Travelling from Melbourne to Washington DC: what you need to know
Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL) is Melbourne's main airport. Explore your options for reserving a flight from Melbourne to Washington DC leaving from here.
When it comes to arriving in Washington DC, get off the plane at Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) or Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD). Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) is another gateway to this city.
The timezone in Washington DC is UTC-4, which is 15 hours behind Melbourne.
For stress-free travel, turn up at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and an hour before domestic departures. This leaves you with plenty of time to board your Melbourne to Washington DC flight.
Be prepared for bigger queues in popular months such as January. Arriving up to four hours in advance for an international flight and two hours for a domestic departure is a smart move.
How to find the cheapest flights from Melbourne to Washington DC
To pick up cheap Melbourne to Washington DC flights, book as early as you can. Airlines usually offer lower prices when tickets first go on sale.
If you're willing to be flexible with your travel plans, try using the 'Whole month' search tool. It'll give you the lowest price across every month when searching for your plane ticket from Melbourne to Washington DC.
There's no need to check every day to find out if prices have dropped when you create a Price Alert. We'll update you when a better deal is available on cheap flights from Melbourne to Washington DC.
Save money on your Melbourne to Washington DC flight with the help of our filters. Select your preferred times, number of stops and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' to see the best deals.
Flying from Melbourne
Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL)
Consider adding a stopover to potentially find a cheaper Melbourne to Washington DC flight. Just deselect 'Direct flights only' when browsing departures from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport. Take a break from travelling at one of these popular options:
San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
Travelling from central Melbourne to MEL takes around 40 minutes by public transport. If you drive, ride-share or grab a cab, you'll cover the 19 kilometres in 30 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.
Have an early flight from Melbourne to Washington DC? Avoid the stress of rushing to the terminal (and sneak in some extra precious sleep) by choosing one of these hotels close to Melbourne Tullamarine Airport:
Of all flights departing from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport, 67.71% land on schedule at their destination.
Arriving in Washington DC
Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA)
Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) is approximately 6 kilometres from central Washington DC. If you're catching a cab or a ride-share, the drive takes around 15 minutes.
If you're taking public transport, expect a journey time of about 45 minutes.
Consider booking a hotel near DCA if you have a late flight from Melbourne to Washington DC. Check in to one of these accommodation options and skip the long transfer:
Travel at your own pace with a Ronald Reagan National Airport rental car. Pick up your wheels from Thrifty, Sixt or Dollar and experience more of Washington DC and beyond.
To get the best deal, book your ride from Ronald Reagan National Airport around four weeks ahead of your Melbourne to Washington DC flight.
DCA is situated at 1 Aviation Circle.
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
After your flight from Melbourne to Washington DC has landed, you can reach the city centre in about 50 minutes by car. Central Washington DC is roughly 40 kilometres from Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD).
If you hop on public transport, the ride to the centre takes 1 hour 10 minutes or so.
There are some comfortable places to call home for the night near IAD. Kick back after your Melbourne to Washington DC flight at one of these perfectly located options:
The quickest way to reach your destination is with a Washington Dulles International Airport rental car. Pick up a set of wheels from Dollar, Thrifty or Sixt and set off in the blink of an eye.
Score the best price by reserving your ride from IAD one week ahead of time. You'll also have access to a wider range of vehicles.
You'll find Washington Dulles International Airport at 1 Saarinen Circle.
Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)
Head toward the city centre after your flight from Melbourne to Washington DC has touched down. Central Washington DC is about 40 kilometres from Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) and takes roughly 50 minutes to get there in a car.
Public transport will take you there in roughly 1 hour 30 minutes.
Choose a hotel close to BWI and go from landing to lounging in your room in a flash. Whether you're catching a late Melbourne to Washington DC flight or just want to simplify your travel plans, these accommodation options offer a quick route to a good night's sleep:
Begin your journey without stressing about how to reach your next stop with a Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport rental car. You can book your wheels with reliable suppliers here like Dollar, Thrifty and Budget.
Enjoy a payoff when you plan ahead. Book your vehicle from BWI two weeks before your flight from Melbourne to Washington DC to access the best deals.
Best time to go to Washington DC
May is the quietest month for flights from Melbourne to Washington DC, while February is the most popular. Find the best time to visit Washington DC based on whether you prefer a bustling atmosphere or a more laid-back vibe.
The warmest month in Washington DC is July, with temperatures ranging between 19ºC (66ºF) and 33ºC (91ºF). Lock in your Melbourne to Washington DC ticket then if this is the type of weather you enjoy.
For cooler conditions, search for a cheap flight from Melbourne to Washington DC in January when temperatures average between -6ºC (21ºF) and 10ºC (50ºF).
More about Washington DC
Start your Washington DC trip off on the right foot by choosing the ideal place to stay. Once you've booked your flight from Melbourne to Washington DC, check out our selection of hotels including:
There are so many things to see and do in this city it can be hard to work out where to start. White House Historical Association, The White House and National Mall are top attractions which should feature on any well-planned Washington DC itinerary.
Explore more of United States
Washington DC has loads to offer, but there are so many other parts of United States just waiting to be discovered. About 322 kilometres north-east of Washington DC, a trip to New York will keep you on the go. Start with attractions like Statue of Liberty, Central Park and Empire State Building.
Philadelphia is another must-experience destination in United States and is around 193 kilometres north-east of Washington DC. No trip is complete without visiting Liberty Bell, Independence Hall and Philadelphia Museum of Art.