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

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There are 6 ways to get from Cairns 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 5m
    $166–550

  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 to Brisbane Coach Terminalbus 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 9h
    $428–632

  4. Drive 2,780.7 km

    1. Drive from Cairns to Melbournecar car 2,780.7 km
    32h 24m
    $500–722

  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 Central Station to Brisbane Roma Streetbus bus Pm19
    2. Take the train from Brisbane to Southern Crosstrain train
    3d 8h
    $2,824–4,012

Cairns to Melbourne by train

Calendar4Weekly Trains
Duration2d 4hAverage Duration
Ticket$309Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Cairns to Melbourne.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 2,340.4 km
  • Duration: 5h 5m

What companies run services between Cairns, 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.

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