Flights to Melbourne (MEL)

Plan ahead and get the lowest airfares to Melbourne

AUD $
FromToDatesFare typePrice

Sydney (SYD)

Melbourne (MEL)

Depart 09/01/2025

One way-Economy

Adelaide (ADL)

Melbourne (MEL)

Depart 13/01/2025

One way-Economy

Brisbane (BNE)

Melbourne (MEL)

Depart 20/01/2025

One way-Economy

Perth (PER)

Melbourne (MEL)

Depart 23/01/2025

One way-Economy

Gold Coast (OOL)

Melbourne (MEL)

Depart 02/02/2025

One way-Economy

*Fares displayed have been collected within the last 4hrs from virginaustralia.com and may no longer be available at time of booking. Fares may be for connecting flights which include a stopover. Payment surcharges and additional fees and charges for optional products and services may apply. Additional terms and conditions apply.

Flights to Melbourne information

Melbourne - undoubtedly the hipster destination for the cultural, arty and sports-mad. The must-do domestic destination on the itinerary for all savvy travellers, Melbourne boasts a thriving CBD and inner-city vibe with over 230 laneways, world-class street art, shopping, museums and galleries. Melbourne’s progressive subculture is food and coffee obsessed, you’ll discover a multicultural hotspot of restaurants and bars.

Begin your trip to Melbourne with a tour of the city’s most notable attractions - from the labyrinth of laneways to the iconic Federation Square, catch a show at Princess Theatre, the latest exhibition at NGV, or time at Melbourne Zoo – then set your sights beyond Melbourne city to discover the spectacular landscapes that await just outside the city.

Melbourne is close to mountain ranges, internationally-acclaimed wine regions such as Yarra Valley, and golden beaches - it’s easy to see why Melbourne is one of the most popular destinations in Australia. Ready to explore? Read on below, and make sure to read our comprehensive guide on travelling to Melbourne before you go!

Book flights to Melbourne with Virgin Australia now or read on for more information about flying to this incredible destination.


Melbourne City Skyline - Melbourne Flights

When is the best time of year to fly to Melbourne?

They say the best times to visit Melbourne are the shoulder seasons between March and May, and September to November, as the temperatures are moderate, less tourists, and lower airfare prices. But in our opinion, it’s always a good time to fly to Melbourne, it’s a fabulous year-round destination, and besides, Virgin Australia offers special fares to Melbourne all year-round.


What to pack for your trip to Melbourne?

The best packing advice we have is, well, layers. Melbourne weather is notoriously known for its “four seasons in a day” so pack to dress like a Melbourne local who has adapted to dressing this way for every single day of the year. Prepare for your flight to Melbourne by packing lots of layers in the same colour scheme that will all work together and aren’t too bulky to carry around on your day trips (that may just lead to a night out!). Bring comfortable walking shoes, or even better buy some there. And a big, comfortable, yet oh-so-stylish, over-the-shoulder bag (for that shopping).

A cricket test match being played at an at capacity Melbourne Cricket Ground on a sunny day.

What are Melbourne's top attractions?

Kick-start your urban exploration with a crawl of Melbourne’s top attractions. Whether you’re an avid sports fan or a self-confessed art aficionado, Melbourne has activities and attractions to suit every traveller.


National Gallery Victoria (NGV)

The oldest, largest and most-visited museum in Australia, the National Gallery of Victoria easily takes the title of the most noteworthy art gallery in Melbourne. Specialising in Australian and indigenous artworks, this comprehensive collection of paintings, sculptures, ceramics and textiles is one not to be missed on your trip to Melbourne. NGV hosts an eclectic mix of year-round exhibitions, events, self-guided experiences, virtual tours, plus seasonal events like NGV X Melbourne Music week ex-tended featuring Melbourne musicians, bands and DJs to the stage.


Arts Centre Melbourne

If you’d rather see art come to life, plan to see a live performance at the Arts Centre Melbourne. Showcasing everything from opera and music to theatre and dance, this inspiring venue is the premier location to catch a Melbourne show. For an extra special experience, opt for a performance held in the complex’s Hamer Hall – a spectacular concert venue and home of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. Seasonal events include Piknic Electronik Melbourne, featuring some of Australia’s finest DJs, at the Music Myer Bowl throughout summer; and one-off events run by Australian Vault Sessions as part of Melbourne Music week.


Melbourne Museum

Discover Australia’s heritage through a different lens at the Melbourne Museum. Displaying natural history exhibits in lieu of contemporary artworks, this entertaining and educational outing covers all areas of Australian life with exhibits like the living Forest Gallery, the Science and Life Gallery and the Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre, just to name a few. Seasonal exhibitions include Melbourne Museum Summer Sessions featuring live music, comedy performances, food and outdoor films.


Melbourne Cricket Ground

Better known by the sports mad as MCG or ‘the G’, this famous stadium sets the stage for Australia’s largest sporting events, from the Aussie Rules to the Ashes Test Cricket Series. Experience the inner sanctum as a spectator or explore the grounds on a guided tour, where you can follow in the footsteps of sporting legends atop the grass of the main arena.


