The distance between Cairns and Melbourne is around 2,344km (1,457 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to fly which takes around 4h 15m.
We've found 7 different ways to get from Cairns to Melbourne by plane, bus, train and car. The recommended routes, which include information on duration, ticket price, and level of difficulty, can be found below.
👋 Also check out Melbourne → Cairns if you're planning a return trip.
Fly from Cairns (CNS) to Melbourne (MEL).
Virgin Australia
+ 2 others1 similiar route
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Take the train to Brisbane Roma Street then Central Station and then to Southern Cross.
Multiple train operators
1 similiar route
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Take the bus to Brisbane then Hornsby and then to Melbourne.
Multiple bus operators
1 similiar route
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There are several options for getting from Cairns to Melbourne by plane, bus, train and car. The cheapest option is to fly which costs around A$315 ($215) and will take around 4h 15m.
The distance between Cairns and Melbourne is around 2,344km (1,457 miles).
It takes around 4h 15m to get from Cairns and Melbourne by plane. If you are travelling by car it will take around 1 day 9h to drive there.
The quickest way to get from Cairns to Melbourne is to fly which takes around 4h 15m and will set you back approx A$315 ($215).
The cheapest way to travel between Cairns and Melbourne, if you exclude driving, is to fly which will typically cost around A$315 ($215) for a standard one-way ticket.
Yes there is a train service that runs between Cairns and Melbourne. It typically takes around 2 days 1h and departs 5 times a week.
There are no direct train services that runs from Cairns to Melbourne. However, you can instead can take several connecting trains with a changeover in Brisbane Roma Street and Central Station. These services run 5 times a week and will take a minimum of 2 days 1h.
Queensland Rail Travel, NSW TrainLink and XPT run train services between Cairns and Melbourne. Trains depart 5 times a week and will take around 2 days 1h, however, this may vary depending on the particular service and whether it runs express or stops all stations.
Yes there is a bus that runs regularly from Cairns and Melbourne. It typically takes around 2 days 10h and departs 4 times a week.
There are no direct bus services that runs from Cairns to Melbourne. However, you can instead can take several connecting buses with changeovers in Brisbane, Hornsby and Parramatta Station Stand B3. These services run 4 times a week and will take a minimum of 2 days 10h.
Premier Motor Service, Firefly Express and Greyhound Australia run regular bus services between Cairns and Melbourne. Buses run 4 times a week and take around 2 days 10h on average but will vary depending on you book with.
Yes you can fly from Cairns and Melbourne. Flights depart from Cairns (CNS) and arrive at Melbourne (MEL). The flight takes around 3h 25m.
Yes there is a direct flight between Cairns and Melbourne with no stop-overs required. Flights typically take around 3h 25m.
Virgin Australia, Jetstar and Qantas fly between Cairns and Melbourne. Flights depart from Cairns (CNS) and and arrive into Melbourne (MEL). These flights usually take around 3h 25m.
The flight from Cairns to Melbourne typically takes around 3h 25m. Flights depart from Cairns (CNS) and and arrive into Melbourne (MEL).
The closest major airport to Melbourne is Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL) (MEL) which is approximately 19km (12 miles) from Melbourne. Avalon Airport (AVV) (AVV) and King Island Airport (KNS) (KNS) are also nearby and might be a better alternative airport depending on where you are flying from.
Yes it is possible to drive from Cairns and Melbourne. The distance is around 2,815km (1,749 miles) by road and it will take around 1 day 9h in normal traffic conditons.
If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Cairns to Melbourne is to fly which takes, on average, 4h 15m and will usually cost around A$315 ($215).
Transport option | Duration | Cost | Frequency | Distance |
---|---|---|---|---|
Fly + 1 similar | 4h 15m | A$315($215) | 5 times a day | 2,344km (1,457 miles) |
Plane and Bus | 5h 50m | A$605($405) | twice daily | 2,790km (1,734 miles) |
Train + 1 similar | 2 days 1h | A$445($300) | 5 times a week | 3,579km (2,224 miles) |
Train via Brisbane Roma Street | 2 days 1h | A$445($300) | 5 times a week | 3,579km (2,224 miles) |
Bus + 1 similar | 2 days 10h | A$405($275) | 4 times a week | 3,870km (2,405 miles) |
Bus via Brisbane | 2 days 10h | A$490($330) | once daily | 3,956km (2,458 miles) |
Drive | 1 day 9h | A$375($250) | on demand | 2,815km (1,749 miles) |
Virgin Australia
Qantas
Premier Motor Service
Firefly Express
Queensland Rail Travel
NSW TrainLink
XPT
The following major airports near Melbourne offer regular flights to various popular destinations within Australia and internationally.