Rome2Rio

How to get fromCairns City to Melbourneby plane, train, bus, or car

Find Transport to Melbourne

See all options

There are 6 ways to get from Cairns City to Melbourne by plane, train, bus, or car

Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.

  1. Fly

    best
    1. Fly from Cairns (CNS) to Melbourne Airport (MEL)plane plane CNS - MEL
    5h 15m
    $166–549

  2. Train via Sydney

    1. Take the train from Cairns Central Station to Roma Streettrain train
    2. Take the train from Roma Street Station to Central Stationtrain train 32
    3. Take the train from Central Station to Southern Crosstrain train 623 / ...
    2d 4h
    $309–6,671

  3. Bus

    1. Take the bus from Cairns Central Station to Brisbane Roma Streetbus bus
    2. Take the bus from Roma Street Station, Stand F to Strathfield Station, Everton Rd, Stand Abus bus
    3. Take the bus from Liverpool to Southern Cross Coach Terminalbus bus
    2d 10h
    $388–513

  4. Drive 2,781 km

    1. Drive from Cairns City to Melbournecar car 2,781 km
    32h 25m
    $499–721

  5. Train

    1. Take the train from Cairns Central Station to Roma Streettrain train Spirit of Queensland
    2. Take the train from Brisbane to Southern Crosstrain train
    3d 4h
    $2,775–9,872

  6. Bus, train

    1. Take the bus from Cairns to Brisbanebus bus Brisbane
    2. Take the train from Brisbane to Southern Crosstrain train
    3d 9h
    $2,883–4,341

Cairns City to Melbourne by train

Calendar4Weekly Trains
Duration2d 4hAverage Duration
Ticket$309Cheapest Price
See schedules

Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Cairns City to Melbourne.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 2,342.3 km
  • Duration: 5h 15m

What companies run services between Cairns City, QLD, Australia and Melbourne, VIC, Australia?

Jetstar, Virgin Australia, and Qantas fly from Cairns (CNS) to Melbourne Airport (MEL) hourly. Alternatively, you can take a train from Cairns Central Station to Southern Cross via Roma Street, Roma Street Station, and Central Station in around 2d 4h.

Airlines
Train operators
Bus operators

Want to know more about travelling around Australia

Rome2Rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. Filled with useful and timely travel information, the guides answer all the hard questions - such as 'How do I buy a ticket?', 'Should I book online before I travel? ', 'How much should I expect to pay?', 'Do the trains and buses have Wifi?' - to help you get the most out of your next trip.

Related travel guides

More Questions & Answers