Flying from Melbourne to Los Angeles: what you need to know
Melbourne's main base, Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL), is where many unforgettable trips begin. Explore your departure options from here for your flight from Melbourne to Los Angeles.
When working out where to arrive in Los Angeles, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Van Nuys Airport (VNY) are the primary gateways.
The average duration of a direct Melbourne to Los Angeles flight is 14 hours 20 minutes.
The timezone in Los Angeles is UTC-7, which is 18 hours behind Melbourne.
The most popular route for flights from Melbourne to Los Angeles is from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). You can select from 12 weekly services between these two airports. If you'd like to set off at the first opportunity, the earliest flight from MEL to LAX is the 09:30 United Airlines service. If you have other commitments or plans on your day of travel, the last departure is at 12:00 with Qantas.
Leave enough time to catch your Melbourne to Los Angeles flight. As a general rule, turn up at least two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
You can expect bigger queues during popular months such as July. Arriving up to four hours ahead of an international flight and two hours for a domestic departure will give you plenty of time for security and boarding.
How to find the cheapest flights from Melbourne to Los Angeles
The lowest price we've found for a one-way ticket from Melbourne to Los Angeles is R 7,218. For a return flight on this route, the best price is R 12,223. Depending on when you book and the availability, these fares can change.
Lock in cheap Melbourne to Los Angeles flights by booking two months ahead. Based on our research, that's the ideal time frame for picking up a bargain.
Plan your trip for May. That's the best month for scoring an awesome deal on plane tickets from Melbourne to Los Angeles. If you're flexible on when you fly, use the 'Whole month' tool to find the cheapest price across every month.
Getting a cheap flight from Melbourne to Los Angeles is a breeze with Price Alerts. All you need to do is set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll let you know when a better deal is available.
Choose your ideal departure and arrival times, number of stops and airlines with the filters. Or sort your Melbourne to Los Angeles flight results by 'Best,' 'Fastest' or 'Cheapest.'
Flying from Melbourne
Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL)
You can get a direct flight from Melbourne to Los Angeles leaving from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL). Start your trip at MEL and come in for landing at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
You can choose from a range of carriers offering direct Melbourne to Los Angeles plane tickets with departures from MEL, including:
A stopover is the perfect opportunity to break up your trip — and perhaps even tour another city. When searching for Melbourne to Los Angeles flights leaving from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport, uncheck the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can stop along the way. Some popular options include:
Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport (SYD)
Auckland Airport (AKL)
Nadi International Airport (NAN)
The journey from central Melbourne to MEL takes around 40 minutes by public transport. If you ride-share, drive or get a cab, you'll cover the 19 kilometres in 30 minutes or so, depending on traffic.
After a stress-free start to your travels? Stay near Melbourne Tullamarine Airport. Whether you're boarding an early flight from Melbourne to Los Angeles or just don't like being rushed, these hotels have you covered:
When it comes to the on-time performance of Melbourne Tullamarine Airport, data shows 67.71% of flights arrive within the expected time frame.
Arriving in Los Angeles
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to central Los Angeles takes about 30 minutes by car. The centre is roughly 19 kilometres away.
It typically takes 55 minutes to get there on public transport.
Consider booking a hotel near LAX if you have a late flight from Melbourne to Los Angeles. Select one of these accommodation options and avoid the hassle of a long transfer:
Pick up a Los Angeles International Airport rental car and explore Los Angeles and beyond with your own wheels. Dollar, Thrifty and Hertz are top outlets to choose from here.
To secure the lowest price, reserve your ride from Los Angeles International Airport about one week ahead of your Melbourne to Los Angeles flight.
You'll find LAX at One World Way.
Van Nuys Airport (VNY)
After your flight from Melbourne to Los Angeles has hit the runway, you can make your way to the city centre in about 35 minutes by car. Central Los Angeles is approximately 29 kilometres from Van Nuys Airport (VNY).
You can expect the trip to take roughly 1 hour 40 minutes on public transport.
You'll find some comfortable places to call home for the night near VNY. Tuck yourself in after your Melbourne to Los Angeles flight at one of these well-located options:
Forget about public transport timetables or long cab lines. Pick up a Van Nuys Airport rental car and go in any direction that inspires you. Compare availability and rates from Budget, Dollar and Hertz.
Usually, the sooner you book, the better the prices and vehicle selection. Secure your ride from VNY as soon as you know your dates.
Best time to go to Los Angeles
May is the quietest month for flights from Melbourne to Los Angeles, while July is the most popular. Pick the ideal time to go to Los Angeles based on whether you want a lively atmosphere or a more laid-back vibe.
Book a Melbourne to Los Angeles ticket departing in August if you're eager to experience the city during its warmest month. You can expect temperatures in Los Angeles to range from 16ºC (61ºF) to 32ºC (90ºF).
Look for cheap flights from Melbourne to Los Angeles in February if you'd rather travel during cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 6ºC (43ºF) and 26ºC (79ºF) on average.
More about Los Angeles
Start your Los Angeles trip off on the right foot by choosing the ideal place to stay. Once you've booked your flight from Melbourne to Los Angeles, explore our selection of accommodation options including:
Every great adventure has to include a little sightseeing. Griffith Observatory, The Broad and La Brea Tar Pits & Museum are must-visits when exploring Los Angeles.
Explore more of United States
San Diego is just one of the many places in United States waiting to be discovered once you've seen Los Angeles. Around 177 kilometres to the south-east, popular attractions include San Diego Zoo, USS Midway Museum and SeaWorld San Diego.
If you're looking to explore another major destination in United States, consider San Jose, about 499 kilometres north-west of Los Angeles. Winchester Mystery House, Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum and San Jose Museum of Art are among its highlights.
