Find Cheapest Airlines Flying from Melbourne to Darwin

Choose from 4 airlines fly from Melbourne to Darwin, including Jetstar Airways, Virgin Australia, and Qantas Airways. Virgin Australia has lowest fares on this route.
Airlines are determined based on actual purchased flight tickets from Melbourne to Darwin according to previous 12 months data from Trip.com.

Explore the cheapest flights from Melbourne to Darwin in the next three months. Based on Trip.com's data from the latest 7 days, one-way direct flights start at AU$ 193, and round-trip direct tickets start at AU$ 359.

Displayed flight fares from Melbourne to Darwin are based on average prices across airlines for the next 3 months, according to the latest Trip.com database.

Melbourne to Darwin Flight Details

The distance between Melbourne and Darwin is approximately 3,150.56km. It takes around 4 hours 26 minutes on average to fly from Melbourne to Darwin. Based on Trip.com's data travel demand peaks in July. The off-season for travel is September.

Cheapest one-way flight priceAU$ 193
Cheapest return ticket priceAU$ 359
Off-season for travelSeptember
Peak season for travelJuly
Flight distance3,150.56km
Average flight time4 hours 26 minutes
Popular airlineJetstar Airways
Flight statistics for the Melbourne–Darwin route are based on aggregated booking data from Trip.com over the past 12 months.

Best Time to Book Flights from Melbourne to Darwin

The cheapest flights from Melbourne to Darwin are available between Feb 1 and Feb 8, with one way flights starting from AU$ 192.

Cheapest flights
From price
Search
  • 1421
  • 2128
  • Jan

    284
  • 411
  • 1118
  • 1825
  • Feb

    251
  • 18
  • 815
  • 1522
  • Mar

    221
  • 18
Displayed fare trends are based on Trip.com's aggregated average of the lowest flight prices from Melbourne to Darwin, calculated over the upcoming 10 weeks.

Flight FAQs

  • Which airlines offer the cheapest flights from Melbourne (MEL) to Darwin (DRW)?

    Based on Trip.com data, Virgin Australia offers one-way fares as low as AU$ 193 on Cheapest nonstop routes (e.g. MEL to DRW on Fri, Feb 6), while Virgin Australia offers Cheapest nonstop round-trips from AU$ 359 departing on Mon, Feb 2 and returning on Sat, Feb 7.
  • At the moment, you can catch a direct flight from Melbourne to Darwin with the following airlines, including: Jetstar Airways Virgin Australia Qantas Airways Airnorth Selected airlines are based on historical data collected from flight bookings users made on Trip.com within the last 90 days.
  • It takes about 4 hours 26 minutes to fly from Melbourne (MEL) to Darwin (DRW).
  • By analyzing data from all airlines on the Trip.com flight calendar, it looks like the best time to book a flight from Melbourne to Darwin is around 40 days (6 weeks) in advance, and the best time to fly is usually on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday. Tuesday typically offers the cheapest flights for departure, while Saturday offers the best return deals.
  • Based on Trip.com data in the past 4 weeks, there is 24 flight per week flying from Melbourne to Darwin. You can check the weekly schedule for popular airlines on this route below: Jetstar Airways: S/M/T/W/T/F/S -- JQ678 (13:30) Qantas Airways: S/M/T/W/T/F/S -- QF5678 (13:30)
  • To find best deals on flights from Melbourne to Darwin, you can use various tools on Trip.com:
    · Be flexible with your travel dates to get the cheapest flight deal. Now the cheapest flight deal is on Fri, Feb 6, with one-way flights priced at just AU$ 193.
    · Compare airlines strategically. Budget carriers often provide the lowest base fares, while we found the most affordable airline currently operating on this route is Virgin Australia.
    · Set up price alerts to easily monitor ticket prices without having to check every day.
    · Check Trip.com flight deals and promo codes frequently.
    · Avoid peak season unless you book very early. It seems the peak season for Darwin travel is around July.
    · Get exclusive promo codes for Trip.com app users.
  • The cheapest months to fly from Melbourne to Darwin is September, when demand for travel is lower.
  • After crunching the numbers on our December flight calendar, it's currently cheapest to fly from Melbourne to Darwin on December 18, 2025 with Jetstar Airways, with prices starting at AU$ 193.
  • You can land at any one of the following hubs in Darwin, with Melbourne Airport to Darwin International Airport (MEL-DRW) is by far the most common option on this route: Darwin International Airport (DRW).
  • The time difference between Darwin and Melbourne is 0h.
  • Tickets can only be changed or cancelled if permitted by airline policy. To submit a change or cancellation request, go to the flight bookings page, select the option to change or cancel your booking, choose the relevant passengers and segment, and submit a request. Please note that additional charges may apply according to the airline ticket policy. However, if the flight has been rescheduled and you would like to change or cancel your ticket, you can submit an involuntary cancellation request. For more details about change and cancellation policies, please check the customer support pages.

