Cheap flights to Melbourne

Vibrant Melbourne offers an array of attractions that cater to every taste and interest, whether you’re looking to explore the effortlessly cool laneways of the CBD or use it as a base to explore the stunning Great Ocean Road. But first, you’ll need to get there. Here’s everything you need to know about flying to Melbourne to help you book the perfect trip.

How long is the flight to Melbourne?

• Adelaide to Melbourne – 1 hour, 20 minutes
• Brisbane to Melbourne – 2 hours, 20 minutes
• Cairns to Melbourne – 4 hours, 25 minutes
• Darwin to Melbourne – 5 hours, 15 minutes
• Perth to Melbourne – 3 hours, 35 minutes
• Sydney to Melbourne – 1 hour, 35 minutes

Where is the airport in Melbourne?

Melbourne actually has two airports, but this page is focusing on its largest one - Tullamarine. It’s located about 20km northwest of the CBD. (The other airport, Avalon, is closer to Geelong and about 55km southwest of the city.)

Depending on where you’re heading in the Melbourne area, here’s how long you can expect your journey from the airport to be:

• Melbourne CBD: 30 minutes
• St Kilda: 35 minutes
• Yarra Valley: 60 minutes
• Geelong: 60 minutes
• Mornington Peninsula: 80 minutes

How to get to and from the airport in Melbourne

• Skybus: The SkyBus is the most popular and convenient option for airport transfers. It operates from 4am until 1am, with buses departing every 10-30 minutes, depending on the time of day. The ticket costs only AU$21 for one way and AU$36 AUD round trip through Traveloka – that’s slightly cheaper than direct. You may purchase tickets online or from the airport's electric kiosks just outside the customs inspections area.
• Airport Shuttle Service: Several shuttle companies offer door-to-door transfers between Melbourne Airport and city hotels. These services are often shared, meaning you may have other passengers on the same shuttle. The duration of the journey depends on your destination and traffic conditions.
• Public Transport: Your other option is to take the public bus from the airport. The price may be significantly lower than the Skybus, but it also takes more time. The ticket only costs less than AU$5, so if you're looking for the cheapest option, the public bus is your best friend. If you choose to take public transportation, you can take Route 901 SmartBus from Melbourne Airport to Broadmeadows Station. From there, you can catch a train to the city. This option may take longer and is less convenient if you have heavy luggage.
• Taxi and rideshare: Taxis are readily available at designated taxi ranks outside the terminals. The journey from the airport to the city center typically takes around 30-40 minutes, depending on traffic. Taxis operate 24/7, and fares are metered. The downside of taking a taxi is its price. The comfort of taking a private vehicle may be tempting, but it also costs at least five times more than other options. 

How early to arrive at the airport

Flying to Melbourne from within Australia

If you’re booking a flight to Melbourne from another Australian city, you’ll want to get to the airport at least an hour before departure. While you can usually check in online in advance, sometimes queues to drop checked baggage off can be slow so it’s best to leave extra time if you need it.

Flying to Melbourne from outside of Australia

For international flights, it’s best to arrive at the airport at least three hours prior to departure. This way, you’ll have plenty of time to check in, drop off any luggage, go through customs and pass security checks. 

Which airlines fly to Melbourne from within Australia

• Jetstar: Adelaide, Ayers Rock, Ballina, Brisbane, Busselton, Cairns, Canberra, Darwin, Gold Coast, Hamilton Island, Hervey Bay, Hobart, Launceston, Newcastle, Perth, Proserpine, Sunshine Coast, Sydney, Townsville
• Qantas: Adelaide, Albury, Alice Springs, Brisbane, Broome, Burnie, Cairns, Canberra, Coffs Harbour, Darwin, Devonport, Gold Coast, Hamilton Island, Hobart, Launceston, Mildura, Newcastle, Perth, Sunshine Coast, Sydney, Townsville, Wagga Wagga
• Virgin Australia: Adelaide, Brisbane, Cairns, Canberra, Darwin, Gold Coast, Hamilton Island, Hobart, Launceston, Newcastle, Perth, Sunshine Coast, Sydney, Uluru (Ayers Rock)
• Rex Airlines: Burnie, Devonport, King Island, Merimbula, Mildura, Mount Gambier, Wagga Wagga
• Link Airways: Dubbo, Orange, Wollongong

When is the cheapest time to fly to Melbourne

Timing is everything when it comes to securing affordable flights to Melbourne. Here’s what you need to know:

Factors Affecting Flight Prices

Flight prices to Melbourne often fluctuate depending on:

• Seasonality: Peak travel seasons like December (summer and holiday period) and March (Melbourne Grand Prix) often come with higher airfare. Off-peak months like June and July offer better deals. To hit the sweet spot between decent weather and good-value fares, try travelling in autumn (April and May) or spring (September to November)
• Days of the week: Tuesday and Wednesday flights are often cheaper than Fridays and Sundays when demand is higher.
• Time of day: Red-eye flights or early morning departures usually have lower ticket prices due to reduced demand.
• Airport choice: Melbourne does have two airports, Tullamarine (MEL) and Avalon (AVV). While Avalon is a bit further away from the city, it does often come with lower fares and it’s worth comparing them. Just remember the additional cost of getting to the city centre when totalling up any potential savings.

When to book flights to Melbourne for the best price

Experts recommend booking your flight at least six weeks before your departure for domestic trips and around two to three months ahead for international routes. Traveloka strives to provide insights on price trends helping you save money.

Pro Tip: Set up price alerts on Traveloka to monitor ticket prices and secure the lowest fares.