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How to get fromMelbourne Airport (MEL) to Cairnsby plane, train, bus (Greyhound), car, or bus

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There are 6 ways to get from Melbourne Airport (MEL) to Cairns by plane, train, bus (Greyhound), car, or bus

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 to Cairns

    best
    1. Fly from Melbourne Airport (MEL) to Cairns (CNS)plane plane MEL - CNS
    4h 35m
    $130–550

  2. Train

    1. Take the train from Broadmeadows Station to Central Stationtrain train 622 / ...
    2. Take the train from Central Station to Roma Street Stationtrain train 31
    3. Take the train from Roma Street to Cairns Central Stationtrain train
    2d 5h
    $311–6,996

  3. Bus via Melbourne

    1. Take the bus from Melbourne to Sydney Central Stationbus bus
    2. Take the bus from Central Station to Brisbanebus bus
    3. Take the bus from Brisbane Coach Terminal to Cairnsbus bus
    2d 9h
    $548–978

  4. Drive 2,768.6 km

    1. Drive from Melbourne Airport (MEL) to Cairnscar car 2,768.6 km
    32h 14m
    $491–709

  5. Fly to Cooktown Airport, bus

    1. Fly from Melbourne Airport (MEL) to Cooktown Airport (CTN)plane plane MEL - CTN
    2. Take the bus from Cooktown to Cairnsbus bus
    11h 30m
    $302–780

  6. Bus

    1. Take the bus from Campbellfield to Central Stationbus bus
    2. Take the bus from Chatswood to Brisbanebus bus
    3. Take the bus from Brisbane Roma Street to Cairns Central Stationbus bus
    2d 13h
    $450–617

Melbourne Airport (MEL) to Cairns by bus and train

Calendar4Weekly Services
Duration2d 5hAverage Duration
Ticket$311Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Melbourne Airport (MEL) to Cairns.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 2,319.3 km
  • Duration: 4h 35m

What companies run services between Melbourne Airport (MEL), Australia and Cairns, QLD, Australia?

Jetstar, Virgin Australia, and Qantas fly from Melbourne Airport (MEL) to Cairns (CNS) every 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Melbourne Airport/Grants Rd to Cairns Central Station via Broadmeadows Station/Pascoe Vale Rd, Broadmeadows Station, Central Station, Roma Street Station, and Roma Street in around 2d 5h.

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