Travelling from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL): what you need to know
Take a direct flight from San Francisco International Airport to Melbourne Tullamarine Airport and you'll be in the air for an average of 15 hours 50 minutes.
Melbourne is 18 hours ahead of San Francisco and observes the UTC+11 timezone.
Each week, there are ten San Francisco International Airport to Melbourne Tullamarine Airport flights. If you'd like to jet off early, opt for the 23:05 United Airlines flight. If you'd rather make the most of your time before flying, the last flight is at 23:55 with United Airlines.
Get to the airport on time so you don't miss your SFO to MEL flight. Be there at least two hours ahead for international flights and an hour early for domestic departures to avoid the stress of rushing.
You'll likely experience longer lines in popular months such as August. Arriving up to four hours in advance for an international flight and two hours for a domestic departure will give you ample time for security and boarding.
United Airlines is your ticket to exploring Melbourne (and perhaps some other exciting corners of Australia!). Browse the direct flights from San Francisco International Airport to Melbourne Tullamarine Airport offered by this airline.
Most passengers choose to fly with United Airlines on this route.
United Airlines is the most punctual carrier that offers SFO to MEL flights.
If you want to split up your journey, simply uncheck 'Direct flights only' when searching for your ticket from San Francisco International Airport to Melbourne Tullamarine Airport. These are the most popular stopovers between SFO and MEL:
Tan Son Nhat International Airport
Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport
Brisbane Airport
How to find the cheapest flights from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL)
R 7,087 is currently the best price for a one-way San Francisco International Airport to Melbourne Tullamarine Airport flight. A return flight starts at R 16,167. These prices can change depending on demand and availability.
Get cheap tickets from SFO to MEL by booking at least nine months ahead. According to our research, that's the sweet spot for picking up a bargain.
The cheapest month for flights from San Francisco International Airport to Melbourne Tullamarine Airport is August. Use the 'Whole month' tool to find the lowest prices if you have flexible dates.
Save time looking for cheap flights from SFO to MEL by setting up a Price Alert. We'll send you an email or notification on the app when a lower fare becomes available.
Discover the perfect flight for you with the help of the filters. To see the 'Best,' 'Fastest' or 'Cheapest' flights from San Francisco International Airport to Melbourne Tullamarine Airport, use the 'Sort by' function. You can also filter by airline, departure and arrival times, and journey duration.
Handy information about San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
77.36% of flights taking off from San Francisco International Airport arrive at their destination on schedule.
To get to San Francisco International Airport from central San Francisco, it takes around 20 minutes by car. Of course, this depends on traffic. It's approximately 21 kilometres from the airport to the city centre.
Planning to take public transport? Expect a trip time of around 45 minutes.
Searching for a handy hotel near SFO? If you've booked an early flight from San Francisco International Airport to Melbourne Tullamarine Airport, these accommodation options will have you moments from your check-in counter:
Arriving at Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL)
If you're getting in on a late San Francisco International Airport to Melbourne Tullamarine Airport flight, nothing tops the convenience of being near the terminal. Pick up your bags from the carousel and then be showered and resting not long after at one of these accommodation options near MEL:
Say yes to new adventures by picking up a Melbourne Tullamarine Airport rental car. Grab your wheels from Bargain Car Rentals, East Coast or Sixt and experience the lesser-explored corners of Melbourne and beyond.
Get the best deal by reserving your ride from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport around four weeks before your departure date.
Getting from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL) to central Melbourne
Melbourne Tullamarine Airport is approximately 24 kilometres from central Melbourne. Driving there takes about 30 minutes.
It takes around 40 minutes if you're using public transport.
When to fly to Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL)
The quietest month for a flight from San Francisco International Airport to Melbourne Tullamarine Airport is April, while January is the most popular. Choose the ideal time to visit Melbourne based on whether you prefer a faster pace or a more relaxed vibe.
When booking your flight from San Francisco International Airport to Melbourne Tullamarine Airport, think about the kind of weather you like. January is the warmest month in Melbourne, with the temperature ranging from 12ºC (54ºF) to 29ºC (84ºF).
If you want to travel in cooler conditions, search for a cheap ticket from SFO to MEL in July. Average temperatures are between 4ºC (39ºF) and 13ºC (55ºF) then.
Explore more of Australia
Canberra is just one of the many places in Australia waiting to be discovered after you've experienced Melbourne. Around 467 kilometres away to the north-east, its best attractions include Australian War Memorial, National Gallery of Australia and Parliament House.
If you're eager to discover another well-known destination in Australia, head for Geelong, about 64 kilometres south-west of Melbourne. Ford Motor Company, Roraima Nursery and RTC Resource Centre are key reasons to visit.