Cheap flights from Melbourne to Brisbane

Looking for warmer take on big-city cool? Jet to Brisbane for subtropical urban sophistication, where your fine dining always comes with an al fresco option, and you can explore an arts and cultural scene to rival Melbourne’s. Jetstar operates direct Melbourne (Tullamarine) to Brisbane flights 3 or 4 times a day, so if you need a burst of sunny city fun you can hit beautiful Brissie in just over 2 hours!

What makes Brisbane such a great destination?

Discover a city that really knows how to make the most of its winding waterway. The Brisbane River is a vibrant hub of activity: the South Bank precinct with its man-made beach, extensive parklands and the must-do Brisbane Wheel is a favourite for family fun. There’s riverside fine dining at Eagle Street Pier, but it doesn’t stop there – Brisbane’s culinary scene truly gives Melbourne a run for its money. Hit the Cultural Centre to take in Brisbane’s world-class arts scene, including the acclaimed Gallery of Modern Art.

Departing from Melbourne Airport (MEL)

Melbourne Airport is located 23kms from the CBD and you can get there by road in around half an hour, depending on traffic. (The freeway to the airport can get congested at peak hour so allow extra time if you can.) You can get there by taxi, hire car, ride share, some public buses and the express SkyBus, which runs every 10 minutes from Southern Cross Station in the city. Parking is plentiful and there are shuttle buses to get you from the long-term car park to your terminal if you choose to drive.
Jetstar flights to Brisbane depart from Terminal 4. Don’t forget to bring ID and make sure you allow yourself plenty of time to check in plus enough time to walk to your departure gate (5-10 mins).

Arriving at Brisbane Airport (BNE)

Brisbane Airport is located 12 kms from the CBD. The quickest and easiest way into the CBD is by Airtrain – about a 20-minute journey. There are also door-to-door shuttle buses and transfers to multiple locations in Brisbane, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast. There are plenty of taxis, car rentals and ride shares available, plus one public bus that links up to the Brisbane public transport network.

What’s the distance between Melbourne and Brisbane?

It’s 1682 kilometres from Melbourne and Brisbane, which is a fair way. Like, the radius of the moon is 1737.5 kilometres, so - just sayin’.

How long does a flight from Melbourne to Brisbane take?

Flight times from Melbourne to Brisbane are an easy 2 hours and 15 minutes. Long enough to watch Lost in Translation, not long enough to make it all the way through Titanic.

What time do I need to be at the airport if I have checked in online for a Melbourne to Brisbane flight?

It’s always good to factor in a bit of breathing space, even if you have checked in online. Jetstar’s desk check-in and bag drop closes 30 minutes before departure, so if you’re toting luggage, get to the airport more than half an hour before your flight leaves and aim to be at your gate 25 minutes before take-off.

How early do I have to be at the airport for a Melbourne to Brisbane flight?

Earlier is always better, considering potential queues and Melbourne’s notorious traffic! Unless your Melbourne to Brisbane flight is leaving from the international terminal (in which case you need to be at the airport at least couple of hours before departure), head to Terminal 4 at Melbourne Airport with enough time to check in, drop your bags off, clear security and make your way to YOUR gate (it’s about a 10-minute walk from the central terminal). About an hour before departure is a good minimum.

What's the best way to travel from Melbourne to Brisbane?

Well you could drive. That’d take you around 18 hours straight. Or you could take public transport. That’d take you about 26 hours. Or you could just fly up and let Jetstar take care of it. Couple of hours, couple of in-flight snacks and a movie. Sound good?