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Find Cheap Flights from Melbourne to Christchurch – Compare and Save

1 adult
1 adult, Economy, 0 bags

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Everything you should know

Direct flights
Every day
You can fly direct with Qantas Airways, Air New Zealand, and Jetstar. Average duration is 3h 22m
Direct flights
+1
Direct flights
+1
Top routes
MEL - CHC
Cheapest • 37% average savings
AVV - CHC
Most popular
Insights
Insights
Avoid delays
Jetstar
Most punctual • 81% on-time
Morning
Best time • Fewest delays
Insights
Insights
When to book
12 weeks
in advance
Our data shows that travellers who book at least 12 weeks in advance save around 35% compared to booking last minute.
Insights
Insights
When to travel
May
Cheapest • 18% price drop
December
Most popular
Good to know
+1
Good to know
+1
Top stopover airports
Auckland Intl (AKL)
Cheapest • Avg $784 (return)
Sydney Kingsford Smith (SYD)
Shortest trip • 8h 02m (one-way)
Insights
Insights
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Flight Deals

Cheap Flights from Melbourne to Christchurch

 
Discover the best prices for you by selecting your travel dates on KAYAK.

Recent return flight deals from Melbourne to Christchurch

Multiple Airlines Logo
ME1  Meldreth-CHC Christchurch
3856 kmmulti-stop
Multiple Airlines Logo
CHC  Christchurch-ME1 Meldreth
3856 kmmulti-stop
Multiple Airlines
Booking Insights

Price, demand, and travel trends for Melbourne to Christchurch flights

Use KAYAK data on prices, travel dates, airlines, and seasonal trends to compare options and book flights with more confidence.

What's the cheapest day of the week to fly from Melbourne to Christchurch?

Based on deals KAYAK users found in the last 12 months, Wednesday is the cheapest day of the week to fly from Melbourne to Christchurch. It’s 6% cheaper than the average day, while Saturday is the most expensive, with prices 4% higher.

What is the cheapest month to fly from Melbourne to Christchurch?

•May is the cheapest month to fly from Melbourne to Christchurch at $645 return.
•December ($1,079) and September ($857) are the most expensive months.
•The price difference between flying in the cheapest and most expensive months is 67% on average.
This is based on KAYAK aggregated and averaged internal data over the past 12 months.

When are flights from Melbourne to Christchurch the cheapest?

Flights from Melbourne to Christchurch are cheapest 12 weeks before departure. Booking in this window typically costs about 35% less than the average last-minute fare (within 2 weeks of the flight), based on KAYAK data.

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Key details for Melbourne to Christchurch flights

Low season

July
Beat the crowds with an average 33% drop in traveller numbers.
The most popular month to fly with an average 70% increase in traveller numbers.

When to book flights from Melbourne to Christchurch

Are your dates flexible? Find out the best times to travel from Melbourne to Christchurch based on our flight data from the last year. Discover the cheapest month and even day to fly.
Estimated return price

Your Melbourne to Christchurch flight questions, answered

Find helpful answers about this route, including flight times, airports, airlines, and booking tips.

  • What are the earliest and latest flights from Melbourne to Christchurch?

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

    • Earliest: departs at 09:10 and lands at 12:32
    • Latest: departs at 19:10 and lands at 22:32.

    The flight takes about 3h 22m.

  • Which cabin classes can I book on flights from Melbourne to Christchurch?

    Only Economy class is available on flights from Melbourne to Christchurch.

  • How long is a flight from Melbourne to Christchurch?

    A direct flight from Melbourne to Christchurch takes 3h 22m, covering 3,856 km.

  • Do I need a passport to fly from Melbourne to Christchurch?

    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.

  • How much should I expect to pay for a Melbourne to Christchurch flight?

    Return flights from Melbourne to Christchurch range from $672 to $966, with an average of $788 over the past 12 months. Anything below $672 counts as a good deal.

  • How expensive are last-minute Melbourne to Christchurch flights?

    Last-minute fares on this route (booked within two weeks of departure) run 30% above the $788 route average. Book 12 weeks before departure for the lowest fares.

  • How much can I save by having a stopover when flying from Melbourne to Christchurch?

    On this route, direct and stopover fares are close on average, with direct at $786 return and stopover options via Auckland Intl (AKL) at $784.

  • How does on-time performance compare across airlines flying from Melbourne to Christchurch?

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

    • Jetstar: 81% on time
    • Qantas Airways: 74% on time
    • Air New Zealand: 74% on time

    On average, flights on this route are punctual 76% of the time.

  • What is the standard checked bag allowance on flights from Melbourne to Christchurch?

    There is no standard. Checked bag policies vary by airline on this route. Most carriers charge $43–$179 for the first checked bag in Economy. Premium fares and elite status bookings typically include a free checked bag.

  • How are flight departures from Melbourne to Christchurch spread across the day?

    Morning is the busiest departure period on Melbourne to Christchurch flights, with 40% leaving in that window. Evening departures account for 40%, Afternoon flights for 20%, and Night flights for 0%.

  • Which car hire options are available at Christchurch Airport (CHC)?

    Christchurch Airport (CHC) hosts 5 major car rental companies, with daily rates starting from around $9 for economy cars. Top options include:

    • New Zealand Discount Car Rentals
    • EZU Car Rental
    • Mode
    • Snap Rentals
    • Yes Rentals

  • Which airports can I use when flying from Melbourne to Christchurch?

