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Low Price Flights from Melbourne to Sydney

Top Airlines Flying from Melbourne to Sydney

Choose from 3 carriers that fly from Melbourne to Sydney, including Jetstar Airways, Virgin Australia, and Qantas Airways. Enjoy the cheapest tickets on this route with Jetstar Airways.
Jetstar Airways logo Jetstar Airways Virgin Australia logo Virgin Australia Qantas Airways logo Qantas Airways

Cheap Flight Deals from Melbourne to Sydney

Find direct flights from Melbourne to Sydney within the next three months. Book one-way flights from AU$ 53 or return tickets from AU$ 89.

Crossed out prices are calculated based on the average price of the corresponding route on Trip.com.

Flight Information from Melbourne to Sydney

The distance between Melbourne and Sydney is about 704.78km. It takes around 1 hour 25 minutes on average to fly from Melbourne to Sydney. The most popular month to Sydney is March. The off-season for travel is May.

Cheapest one-way flight price AU$ 53
Cheapest return ticket price AU$ 89
Off-season for travel May
Peak season for travel March
Flight distance 704.78km
Average flight time 1 hour 25 minutes
Popular airline Jetstar Airways

Best Time to Book Flights from Melbourne to Sydney

The cheapest time for Melbourne to Sydney flights: Sep 21 to Sep 28 — one way flight prices from AU$ 50.

Cheapest flights
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  • Aug

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  • Sep

    31 7
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  • Oct

    28 5
  • 5 12
Displayed prices are calculated based on the cheapest average weekly prices of the corresponding route on Trip.com.

FAQ

  • When are flight from Melbourne (MEL) to Sydney (SYD) the cheapest?

    Airlines adjust prices for flights from Melbourne to Sydney based on the date and time of your booking. By analyzing data from all airlines, on Trip.com, you can find the lowest flight prices on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays.

  • How much are flights from Melbourne (MEL) to Sydney (SYD) cost?

    According to Trip.com's data, the lowest price is around AU$ 194.

  • How long is the flights from Melbourne (MEL) to Sydney (SYD)?

    It takes about 1 hour 25 minutes to fly from Melbourne (MEL) to Sydney (SYD).

  • What are the most popular airlines that fly from Melbourne (MEL) to Sydney (SYD)?

    Airlines with flights from Melbourne (MEL) to Sydney (SYD): Qatar Airways, Virgin Australia, American Airlines, Qantas Airways, Emirates, China Eastern Airlines and SriLankan Airlines.

  • How many airports in Sydney (SYD)?

    There are 1 airport(s) in Sydney (SYD): Sydney Airport.

How to find a cheap flight from Melbourne to Sydney

Wait until the last minute and flight costs are often sky-high. Plan ahead, book the right way, and your savings can soar. We have loads of saving tips to help you find a cheap flight from Melbourne to Sydney. Book your flights at the right time and save more.
1
Book Early
Once prices are gone, they're gone. Lock in deals while you can!
2
Compare Flight Prices
Compare prices on travel agency and airline websites.
3
Look Out for Deals
Check airline and travel agency websites for latest flight deals
4
Check One-way Fares
Buying two cheap one-way flights can sometimes be a better deal than a round-trip.
5
Try Different Dates
Flying during the week, early in the morning, or late at night can help save money.
6
Use the Trip.com App
Save up to £10 per person when booking your flights on Trip.com

Flying from Melbourne to Sydney: What You Need to Know

Flight Duration is about 1 hour 30 minutes with no time difference (both in AEST/AEDT).​​

  • ​​Departure:​​ You’ll fly out of ​​Melbourne Airport (MEL)​​—the main hub. It’s busy, so get there ​​2 hours early​​.
  • Arrival:​​ Nearly all flights land at ​​Sydney Airport (SYD)​​, Australia’s busiest. It’s 8 km south of downtown but easy to reach via ​​Airport Link train​​ (19AUD,13 mins to Central).​
  • Airlines:​ ​ ​​Qantas​​ (huge in SYD/MEL), ​​Virgin Australia​​, and ​​Rex​​ include a carry-on + snacks. Fares ~120–120–300+. Fares as low as 60–60–150, but ​​you’ll pay extra for everything​​ (bags, seats, carry-ons, water).

Fly or drive?​​ Driving takes ​​9+ hours (Hume Highway)​​ with traffic/tolls. Flying saves a full day—​​no contest​​.

Flying from Melbourne to Sydney: Melbourne Airport

Source from Unsplash: Dsyphers

Airports in Melbourne

Melbourne has four airports: Melbourne Airport (also known as Tullamarine), Avalon Airport, Essendon Airport, and Moorabbin Airport. Melbourne Airport is the main international and domestic airport. Avalon Airport is a secondary airport primarily serving Jetstar and is located near Geelong. Essendon and Moorabbin airports primarily handle general aviation and cargo flights. 


