Travelling from Cairns Airport (CNS) to Melbourne: what you need to know
Around 3 hours 20 minutes is how long you can expect to be travelling on a direct flight from Cairns Airport to Melbourne.
Melbourne is one hour ahead of Cairns, where Cairns Airport is located. Melbourne runs on the UTC+11 timezone.
The busiest route is from Cairns Airport (CNS) to Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL). You can choose from 50 weekly services between these two airports. If you'd like to get going as soon as possible, the earliest flight from CNS to MEL is the 07:00 Jetstar service. If you'd rather fly out later on, the last departure is at 21:30 with Jetstar.
For a relaxed start to your CNS to Melbourne flight, allow plenty of time for things like baggage drop and finding your gate. Arriving two hours before international departures and an hour before domestic flights is the standard rule.
Delays at security and check-in are more likely if you're travelling during high season, so give yourself a little extra breathing room. A good general rule for peak periods? Get there up to four hours early for international flights and at least two hours for domestic departures.
You can book a direct Cairns Airport to Melbourne ticket. Start your journey at CNS and land at Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL).
You can choose from a variety of carriers that operate direct flights from Cairns Airport to Melbourne, including:
Located around 5 kilometres from the centre of Cairns, CNS can be reached in about 10 minutes by car. Travelling on public transport takes roughly 1 hour 25 minutes.
Catching an early flight from Cairns Airport to Melbourne? Avoid the stress of rushing to the terminal (and get some extra shut-eye) by choosing one of these hotels close to CNS:
When it comes to Cairns Airport's on-time performance, 71.55% of flights meet their scheduled arrival time.
How to find the cheapest flights from Cairns Airport (CNS) to Melbourne
67 € is currently the lowest price for a one-way Cairns Airport to Melbourne flight. A return plane ticket starts at 136 €. These fares can change depending on availability and demand.
Score cheap flights from CNS to Melbourne by booking 11 months ahead. According to our research, that's the best time for bagging a bargain.
Organise your trip for March. That's the best month for scoring a bargain on Cairns Airport to Melbourne tickets. If your travel dates are flexible, use the 'Whole month' tool to find the lowest price across every month.
You don't need to keep checking in to find out if fares have dropped when you create a Price Alert. We'll notify you as soon as there's an extra saving on cheap flights from CNS to Melbourne.
Select your preferred arrival and departure times, airlines and number of stops with our filters. Then, sort the results for your flight from Cairns Airport to Melbourne by 'Cheapest,' 'Best' or 'Fastest.'
Airports in Melbourne
Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL)
Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL) to central Melbourne takes about 30 minutes to reach by car. The centre is roughly 24 kilometres away.
Getting there by public transport takes about 40 minutes.
Book a hotel close to MEL if you have a late flight from Cairns Airport to Melbourne. Check in to one of these options and skip the long transfer:
Pick up a Melbourne Tullamarine Airport rental car and explore Melbourne and beyond with your own wheels. Bargain Car Rentals, East Coast and Sixt are top providers to choose from here.
To get the best deal, book your vehicle from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport around four weeks in advance of your flight from CNS to Melbourne.
Avalon Airport (AVV)
Avalon Airport (AVV) is roughly 56 kilometres from central Melbourne. After your flight from Cairns Airport to Melbourne, it'll take you around 50 minutes to get to the heart of the city in a cab or ride-share.
If you're travelling on public transport, it'll take around 2 hours 5 minutes.
You'll find some fantastic places to stay within an easy drive of AVV. Shift into relaxation gear at Corio Bay Motel after your CNS to Melbourne flight.
Forget about public transport timetables or long cab queues. Pick up an Avalon Airport rental car and blaze your own trail. Check out the availability and rates from Sixt, Kangaroo Rental and yesaway car hire.
Avoid paying more than you need to. Booking your ride three weeks ahead of your arrival at AVV can get you a lower rate.
Essendon Airport (MEB)
Step off your flight from Cairns Airport to Melbourne and make your way to your hotel or start sightseeing right away. The centre of Melbourne is around 19 kilometres from Essendon Airport (MEB) and typically takes 25 minutes to reach driving.
The journey will take you around 1 hour 15 minutes by public transport.
Enjoy a more relaxed start to your break by checking in to a hotel near MEB after your CNS to Melbourne flight. Recover from a day of travel or simply give yourself time to get your footing in a new city at:
Take the guesswork out of the next leg of your journey by picking up an Essendon Airport rental car. East Coast, Ace Rental Cars and Goldcar are some companies you can book with.
Booking at least a few weeks ahead of your flight from Cairns Airport to Melbourne is a good move. In addition to better deals, you might find it easier to get the make and model you prefer at MEB.
Best time to go to Melbourne
Carefully consider your trip dates before securing your flight from Cairns Airport to Melbourne. The city buzzes during high season, but hotel prices are usually higher and major attractions can be busy. Go to Melbourne in the low season if you prefer a more relaxed vibe.
Before booking a Cairns Airport to Melbourne plane ticket, think about what kind of weather works for you. January is the warmest month in Melbourne, with temperatures ranging from 12ºC (54ºF) to 29ºC (84ºF).
Look for cheap tickets from CNS to Melbourne in July if you'd rather travel during cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 4ºC (39ºF) and 13ºC (55ºF) on average.
More about Melbourne
When it comes to searching for somewhere to lay your head, you'll find the top stays in Melbourne right here. Check out these hotels after locking in your flight from Cairns Airport to Melbourne:
There are so many things to discover in this city it can be difficult to know where to start. National Gallery of Victoria, Federation Square and Eureka Skydeck 88 are highlights which should feature on any well-planned Melbourne itinerary.
Explore more of Australia
Canberra is just one of the many places in Australia waiting to be explored once you've seen Melbourne. Around 467 kilometres away to the north-east, check out popular attractions including Australian War Memorial, National Gallery of Australia and Parliament House.
If you're eager to discover another side of Australia, head for Launceston, about 451 kilometres south-east of Melbourne. City Park, Tamar Island Wetlands and James Boag Brewery Experience are highlights.