Question 1

What is the cheapest Melbourne to Cairns flight route?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 2

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

Accepted Answer

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

Question 3

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

Accepted Answer

You are more likely to see cheaper flights to Cairns from Melbourne when booking weeks ahead of your departure date. In general, you can expect to find flights to Cairns for around $304 when searching weeks before you fly. However, flight prices might be lower outside of this timeframe. For example, people recently found flights to Cairns from Melbourne for as low as $273 on momondo.

Question 4

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

Accepted Answer

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

Question 5

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

Accepted Answer

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

Question 6

How often are flights from Melbourne to Cairns delayed?

Accepted Answer

Historically, on average around 17% 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 105 minutes.

Question 7

Which airlines fly to Cairns?

Accepted Answer

Jetstar, Virgin Australia and Qantas Airways are the top three most popular airlines that fly to Cairns from Melbourne according to our data. Jetstar is the first choice among our users, with 75% of people opting to fly with this airline when travelling to Cairns. Keep in mind that there are 3 different airlines that fly to Cairns on a routine basis, so you have a few additional options to choose from.

Question 8

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

Accepted Answer

In the evening is the cheapest time of day to fly from Melbourne to Cairns when you can find flight prices for as low as $270. Flying to Cairns in the evening is an ideal time because this is during off-peak travel hours. If you have a flexible travel schedule, then try to avoid flying at midday when prices are $639 on average. Flights to Cairns from Melbourne at midday are generally more expensive because this time of day is more convenient for travellers’ schedules.

Question 9

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

Accepted Answer

According to our data, Tuesday is the cheapest day to fly to Cairns from Melbourne. The lowest ticket price found for a Tuesday departure recently was $312. Keep in mind that prices can always vary depending on your route and whether or not you are flying domestic or international. If your travel schedule is flexible, try to avoid departing on a Sunday because tickets tend to average around $351. These prices are subject to change though, so be sure to set up a Price Alert for flights to Cairns.

Question 10

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

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 11

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

Accepted Answer

As of February 2026, there are 13 flights per day flying from Melbourne to Cairns. The most common time of day flights depart is 08:00, with 72% of flights taking off at midday.

Question 12

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

Accepted Answer

96 flights are operational weekly from Melbourne to Cairns as of February 2026. The most popular departure day for this route is Mon, with 18% of flights per week taking off on this day.

Question 13

What is the cheapest month to fly to Cairns?

Accepted Answer

The cheapest month to fly to Cairns from Melbourne is in March. Flight prices, which tend to average around $236, are often lower during this time because this is during the off-season. If you are unable to visit Cairns during the month of March, then departing from Melbourne during the month February is also very affordable. Most momondo users find prices during this month for around $237.

Question 14

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

Accepted Answer

Prices are currently typical for flights on this route.Typical prices usually range from $222 to $291.
The lowest price recently found on this route was $249.

Question 15

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

Accepted Answer

According to our data, China Eastern have had the fewest delays on this route over the last 12 months, with about 6% of their flights experiencing any sort of delay.

Question 16

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

Accepted Answer

Prices for flights from Melbourne to Cairns Airport are updated daily.

Question 17

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

Accepted Answer

The number of operators available for flights from Melbourne to Cairns Airport is 3 as of February 2026.

Question 18

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

Accepted Answer

Although the minimum age for a child to fly alone is five, airlines that offer an unaccompanied minor (UMNR) service may have their own age limits, which could be impacted by factors such as flight length, timing, and stopovers. It is recommended that you verify with the airline you are booking with for travel from Melbourne to Cairns Airport.

Question 19

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

Accepted Answer

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 licence 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.

Fastest flight time	3h 15m
Direct flights	Every day
Airports in Cairns	1 airport

Airline	Rating	Free cancellation	Price
Jetstar	PriceFrom $119	Free cancellation	Rating 6.5 514 reviews	Search Jetstar flights
Virgin Australia	PriceFrom $156	Free cancellation	Rating 7.6 433 reviews	Search Virgin Australia flights
Qantas Airways	PriceFrom $188	Free cancellation	Rating 7.5 985 reviews	Search Qantas Airways flights

Cheap flights from Melbourne to Cairns from $124

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 to Cairns departing on 3/3. 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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How to get the cheapest flight ticket from Melbourne to Cairns

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

What is the cheapest month to fly to Cairns?

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

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.

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

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

Which airlines fly to Cairns?

How often are flights from Melbourne to Cairns delayed?

Historically, on average around 17% 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 105 minutes.

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

Generally, flights departing at night tend to experience fewer delays. Flights departing in the early afternoon 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 that experiences the fewest 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 fewest delays on this route over the last 12 months, with about 6% of their flights experiencing any sort of delay.

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

As of February 2026, there are 13 flights per day flying from Melbourne to Cairns. The most common time of day flights depart is 08:00, with 72% of flights taking off at midday.

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

96 flights are operational weekly from Melbourne to Cairns as of February 2026. The most popular departure day for this route is Mon, with 18% of flights per week taking off on this day.

Cheap Melbourne to Cairns flight deals and tips

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

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

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

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