Compare Melbourne flights

Australia is a much-loved holiday destination for Brits, and cosmopolitan Melbourne is one of the vast country’s great highlights. There is a good choice of flights to Melbourne from airports all over the UK, although there are currently no direct routes, so a stopover is essential.

Melbourne is worth the wait though – a south-coast metropolitan hub that many visitors consider the country's cultural jewel. And beyond being a fantastic city destination in its own right, it also makes a good base for exploring the surrounding Victoria coast and – via internal flights – the rest of Oz.

First, the bad news: with a flying time comfortably north of 20 hours, Melbourne flights are never going to be cheap. All the same, it’s possible to make savings. Book as far in advance as you can, as prices will tend to be lower and there will be a wider range of flights to choose from.

Also, don't discount upscale Middle Eastern carriers such as Etihad and Emirates, as they can be very competitive on this route. If the Australian sun isn’t a major draw for you, it may also be worth looking into flights during the Australian winter (our summer), when prices are usually lower; if you do travel in the Australian summer, avoid December, as the combination of warm weather and Christmas travel drives some big price spikes.

The journey to Melbourne is a bit of a commitment – albeit, one that’s very much worth it. Since flights to Australia are inevitably long, and the flight route to Melbourne includes a stopover, it will take you the best part of 24 hours to get there. The precise flight time will vary depending on your stopover location and which UK airport you’re flying from. You might stop over in China, the Middle East, Singapore, or a range of other locations, depending on your airline.

Is it worth stopping over on your way to Melbourne?

You won’t get much choice, as there’s no other way to get there from the UK. But even if you could fly to Melbourne direct, there would still be a strong case for a stopover – it breaks up a very long flight, and offers the opportunity of a mini-holiday in another destination en route. Flight prices can vary depending on stopover location and duration, so it’s worth comparing and contrasting.

Popular stopover locations for Melbourne include:

• Singapore: Singapore Airlines flights will have a stopover in Singapore. The first leg of your trip will be just under 13 hours on average; the second will be around 7 hours 30 minutes. In between, try to spend a night or two in Singapore, where beautiful gardens and innovative environmental projects offer a contrast to gleaming skyscrapers and supermalls.
• Dubai: Fly with Emirates and you'll stop in Dubai, dividing your journey into a flight of just under 7 hours and one of around 13 hours 30 minutes. The hyper-modern city of Dubai is an excellent place to take a few days out between flights, offering vast malls, well-kept beaches, desert tours and some cracking waterparks.

Melbourne has a brilliant range of hotels, from lavish upscale resorts to welcoming establishments set in lovely Victorian buildings. Our Melbourne holidays page will help you get an idea of what’s available, and is also a good place to find flight and hotel package deals that could save you money.

The city is best known for its rich and varied culture, on display in areas such as cool, restaurant-filled Fitzroy. But this is also a coastal city, and you can’t miss the chance to soak up some sun on the beaches of St. Kilda.

You won’t necessarily need a vehicle of your own within Melbourne itself, but hiring a car is a must if you plan on exploring further afield. Australia’s rural landscapes are huge, gorgeous, filled with wildlife and – in many cases – impossible to navigate without a car. A set of wheels will put natural marvels like the Alpine National Park within easy reach, and allow you to head east on the Great Ocean Road, one of the world's most celebrated road trips.