Flying from Sunshine Coast Airport (MCY) to Melbourne: what you need to know
Expect to be in the air for 2 hours 20 minutes. On average, that's the duration of a direct flight from Sunshine Coast Airport to Melbourne.
Melbourne is one hour ahead of Sunshine Coast, where Sunshine Coast Airport is located. Melbourne runs on the UTC+11 timezone.
The busiest route is from Sunshine Coast Airport (MCY) to Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL). You can choose from 42 weekly services between these two airports. If you'd like to get on your way as soon as possible, the earliest flight from MCY to MEL is the 08:10 Virgin Australia Regional option. If you'd rather fly out later on, the final departure is at 20:50 with Jetstar.
Allow plenty of time to catch your MCY to Melbourne flight. Generally, it's best to arrive two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
Delays at security and check-in are likely if you're travelling during high season, so give yourself even more breathing space. A good general rule for peak periods? Arrive up to four hours early for international flights and two hours for domestic departures.
Direct Sunshine Coast Airport to Melbourne tickets are available for booking. Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL) is where you'll disembark.
You'll have your pick of airlines operating direct flights from Sunshine Coast Airport to Melbourne. Get up and away with one of these:
Located around 23 kilometres from the centre of Sunshine Coast, MCY can be reached in about 10 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The journey on public transport will take roughly 30 minutes.
Want a relaxed start to your travels? Stay near MCY. Whether you're boarding an early flight from Sunshine Coast Airport to Melbourne or just don't want to be rushed, these hotels are all about convenience:
72.71% of flights that depart Sunshine Coast Airport arrive at their destination on time.
How to find the cheapest flights from Sunshine Coast Airport (MCY) to Melbourne
R 979 is the lowest price we've seen for a one-way Sunshine Coast Airport to Melbourne flight. A return ticket right now is R 1,959. Depending on the availability when you book, these fares can change.
Book nine months before you want to travel. Pricing trends suggest that this is the ideal window for finding cheap flights from MCY to Melbourne.
The best month for finding cheap Sunshine Coast Airport to Melbourne tickets is January. Use the 'Whole month' tool to compare all available prices, then choose the dates with the lowest fares.
You don't need to check back in every day to find out if fares have dropped when you set up a Price Alert. We'll notify you when there's an extra saving on cheap flights from MCY to Melbourne.
Find a cheap flight from Sunshine Coast Airport to Melbourne with the help of our filters. Select your preferred duration, departure time and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' to see the best deals.
Airports in Melbourne
Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL)
The distance from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL) to central Melbourne is roughly 24 kilometres. It takes around 30 minutes to get to the centre driving.
It typically takes 40 minutes if you're using public transport.
The last thing you want is a lengthy journey to your hotel if you're landing late on a flight from Sunshine Coast Airport to Melbourne. Check in to one of these accommodation options near MEL instead:
Follow your own route with a Melbourne Tullamarine Airport rental car. Pick up your wheels from Bargain Car Rentals, East Coast or Sixt and find adventure across Melbourne and beyond.
Booking your vehicle from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport about four weeks in advance of your flight from MCY to Melbourne can help you get the best possible rate.
Avalon Airport (AVV)
Avalon Airport (AVV) is about 56 kilometres from the centre of Melbourne. Following your flight from Sunshine Coast Airport to Melbourne, it'll take you around 50 minutes to get to the heart of the city in a cab or ride-share.
Travelling by public transport will take about 2 hours 5 minutes.
You'll find a few terrific places to stay just a quick drive from AVV. Switch to relaxation mode at Corio Bay Motel after your MCY to Melbourne flight.
Sixt, Kangaroo Rental and yesaway car hire make picking up an Avalon Airport rental car easy and quick. These reliable suppliers are located in or around the terminal and will have you ready to go in a flash.
Get the lowest price by booking your ride from AVV three weeks ahead of time. You can also expect to have a greater range of vehicles.
Essendon Airport (MEB)
Hop off your flight from Sunshine Coast Airport to Melbourne and head for your hotel or start sightseeing right away. The centre of Melbourne is around 19 kilometres from Essendon Airport (MEB) and typically takes 25 minutes to reach by car.
The journey takes roughly 1 hour 15 minutes on public transport.
If you don't want to make your way into the centre, find a hotel close to MEB. Settle in at one of these options after your MCY to Melbourne flight:
Take control of the next leg of your journey with an Essendon Airport rental car. East Coast, Ace Rental Cars and Goldcar are some companies you can book with.
If you're hoping for a specific make or model, booking early gives you a better shot at snagging what you want. Secure your ride from MEB a couple of weeks ahead of your flight from Sunshine Coast Airport to Melbourne.
Best time to go to Melbourne
Travel to Melbourne during the high season if you like a lively atmosphere, but remember that prices are generally higher. Alternatively, book flights from Sunshine Coast Airport to Melbourne during low season when prices are cheaper and it's less crowded.
When booking your Sunshine Coast Airport to Melbourne flight ticket, think about the type of weather you enjoy. January is the warmest month in Melbourne, with temperatures ranging from 12ºC (54ºF) to 29ºC (84ºF).
Look for cheap tickets from MCY to Melbourne in July if you want to travel in cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 4ºC (39ºF) and 13ºC (55ºF) on average.
More about Melbourne
After booking your flight from Sunshine Coast Airport to Melbourne, choose a hotel that combines comfort with a great location. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring Melbourne:
National Gallery of Victoria and Federation Square are just the start of the major attractions to add to your Melbourne to-do list. Keep the adventure rolling by checking out Eureka Skydeck 88.
Explore more of Australia
Melbourne has plenty going for it, but there are so many other corners of Australia you'll want to see. About 467 kilometres north-east of Melbourne, a visit to Canberra will keep you on the move. Start with leading sights like Australian War Memorial, National Gallery of Australia and Parliament House.
Around 451 kilometres south-east of Melbourne, Launceston is another favourite stop in Australia. Experience major highlights starting with City Park, Tamar Island Wetlands and James Boag Brewery Experience.