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SYD - MEL

Find cheap flights from Sydney to Melbourne

1 adult
Mon 20/5
Mon 27/5

Search hundreds of travel sites at once for deals on flights to Melbourne

 
These are the airlines KAYAK users have selected most often from within our search results in flight searches from Sydney to Melbourne, as well as popular online travel agencies
These are the airlines KAYAK users have selected most often from within our search results in flight searches from Sydney to Melbourne, as well as popular online travel agencies
In the last 7 days, travellers have searched 43,717,470 times on KAYAK, and here's why:

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Flights from Sydney to Melbourne - Travel Insights & Trends

Get data-powered insights and trends into flights from Sydney to Melbourne to help you find the cheapest flights, the best time to fly and much more.

What’s the cheapest day of the week to fly from Sydney to Melbourne?

The average price of all flights from Sydney to Melbourne Airport clicked on KAYAK for each day over the last 12 months.
When flying from Sydney to Melbourne, you should consider leaving on a Tuesday and avoid Saturdays if you are looking for the best rates. For your return to Sydney, you’ll find the best rates on Tuesdays and the most expensive ones on Saturdays.

What is the cheapest month to fly from Sydney to Melbourne Airport?

To calculate monthly average prices, KAYAK takes all prices for each month over the last year for flights from Sydney to Melbourne Airport, removes the top 0.1% to account for outliers, and then takes the median of all values for each month.
The cheapest month for flights from Sydney to Melbourne Airport is August, where tickets cost $183 on average. On the other hand, the most expensive months are December and November, where the average cost of tickets is $367 and $311 respectively.

How far in advance should I book a flight from Sydney to Melbourne Airport?

To calculate daily average prices, KAYAK takes all prices for each day before departure over the last year for flights from Sydney to Melbourne Airport, removes the top 0.1% to account for outliers, and then takes the average of all the values for each month.
To get a below average price on the flight from Sydney to Melbourne Airport, you should book around 3 weeks before departure. For the absolute cheapest price, our data suggests you should book 74 days before departure.

Which airlines fly most frequently between Sydney and Melbourne?

Qantas Airways (59 flights per day), Virgin Australia (25 flights per day), and Jetstar (17 flights per day) are the most frequent flyers of this route.

Which airlines fly direct between Sydney and Melbourne Airport?

Airline and price data is aggregated from results in KAYAK’s search results from the last 2 weeks for flights from Sydney to Melbourne Airport.
There are 4 airlines that fly direct from Sydney to Melbourne Airport. They are: Jetstar, Qantas Airways, Rex and Virgin Australia. The cheapest price of all airlines flying this route was found with Rex at $123 for a one-way flight. On average, the best prices for this route can be found at Jetstar.

How many flights are there between Sydney and Melbourne Airport per day?

Each day, there are between 75 and 124 nonstop flights that take off from Sydney and land in Melbourne Airport, with an average flight time of 1h 35m. The most common departure time is 17:00 and most flights take off in the morning. Each week, there are 761 flights. The most frequent day of departure is Thursday, when 16% of all weekly flights depart. The fewest flights depart on a Saturday.

Which cabin class options are there for flights between Sydney and Melbourne Airport?

The average price of flights for each cabin class for the route found by users searching on KAYAK over the last 2 weeks.
There are 2 cabin class options for the route. These are Business and Economy. Perform a search on KAYAK to find the latest prices and availability for all cabin fares, which differ across airlines.

What’s the earliest departure time from Sydney to Melbourne?

Early birds can take the earliest flight from Sydney at 06:00 and will be landing in Melbourne Airport at 07:35.

What’s the latest departure time from Sydney to Melbourne?

If you prefer to fly at night, the latest flight from Sydney to Melbourne Airport jets off at 22:00 and lands at 23:35.

Good to know

Low season

August

High season

January
Best time to beat the crowds (27% less expensive on average)
Most popular time to fly (22% more expensive on average)

When to book flights from Sydney to Melbourne

Are your dates flexible? Find out the best times to travel from Sydney to Melbourne based on our flight data from the last year. Discover the cheapest month and even day to fly.
Estimated return price
KAYAK looks at all historical flight data for each date to provide a predicted price for one-way trips or returns with a duration up to 40 days. While we try to provide actual minimum prices for each date, some prices are predictions and actual prices may differ.

