Cheap Sydney to Melbourne flights (SYD to MEL)

Sydney to Melbourne flights information

Often considered Australia’s cultural capital, Melbourne is Sydney’s biggest rival when it comes to arts and entertainment. Experience the atmosphere that sets this city apart when you book flights from Sydney to Melbourne with Virgin Australia.

Ready to explore? Book Sydney to Melbourne flights with Virgin Australia now or read on for more information about flying to this incredible destination.

Virgin Australia flight arrival into Melbourne Airport. Sydney to Melbourne flights aerial view.

Arriving at Melbourne Airport

Central Melbourne is approximately 23 kilometres from Melbourne Airport, with commute options including taxi, rideshare, private bus transfer, or the super handy and value-option Express Skybus – running every 10 minutes, 24 hours a day, to Southern Cross Station. You will arrive into Terminal 3 (T3) at Melbourne Airport, from there make your way outside the terminal to the various transport services.

Alternatively book a private bus transfer, taxi, or rideshare through to your Melbourne accommodation.

Transfer times and cost guide (to Melbourne City)

Taxi: 20-40mins - $55 - $65
Private Bus Transfer: 20-40mins - $18 - $25 per person
Skybus: 20-40mins from $15 per person

Read more in our Melbourne Airport Guide.

Getting around Melbourne

Whether you're navigating through the capital's multiple attractions or planning a getaway down the Great Ocean Road, Melbourne is home to a wide variety of transportation options to help you explore the city and its surrounds.

Tram

With over 31,000 services operating throughout the city every week, Melbourne's trams are the most popular form of transport amongst locals and visitors alike. Short trips within the CBD are free for all passengers, although myki passes are required for longer journeys beyond the city limits. For a detailed map of the network, including the Melbourne CBD Free Tram Zone, visit Public Transport Victoria's official website.

Public Bicycle

Whether you choose to hire a bike from a Melbourne Bike Share docking station or activate one of the many eBikes that are available across town, it's easy to explore the city's bustling streets and laneways on two wheels. For more information on public bike hire in Melbourne, including safety tips for new riders, visit The City of Melbourne's website.

Car Hire

If you're planning to explore the city's surrounds, there are a wide range of car hire options available on arrival at Melbourne Airport. For a great deal, be sure to take advantage of our exclusive partner offers by visiting our Car Hire Offers page before take-off.

Virgin 737 departing Sydney to Melbourne flights.

Departing from Sydney Airport

Located a close 8km from inner Sydney and CBD, Sydney Airport is best accessed by an easy 13-minute train ride. For the Air Train service either use your Opal Card, or tap on with your Amex, Visa or Mastercard.

Alternatively - commute to Sydney Airport via taxi, rideshare, shuttle or public bus - or self-drive, utilising the short-term and long-term airport parking options.

In non-peak hour the drive is approximately 25-minutes from central Sydney. We all know Sydney traffic can blow out though, so allow plenty of time.

Virgin Australia generally operates from Terminal 2 (T2) for both domestic and international flights, however, be sure to check your itinerary prior to travel as some flights labelled as Virgin Australia are code-share and may depart from Terminal 1 (T1) at Sydney Airport.

What time do you need to arrive at Sydney Airport?

If you’re planning to check in luggage we recommend that you plan to arrive at the airport 60 minutes prior to your flight time, as check-in is 45 minutes prior departure. This should allow you enough spare time to grab a coffee or snack on your way to the departure gate, without feeling rushed.

Read more in our Sydney Airport Guide.

Catch the latest exhibition at National Gallery Victoria (NGV), Melbourne Victoria. Sydney to Melbourne flights - things to do after landing.

Melbourne Itinerary – What to do in a day?

Only have 24 hours in Melbourne? Here’s our handy guide so you can squeeze in lots of attractions and things to do without feeling like you’re a contender on The Amazing Race.

8.30am - Flinders Street Station

From Melbourne Airport, board the Express Skybus through to Southern Cross Station, then catch a 4-minute train ride to Flinders Street.

9.30am – Hosier Lane

You’ve dropped your bags and you’re now on the doorstep of Melbourne’s central landmark, Federation Square. Grab a coffee, sit back, and soak up Melbourne’s energy, before you take a walk through the graffiti street-art adorned alleyway of nearby Hosier Lane.

10.30am - Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG)

For the sports-mad, make tracks to ‘the G’ – the MCG – and immerse yourself in the history and world-class facilities on a guided tour.

12.00pm - St Kilda for lunch

Jump on the 246 bus or the Line 16 tram and we are on our way to St Kilda for lunch. Option A will be fine dining and stunning ocean views at Stokehouse, while Option B is The Espy, a grand old pub offering live music and views of the water. Either way you go, you’ll be treated to a quintessential Melbourne experience.

