Flying from Melbourne to Chengdu: what you need to know
Planning your trip begins with figuring out where you'll fly out of in Melbourne. Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL) is the city's main base, so explore your options for booking a flight from Melbourne to Chengdu taking off from here.
Step off your plane in Chengdu at Tianfu International Airport (TFU) or Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (CTU).
Hop on a direct Melbourne to Chengdu flight and you'll be in transit for an average of 10 hours 50 minutes.
Chengdu's timezone is UTC+8, which makes Chengdu three hours behind Melbourne.
Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL) to Tianfu International Airport (TFU) is the most popular route that connects these two cities. There are five flights a week to pick from. If you prefer starting your day later, the last flight from Melbourne to Chengdu is with Sichuan Airlines at 21:20. Opt for the first MEL to TFU departure with Sichuan Airlines at 20:20 to make the most of your arrival in Chengdu.
Give yourself enough time to get on your Melbourne to Chengdu flight. It's generally best to arrive two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
You'll likely experience bigger queues during popular months like January. Arriving up to four hours in advance for international flights and two hours for a domestic departure will help ensure a smooth travel experience.
How to find the cheapest flights from Melbourne to Chengdu
Right now, R 4,299 is the best price we've found for a one-way ticket from Melbourne to Chengdu. The cheapest price for a return flight is R 7,592. Keep in mind fares may change due to availability at the time of booking.
To score cheap Melbourne to Chengdu flights, reserve your journey three months before your departure.
The best month for finding cheap plane tickets from Melbourne to Chengdu is June. Use the 'Whole month' tool to compare all available prices, then select the dates that offer the lowest fares.
Spend less time searching for cheap flights from Melbourne to Chengdu by setting up a Price Alert. We'll send you an email or push notification on the app when a new discounted fare appears.
Tailor your travel plans using filters. Choose your departure and arrival times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort your results by 'Best,' 'Fastest' or 'Cheapest' Melbourne to Chengdu flights.
Flying from Melbourne
Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL)
You can catch a direct flight from Melbourne to Chengdu leaving from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL). Start your trip at MEL and touch down at Tianfu International Airport (TFU).
Sichuan Airlines is a well-known carrier that offers direct Melbourne to Chengdu plane tickets from MEL.
Think about adding a stopover to potentially save on your Melbourne to Chengdu flight. Simply deselect 'Direct flights only' when searching for departures from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport. Take a break from travelling at one of these popular airports:
Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN)
Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport (XMN)
Nanjing Lukou International Airport (NKG)
MEL is around 19 kilometres from central Melbourne. If you're driving, ride-sharing or catching a cab from the centre, it'll take you 30 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic conditions. If you're using public transport, expect the travel time to be around 40 minutes.
After a stress-free start to your holiday? Stay near Melbourne Tullamarine Airport. Whether you have an early flight from Melbourne to Chengdu or just don't want to be rushed, these hotels have you covered:
67.71% of flights that depart Melbourne Tullamarine Airport make it to their destination on time.
Arriving in Chengdu
Tianfu International Airport (TFU)
The distance from Tianfu International Airport (TFU) to central Chengdu is roughly 48 kilometres. It'll take you about 1 hour 15 minutes to reach the centre driving.
Consider booking a hotel near TFU if you're coming in on a late flight from Melbourne to Chengdu. Select one of these options and avoid the hassle of a long transfer:
Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (CTU)
Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (CTU) is about 11 kilometres from central Chengdu. After your flight from Melbourne to Chengdu, it takes approximately 30 minutes to reach the heart of the city in a cab or ride-share.
After your flight from Melbourne to Chengdu, settle in at a hotel close to CTU. These are some comfortable accommodation options that'll help you slip into relaxation mode:
The address for Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport is Airport Expressway Entrance.
Best time to go to Chengdu
April is the most popular month for flights from Melbourne to Chengdu. To skip the crowds, head to Chengdu in January.
Before locking in your Melbourne to Chengdu tickets, think about the type of weather you enjoy. August is the warmest month in Chengdu, with temperatures ranging from 21ºC (70ºF) to 33ºC (91ºF).
January has average temperatures of between 0ºC (32ºF) and 13ºC (55ºF). Search for cheap flights from Melbourne to Chengdu around that time if you want to travel in cooler conditions.
More about Chengdu
When it comes to looking for somewhere to lay your head, you'll find the best places to stay in Chengdu right here. Check out these hotels after locking in your flight from Melbourne to Chengdu:
Every great holiday has to include a little sightseeing. Jinli Ancient Street, Wuhou Shrine and Sichuan Opera Troupe are attractions you won't want to skip in Chengdu.
Explore more of China
Chengdu has plenty to offer, but there are so many other parts of China just waiting to be explored. About 193 kilometres east of Chengdu, a visit to Nanchong will keep you on the move. Start with popular sights like 小西街, 六合丝博园 and Yinxiang Jialingjiang Wetland Park.
Around 467 kilometres north of Chengdu, Tianshui is another favourite stop in China. No visit is complete without checking out 伏羲祭祀广场, 成纪儿童公园 and 天水古城.