FAQs for booking Sydney to Melbourne flights

  • Is there a train between the Sydney CBD and Kingsford Smith Airport?

    If you’re after a quick and easy way to get from the Sydney CBD to Kingsford Smith Airport, the AirportLink train departs from city stations every 10-15min. The journey takes around 13min from Central Station, and you can tap on and off at the stations with an Opal card or credit card. The adult fare is usually between A$ 16 and A$ 20, depending on whether you travel during peak hours.

  • Are there any rideshare companies operating at Melbourne Airport?

    There are a number of rideshare companies permitted to pick up passengers from Melbourne Airport. Rideshare providers meet passengers in two locations, depending on which terminal you arrive at. Qantas and Virgin Australia passengers will arrive in Terminals 1 and 3 and can meet rideshare drivers at Lane 1 of the forecourt, outside the arrivals hall. TigerAir, Jetstar, Rex and AirNorth passengers will arrive in Terminal 4 and can meet rideshare drivers on Level 2 of Terminal 4 Ground Transport Hub.

  • Which airlines offer Wi-Fi service onboard planes from Sydney to Melbourne?

    Only Scoot offers inflight Wi-Fi service on the Sydney to Melbourne flight route.

  • Which aircraft models fly most regularly from Sydney to Melbourne?

    The Airbus A320-100/200 is the aircraft model that flies most regularly on the Sydney to Melbourne flight route.

  • Which airline alliances offer flights from Sydney to Melbourne?

    oneworld, Star Alliance, and SkyTeam are the airline alliances operating flights between Sydney and Melbourne, with oneworld being the most commonly used for this route.

  • On which days can I fly direct from Sydney to Melbourne?

    There are direct flights from Sydney to Melbourne on a daily basis.

  • How does KAYAK find such low prices on flights from Sydney to Melbourne?

    KAYAK is a travel search engine. That means we look across the web to find the best prices we can find for our users. With over 2 billion flight queries processed yearly, we are able to display a variety of prices and options on flights from Sydney to Melbourne.

  • How does KAYAK's flight Price Forecast tool help me choose the right time to buy my flight ticket from Sydney to Melbourne?

    KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool uses historical data to determine whether the price for a flight to Melbourne from Sydney is likely to change within 7 days, so travellers know whether to wait or book now.

  • What is the Hacker Fare option on flights from Sydney to Melbourne?

    Hacker Fares allow you to combine one-way tickets in order to save you money over a traditional return ticket. You could then fly to Melbourne with an airline and back to Sydney with another airline.

  • What is KAYAK's "flexible dates" feature and why should I care when looking for a flight from Sydney to Melbourne?

    Sometimes travel dates aren't set in stone. If your preferred travel dates have some wiggle room, flexible dates will show you all the options when flying to Melbourne from Sydney up to 3 days before/after your preferred dates. You can then pick the flights that suit you best.

See more FAQs

Top tips for finding a cheap flight from Sydney to Melbourne

  • Looking for a cheap flight? 25% of our users found flights on this route for $139 or less one-way and $397 or less round-trip.
  • Sydney’s Kingsford Smith Airport (SYD) has two domestic terminals. If you’re flying to Melbourne (MEL) with Qantas, you should be in Terminal 3; if you’re flying with any other airline (like Virgin Australia, Jetstar, TigerAir and Rex), you’ll likely need to head to Terminal 2.
  • Sydney Airport has a convenient, onsite pet hotel for passengers who can’t bring their pet on their travels. Hanrob Pet Hotel offers both long-term and short-term accommodation, and the staff provide a premium level of care for pets.
  • You’ll find park-and-ride, short-term and long-term parking at Sydney Airport. If you’d like to leave your car at the airport during your trip to Melbourne, you’ll need the long-term car park, which can be found in building P3. The cost varies between A$ 9 and A$ 89 per day, depending on the length of your stay. Weekend trips may be eligible for a flat rate of A$ 79.
See more tips

Prefer to fly direct from Sydney Kingsford Smith to Melbourne?

