Overview
Melbourne is Australia's cultural capital – a city of coffee, laneways, live sport and world-class galleries, and the natural gateway to Victoria, the Yarra Valley wineries and the Great Ocean Road. It is a genuine long-haul trip from the UK, but with sensible routing and the right timing it is very manageable. Fares on this page are live, so use the price charts on this page to see what routes are costing right now before you book.
Best time to fly to Melbourne
Melbourne's seasons are the reverse of ours. December to February is summer and the busiest, most expensive window, especially over Christmas and New Year when UK travellers head south for the sun. March to May (autumn) and September to November (spring) are the sweet spots: mild days, thinner crowds and better value. June to August is cooler and damper, and usually brings the lowest fares. Big dates to plan around include the Australian Open in January, the Grand Prix in March and the Melbourne Cup in November. The When to book chart above shows how prices move through the year.
Airlines and routes
There is currently no non-stop service between the UK and Melbourne, so flights are one-stop through an airline's hub. From London Heathrow you can fly Qantas (via Perth or Singapore), Singapore Airlines (Singapore), Emirates (Dubai), Qatar Airways (Doha), Etihad (Abu Dhabi), Cathay Pacific (Hong Kong) or Malaysia Airlines (Kuala Lumpur); British Airways serves the route through Singapore with its partners. From Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow and other regional airports, the Gulf carriers – Emirates, Qatar Airways and Etihad – offer convenient one-stop connections. Expect roughly 21 hours in the air and a total journey of about 23 to 25 hours including the layover.
Things to do in Melbourne
Compact, walkable and tram-connected, Melbourne rewards visitors who wander. A few highlights:
- Laneways and street art: Hosier Lane, Degraves Street and the CBD arcades pack in murals, coffee and hidden bars.
- Queen Victoria Market: a heritage market for produce, street food and souvenirs, with lively night markets in summer.
- Melbourne Cricket Ground: the spiritual home of Australian sport, with tours and the National Sports Museum.
- Royal Botanic Gardens: 38 hectares of lawns and lakes beside the Yarra, ideal for a jet-lag stroll.
- Great Ocean Road: a classic day trip to the Twelve Apostles, rainforest walks and surf-coast towns.
At Melbourne Airport (MEL)
Melbourne Airport, still widely called Tullamarine, sits about 23km north-west of the city centre. There is no airport train yet, though a rail link is under construction. The SkyBus express coach runs frequently to Southern Cross Station in the CBD and takes around 30 to 45 minutes. Taxis and rideshare reach the centre in 25 to 40 minutes depending on traffic, and car hire and pre-booked private transfers are available at the terminal.
Top tips for finding cheap flights to Melbourne
- Book early: roughly three to six months ahead gives the best long-haul fares, and longer still for Christmas and January travel.
- Dodge the mid-December to mid-January peak and fly in the shoulder months instead for noticeably lower prices.
- Stay flexible with dates – midweek departures, typically Tuesday or Wednesday, are usually cheaper than weekends.
- Compare Gulf and Asian carriers side by side, and consider a paid stopover in Dubai, Doha or Singapore to break the trip at little or no extra cost.
Travel essentials
UK passport holders need an eVisitor (subclass 651) visa before travelling. It is free, applied for online, and normally allows stays of up to three months within a 12-month period; there is no visa on arrival. The currency is the Australian dollar (AUD) and cards are accepted almost everywhere. No special vaccinations are required. The UK and Australia have a reciprocal healthcare agreement covering some medically necessary treatment, but comprehensive travel insurance is still strongly recommended. Make sure your passport is valid for the duration of your stay.
