Flying from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Melbourne: what you need to know
The average length of a direct flight from San Francisco International Airport to Melbourne is 14 hours 15 minutes.
San Francisco International Airport is located in San Francisco. Based in the UTC+11 timezone, Melbourne is 18 hours ahead of San Francisco.
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL) is the most popular route, with seven flights a week to choose from. You can fly from SFO to MEL at 23:05 with United Airlines.
To avoid rushing for your SFO to Melbourne flight, allow plenty of time to check in and find your gate. Arriving two hours ahead of international departures and an hour before domestic flights is the general rule.
Travelling during a peak period like a bank holiday? Expect longer queues at check-in and security. Play it safe and arrive up to four hours before international flights and two hours before domestic departures.
You can book a direct San Francisco International Airport to Melbourne ticket. Begin your journey at SFO and end it at Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL).
Check out the promotions from United Airlines. This airline has direct flights from San Francisco International Airport to Melbourne.
A stopover is the perfect opportunity to take a break from travelling and perhaps even visit a new city. When searching for flight tickets from SFO to Melbourne, uncheck the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can stop along the way. Some popular options include:
Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport (SYD)
Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN)
Brisbane Airport (BNE)
SFO is about 18 kilometres from central San Francisco. If you're ride-sharing, catching a cab or driving from the centre, it'll take 20 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic conditions. If you're using public transport, expect the travel time to be around 45 minutes.
Have an early flight from San Francisco International Airport to Melbourne? Avoid the stress of rushing to the terminal (and catch some extra z's) by choosing one of these hotels close to SFO:
Of all flights departing from San Francisco International Airport, 77.36% land on time at their destination.
How to find the cheapest flights from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Melbourne
R 6,266 is the lowest price we've found for a one-way San Francisco International Airport to Melbourne flight. A return flight ticket right now is R 16,044. Depending on when you book and the availability, these fares can change.
Score cheap flights from SFO to Melbourne by booking four months ahead. According to our research, that's the sweet spot for picking up a bargain.
The best month for finding cheap San Francisco International Airport to Melbourne tickets is August. 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 SFO to Melbourne by creating a Price Alert. We'll send you an email or notification on the app when a lower fare becomes available.
Find a cheap flight from San Francisco International Airport to Melbourne with the help of our filters. Choose your ideal times, number of stops and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' to see the best deals.
Airports in Melbourne
Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL)
Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL) to central Melbourne takes about 30 minutes to reach by car. The centre is roughly 24 kilometres away.
It typically takes 40 minutes to get there by public transport.
Book a hotel close to MEL if you have a late flight from San Francisco International Airport to Melbourne. Settle into one of these accommodation options and skip the long transfer:
Get your adventure underway by picking up a Melbourne Tullamarine Airport rental car. Grab your wheels from Bargain Car Rentals, East Coast or Sixt and explore beyond Melbourne's main sights.
Reserving your vehicle from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport around four weeks ahead of your flight from SFO to Melbourne can help you lock in the best possible rate.
Avalon Airport (AVV)
Avalon Airport (AVV) is around 56 kilometres from central Melbourne. After your flight from San Francisco International Airport to Melbourne, it'll take you around 50 minutes to get to the heart of the city in a ride-share or cab.
If you travel by public transport, the journey will take you 2 hours 5 minutes or so.
Corio Bay Motel is a comfortable accommodation option within an easy drive of AVV. Make yourself at home here after your SFO to Melbourne flight and then hang the 'Do not disturb' sign to get some rest.
Sixt, Kangaroo Rental and yesaway car hire make collecting an Avalon Airport rental car quick and easy. These suppliers are located in or around the terminal and will have you behind the wheel before you know it.
Avoid paying extra. Booking your ride three weeks ahead of your arrival at AVV can help you lock in a better rate.
Essendon Airport (MEB)
Find your way to the city centre after your flight from San Francisco International Airport to Melbourne has landed. Central Melbourne is around 19 kilometres from Essendon Airport (MEB) and takes roughly 25 minutes to reach by car.
If you're using public transport, the journey will take you about 1 hour 15 minutes.
Enjoy a low-stress, comfortable start to your break by staying at a hotel near MEB after your SFO to Melbourne flight. Recharge after a day of travel or just take a moment to get your bearings in a new city at:
Begin your trip without stressing about how to get to your next stop with an Essendon Airport rental car. You can book your wheels with reliable companies here like East Coast, Ace Rental Cars and Goldcar.
Rental agencies sometimes offer promotions for early bookings, so book your vehicle from MEB a few weeks in advance of your flight from San Francisco International Airport to Melbourne. Plan ahead and your wallet will thank you.
Best time to go to Melbourne
Visit Melbourne in peak season if you prefer a bustling atmosphere, but remember that prices tend to be higher. Alternatively, book flights from San Francisco International Airport to Melbourne in the off-season when prices are cheaper and it's quieter.
Before locking in your San Francisco International Airport to Melbourne flight ticket, think about the weather you're most comfortable in. January is the warmest month in Melbourne, with temperatures ranging from 12ºC (54ºF) to 29ºC (84ºF).
Look for cheap tickets from SFO to Melbourne in July if you want to travel in cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 4ºC (39ºF) and 13ºC (55ºF) on average.
More about Melbourne
Start your Melbourne trip right by choosing the perfect place to stay. As soon as you've booked your flight from San Francisco International Airport to Melbourne, check out our range of accommodation options including:
There are so many things to discover in this city it can be tricky to know where to begin. National Gallery of Victoria, Federation Square and Eureka Skydeck 88 are major attractions which should feature on any well-planned Melbourne itinerary.
Explore more of Australia
Melbourne is easy to fall in love with, but there are so many other parts of Australia just waiting to be explored. Around 467 kilometres north-east of Melbourne, a trip to Canberra will keep you on the go. Start with leading sights like Australian War Memorial, National Gallery of Australia and Parliament House.
Launceston is another must-experience destination in Australia and is around 451 kilometres south-east of Melbourne. No journey is complete without a visit to City Park, Tamar Island Wetlands and James Boag Brewery Experience.