Find which airlines fly direct from Kingsford Smith to Melbourne, which days they fly and book direct flights.

Direct departures

Sydney Kingsford Smith to Melbourne

Monday

ANA, Air Canada, Air New Zealand, +20 more

ANA, Air Canada, +21 more

Tuesday

ANA, Air Canada, Air New Zealand, +20 more

ANA, Air Canada, +21 more

Wednesday

ANA, Air Canada, Air New Zealand, +20 more

ANA, Air Canada, +21 more

Thursday

ANA, Air Canada, Air New Zealand, +20 more

ANA, Air Canada, +21 more

Friday

ANA, Air Canada, Air New Zealand, +21 more

ANA, Air Canada, +22 more

Saturday

ANA, Air Canada, Air New Zealand, +20 more

ANA, Air Canada, +21 more

Sunday

ANA, Air Canada, Air New Zealand, +20 more

ANA, Air Canada, +21 more

See more direct flights

Direct returns

Melbourne to Sydney Kingsford Smith

Monday

ANA, Air Canada, Air New Zealand, +21 more

ANA, Air Canada, +22 more

Tuesday

ANA, Air Canada, Air New Zealand, +20 more

ANA, Air Canada, +21 more

Wednesday

ANA, Air Canada, Air New Zealand, +20 more

ANA, Air Canada, +21 more

Thursday

ANA, Air Canada, Air New Zealand, +20 more

ANA, Air Canada, +21 more

Friday

ANA, Air Canada, Air New Zealand, +20 more

ANA, Air Canada, +21 more

Saturday

ANA, Air Canada, Air New Zealand, +20 more

ANA, Air Canada, +21 more

Sunday

ANA, Air Canada, Air New Zealand, +20 more

ANA, Air Canada, +21 more

See more direct flights
See more direct flights

Top 4 airlines serving from Sydney to Melbourne

 
See real verified KAYAK customer reviews for airlines flying from Sydney to Melbourne. Airline scores are aggregated from all reviews left by passengers on KAYAK after flying with an airline. KAYAK doesn’t show reviews that are older than 5 years. Learn how KAYAK collects reviews.
Need help choosing which airline to fly with from Sydney to Melbourne? KAYAK airline reviews give an overall score for each airline based on loads of factors, including comfort, boarding, in-flight entertainment and more, to make your decision easier. See airline scores according to verified KAYAK customer reviews.
9.0
RexOverall score based on 26 reviews
9.3crew
6.1entertainment
7.4food
8.8boarding
8.2comfort
Airline reviews

Enjoyed the comfort of the seats, slight delay to departure time but prompt takeoff and landing.

8.0 ExcellentDianne, Sep 2023MEL - SYD
Read more about Rex reviews

Enjoyed the comfort of the seats, slight delay to departure time but prompt takeoff and landing.

It asks about entertainment tho it’s not applicable. 10/10 for Rex 👌🏻

Not sure how to answer on the entertainment as there wasn’t any.. Comfort, I wasn’t comfortable as I was on the window side and a morbidly obese man sat in the middle and eased out into my space. I had sciatica so I wasn’t able to move much to get comfortable. Food wise I have a wheat allergy and asked if there was a gluten free option and was given a Byron bay cookie which was lovely tho it wasn’t wheat free. Not to worry. I wasn’t expecting there to be any appropriate snacks for me anyhow. The staff were very generous with the snacks and their concern for the passengers. The staff were amazing tho. Truly amazing ! One of the staff must have noticed my discomfort and helped me out to stand in the back of the plane to stretch which I really appreciated. I would fly with REX again without hesitation. Thank you very much. It was my first flight with you and I look forward to my return flight home on Tuesday. Best wishes to your company 👌🏻

All good, was a one hour flight so no food or entertainment which was expected

Rex is an underrated airline. Its my first time flying them and they were fantastic. the only things that annoyed me about my flight were things other passengers did so it was nothing i or REX could change

Really enjoyed flying with Rex the boarding and booking baggage on was easier than most. I will beat using Rex next time.

