Flying from Melbourne to San Diego: what you need to know
Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL) is Melbourne's main airport. Check out your options for booking a flight from Melbourne to San Diego jetting off from here.
Disembark at San Diego International Airport (SAN), the primary gateway of San Diego.
San Diego is 18 hours behind Melbourne and is in the UTC-7 timezone.
To ensure you make it on your Melbourne to San Diego flight, leave plenty of time for things like baggage drop and finding your gate. Arriving two hours ahead of international departures and an hour before domestic flights is a good rule of thumb.
Flying during a peak time like January? Major public holidays and other popular seasons can mean longer queues at security. Play things extra safe and get there up to four hours ahead of international flights and two hours before a domestic departure.
How to find the cheapest flights from Melbourne to San Diego
Don't leave things to the last minute. You're more likely to get cheap Melbourne to San Diego flights if you book in advance. Airlines often offer some fantastic early bird deals.
The 'Whole month' tool shows you the cheapest plane tickets from Melbourne to San Diego throughout the entire month. It's an easy way to snap up a bargain if your travel plans are flexible.
Getting a cheap flight from Melbourne to San Diego is easy with Price Alerts. Simply create one of these automatic alerts and we'll notify you when a better deal is available.
Tailor your trip using filters. Select your ideal arrival and departure times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort the results by 'Best,' 'Fastest' or 'Cheapest' Melbourne to San Diego flights.
Flying from Melbourne
Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL)
Stopovers are the perfect opportunity to break up your journey — and maybe even visit a new city. When searching for Melbourne to San Diego flights departing from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport, uncheck the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can visit along the way. Here are some options to consider:
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL)
San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
The journey from central Melbourne to MEL takes around 40 minutes on public transport. If you ride-share, drive or take a cab, you'll cover the 19 kilometres in 30 minutes or so, depending on traffic.
Have an early flight from Melbourne to San Diego? Avoid the stress of rushing to the airport (and sneak in some extra snooze time) by choosing one of these stays near Melbourne Tullamarine Airport:
67.71% of flights that leave from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport make it to their destination on time.
Arriving in San Diego
San Diego International Airport (SAN)
San Diego International Airport (SAN) to central San Diego takes around 10 minutes by car. The centre is roughly 3 kilometres away.
If you're travelling by public transport, expect a journey time of roughly 20 minutes.
The last thing you want is a long journey to your hotel if you're arriving on a late flight from Melbourne to San Diego. Check in to one of these accommodation options near SAN instead:
Follow your own route with a San Diego International Airport rental car. Pick up your wheels from Thrifty, Dollar or Budget and experience more of San Diego and beyond.
Reserving your ride from San Diego International Airport around two weeks in advance increases your chances of getting a good deal.
You'll find SAN at N Harbour Dr.
McClellan-Palomar Airport (CLD)
Once your flight from Melbourne to San Diego has hit the runway, you can get to the city centre in about 40 minutes by car. Central San Diego is roughly 48 kilometres from McClellan-Palomar Airport (CLD).
If you're travelling on public transport, it'll take around 2 hours 15 minutes.
Budget, Hertz and Avis make picking up a McClellan-Palomar Airport rental car simple. These trusted companies are located in or around the terminal and will get you on your way in no time.
Get your preferred vehicle, not just what's available, by reserving your ride from CLD ahead of your arrival. You'll also avoid paying extra, especially when the airport is busy.
Best time to go to San Diego
May is the quietest month for flights from Melbourne to San Diego, while July is the busiest. Find the best time to visit San Diego based on whether you like a laid-back vibe or a more bustling atmosphere.
The warmest month in San Diego is August, with temperatures ranging between 17ºC (63ºF) and 28ºC (82ºF). Lock in your Melbourne to San Diego ticket then if that's your ideal forecast.
If you want cooler conditions, look for a cheap flight from Melbourne to San Diego in February when temperatures average between 7ºC (45ºF) and 23ºC (73ºF).
More about San Diego
When it comes to searching for somewhere to lay your head, you'll find the best places to stay in San Diego right here. Browse these hotels after locking in your flight from Melbourne to San Diego:
San Diego Zoo and USS Midway Museum are a couple of top-rated attractions to put on your San Diego itinerary. Continue your sightseeing adventures at SeaWorld San Diego.
Explore more of United States
Los Angeles is just one of the many places in United States waiting to be explored once you've seen San Diego. Around 177 kilometres to the north-west, popular attractions include Griffith Observatory, The Broad and La Brea Tar Pits & Museum.
Around 483 kilometres east of San Diego, Phoenix is another essential stop in United States. Get a taste of what this destination has to offer at Desert Botanical Garden, Heard Museum and Papago Park.
