Travelling from Los Angeles to Melbourne: what you need to know
Los Angeles has a couple of airports where you can set off on your adventure. Explore your options for booking a flight from Los Angeles to Melbourne flying out of Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) or Van Nuys Airport (VNY).
Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL) is the primary hub where you can disembark in Melbourne.
The average time for a direct flight from Los Angeles to Melbourne is 15 hours 54 minutes. Melbourne's timezone is UTC+11, which makes Melbourne 18 hours ahead of Los Angeles.
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL) is the most popular route that connects these two cities. There are 15 weekly flights to pick from. If you have things to finalize before heading off, the last flight from Los Angeles to Melbourne is with United Airlines at 22:40. Go for the first LAX to MEL departure with Qantas at 20:45 if you want to get going early.
For a smooth journey, arrive at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and an hour before domestic departures. This way, you'll have plenty of time to catch your flight from Los Angeles to Melbourne.
Travelling during a peak time such as July? Major public holidays and other high seasons can lead to longer queues at check-in and security. Play it safe and arrive up to four hours ahead of international flights and two hours before domestic departures.
If you hold a passport from United States, you'll need an ETA to visit Australia. This applies if you're booking a cheap flight from Los Angeles to Melbourne for tourism purposes. The rules may be different if you're travelling for work or other reasons. Always check the visa rules before you book and definitely before you fly.
Flying from Los Angeles
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
If you're after a direct flight from Los Angeles to Melbourne, you can board one at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Fly from LAX to Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL) in one seamless journey.
When taking off from LAX, you can catch a direct flight from Los Angeles to Melbourne with Qantas.
Stopovers are the ideal opportunity to take a travel break — and perhaps even explore a different city. When browsing flights from Los Angeles to Melbourne departing from Los Angeles International Airport, deselect the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can visit along the way. Some popular options include:
Brisbane Airport (BNE)
Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport (SYD)
Auckland Airport (AKL)
LAX is around 32 kilometres from central Los Angeles. If you're ride-sharing, driving or catching a cab from the centre, it'll take you 32 minutes or so to get there, depending on the traffic. If you're planning to take public transport, expect the trip time to be approximately 54 minutes.
Want a hassle-free start to your holiday? Stay near Los Angeles International Airport. Whether you're catching an early flight from Los Angeles to Melbourne or want to avoid feeling rushed, these hotels are just the thing:
Van Nuys Airport (VNY)
Maximise your holiday with a stopover on your flight from Los Angeles to Melbourne. Visit friends or family or tick another city off your bucket list. Whatever you decide to do, check out these options between Los Angeles International Airport and Melbourne:
Brisbane Airport (BNE)
Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport (SYD)
Auckland Airport (AKL)
With public transport, you can travel from central Los Angeles to VNY in around 1 hour and 41 minutes. The airport is roughly 32 kilometres away, and getting there by car will take approximately 34 minutes.
Want to treat yourself to an extra night away before your flight from Los Angeles to Melbourne? Check in to a hotel near Van Nuys Airport before your trip officially begins. Check out these accommodation options:
Arriving in Melbourne
Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL)
Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL) is around 24 kilometres from the centre of Melbourne. With your own car rental or if you're catching a cab, the drive is around 28 minutes.
It takes roughly 42 minutes if you're using public transport.
The last thing you want is a lengthy journey to your hotel if you're landing late on a flight from Los Angeles to Melbourne. Check in to one of these accommodation options near MEL instead:
Avalon Airport (AVV)
As soon as your flight from Los Angeles to Melbourne has hit the tarmac, you can reach the city centre in around 51 minutes by car. Central Melbourne is roughly 56 kilometres from Avalon Airport (AVV).
You can expect the trip to take roughly 2 hours and 4 minutes on public transport.
How to find the cheapest flights from Los Angeles to Melbourne
$560 is the lowest price for a one-way ticket from Los Angeles to Melbourne. A return flight starts at $1,211. These fares may change depending on demand.
Don't leave things to the last moment. You're more likely to get cheap tickets from Los Angeles to Melbourne if you book in advance. Airlines often offer some excellent early bird discounts.
Finding cheap tickets from Los Angeles to Melbourne is more likely if you can be flexible with your trip dates. Try using the 'Whole month' search tool to show the lowest prices across every month and land a great deal.
Log into your online account or use the app to create a Price Alert. We'll let you know straight away if there's a better deal on this route. It doesn't take long, and it'll save you from looking for cheap tickets from Los Angeles to Melbourne every day.
Use filters to tailor your flights from Los Angeles to Melbourne. Simply select your preferred arrival and departure times, number of stops and airlines. Or sort your results by 'Cheapest' to get the best deals.
Best time to go to Melbourne
April is the quietest month for flights from Los Angeles to Melbourne, while July is the busiest. Choose the best time to visit Melbourne based on whether you prefer a laid-back vibe or a lively atmosphere.
The warmest month in Melbourne is January, with the temperature ranging between 12ºC and 29ºC. Book your flights from Los Angeles to Melbourne in this month if you like this kind of weather.
July has average temperatures of between 4ºC and 13ºC. Look for cheap tickets from Los Angeles to Melbourne sometime then if you like travelling in cooler conditions.
More about Melbourne
When it comes to searching for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the best places to stay in Melbourne right here. Browse these options as soon as you've booked your flight from Los Angeles to Melbourne:
All great journeys should include a little sightseeing. Federation Square, National Gallery of Victoria and Eureka Skydeck 88 are attractions you won't want to skip in Melbourne.
Complete your Melbourne trip with a car rental
We use the same magic that helped you find your cheap flight from Los Angeles to Melbourne to track down amazing deals on car rentals. Search for your ride in seconds and compare offers in one place. Plus we give you all the info you need to drive in Melbourne, from the most popular car type to the average daily price.