On time and a quick flight and staff vert good

This time is good . Don’t cancel flight with out early notice .

Very good experience, considering the short flight the meals were served promptly after takeoff.

X class seats in row 3 with the new configuration are very poor in fact I feel 3B and 3E should no longer be considered as X class seat as there is no forward seat pocket available to these seats and greatly reduced leg room due the intrusion of the business class armrests/table module

It was pretty good. Everyone friendly. Like all airlines, the draconian limitations on baggage and weight and not giving even a free soda kind of drags down the experience a bit.

Last 10 minutes boarding they canceled the flight and didn’t organise anything

Estheticly the plane looks great, although the seats are way too upright. If the seats were just slightly more reclined then the comfort level would increase tenfold. I had the stiffest neck after just a short flight due to this. A nap was almost out of the question.

Cabin crew were very professional and welcoming. They certainly appeared to have lifted their game. Congratulations

I know not directly a Virgin "thing" but I hold Virgin responsible for their subcontractors. Had to wait 45 minutes waiting for baggage at PER before the belt conveyor even started. This is unacceptable and hopefully Virgin engages with whoever to pull their fingers out. I realise PER staff are generally slow at the best of times but this was ridiculous. Maybe more seating for those waiting, a cafe in the baggage area for a light meal while we wait or at the very least a troop of dancing girls to entertain the punters while they stare at the conveyor belt start light almost willing it to fire up.

Very poor. Flight was cancelled due to captain exceeding hours. Told to fend for ourselves for 12 hours until a new flight could be done. This meant overnight accommodation in Hobart. Next plane was delayed and no food onboard. No apologies from Virgin. Extremely disappointing.

Flight was cancelled due to a mechanical fault - Virgin rebooked me on a flight 6 hours later so I cancelled and flew with another carrier

Qantas are unable to service and unfit for purpose, they cannot transport Australians on time to overseas destinations. On top of the inflated ticketing, the Sydney flight to Santiago was impacted because the plane was delayed arriving and then further bungling by Qantas admitting the ground new ground crew in charge of cleaning were not trained. The impact on passengers with connecting flights was tremendous and long ques of frustrated passengers waiting for rescheduling. **Qantas has become the Australian Spirit of disappointment**

Amazing! Was put on the earlier flight and I requested for an aisle seat and was given it. Thanks Qantas!

The service and smooth landing. Food was delicious and the staff was friendly. We arrived earlier than scheduled.

Don’t like last minute airline change. Not able to choose seat earlier.

It's only a short trip from Sydney to Melbourne, which i have done many times. The trip met my expectations

Qantas cancelled my flight for no good reason and rebooked me into a middle seat.

Boarding was terrible - the ground staff member Fredeya at lax was more military than customer service, have never encountered a customer service representative as rude as her. Apart from that all other staff were wonderful and the flight was good.

I travelled first class from LAX to MEL and it was a series of disasters which I put down to lax staff who dont care and a suck it attitude to customers - its all lip service and no delivery. The flight was delayed due to aircraft refuellers putting on 300,000 litres of fuel on a 380Q1. I entered via the first class bridge loaded my bags in the overhead locker. the lady in the next isle in first class also had hers in there as she wasn't allocated a locker over her seat. The attendant asked would I like a champagne - I said yes please. he promptly delivered a empty glass and the glass left on the desk. Then he ignored me for 20 minutes. When i asked him is he out of champagne he gave me the usual rubbish I was distracted. There are four staff and 15 first class passengers - give me a break. the glass stayed there on takeoff and then was still there 9 hours into the flight. When I arrived to my seat I told him I had eaten and wouldn't be eating on the flight - it was 10.30pm. Yet he comes by later 4am ( I happen to be awake) and says are you eating with us? I asked for the bed to be made up - they put a 3 inch 7cm mattress on the chair but as usual the break in the chair - the mattress sinks into it - so I had to move it around so I didnt get my back sunk in the V - Im 187cm tall. The cabinet next to 1K is for staff bags and the toilet is next door. I tried to avoid this seat but couldn't change - in to the flight 8 hours and the cabin rest change over kicks in - this attendant is shining his torch in my eyes taking out and returning his bag. Then the toilet starts flushing and forget trying to get to sleep. Yet no-one else needed torch! 11 hours into the 15.5 hour flight I ask for breakfast - I order two poached eggs, bacon on multigrain toast, tomatos and mushrooms. I get no bacon or toast and have to order it and the eggs are cold. Then I order a coffee which is so badly spilled - and not by air turbulence she brings back a serviette and replaces the first one rather than providing a clean dry saucer! First class in Qantas is a joke as the staff just don't get the meaning of prompt service and attention to detail. I will fly business class rather than first on Qantas as its better value for money but I have been very impressed with United First Polaris and given I fly internationally every month this is going to be my choice.