​​Melbourne Tullamarine Airport​

  • ​Location:​​ 23 km (14 miles) northwest of downtown Melbourne.
  • ​Australia’s second-busiest airport​​ (37+ million passengers/year).
  • ​​Four terminals:​​ T1 (Qantas Domestic), T2 (Int’l + Virgin), T3 (Domestic), T4 (Jetstar/Budget).
  • ​​Terminals connected by:​​ Free terminal transfer buses (5-min walk or shuttle, runs 24/7).
  • ​​Connection tip:​​ Allow 30+ mins for int’l → domestic transfers (re-check bags at T2).
Getting from MEL to downtown Melbourne​​
  • ​​SkyBus Avalon Express:​​ Direct to Southern Cross Station | ​​$25 AUD one-way​​ (55–65 mins).
  • ​​Taxi/Rideshare:​​ 58-80 AUD​ ​to down town (30-50 mins).
  • ​​Car Rental:​​ Recommend booking on Trip.com, which is essential for regional access.

Avalon Airport (AVV)​​

  • ​​Location:​​ ​​55 km (34 miles) southwest of downtown Melbourne.
  • ​​Victoria’s secondary international airport​​​​ (serving budget airlines + cargo).
  • ​​Single terminal:​​ ​​Combined domestic/international facility (Jetstar focus).
  • ​​Terminal transfers:​​ ​​​​N/A​​ – all gates accessible via unified check-in hall.
  • ​​Connection tip:​​ ​​No airside transfers required; int’l arrivals clear customs on-site.
​​Getting from AVV to Melbourne​​
  • ​​SkyBus Avalon Express:​​ Direct to Southern Cross Station | ​​$25 AUD one-way​​ (55–65 mins).
  • ​​Taxi/Rideshare:​​ 120–160 AUD​ ​to down town (60–75mins).
  • ​​Car Rental:​​ Recommend booking on Trip.com, which is essential for regional access.
  • ​​Public Transport (Budget):​​ Bus 456​​ to Lara Station (30 mins) → V/Line train to Southern Cross (40 mins). ​Total cost about $9 AUD (Myki card required).

Flying from Melbourne to Sydney: Sydney Airport

Source from Unsplash: Troyscanon

Airports in Sydney

Sydney currently has one major commercial airport, Sydney Airport (SYD), also known as Kingsford Smith Airport. There are also a few smaller airports, like Bankstown Airport and Camden Airport, that handle general aviation and freight. A second major airport, Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport, is under construction and is scheduled to open in 2026. 

Sydney Airport (SYD) (Kingsford Smith)​​

  • Location:​​ 8 km (5 miles) south of downtown Sydney.
  • Major gateway to Asia-Pacific​​ (44+ million passengers/year).
  • ​​Three terminals:​​ T1 (International), T2/T3 (Domestic).
  • ​​Terminals connected by:​​ Free shuttle bus (runs every 10 mins, 4am–11pm; 10-min trip).
  • ​​Check-in tip:​​ Arrive 2+ hours early – peak-hour security queues stretch 30+ mins.
​​Getting from Sydney to SYD​​
  • Airport Link Train:​​ 18.90 AUD from Central Station (13 mins direct to terminals).
  • ​SydneyTrains:​​ Cheaper suburb to Mascot Station+10−minwalk (4–5 AUD from Central).
  • ​Taxi/Rideshare: ​45–60 AUD to downtown (20–35 mins; harbour crossings add tolls).

Bankstown Airport (BWU / YSBK)​

  • Location:​​ ​​22 km (14 miles) west of downtown Sydney, near Bankstown CBD.
  • ​​Major Role:​​ Australia's busiest ​​general aviation airport​​ (300,000+ flight movements/year).
​Getting from BWU to Sydney
  • Train + Bus:​​ Take Bus 905/906 (15 mins) to ​​Bankstown Station​​ → Transfer to T3 Line train (45–55 mins direct to Central Station).
  • ​​Taxi/Rideshare:​​ ​​55–70 AUD to Sydney CBD (50-65 mins traffic-dependent).
  • ​Car Rental:​​ Essential onsite (Hertz/East Coast) – GA precincts are spread out.
  • ​​Flight Training Transfer:​​ Most schools offer shuttle pick-ups from Bankstown Station.

Best Time to Fly to Sydney

  • ​Sweet spot:​​ ​​March–May (autumn)​​ or ​​September–November (spring)​​. Mild temps (15–23°C), festivals (Vivid Sydney in May/Jun), fewer crowds.
  • ​​Summer (Dec–Feb):​​ Hot & humid (22–35°C)—peak for beaches! NYE fireworks sell out months ahead. Hotels spike 200%.
  • ​​Winter (Jun–Aug):​​ Crisp (8–17°C), sunny days. Flight deals galore (ski trips to Blue Mountains 90 mins away).

​​Where to Stay in Sydney​

​Book Sydney hotels on Trip.com! Free cancellation = no stress.

  • Circular Quay/Rocks:​​ Best for icons. Walk to Opera House, Harbour Bridge, ferry terminals. Hotels: Luxury (Park Hyatt) to mid-range (Sir Stamford).
  • Bondi Beach:​​ Coastal cool. Surf, cafés, coastal walks. Beachfront stays (QT Bondi) with bus to CBD (35 mins).
  • Darling Harbour:​​ Family-friendly. Aquarium, waterfront dining, light shows. Hotels like Sofitel + Novotel.
  • ​Surry Hills:​​ Foodie/creative hub. Trendy cafes, galleries, nightlife. Boutique stays (Little Albion) with light rail to CBD (10 mins).
  • ​Manly:​​ Island escape. Beaches, snorkeling, ferry rides. Mid-range ocean-view hotels (Sebel Manly) – ferry to CBD (20 mins).

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