Find Cheap Flights from Christchurch to Melbourne – Compare and Save

These are the earliest and latest flight times available from Christchurch to Melbourne:

• Earliest: departs at 06:00 and lands at 09:55
• Latest: departs at 16:00 and lands at 19:55.

The flight takes about 3h 55m.

Three cabin classes are available on flights from Christchurch to Melbourne:

• Economy class
• Business Class
• First Class

A direct flight from Christchurch to Melbourne takes 3h 55m, covering 3,856 km.

Yes, a valid passport is required for this international route. Many destinations require at least six months of validity beyond your travel dates. Check your passport expiry well before booking.

Return flights from Christchurch to Melbourne range from $632 to $846, with an average of $722 over the past 12 months. Anything below $632 counts as a good deal.

Last-minute fares on this route (booked within two weeks of departure) run 31% above the $722 route average. Book 20 weeks before departure for the lowest fares.

On this route, direct flights are cheaper than stopover options on average. Direct fares average $721 return, compared with $893 via a stopover through Auckland Intl (AKL).

Jetstar is slightly above the route average for timely arrivals, while Air New Zealand has a lower on-time arrival rate. On-time arrival rates on Christchurch to Melbourne flights are:

• Jetstar: 92% on time
• Air New Zealand: 85% on time
• Qantas Airways: 82% on time

On average, flights on this route are punctual 86% of the time.

There is no standard. Checked bag policies vary by airline on this route. Most carriers charge $42–$179 for the first checked bag in Economy. Premium fares and elite status bookings typically include a free checked bag.

Morning is the busiest departure period on Christchurch to Melbourne flights, with 60% leaving in that window. Afternoon departures account for 40%, Evening flights for 0%, and Night flights for 0%.

Since Melbourne is served by multiple airports, car rental options and rates can vary depending on which one you fly into.
Near Melbourne Airport (MEL) – daily rates from around $23:

• Bargain Car Rentals
• East Coast Car Rentals
• EverythingFleet
• Ace Rental Cars
• Simba Car Hire

Near Melbourne Avalon Airport (AVV) – daily rates from around $35:

• Sixt
• Yesaway
• Economy Rent a Car
• Kangaroo Rental
• Hertz

Flights from Christchurch to Melbourne usually depart from Christchurch (CHC) and may arrive at several airports in Melbourne area, including Melbourne Avalon (AVV), Melbourne Moorabbin (MBW), Melbourne Essendon (MEB) and Melbourne (MEL).

Morning flights have the fewest delays on this route, while afternoon departures tend to have the most.

A flight is considered delayed when it departs 15 minutes or more after its scheduled time. This is the standard used by the US Department of Transportation and most airline industry reporting. On the Christchurch to Melbourne route, 14% of flights were delayed in the past three months, with delays averaging 1h 35m.

Connecting flights from Christchurch to Melbourne most commonly pass through:

• Auckland Intl (AKL) – 63% of one-stop connections
• Sydney Kingsford Smith (SYD) – 38% of one-stop connections

Yes. Flexible dates can save you up to 8% on flights from Christchurch to Melbourne. Tuesday is the cheapest departure day at $705 return on average, while Saturday is the most expensive at $764, a difference of $59.

KAYAK's flexible dates feature shows options up to three days before and after your selected dates, making it easier to compare nearby fares.

3 airlines operate flights between Christchurch and Melbourne. The airlines offering direct flights on this route include:

• Qantas Airways
• Air New Zealand
• Jetstar

Flying via Sydney Kingsford Smith (SYD) gives the shortest average 1-stop total travel time of 9h 03m, compared to 18h 35m via Auckland Intl (AKL).

Melbourne is 2 hours behind Christchurch (Eastern Australia Time vs New Zealand Time). Plan for the time shift when scheduling connections or first-day activities.

Some of the most popular sights in Melbourne are Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, Marvel Stadium, and Carlton Gardens. These are among the most viewed places in Melbourne on KAYAK.

Among airlines operating Christchurch to Melbourne flights:

• Qantas Airways: offers extra legroom
• Emirates: offers extra legroom; offers free seat selection
• Singapore Airlines: offers free seat selection

Extra legroom and free seat selection availability depends on fare class and route.

Here are some options for this route, based on selected ticket types and cabin classes:

• Air New Zealand: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy class
• Qantas Airways: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy class
• Jetstar: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy class

Baggage allowance can vary by ticket type, cabin class, route, and airline, so always check the fare details before booking.