 mi)
- Time difference
- Cairns 1 hour behind
Network data imported from airport and airline sources:· How we verify
Melbourne to Cairns fares by month
Cheapest one-way fare found: A$134 for November 2026 on Jetstar Airways, nonstop. Nonstop from A$134.
- Oct ’26A$193
- Nov ’26A$134
- Dec ’26A$135
- Jan ’27A$140
- Feb ’27A$140
- Mar ’27A$138
- Apr ’27A$157
- May ’27A$153
- Aug ’27A$185
Cheapest one-way fares per month of departure in the Aviasales price cache, found . Fares change by the hour: the live fare is shown when you search.
When to fly MEL–CNS
For Melbourne (MEL) to Cairns (CNS), November 2026 had the lowest fare found (A$134). Days in Cairns average 18–28 °C in May, June, July and August. Set your watch 1 hour back on landing at CNS.
Melbourne to Cairns: frequently asked questions
Fares: Aviasales price cache, 8 October 2026.
How much is a flight from Melbourne (MEL) to Cairns (CNS)?
From A$134 one-way, the cheapest fare found for November 2026 on Jetstar Airways, nonstop; nonstop from A$134 (found 8 October 2026).
Which airlines fly MEL–CNS direct?
Jetstar Airways, Qantas and Virgin Australia.
What is the cheapest month to fly MEL–CNS?
November 2026, at A$134; the dearest month found was A$193.
What is the time difference between Melbourne and Cairns?
Cairns is 1 hour behind Melbourne: a MEL departure at noon is 11:00 local time in CNS.
Cairns to Melbourne: the return flight (CNS–MEL)
All 3 airlines also fly CNS–MEL nonstop.
Airlines flying MEL–CNS nonstop
| Airline | Usually takes off (MEL time) | Type | Alliance | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Jetstar Airways JQ | — | low-cost | — | — |
 Qantas QF | — | full-service | oneworld | — |
| Virgin Australia VA | — | full-service | — | — |
One-stop alternatives to flying MEL–CNS nonstop
One airline on both legs; check it's sold as one ticket.
- Via Sydney (SYD) with Jetstar Airways, Qantas and Virgin Australia: 2,680 km (1,660 mi) flown, 16% further than nonstop.
- Via Adelaide (ADL) with Jetstar Airways: 2,770 km (1,720 mi) flown, 20% further than nonstop.
- Via Brisbane (BNE) with Jetstar Airways, Qantas and Virgin Australia: 2,770 km (1,720 mi) flown, 20% further than nonstop.
- Via Maroochydore (MCY) with Jetstar Airways: 2,770 km (1,720 mi) flown, 20% further than nonstop.
- Via Gold Coast (OOL) with Jetstar Airways: 2,820 km (1,750 mi) flown, 22% further than nonstop.
MEL–CNS route map
More from Melbourne and Cairns
Other arrivals in Australia
Also nonstop from MEL, nearest to CNS first (straight-line distance):
- Townsville (TSV) · 285 km (177 mi) from CNS
- Proserpine (PPP) · 499 km (310 mi) from CNS
- Hamilton Island (HTI) · 513 km (319 mi) from CNS
- Hervey Bay (HVB) · 1,190 km (742 mi) from CNS
- MEL–MCY: Maroochydore · 1,320 km (819 mi) from CNS
Explore the airlines’ route maps
Departure
Melbourne Airport
Melbourne (MEL), Melbourne. In our data, 40 airlines fly nonstop from MEL to 62 destinations.
View MEL airport guide →Arrival
Cairns International Airport
Cairns (CNS), Cairns.
Weather in Cairns vs Melbourne
Cairns is warmer than Melbourne in every month, by 5–12°C; the biggest gap is in July (26°C against 15°C). In October it averages 30°C in Cairns and 21°C in Melbourne.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cairns | 32° | 32° | 31° | 30° | 28° | 27° | 26° | 27° | 29° | 30° | 31° | 32° |
| Melbourne | 27° | 27° | 25° | 21° | 18° | 15° | 15° | 16° | 18° | 21° | 23° | 25° |
Average daily highs. Climate normals from Cairns and Melbourne (Wikipedia, CC BY-SA), which cite the national weather services.
Onward from Cairns
Places you can't fly to nonstop from MEL, but can from CNS — for a stopover or a second leg.
Related routes
Sources
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations, checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations, checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
- en.wikipedia.org — airlines and destinations table (passenger), checked 2026-10-01
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