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

  • What time of day has the fewest delays on flights from Melbourne to Christchurch?

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

  • At what point is a flight considered delayed on the route from Melbourne to Christchurch?

    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 Melbourne to Christchurch route, 24% of flights were delayed in the past three months, with delays averaging 1h 44m.

  • Which airports do connecting flights from Melbourne to Christchurch pass through?

    Connecting flights from Melbourne to Christchurch most commonly pass through:

    • Auckland Intl (AKL) – 50% of one-stop connections
    • Sydney Kingsford Smith (SYD) – 50% of one-stop connections

  • Can I save money by using flexible dates for flights from Melbourne to Christchurch?

    Yes. Flexible dates can save you up to 9% on flights from Melbourne to Christchurch. Wednesday is the cheapest departure day at $746 return on average, while Saturday is the most expensive at $820, a difference of $73.

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

  • Which airlines fly from Melbourne to Christchurch?

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

    • Qantas Airways
    • Air New Zealand
    • Jetstar

  • How much time can I save by choosing a different stopover airport from Melbourne to Christchurch?

    Flying via Sydney Kingsford Smith (SYD) gives the shortest average 1-stop total travel time of 8h 02m, compared to 10h 34m via Auckland Intl (AKL).

  • What is the time difference between Melbourne and Christchurch?

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

  • What popular places can I visit in Christchurch?

    Some of the most popular sights in Christchurch are Christchurch Art Gallery and Mona Vale. These are among the most viewed places in Christchurch on KAYAK.

  • Which airlines offer extra legroom and free seat selection on Melbourne to Christchurch flights?

    Among airlines operating Melbourne to Christchurch flights:

    • Virgin Australia: offers free seat selection

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

  • Which airlines include bags at no extra cost on Melbourne to Christchurch flights?

    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
    • Jetstar: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy class
    • Qantas Airways: 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.

Your guide to booking Melbourne to Christchurch flights

Get tips on when to book, when to fly, and what to know before your trip.
  • If your dates are flexible, aim for a Wednesday departure and avoid flying on Saturday. On this route, Wednesday flights average $746, about $73 less than Saturday fares (9% savings) based on the last 12 months.
  • For the best chance at a low fare, aim to book around 12 weeks before you fly. On this route, that window historically saves about 35% versus last-minute pricing (KAYAK booking data, last 12 months).
  • If you can choose when to travel, plan your Melbourne to Christchurch trip for May. Fares historically average $645 return in that month – typically $434 less than the most expensive month, which is December (based on the last 12 months).
  • For the best chance of arriving on time, fly with Jetstar. Over the past three months, 81% of Jetstar flights from Melbourne to Christchurch arrived on time, slightly above the route average of 76%. When flights on this route arrive late, they're delayed by an average of 1h 44m, so choosing an airline with strong on-time performance can make a difference if you're on a tight schedule.
  • If you have the time, taking a 1-stop flight through Auckland Intl Airport (AKL) can be cheaper than flying direct. The cheapest stopover option averages $784 return on this route – about $2 less than direct flights (based on the last 12 months).
  • If you're arriving late at night and need somewhere to stay, check out these hotels close to Christchurch Airport.

    • Sudima Christchurch Airport
    • Airport Gateway Christchurch
    • Commodore Airport Hotel

Prefer to fly direct from Melbourne to Christchurch?

 
Find which airlines fly direct from Melbourne to Christchurch Airport, which days they fly and book direct flights.

Direct departures

Melbourne to Christchurch

Monday

Air New Zealand,Jetstar,Qantas Airways

Air New Zealand,Jetstar, +1 more

Tuesday

Air New Zealand,Jetstar,Qantas Airways

Air New Zealand,Jetstar, +1 more

Wednesday

Air New Zealand,Jetstar,Qantas Airways

Air New Zealand,Jetstar, +1 more

Thursday

Air New Zealand,Jetstar,Qantas Airways

Air New Zealand,Jetstar, +1 more

Friday

Air New Zealand,Jetstar,Qantas Airways

Air New Zealand,Jetstar, +1 more

Saturday

Air New Zealand,Jetstar,Qantas Airways

Air New Zealand,Jetstar, +1 more

Sunday

Air New Zealand,Jetstar,Qantas Airways

Air New Zealand,Jetstar, +1 more

See more direct flights

Direct returns

Christchurch to Melbourne

Monday

Air New Zealand,Jetstar,Qantas Airways

Air New Zealand,Jetstar, +1 more

Tuesday

Air New Zealand,Jetstar,Qantas Airways

Air New Zealand,Jetstar, +1 more

Wednesday

Air New Zealand,Jetstar,Qantas Airways

Air New Zealand,Jetstar, +1 more

Thursday

Air New Zealand,Jetstar,Qantas Airways

Air New Zealand,Jetstar, +1 more

Friday

Air New Zealand,Jetstar,Qantas Airways

Air New Zealand,Jetstar, +1 more

Saturday

Air New Zealand,Jetstar,Qantas Airways

Air New Zealand,Jetstar, +1 more

Sunday

Air New Zealand,Jetstar,Qantas Airways

Air New Zealand,Jetstar, +1 more

See more direct flights

More options for your flight from Melbourne to Christchurch

Complete your trip to Christchurch with a hotel stay or car hire

Car rentals in Christchurch
Hotels in Christchurch