Travelling from Sydney Airport (SYD) to Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL): what you need to know
Hop on a direct flight from Sydney Airport to Melbourne Tullamarine Airport and you'll be travelling for an average of 1 hour 35 minutes.
Sydney and Melbourne are in the same timezone, UTC+11.
Each week, there are 472 Sydney Airport to Melbourne Tullamarine Airport flights. If you want to jet off early, go for the 06:00 Jetstar flight. If you're eager to make the most of your day before you fly, the last flight is at 22:00 with Jetstar.
Arrive at the airport on time so you don't miss your SYD to MEL flight. Be there at least two hours ahead for international flights and an hour early for domestic departures to avoid any last-minute rush.
You can expect bigger queues in popular months such as July. Arriving up to four hours ahead of international flights and two hours for a domestic departure will give you ample time for security and boarding.
A variety of airlines operate direct flights from Sydney Airport to Melbourne Tullamarine Airport, so getting to Melbourne (and then discovering more of Australia!) is easy. Leading carriers that fly nonstop include:
The majority of travellers choose to fly with Qantas on this route.
Among carriers operating SYD to MEL flights, Qantas has the highest percentage of on-time landings.
Consider adding a stopover when booking your ticket from Sydney Airport to Melbourne Tullamarine Airport. Simply uncheck 'Direct flights only' to break up your journey, or even explore someplace new along the way. Check out these options between SYD and MEL:
Canberra Airport
Hobart Airport
Launceston Airport
How to find the cheapest flights from Sydney Airport (SYD) to Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL)
R 996 is currently the lowest price for a one-way Sydney Airport to Melbourne Tullamarine Airport flight. Return flights start at R 1,998. These fares can change based on demand.
Book ten months before you want to fly. After looking at the numbers on our calendar, this is how far you'll want to book ahead to secure cheap tickets from SYD to MEL.
Organise your trip for March. That's the cheapest month for flights from Sydney Airport to Melbourne Tullamarine Airport. If your travel dates are flexible, try out the 'Whole month' tool to see the cheapest price across each month.
Landing cheap flights from SYD to MEL is easy with Price Alerts. Simply set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll notify you when a lower fare pops up.
Tailor your trip with filters. Pick your preferred departure and arrival times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort results by 'Cheapest,' 'Best' or 'Fastest' flights from Sydney Airport to Melbourne Tullamarine Airport.
Handy information about Sydney Airport (SYD)
66% of flights that leave from Sydney Airport touch down at their destination on time.
To reach Sydney Airport from central Sydney, it takes about 20 minutes if you're going by car. This depends on traffic, however. It's approximately 8 kilometres from the airport to the city centre.
The journey when using public transport takes roughly 15 minutes.
Searching for a convenient hotel close to SYD? If you've booked an early flight from Sydney Airport to Melbourne Tullamarine Airport, these stays will have you moments from check-in:
Arriving at Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL)
Reserve a hotel close to MEL if you're taking a late Sydney Airport to Melbourne Tullamarine Airport flight. Pick one of these accommodation options and make your arrival easier:
Pick up a Melbourne Tullamarine Airport rental car and explore Melbourne and beyond with your own set of wheels. Bargain Car Rentals, East Coast and Sixt are popular outlets you can book with here.
Secure the lowest price by booking your vehicle from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport around four weeks before your departure date.
Getting from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL) to central Melbourne
From Melbourne Tullamarine Airport, Melbourne is approximately 24 kilometres away. It takes around 25 minutes to reach the centre by car.
When travelling by public transport, expect a journey of roughly 35 minutes.
When to fly to Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL)
The quietest month for a flight from Sydney Airport to Melbourne Tullamarine Airport is March, while December is the busiest. Choose the ideal time to visit Melbourne based on whether you prefer a bustling atmosphere or a more laid-back vibe.
When booking your flight from Sydney Airport to Melbourne Tullamarine Airport, think about the type of weather you enjoy. January is the warmest month in Melbourne, with temperatures ranging from 11ºC (52ºF) to 28ºC (82ºF).
July sees average temperatures of between 3ºC (37ºF) and 12ºC (54ºF). Look for cheap tickets from SYD to MEL sometime around then if you want to travel when it's cooler.
Explore more of Australia
Canberra is just one of the many cities in Australia waiting to be discovered once you've seen Melbourne. Around 467 kilometres away to the north-east, check out popular attractions including National Gallery of Australia, National Portrait Gallery and Museum of Australian Democracy.
Geelong is another essential stop in Australia and is around 64 kilometres south-west of Melbourne. No journey is complete without seeing Narana Aboriginal Cultural Centre, Eastern Beach Promenade and Eastern Beach.
