Cheap flights from Melbourne to Sydney

Want to shake free of Melbourne for a few days and head to the sparkling harbour and the breezy good times of Sydney? It’s easier than you think, with Jetstar operating up to 20 Melbourne to Sydney flights every day, leaving from either Melbourne Tullamarine or Avalon Airport.

What makes Sydney such a great destination?

In just over an hour and a half, the chill of Melbourne will be a distant memory as you go walking the Bondi to Bronte Coastal Walk, clink champagne glasses at the Opera Bar or get the wind in your hair on a ferry.

Sydney is equally rich in history and contemporary fun, making it an ideal destination for families who will love the exploring The Rocks as well as the magical Taronga Zoo. There are glossy malls galore in the city centre, with more boutique shopping and dining options found in the inner city areas of Glebe, Surry Hills and Newtown.

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, 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.

Most Jetstar flights from Melbourne to Sydney depart from Terminal 4. Don’t forget to bring ID and once you check in, make sure you allow enough time to walk to your departure gate (5-10 mins).

Departing from Avalon Airport (AVV)

Some flights from Melbourne to Sydney depart from the much smaller Avalon Airport, which is 56kms from the Melbourne CBD and 21kms from Geelong. Access is via road – car, taxi, ride share, some public buses and the SkyBus which runs between Avalon and Melbourne’s Southern Cross Station, as well as Geelong and other tourist destinations.

Arriving at Sydney Airport (SYD)

Sydney Airport is pretty central - just 8km from the Sydney CBD and about a 25 minute drive in light traffic. Most Jetstar flights from Melbourne will land at Terminal 2. When you arrive, you can get to central Sydney by taxi, rideshare, airport transfer, car hire, public bus or train.The train (Airport Link) runs every 10 minutes and takes just 13 minutes to reach the CBD. You need an Opal card to use the Airport Link.

What is the distance between Melbourne and Sydney?

It’s roughly 878kms between the two cities – just under 9 hours if you drove without a break, fuelled by Melbourne coffee…

How long does a flight from Melbourne to Sydney take?

A flight from Melbourne to Sydney is an easy 1 hour and 25 minutes – so, like, three episodes of The Simpsons-long.

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

If you’ve got bags to check in, you just need to put your bags at the bag drop before check-in closes (30 mins before departure). Remember, it’s a bit of a walk to the gates at Terminal 4, where most Jetstar flights leave from, so allow time for that too. Basically, get there early enough to drop your bags off, have a champagne or a cuppa in the terminal, then mosey on to your gate with time to spare (gates close 15 mins before departure). You’re on holiday, so why rush?

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

Earlier is always better – no one likes that last-minute travel stress. If you’re on a domestic flight, check in closes 30 minutes before departure, so allow enough time to check in, drop your bags off, have a coffee and get to your gate. If you’re flying to Sydney but on a domestic flight departing from an international terminal, you have to get there way earlier – check in and bag drop opens three hours before departure and closes an hour before.

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

Fly. Otherwise it’s nine hours up that highway and that is no fun. Instead, you can get a morning flight from Melbourne and be on Oxford Street by brunch. If you were driving, you wouldn’t have even crossed state lines by then.

Flying from somewhere else?

Find cheap flights to Sydney from other cities.