Federation Square

Perched between the Yarra River and the iconic Flinders Street Railway Station, “Fed Square” houses modern restaurants, bars and shops with a continually rotating roster of events. “Fed Summer” event features Summer movie nights, plus Fed live summer series featuring a smattering of artists, from hip hop to thrash pop to indie ballads – a venue perfectly suited to solo travellers and families.


Hosier Lane

Located in the heart of the CBD, this inner-city alleyway is amongst the most famed thoroughfares in town, acting as an ever-changing canvas for Melbourne’s most prominent graffiti artists.

Looking to flesh out your Melbourne itinerary? Check out our guide on the top things to do in Melbourne.

Man browsing cheese selection at Queen Victoria Market in Melbourne

Where to eat in Melbourne?

While Melbourne’s laneways may be a feast for the eyes, the city’s boldest sensory experiences can be found amidst its collection of world-class restaurants and bars, which continually push the envelope to stay ahead of – and determine – the latest trends in food and drink.

Experience dining like a local, neighbourhood pockets of ethnic food reflect the multicultural communities that inhabit them: Middle Eastern in Brunswick; Victoria St in Richmond for Vietnamese; Balaclava for Jewish bakeries; Carlton's old-school Italian; Footscray for Ethiopian; and Chinatown for Asian food matched only by its country of origin.


Where to find the best cafes?

We’re witnessing the trickle-down effect in action as Melbourne chefs turn their attention to the most important meal of the day - breakfast has become the new dinner. Smashed avo still appears on the menu, but now being superseded by new creations such as the breakfast panna cotta. There are cafes all over Melbourne, whatever city pocket you’re in – from the CBD, Richmond, South Yarra, Clifton Hill, Hawthorn, Footscray, North Melbourne, Fitzroy, Richmond and more.


Where to find the best fine dining?

It’s no secret that Melbourne hosts the finest of dining spots in Australia, with a vast range of award-winning fine dining and degustation restaurants, across the city to choose from. For a real treat try Heston’s meat fruit (the world’s most instagrammed dish) at Dinner by Heston Blumenthal in Southbank; or dine at Stokehouse at St Kilda – for a bit of Australian beach luxe.


Where to find the best food markets?

Street food in Melbourne takes you on a cultural cuisine tapestry, allowing you to try something native and unique. Food markets have popped up all over the city – from the long-standing Queen Victoria Market, to The Food Truck Park, Night Noodle Markets, Prahran Market and Camberwell Fresh Food Market - to name just a few.


Where to find the best cheap eats?

With so many cheap eats in Melbourne it’s easy to go out and not break the bank. You can eat under $20 at eateries all over Melbourne. Try the award-winning Marios cafe in Fitzroy, the first café that opened on Brunswick Street in 1986, its lasagna’s reputation keeps it packed every night!

Pran Central Shopping Centre on dusk, Prahran, Melbourne

Where to shop in Melbourne?

With things like food, drink, arts and entertainment making up the fundamental elements of the city’s DNA, it comes as no surprise that Melbourne has also found itself at the forefront of Australia’s fashion scene. And with every eclectic neighbourhood comes an entirely new way to experience shopping in Melbourne.


For bargain hunters

Melbourne is home to an array of factory outlets across the city including DFO South Wharf and Spencer Outlet Centre. For Nike and other sporting goods try the outlet stores along Smith Street in Collingwood, for quirky fashion hit Brunswick Street Fitzroy (you simply must fall into Clear iT for brands such as Dangerfield hugely discounted), and to a lesser extent now give the outlets along Bridge Road Richmond a spin.


For fashionistas

From South Yarra end all the way to Windsor, Chapel Street still holds the crown when it comes to local designers, international brands and vintage treasures. For unique finds trawl through Gertrude Street in Fitzroy. If labels are more your thing head to Chadstone, with over 30 luxury brands and pop up stalls to boot.


For the lovers of vintage

Oh Melbourne. You take the stakes for vintage heaven. Explore the famous Chapel Street Bazaar in Prahran, RetroStar Vintage Shopping (Australia’s largest vintage store) on Swanston Street, Secondo on Toorak Road for luxury vintage, and the smattering of vintage shops along Smith Street including Vintage Garage.


For everything in between

For all your other retail needs, Melbourne’s central shopping centre, Emporium Melbourne, brings the nation’s more familiar department stores to the heart of Bourke Street in the CBD.

Flying to Melbourne - Quick facts

Plane

Boeing 737-800

Airport

Tullamarine Airport (MEL)

Airport transfer time

25mins to city

Average flight time

1hr 45mins

Timezone

GMT +10/+11

Cabins

Business, Economy X, Economy


Frequently asked questions - Flights to Melbourne

The average flight time to Melbourne from Australia’s major cities is typically around one and a half hours, with Brisbane and the Gold Coast a slightly longer domestic flight, longer again from the wild west.