Everything as good as can be if one flies economy bit not enough toilets!! People were queuing during the whole flight - there are really not enough toilets!!!

They actually held the plane for a few minutes and had someone at the escalators from Qantas checking to see if we were almost at the gate and radioed ahead to tell them that we were on our way. We called down to the person and gave her our names, coming as fast as we could.

For some reason the cabin was kept very cold. Unlike my flight over which i would say was excellent this was a long, cold flight home.

Note that food has to be purchased in flight. No free food. And no entertainment in flight. So I’ve treated these two items as okay which, in this case, means neutral/not applicable.

My Dad needed assistance to board the plane. The Jetstar staff were excellent with him and made the experience a lot easier😁

No food taken so can't rate also no entertainment so can't rate.

Boarding was easy and unstressful, though the early "final call" was a bit off-putting. The crew were pleasant, and the seats were comfortable. The prices for food and drink were reasonable, apart from tea and coffee, where simple percolated coffee was charged at espresso prices. Deboarding was OK, though some Jetstar passengers appear to have a bad habit of pushing forward from their assigned rows, making it more difficult to get out for passengers that have paid a premium to sit up-front. Jetstar might want to look to address this to stop it from spreading.

I got to the airport earlier than I expected, and they let me change to an earlier flight with no trouble.

Flight was delayed by 1 hour, we board then had to sit on the tarmac for another hour before take off. The flight was fine but again another delay with the baggage which took another hour to appear on the carousel.

It was a super crowded time to travel out of Melbourne, but the flight was OK

Worst experience ever flying Melbourne to Phuket. 5 hours delayed! Didn’t land till 1am in the morning. Staff were rude and unhelpful

Check in was awful. Crowded and staff was lazy. Service for food was slow, could have turned off the lights much earlier which could make the red eye flight much more convenient

Book cheap flights from Sydney to Melbourne

One-way flight deals

directAmerican Airlines
1h 35mSYD-MEL
directQatar Airways
1h 35mSYD-MEL
directAir Canada
1h 35mSYD-MEL
directChina Airlines
1h 35mSYD-MEL
directEmirates
1h 35mSYD-MEL
directJetstar
1h 40mSYD-MEL
directChina Eastern
1h 35mSYD-MEL
directAir Niugini
1h 35mSYD-MEL
directVirgin Australia
1h 35mSYD-MEL
directAir New Zealand
1h 35mSYD-MEL
directUnited Airlines
1h 35mSYD-MEL
directIndiGo
1h 35mSYD-MEL
directRex
1h 35mSYD-MEL
directEtihad Airways
1h 35mSYD-MEL
directCathay Pacific
1h 35mSYD-MEL
directLATAM Airlines
1h 35mSYD-MEL
directQantas Airways
1h 35mSYD-MEL
directChina Southern
1h 35mSYD-MEL
directBangkok Airways
1h 35mSYD-MEL
directSriLankan Airlines
1h 35mSYD-MEL
directHawaiian Airlines
1h 35mSYD-MEL
directANA
1h 35mSYD-MEL
directSingapore Airlines
1h 35mSYD-MEL
directBritish Airways
1h 35mSYD-MEL

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Sydney - Melbourne Flights

Departure:

Sydney (SYD)Australia

Destination:

Melbourne (MEL)Australia

Return flight deals:

Melbourne - Sydney

Cabin classes:

$277

Browse origins:

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  • Sydney

Browse destinations:

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  • Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine)