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Melbourne to Cairns

Airport Information Between Melbourne (MEL) and Cairns (CNS)

Departing Melbourne Airport (MEL)

Melbourne Airport (MEL) (also known as Tullamarine Airport) is one of Australia’s busiest airports. The airport has 4 terminals, 3 of which are domestic, serving different airlines.

• Qantas - Depart from Terminal 1
• Virgin Australia - Depart from Terminal 3
• Regional Express - Depart from Terminal 4

Wanting to get to Melbourne Airport from the city centre before your flight from Melbourne to Cairns? Take the public bus; routes 478, 479, 482 and 901 all run past the transport hub by Terminal 4. Alternatively, you can take the 24-hour SkyBus. It departs from the CBD every 10 minutes, and costs only AUD 10 for a one-way trip.

Taxis and ridesharing services can drop you off along the T4 Transport Hub zone, or along Departure Drive. A single trip fare costs AUD 55 - 65 depending on traffic.

Want to leave your car at Melbourne Airport? Choose from the following parking zones:

• Value Car Park (perfect for budget travellers)
• Long Term Park (more expensive, but conveniently located)
• Premium Terminal Car Park (unmatched convenience, undercover, most expensive)

Arriving at Cairns Airport (CNS)

Flying from Melbourne to Cairns takes around 3 hours 20 minutes when flying direct, but may take longer if you fly with a stopover in another city.

There are two terminals at Cairns Airport (CNS); Terminal 1 is the international arrival spot, whereas Terminal 2 is the domestic arrival spot. Terminal 2 is where you’ll arrive when on flights from Melbourne to Cairns.

The Cairns CBD is around 6 kilometres from Cairns Airport. Commute options include taxi and rideshare, shuttle bus services, hotel transfers, limousine, and car hire. The approximate cost of a taxi to the Cairns CBD is around $25–30 and $65 to get to Palm Cove. A bus transfer can take anywhere from 20–40 minutes and will cost around $16. If you're using Uber, follow the Ride-Booking signs. The pickup area is located in the T2 Domestic zone at the north end of the public pick-up lane.

Want to hire a car for your stay in Cairns? Book a car rental from Cairns Airport with Webjet today.

Travel Restrictions for Melbourne to Cairns Flights

Travelling domestically has changed due to the evolving situation with COVID-19. Before you take off on a flight from Melbourne to Cairns, it's crucial to know whether there are any potential restrictions, additional quarantine requirements, or airline regulations set by the Queensland government on domestic travel from Victoria.

To find more information regarding domestic travel restrictions, visit our COVID-19 Travel Hub.

Book Cheap Flights from Melbourne to Cairns

Looking for cheap flights from Melbourne to Cairns? Whether you're visiting for business or want to discover why the city is one of Australia's top adventure capitals, you won't have a hard time finding a flight that suits your budget.

With 39 flights a week and renowned airlines including Qantas, Virgin Australia and Jetstar to choose from, all you need to worry about is deciding which movie to watch during your 3h 20 minute flight time.

When you book cheap flights from Melbourne to Cairns with Webjet, you can also use our Deal Finder to book the perfect Cairns accommodation for your style of holiday! Browse from a wide range of selection today.

Still looking at other potential holiday destinations for your next holiday? Why not check out our other offers on:

• Flights to Townsville
• Flights to Gold Coast
• Flights to Noosa
• Flights to Adelaide
• Flights to Newcastle

Things to Do in Cairns

• Visit the Great Barrier Reef. Cairns is the perfect destination to base yourself to explore this natural world wonder. Sign up for the smaller boat tours and avoid the masses where the larger tours tend to drop anchor after your flight from Melbourne to Cairns.
• Spend a day whitewater rafting. Cairns boasts some of the best rapids in Australia. Choose your difficulty level, grab your GoPro and prepare yourself for an afternoon of adrenaline-inducing adventure.
• Go whale watching from May to September. During these months, Cairns is an important breeding ground for large numbers of whales and dolphins. It's the perfect time to visit if you're an animal lover and want to see newborn calves.
• Don't spend the evening cooped up in your hotel, explore Cairns vibrant nightlife scene. The city has a number of top-rated establishments and welcomes dozens of international DJs each year.
• Visit the Cairns Botanical Gardens. It's considered one of Australia's best exhibitions of tropical plants. Plus if you aren't blown away by the flora, there are plenty of native animals and bird life to spot as well.

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