Sydney to Melbourne - 1h 35m
Gold Coast to Melbourne - 2h 20m
Brisbane to Melbourne - 2h 20m
Canberra to Melbourne - 1h 10m
Hobart to Melbourne - 1h 15m
Adelaide to Melbourne - 1h 20m
Perth to Melbourne - 3h 55m

*Note: flight times should be used as a guide only. Carefully consider your requirements before travelling and always allow extra time to arrive at your destination.

Virgin Australia flies into Melbourne Domestic Airport (MEL), colloquially known as Tullamarine Airport. The second busiest domestic airport in Australia, it’s the primary airport serving the city of Melbourne and the great state of Victoria, located 20km from the city centre of Melbourne.

Virgin Australia operates from two terminals, Terminal 3 (T3) for all Virgin Australia Domestic flights and Terminal 2 (T2) serving all International flights in and out of Melbourne.

Afforded with a sophisticated public transport system and an ample supply of taxis, it’s easy to get around Melbourne once your flight touches down at Tullamarine Airport.

For fast and convenient access to the city centre, head straight for the on-site taxi rank, located just outside the airport’s arrivals terminal. Alternatively, opt like a struggling rockstar for a value-friendly Melbourne City Express ticket with SkyBus, which departs every 10 minutes, 24-hours a day.

Transfer times and cost guide:

  • Taxi: 20-40mins - $55 - $65
  • Private Bus Transfer: 20-40mins - $18 - $25 per person

Read more in our Melbourne Airport Guide.


*Fare terms and conditions

Fare prices on this page have been collected within the last 4hrs from virginaustralia.com and may no longer be available at time of booking. Payment surcharges and additional fees and charges for optional products and services may apply.

Domestic fares: Prices are based on a one-way Economy Lite, Economy Choice, Economy Flex or Business class fare (as stipulated) booked on virginaustralia.com, for flights marketed and operated by Virgin Australia (or operated by a partner airline for Virgin Australia). Seats are limited and may not be available at peak times or on all flights. Payment surcharge may apply. Seat selection and checked baggage are not included in Economy Lite fares. Economy Lite fares are not recommended if you require flexibility with your travel as cancellations are not permitted and you may need to pay a fee and any fare difference to make a change. For other Economy fare types, a fee and fare difference may be payable for changing or cancelling your booking. For Business fares, changes incur any applicable fare difference. See Virgin Australia’s domestic Fees page (www.virginaustralia.com/au/en/plan/fees-surcharges/domestic/) for details. Refunds are not permitted for Economy Lite and Choice fares if you cancel your booking. Refunds are permitted for Economy Flex fares on payment of a fee. Refunds are permitted for Business fares. You may also request a refund for other reasons, including under the Australian Consumer Law. Check your fare rules for more information. Some flights may be operated by a partner airline. Different baggage allowances and other limitations may apply to these flights. Full T&Cs www.virginaustralia.com

International short haul (including Tasman) fares: Prices are based on a one way or return Economy Lite, Economy Choice, Economy Flex or Business class fare (as stipulated) booked on virginaustralia.com, for flights marketed and operated by Virgin Australia (or operated by a partner airline for Virgin Australia). Seats are limited and may not be available at peak times or on all flights. Return fares may vary with the addition of local taxes and charges or due to currency fluctuations. Payment surcharge may apply. Seat selection and checked baggage are not included in Economy Lite fares. Economy Lite fares are not recommended if you require flexibility with your travel as cancellations are not permitted and you may need to pay a fee and any fare difference to make a change. For other fare types, a fee and fare difference may be payable for changing your booking. See Virgin Australia’s international Fees page for details (for Trans-Tasman: www.virginaustralia.com/au/en/plan/fees-surcharges/trans-tasman/ or for other short haul destinations: www.virginaustralia.com/au/en/plan/fees-surcharges/short-haul-international/). Refunds are not permitted for Economy Lite and Choice fares if you cancel your booking. Refunds are permitted for Economy Flex fares on payment of a fee. Refunds are permitted for Business fares. You may also request a refund for other reasons, including under the Australian Consumer Law. Check your fare rules for more information. Some flights may be operated by a partner airline. Different baggage allowances and other limitations may apply to these flights. Full T&Cs atwww.virginaustralia.com

International long haul fares: Prices are based on a return Economy Choice, Economy Flex or Business class fare (as stipulated) booked on virginaustralia.com, for flights marketed by Virgin Australia (operated by a partner airline). Seats are limited and may not be available at peak times or on all flights. Return fares may vary with the addition of local taxes and charges or due to currency fluctuations. Payment surcharge may apply. Fare inclusions (like different baggage allowances), and change and cancellation fare rules will be different depending on the partner airline operating your flight. See Virgin Australia’s fares pages for information about fees and charges you may incur when you change or cancel your fare operated by a partner airline (https://www.virginaustralia.com/au/en/travel-info/flying-with-us/fare-types/international-fares/partner-fares/). You may also request a refund for other reasons, including under the Australian Consumer Law. Check your fare rules for more information. Full T&Cs at www.virginaustralia.com

^On sale until 19 Dec 2024 unless sold out prior. Subject to regulatory approval and availability. Payment surcharge may apply. Travel dates and T&Cs apply.