2pm - Shopping on Chapel Street

You may be tempted to kick on for a few more drinks but sadly we can’t, there’s still so much more to explore! Shopping is next on the agenda and you’ll be truly spoilt in Melbourne. We are headed north on the 78 tram stopping at the famous Chapel Street for international brands and some vintage treasures.

4pm - National Gallery Victoria (NGV)

Next stop is Australia’s largest, oldest, and most-visited museum, National Gallery Victoria (NGV), located in the arts precinct of Southbank. NGV is home to an eclectic mix of seasonal exhibitions and events. We only have an hour until close so we mustn’t dawdle.

5pm - Arts Centre Melbourne

Close by is the Arts Centre Melbourne so we’ll pop over that way to catch a show. Depending on the time of year, you’ll find evening event performances varying from electronic music to ‘live at the bowl’ range of comedy, music and family-friendly events.

8.30pm - Dinner on Lygon Street

You must be starving! Lucky for you we secured a booking in the heart of Melbourne’s Little Italy - the kingdom of carbs - Tiamo 2 on Lygon St. A true crowd-pleaser that will transport you to Sicily and will leave you suitably satisfied.

11pm - A Night Cap at Embla

One last stop for the day – and heading back centrally – we’re taking a night cap at the uncomplicated and welcoming Embla on Russel Street.

Stay in popular beachside St Kilda on your stay in Melbourne, Victoria. Sydney to Melbourne flights - things to do after landing.

Where to stay in Melbourne?

Melbourne offers an incredible range of accommodation to suit all budgets and styles, located in the city and surrounding inner-city suburbs.

Melbourne CBD

Always humming, Melbourne CBD is an ideal area to stay for both leisure and business travellers -with key attractions such as Melbourne Aquarium, Princess Theatre, Federation Square - all at your doorstep.

St Kilda

St Kilda is undoubtedly Melbourne’s hippest beach suburb. Located 7km from the city centre it’s a popular seaside resort area alongside iconic Melbourne landmarks such as Palais Theatre and Luna Park.

Fitzroy

For a more alternative feel, we recommend a Melbourne stay in inner-city Fitzroy, just minutes from the city on tram #112. Think Newtown with a twist. There’s fewer accommodation choices in this area, so get in quick to book your accommodation in advance. An eclectic area to stay amongst vintage clothing stores, local designer fashion, and quirky bars like Naked for Satan.

Carlton

A vibrant area to stay, with a true Italian feel, is Carlton. A quick 10-minute tram ride on line 6 from the city, start the day drinking expresso whilst walking through Carlton Gardens, eat gelato and authentic Italian pizza, spend an afternoon at Melbourne Museum, and catch an evening film at the arthouse movie theatre, Cinema Nova.

Footscray

For a more cultural feel on your Melbourne stay we recommend Footscray – home to a range of migrant communities, you’ll enjoy the main market, Footscray Market, the Footscray Community Arts Centre, and the many tasty eateries serving everything from Vietnamese to Ethiopian fare.

South Yarra

If you want to shop-till-you-drop you can’t go past a stay in South Yarra, home to famous Chapel Street, where you’ll pick up everything from vintage treasures to international designers clothing.

Explore More with Our Melbourne Travel Guide

A stunning sunny autumn afternoon in a Melbourne park. Sydney to Melbourne flights - things to do after landing.

When to visit Melbourne?

Melbourne is a fantastic destination to visit year-round, with a chock-a-block event calendar, and so much to see and do throughout the year.

A popular time to visit is the shoulder season, between March and May, and September to November. During this time there are less tourists, temperatures are moderate, and you’ll often find great value airfares and accommodation.

Melbourne hosts key events that draw visitors throughout the year - Australian Open (February), Melbourne International Comedy Festival (March to April), Melbourne International Film Festival (August), Australian Moto Grand Prix (late October), and Melbourne Cup (November).

What to pack for your trip to Melbourne?

Melbourne is well-known for its “four seasons in a day” so the best advice we have is to pack lots of layers in the same colour scheme that will all work together (ever noticed that Melbourne folk wear a lot of black?). We also recommend that you pack an umbrella.

