Flights to Melbourne
Best student & youth fares right now to Melbourne
Ready to head to the hip, cosmopolitan and cultural city of Melbourne? Browse our best deals currently below or use the search box above to find exactly what you need.
Student flights to Melbourne
Need a quick weekend trip for a change of scenery or heading off to uni soon and looking to experience something new? Melbourne is regularly voted as being the world’s most livable city, so it’s an amazing city whether you’re studying here or just visiting for the weekend! Plus, it’s also considered the coffee capital of the world (which maybe, definitely contributes to it being one of the most livable cities…).
Melbourne is home to a thriving arts scene. With both well-known, “formal” art centers and galleries in the Melbourne Arts District like the Arts Centre Melbourne (a performing arts venue) and the massive National Gallery of Victoria with modern and indigenous art to colorful street art all over the city, there’s lots to discover. Plus, there’s delicious food for any budget, parks and gardens, beaches and, of course, a modern downtown with plenty to explore. Nearby walking trails and the scenic Great Ocean Road make great road trips for weekend adventures, too!
If you’re ready to head to Melbourne ASAP, we’ve got the cheap flights you need—just use the search bar above to find your tickets! Or check our promo codes first to see if there’s any special discounts available.
What are the main Melbourne airport hubs?
Melbourne has two main airports: Melbourne International Airport (MEL), known locally as the Tullamarine Airport, and the Avalon Airport, which is located just outside of Melbourne, near Geelong. The Melbourne International Airport handles a good number of domestic flights, while Avalon is primarily a hub for Jetstar flights.
Melbourne International Airport (MEL): The Melbourne Airport is the primary airport serving the Melbourne area, and offers the most domestic and international flight routes. It’s a huge hub for Qantas and Virgin Australia. The airport is located about 22 km from the city center. Once you arrive, you’ve got some options. A taxi/Uber is the fastest way into the city, taking about 25 minutes (so long as you don’t hit much traffic). The SkyBus City Express route—look for the bright red buses—will take you directly from the airport to Southern Cross Station for just $15. Plus, it runs every 10 minutes. They also have free shuttles to various hotels from Southern Cross Station.
Avalon Airport (AVV): The Avalon airport is a hub for Jetstar as well as AirAsia. Avalon can be a great airport to find some great cheap deals, plus it’s a bit quieter than the big Melbourne International Airport. However, the Avalon airport is quite a ways further from the city, about a 45 minute drive. You can take an Uber or a taxi, but fares can get pricey fast. We recommend taking the SkyBus Avalon City Express, just $24 and it’ll get you to downtown Melbourne in about an hour.
How to fly to Melbourne
Melbourne is well-connected with the rest of Australia—the Melbourne International Airport is Australia’s second-busiest airport and offers plenty of options for domestic flights. Most Australian cities have direct flight options into Melbourne, so it’s an easy escape. The most popular airlines for flights to Melbourne include Jetstar, Virgin Australia and Qantas.
Cheap flights to Melbourne
from Sydney / SYD
Average flight duration
1 hour, 30 minutes
Number of daily flights
about 120 nonstop flights daily
Cheap flights to Melbourne
from Brisbane / BNE
Average flight duration
2 hours, 20 minutes
Number of daily flights
about 55 nonstop flights daily
Cheap flights to Melbourne
from Perth / PER
Average flight duration
3.5 hours
Number of daily flights
about 43 nonstop flights daily
Cheap flights to Melbourne
from Adelaide / ADL
Average flight duration
1 hour 15 minutes
Number of daily flights
about 40 nonstop flights daily
When is the best time to fly to Melbourne?
Melbourne has pretty moderate weather, with temperatures between 15-21°C pretty much year-round. Snow is rare, and the coastal weather brings plenty of sunshine. Generally, there’s no bad time to visit Melbourne. Shoulder seasons (March-May or September-November) bring fewer crowds and moderate weather. Melbourne also has loads of amazing festivals and events worth visiting for as well, including the Melbourne International Arts Festival and a huge number of music festivals covering nearly every genre.
When is the cheapest time to book a flight from the USA to Melbourne?
Prices based on bookings made 30-60 days prior to departure.
Why do students love visiting Melbourne?
Melbourne is an incredible city to live, work and study in—or just visit for a holiday. Students love visiting Melbourne for the diverse, walkable and happening city with thriving arts and food scenes, plenty of outdoor adventures and loads to do, inside or outside of the city.
Melbourne universities and campuses
Melbourne has been ranked one of the best student cities in the world and is home to seven universities (and a number of smaller campuses). The largest and most well-known of these is the University of Melbourne. The University of Melbourne is Australia’s top university and it’s an incredible place to study. Other options include Monash University and RMIT University (focused on design and technology), among others. Melbourne in general has a huge student population, so you’ll find plenty of people to connect with—including thousands of international students from all over the world.
Melbourne lifestyle and culture
Melbourne is often ranked the most liveable city in the world, and that’s not just because it has some of the best coffee worldwide too (although that’s definitely part of it). Melbourne is home to an incredible laneway culture to experience some of Melbourne’s best cafes, shops, live music, bookshops, street art and even street parties! Besides the amazing laneway culture, it’s known as the “Cultural Capital of Australia,” with a hip and casual lifestyle that features top-notch art and food scenes, plus a diverse community with tons of festivals and events year-round. It’s a bit quieter than Sydney, but it doesn’t lack anything when it comes to excitement or things to do.
Exploring Melbourne on a student budget
Melbourne is pretty easy to explore on a student budget, as it’s a very student-friendly city with lots of free things to see and do. There’s a variety of public transportation options and it’s a very walkable city, so save some money and take the scenic route instead of driving or taking an Uber everywhere. Explore the CBD as it’s the hotspot for tons of bars, cafes and other hip eateries (for every budget!), plus tons of street art and food markets. Go see the penguins at St. Kilda’s beach or get out of town for a hike in one of Victoria’s many parks. Some of the major sights and museums in Melbourne—like the National Gallery or the Royal Botanic Gardens—are free, too.
Frequently asked questions about flying from the USA to Melbourne
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