Travelling from Canberra Airport (CBR) to Melbourne: what you need to know
Around 1 hour 10 minutes is how long you can expect to be in the air on a direct flight from Canberra Airport to Melbourne.
Melbourne and Canberra (where Canberra Airport is located) are in the UTC+11 timezone. This means you won't have to change your watch on arrival.
With 86 flights a week between the two airports, Canberra Airport (CBR) to Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL) is the most popular route. Qantas operates the earliest flight at 06:05. If you prefer to make the most of your day before flying, the latest flight from CBR to MEL is with Qantas at 21:30.
For a stress-free journey, arrive at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and an hour before domestic departures. This leaves you with plenty of time to catch your CBR to Melbourne flight.
If you're heading away during a major holiday or another peak period, allow for even more time. A good rule is two hours ahead of domestic flights and up to four hours before international departures. Check-in and security lines will be longer.
Direct Canberra Airport to Melbourne tickets are available for booking. Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL) will be where your journey ends.
There's a good selection of airlines offering direct flights from Canberra Airport to Melbourne, including:
CBR is about 6 kilometres from central Canberra. If you're ride-sharing, catching a cab or driving from the centre, it'll take you 15 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic conditions. If you're using public transport, expect the travel time to be around 1 hour 5 minutes.
Searching for a hotel close to CBR? If you're catching an early flight from Canberra Airport to Melbourne, these stays set you up for a seamless send-off:
72.61% of flights that depart Canberra Airport touch down at their destination on time.
How to find the cheapest flights from Canberra Airport (CBR) to Melbourne
R 943 is currently the lowest price for a one-way Canberra Airport to Melbourne flight. A return flight ticket starts from R 1,912. These prices may change depending on demand.
To pick up cheap flights from CBR to Melbourne, reserve your journey five months before your planned departure.
September is the best month for picking up an amazing deal on Canberra Airport to Melbourne tickets. If you'd like to travel during a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will show you the lowest prices for each month.
Locking in a cheap flight from CBR to Melbourne is easy with Price Alerts. All you need to do is set up one of these automatic notifications and we'll notify you when a cheaper option becomes available.
Save money on your flight from Canberra Airport to Melbourne with the help of our filters. Select your ideal departure time, duration and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' for the best deals.
Airports in Melbourne
Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL)
Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL) is around 24 kilometres from the centre of Melbourne. If you're getting a cab or a ride-share, the drive will take roughly 30 minutes.
Travelling to the centre on public transport typically takes 40 minutes.
The last thing you need is a lengthy journey to your hotel if you're arriving on a late flight from Canberra Airport to Melbourne. Check in to one of these accommodation options near MEL instead:
Grab a Melbourne Tullamarine Airport rental car and explore Melbourne and beyond with your own wheels. Bargain Car Rentals, East Coast and Sixt are popular outlets you can book with here.
To get the lowest price, reserve your ride from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport around four weeks in advance of your flight from CBR to Melbourne.
Avalon Airport (AVV)
Central Melbourne is around 56 kilometres from Avalon Airport (AVV). Once your flight from Canberra Airport to Melbourne has hit the runway and you've made your way out of the airport, expect a drive of about 50 minutes.
You can expect the journey to take roughly 2 hours 5 minutes on public transport.
You'll find some comfortable places to stay within a short drive of AVV. Switch to relaxation mode at Corio Bay Motel after your CBR to Melbourne flight.
No need to worry about public transport schedules or long cab lines. Grab an Avalon Airport rental car and take your trip in whatever direction you choose. Check out the availability and rates from Sixt, Kangaroo Rental and yesaway car hire.
Get what you want, not just what's left over. Booking your ride from AVV three weeks ahead of time often means lower prices and a wider choice of vehicles.
Essendon Airport (MEB)
Set your sights on the city centre after your flight from Canberra Airport to Melbourne has landed. Central Melbourne is around 19 kilometres from Essendon Airport (MEB) and takes roughly 25 minutes to reach by cab or ride-share.
Public transport will get you there in roughly 1 hour 15 minutes.
Enjoy a restful, unhurried start to your trip by staying at a hotel near MEB after your CBR to Melbourne flight. Rest up after a long day of travel or simply give yourself time to get your bearings in a new city at:
Start your travels without worrying about how to get to your next stop with an Essendon Airport rental car. Book your wheels with trusted companies here like East Coast, Ace Rental Cars and Goldcar.
Booking a couple of weeks ahead of your flight from Canberra Airport to Melbourne is a smart move. Along with better prices, you'll get a better selection of vehicle makes and models at MEB.
Best time to go to Melbourne
Before securing your flights from Canberra Airport to Melbourne, consider which time of year works best for you. High season in Melbourne offers a bustling atmosphere and plenty of activities, while the low season brings cheaper hotel deals and fewer crowds.
The warmest month in Melbourne is January, with temperatures ranging between 12ºC (54ºF) and 29ºC (84ºF). Lock in your Canberra Airport to Melbourne flight ticket then if this is the type of weather you enjoy.
If you like travelling in cooler conditions, search for a cheap ticket from CBR to Melbourne in July when temperatures average between 4ºC (39ºF) and 13ºC (55ºF).
More about Melbourne
When it comes to looking for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the most popular stays in Melbourne right here. Explore these hotels as soon as you've locked in your flight from Canberra Airport to Melbourne:
National Gallery of Victoria and Federation Square are just two of the top-rated attractions to put on your Melbourne must-do list. Keep the sightseeing going at Eureka Skydeck 88.
Explore more of Australia
Canberra is just one of the many cities in Australia waiting to be explored once you've taken in the sights of Melbourne. Around 467 kilometres away to the north-east, well-known attractions include Australian War Memorial, National Gallery of Australia and Parliament House.
Launceston is another sought-after destination in Australia and is around 451 kilometres south-east of Melbourne. No journey is complete without experiencing City Park, Tamar Island Wetlands and James Boag Brewery Experience.