Sydney to Melbourne Flights 2026: Booking & Travel Guide
Traveling between Sydney and Melbourne? Learn how to easily book affordable flights for your 2026 Australian adventure, including airline tips and airport navigation.
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Traveling between Sydney and Melbourne? Learn how to easily book affordable flights for your 2026 Australian adventure, including airline tips and airport navigation.
How to Book Flights from Sydney to Melbourne
If you're planning an Aussie adventure that covers both Sydney and Melbourne,
something just as crucial as booking your accommodation is...
✅ Booking your Sydney ↔ Melbourne flight!
It really is!
Since my itinerary was Melbourne IN - Sydney OUT,
I booked a one-way ticket from Melbourne → Sydney.
But don't worry—the booking process and baggage options are exactly the same for Sydney → Melbourne,
so I'll guide you through the booking process!
1️⃣ How to book your flight tickets from Sydney to Melbourne
2️⃣ How to check in with Jetstar at Melbourne Airport
3️⃣ My honest review of flying with Jetstar
I'll share everything with you!
How to Travel Between Sydney and Melbourne
📍 Melbourne Airport
Terminal 2 - International, Arrival Dr, Melbourne Airport VIC 3045, Australia
📍 Sydney International Airport
Mascot NSW 2020, Australia
Sydney and Melbourne are about 900 km apart.
The train takes about 11 hours,
and the bus takes around 11 to 12 hours.
That's why most travelers choose to fly, which gets you there in just about 1.5 hours!
Prices can start from around ~$64 per person if you book in advance,
so you save both time and money!
Flight | 1 hour 30 mins Recommended ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Train | 11 hours |
Bus | 11 - 12 hours |
Where should I book?
I often use Trip.com for international flights.
▪️ Lots of budget-friendly options
▪️ Super easy flight search
I used Trip.com because it makes searching for flights so simple
and consistently shows great budget options!
Honestly, I use it all the time—even when booking flights to Japan
(haha)
How to Book Flights from Sydney to Melbourne
1. Search Your Origin and Destination
▪️ Sydney Airport SYD
▪️ Melbourne Airport MEL
Since Melbourne has two domestic airports—
Tullamarine Airport and Avalon Airport—
you might find yourself wondering, "Which one should I choose?"
Make sure to search for Tullamarine Airport (MEL).
Avalon Airport is much smaller and located much further out from the city center!
I searched for a one-way flight,
but if you need to head back to Sydney, make sure to search for a round-trip ticket.
2. Choose Your Airline
For domestic flights between Sydney and Melbourne, there are three main airlines:
1. Jetstar
2. Virgin Australia
3. Qantas
Virgin Australia and Qantas
👉 include checked baggage starting from 23kg,
so I highly recommend these two if you're traveling heavy!
The trade-off is that they are slightly more expensive than Jetstar.
✔️ Best for budget/value: Jetstar
✔️ Best if you have heavy baggage: Virgin Australia, Qantas
▼ ▼ ▼
Check Real-Time Flight Prices from Sydney to Melbourne
3. Select Your Ticket
A quick 🚨HEADS UP🚨 here!
Make sure to check if checked baggage is included!
For Jetstar, those tickets in the ~$64 range usually don't
include any checked baggage.
You'll want to book a ticket option that includes
either 15kg or 20kg of checked baggage.
✔️ Adding baggage at the airport is always more expensive for Aussie domestic flights, so it's much better to add it when you book!
If you select a ticket without checked baggage...
Even if you choose a ~$64 ticket that doesn't include checked baggage,
you can easily add baggage separately!
Just click [Add] and select the desired weight (kg) you need *,*
Left: Ticket with no checked baggage + adding baggage manually
Right: Flight ticket with 20kg of checked baggage already included
While prices vary depending on the ticket, buying one that already includes checked baggage from the start is usually much cheaper than adding it later!
If they don't have a pre-packaged option with the exact weight you want, you can simply:
1️⃣ Choose a ticket that doesn't include checked baggage
2️⃣ Manually select and add the baggage weight you need
And you're all set! :D
▼ ▼ ▼
Search Flights Between Sydney & Melbourne (Baggage Included)
2. How to Travel from Melbourne to Sydney
To get from Melbourne city center to the airport,
taking the SkyBus is the absolute easiest way.
I boarded at Southern Cross Station. For details on how to book the SkyBus, check out my post below! :D
How to Book & Take the SkyBus from Melbourne Airport to the City Center
We booked our flights with Jetstar!
▪️ 2 people: ~$171
▪️ Departure Terminal: MEL T4
▪️ Melbourne → Sydney: Approx. 1 hour and 20 minutes
It turns out Melbourne Airport Terminal 4 (T4) is exclusively for Jetstar!
It actually made things super simple and less confusing.
Since checking bags on Jetstar is completely self-service,
make sure to complete the auto check-in online the day before.
Once at Melbourne Airport, simply scan to verify your ID and drop off your bags.
3. My Honest Jetstar Flight Review
There wasn't a whole lot to do at the airport,
so the wait time before our Melbourne-to-Sydney Jetstar flight was a bit dull.
There's no jet bridge directly connecting the gate to the plane—
you walk out onto the tarmac and climb up the boarding stairs!
You can board from both the front and the back of the aircraft.
The flight attendants will guide you to the right entrance based on your seat number,
so just follow their directions! haha
Since it's a quick 1-hour and 20-minute flight from Melbourne to Sydney,
it's totally manageable even if the seats are a little snug! @-@
✔️ Because it's a domestic flight, no in-flight meals are provided
✔️ Water must be purchased
Here is a major pro-tip: **when flying from Melbourne to Sydney**
🌟 Grab a seat by the **left window** so that as you start to land,
you'll catch a breathtaking view of the Sydney Opera House right outside! 😍
Traveling between Melbourne and Sydney
is incredibly simple once you have your flights booked correctly! *.*
✔️ Use the SkyBus for easy airport transfers in Melbourne
✔️ Double-check if your flight ticket includes checked baggage
✔️ Make sure your Melbourne airport is Tullamarine (MEL), not Avalon
✔️ Try to arrive at the airport 2 hours before departure
Keep these tips in mind as you prep for your trip! :D
▼ ▼ ▼
Compare Real-time Flight Prices for Sydney & Melbourne
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Flying is highly recommended. While trains or buses take 11 to 12 hours, a flight only takes about 1.5 hours, and if you book in advance, tickets are available for around ~$64.
It is recommended to search for Tullamarine Airport (MEL). This is because Avalon Airport is smaller and located further away from the city center compared to Tullamarine.
If your luggage is heavy and bulky, Virgin Australia or Qantas are recommended. These two airlines include checked baggage starting from 23kg, making them a better choice than the budget-friendly Jetstar.
It is recommended to sit in a window seat on the left side of the plane. You will be able to see the Opera House through the window as you approach Sydney.
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