Bring comfortable walking shoes (or accidently leave them at home and justify shopping for a new pair). It’s also handy to have a large comfortable handbag or day bag so you can bring a coat to transition from daytime sightseeing, to events in the evening

Must Pack

Summer: lightweight clothes, sunscreen, comfortable dresses for women, short- sleeved shirts for the men
Autumn: a light jacket
Winter: jeans; waterproof boots; warm scarf, hat and gloves; long-sleeved tops; thick wool coats and varying jackets
Spring: a light jacket for cooler evenings

Sydney to Melbourne - Quick facts

Plane	Boeing 737-800
Airport	Tullamarine Airport (MEL)
Airport transfer time	25mins to city
Average flight time	1hr 35mins
Timezone	GMT +10/+11
Cabins	Business, Economy X, Economy

Frequently asked questions - Sydney to Melbourne flights

What is the Sydney to Melbourne flight time?

The average time for your flight from Sydney to Melbourne is 1 hour and 35 minutes.

*Note: flight times should be used as a guide only. Carefully consider your requirements before travelling and always allow extra time to arrive at your destination.

How far is the Sydney to Melbourne flight?

You will travel over 710 kilometres on your flight from Sydney to Melbourne.

How many Sydney to Melbourne flights are there each day?

During peak periods, Virgin Australia flies 30 times a day from Sydney to Melbourne, operating regularly scheduled flights from 6am until 10pm.

What aircraft do we fly on our Sydney to Melbourne route?

Virgin Australia flies our Boeing 737-700 and 737-800 on the Sydney to Melbourne route. Find more information on our fleet here.

^*Fare terms and conditions

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Domestic fares: Prices are based on a one-way Economy Lite, Economy Choice, Economy Flex or Business class fare (as stipulated) booked on virginaustralia.com, for flights marketed and operated by Virgin Australia (or operated by a partner airline for Virgin Australia). Seats are limited and may not be available at peak times or on all flights. Payment surcharge may apply. Seat selection and checked baggage are not included in Economy Lite fares. Economy Lite fares are not recommended if you require flexibility with your travel as cancellations are not permitted and you may need to pay a fee and any fare difference to make a change. For other Economy fare types, a fee and fare difference may be payable for changing or cancelling your booking. For Business fares, changes incur any applicable fare difference. See Virgin Australia’s domestic Fees page (www.virginaustralia.com/au/en/plan/fees-surcharges/domestic/) for details. Refunds are not permitted for Economy Lite and Choice fares if you cancel your booking. Refunds are permitted for Economy Flex fares on payment of a fee. Refunds are permitted for Business fares. You may also request a refund for other reasons, including under the Australian Consumer Law. Check your fare rules for more information. Some flights may be operated by a partner airline. Different baggage allowances and other limitations may apply to these flights. Full T&Cs www.virginaustralia.com

International short haul (including Tasman) fares: Prices are based on a one way or return Economy Lite, Economy Choice, Economy Flex or Business class fare (as stipulated) booked on virginaustralia.com, for flights marketed and operated by Virgin Australia (or operated by a partner airline for Virgin Australia). Seats are limited and may not be available at peak times or on all flights. Return fares may vary with the addition of local taxes and charges or due to currency fluctuations. Payment surcharge may apply. Seat selection and checked baggage are not included in Economy Lite fares. Economy Lite fares are not recommended if you require flexibility with your travel as cancellations are not permitted and you may need to pay a fee and any fare difference to make a change. For other fare types, a fee and fare difference may be payable for changing your booking. See Virgin Australia’s international Fees page for details (for Trans-Tasman: www.virginaustralia.com/au/en/plan/fees-surcharges/trans-tasman/ or for other short haul destinations: www.virginaustralia.com/au/en/plan/fees-surcharges/short-haul-international/). Refunds are not permitted for Economy Lite and Choice fares if you cancel your booking. Refunds are permitted for Economy Flex fares on payment of a fee. Refunds are permitted for Business fares. You may also request a refund for other reasons, including under the Australian Consumer Law. Check your fare rules for more information. Some flights may be operated by a partner airline. Different baggage allowances and other limitations may apply to these flights. Full T&Cs atwww.virginaustralia.com

International long haul fares: Prices are based on a return Economy Choice, Economy Flex or Business class fare (as stipulated) booked on virginaustralia.com, for flights marketed by Virgin Australia (operated by a partner airline). Seats are limited and may not be available at peak times or on all flights. Return fares may vary with the addition of local taxes and charges or due to currency fluctuations. Payment surcharge may apply. Fare inclusions (like different baggage allowances), and change and cancellation fare rules will be different depending on the partner airline operating your flight. See Virgin Australia’s fares pages for information about fees and charges you may incur when you change or cancel your fare operated by a partner airline (https://www.virginaustralia.com/au/en/travel-info/flying-with-us/fare-types/international-fares/partner-fares/). You may also request a refund for other reasons, including under the Australian Consumer Law. Check your fare rules for more information. Full T&Cs at www.virginaustralia.com

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