Melbourne to Darwin by air

If you are travelling from Melbourne to Darwin by air or looking for Melbourne to Darwin flights, you have come to the right place. Start your search for airfares by giving the travelling date above, or continue reading to find out more about the journey, airlines, flight times, schedules, how to find cheap tickets, and much more.

Melbourne to Darwin airfares

Melbourne to Darwin airfares fluctuate significantly over time. The flight price is impacted by a variety of factors, including demand, travel dates and times, seat availability, and the pricing strategies of different airlines. Additionally, the fares may vary depending on the travel class you select, such as first class, business class, or economy class.

How to find cheap flights from Melbourne to Darwin

Securing the cheapest Melbourne to Darwin air tickets requires flexibility, persistence, and a sprinkle of luck. Here are some tips to help you find the best prices:

  • 1. Stay flexible with your travel dates and times, as airfares are often cheaper during early mornings, late evenings, and weekdays.
  • 2. Consider alternative airports in the vicinity.
  • 3. Explore booking separate outbound and inbound flights with different airlines, as two one-way tickets can sometimes be cheaper than a round-trip.
  • 4. Opt for a connecting flight from Melbourne to Darwin for potential savings.
  • 5. Keep an eye out for last-minute flight deals that may pop up unexpectedly.

Airlines from Melbourne to Darwin

There are a variety of options for travellers to choose airlines when taking flights from Melbourne to Darwin. One notable choice is Qantas Airways and Virgin Australia, which operates full-service flights on this route. They prioritize passenger comfort and satisfaction, offering a comprehensive range of services and amenities onboard. On the other hand, Jetstar Airways have emerged as popular low-cost carriers, providing competitive fares for budget-conscious travelers without compromising on quality.

Melbourne to Darwin flight time

The average flight duration from Melbourne to Darwin is approximately 4 hours 35 mins, although the fastest flight option is the 4 hours 20 mins from Melbourne airport to Darwin airport.

Everything you need to know about Melbourne airport

Melbourne Airport, known as Tullamarine Airport (MEL), is Melbourne's main international airport. With four terminals offering a range of amenities like shopping, dining, and currency exchange, the airport serves as a hub for both domestic and international flights, connecting Melbourne to destinations worldwide. Convenient transportation options, including taxis, SkyBus shuttles, and public transportation, make traveling between the airport and city center a breeze. The distance of approximately 23 kilometers can be covered in about 25-30 minutes by car or 30-45 minutes by public transportation, depending on traffic conditions.

Arriving at Darwin airport

Located in Marrara, Northern Territory, Darwin Airport serves as the main air hub connecting travelers to the dynamic city of Darwin in Australia. The airport comprises of two terminals - one dedicated to domestic flights and the other for international flights, ensuring efficient connectivity. With reputed airlines like Qantas, Virgin Australia, and Jetstar operating from Darwin Airport, travelers have a range of options. The airport is conveniently located around 13 kilometers from the city center, and transportation options such as taxis, airport shuttles, or rental cars provide a travel time of approximately 15-20 minutes.

Book Melbourne to Darwin flights on Trip.com to unlock extra benefits

Booking flight tickets from Melbourne to Darwin becomes a seamless and convenient experience at Trip.com. Upon booking your flight, a world of discounts on hotels, car rentals, and airport transfers becomes available to you, enabling you to save more on your journey. Furthermore, as a token of appreciation, you'll also earn Tripcoins through our loyalty program, which can be redeemed for added benefits on your future trips.