AU$ 45 Cheap Flights from Sydney to Melbourne

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

• ​​Departure:​​ You’ll fly out of ​​Sydney Airport (SYD) (Kingsford Smith)​​—the main hub. It’s busy, so get there ​​2 hours early​​.
• ​​Arrival:​​ Nearly all flights land at ​​Melbourne Airport (MEL)​​. It’s 23 km northwest of downtown but easy to reach via the ​​SkyBus​​.
• 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 Hwy)​​ with traffic/tolls. Flying saves a full day—​​no contest​​.

Source from Unsplash: Starocker

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.

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 BNE to downtown Brisbane​

• ​​​Airtrain:​​ Direct to Central Station (20AUD, 25mins). Runs 5:30am–8:30pm.
• Bus590: ​​To city via RBWH (5 AUD, 50+ mins; limited baggage space).
• Taxi/Rideshare:​​ 50–65AUD to downtown (25–35mins; Airport Link tunnel toll 5.75).

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).

​​Best Time to Fly to Melbourne (from Sydney)​

• ​Sweet spot:​​ ​​March–May (autumn)​​ or ​​September–November (spring)​​. Mild temps (12–22°C), festivals (F1 Grand Prix in April), fewer crowds.
• ​​Summer (Dec–Feb):​​ Hot (25–40°C) but lively—New Year’s fireworks, Aus Open tennis. Book hotels months ahead.
• ​​Winter (Jun–Aug):​​ Chilly (6–14°C), rainy. Flight/hotel deals abound (ski season in Alps 3 hrs away).

​​Where to Stay in Melbourne​

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

• CBD/Docklands:​​ Best for first-timers. Walk to Flinders St Station, Crown Casino, Southbank restaurants. Hotels: Luxury (Crown Towers) to budget (Ibis).
• South Yarra/Chapel Street:​​ Chic boutiques, cafes, art galleries. Upscale stays (Como MGallery) near Royal Botanic Gardens.
• Fitzroy/Collingwood:​​ Hipster paradise. Street art, vinyl shops, craft breweries. Quirky B&Bs + retro apartments. Tram to CBD in 15 mins.
• St Kilda:​​ Beach vibes, Luna Park, sunset pier strolls. Mid-range seafront hotels (Novotel) with tram access (40 mins to CBD).