Flying from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Melbourne: what you need to know
Expect to be in the air for 14 hours 25 minutes. That's the average time for a direct flight from Los Angeles International Airport to Melbourne.
Los Angeles International Airport is located in Los Angeles. Following the UTC+11 timezone, Melbourne is 19 hours ahead of Los Angeles.
With 14 flights a week between the two airports, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL) is the busiest route. Qantas operates the earliest flight at 20:35. If you prefer to get more out of your day before jetting off, the last flight from LAX to MEL is with Qantas at 23:30.
To avoid rushing for your LAX to Melbourne flight, leave plenty of time for things like check-in and baggage drop. Arriving two hours ahead of international departures and an hour before domestic flights is the general travel rule.
You'll likely experience longer queues in popular months like July. Arriving up to four hours ahead of international flights and two hours for domestic departures is a smart move.
Begin your trip at LAX and fly nonstop to Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL). That will be your arrival point when searching for Los Angeles International Airport to Melbourne tickets.
You'll have your pick of carriers that offer direct flights from Los Angeles International Airport to Melbourne. Book your ticket with one of these:
Think about adding a stopover to potentially save on your plane ticket from LAX to Melbourne. Simply uncheck 'Direct flights only' during your search. Take a detour (and maybe pocket some savings) by stopping at one of these connecting airports:
Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport (SYD)
Brisbane Airport (BNE)
Auckland Airport (AKL)
Travelling from central Los Angeles to LAX takes around 1 hour on public transport. If you drive, ride-share or take a taxi, you'll cover the 19 kilometres in 35 minutes or so, depending on traffic.
Planning to catch an early flight from Los Angeles International Airport to Melbourne? Avoid rushing to the terminal (and catch some extra z's) by choosing one of these stays near LAX:
80% of flights departing from Los Angeles International Airport touch down at their destination on schedule. Given its strong performance rating, disruptions are unlikely when setting off from LAX.
LAX's address is One World Way.
How to find the cheapest flights from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Melbourne
$588 is the lowest price we've found for a one-way Los Angeles International Airport to Melbourne flight. A round-trip ticket right now is $1,114. Depending on when you book and the availability, these fares can change.
To pick up cheap flights from LAX to Melbourne, reserve your trip three months before your departure date.
The best month for landing cheap Los Angeles International Airport to Melbourne tickets is August. Use the 'Whole month' tool to compare prices, then choose the dates with the lowest fares.
Finding a cheap flight from LAX to Melbourne is easy with Price Alerts. All you need to do is set up one of these automatic notifications and we'll let you know when there's a better deal.
Find an affordable flight from Los Angeles International Airport to Melbourne with the help of our filters. Select your ideal times, number of stops and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' to see the best deals.
Airports in Melbourne
Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL)
Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL) is around 24 kilometres from the centre of Melbourne. If you're catching a taxi or a ride-share, the drive takes roughly 25 minutes.
Travelling on public transport takes around 35 minutes.
Consider booking a hotel close to MEL if you're coming in on a late flight from Los Angeles International Airport to Melbourne. Choose one of these options and avoid the hassle of a long transfer:
To get the lowest price, book your vehicle from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport about four weeks in advance of your flight from LAX to Melbourne.
Avalon Airport (AVV)
Central Melbourne is located around 56 kilometres from Avalon Airport (AVV). After your flight from Los Angeles International Airport to Melbourne has landed and you've made your way out of the airport, the drive should take about 1 hour 5 minutes.
The trip will take roughly 1 hour 20 minutes on public transport.
Corio Bay Motel is a comfortable accommodation option within an easy drive of AVV. Settle in here after your LAX to Melbourne flight and then put up the 'Do not disturb' sign to enjoy some uninterrupted rest.
Avoid potential price surges. Securing your ride three weeks ahead of your arrival at AVV will help you save.
Essendon Airport (MEB)
Jump off your flight from Los Angeles International Airport to Melbourne and head for your hotel or start checking out the attractions right away. Central Melbourne is about 11 kilometres from Essendon Airport (MEB).
Check in to a hotel close to MEB and go from the runway to resting in a snap. Whether you're coming in on a late LAX to Melbourne flight or just want to simplify your travel plans, these accommodation options put comfort right within reach:
Rental providers sometimes offer discounts for early bookings, so book your vehicle from MEB a few weeks ahead of your flight from Los Angeles International Airport to Melbourne. A little planning can save you money.
Best time to go to Melbourne
It's time to choose your travel dates for your flight from Los Angeles International Airport to Melbourne. July is the most popular month to visit Melbourne. If you prefer a more low-key vibe, go in December.
The warmest month in Melbourne is January, with temperatures ranging between 11ºC (52ºF) and 28ºC (82ºF). Book your Los Angeles International Airport to Melbourne plane ticket then if you enjoy this type of weather.
July has average temperatures of between 3ºC (37ºF) and 12ºC (54ºF). Search for a cheap ticket from LAX to Melbourne around that time if you want to travel when it's cooler.
More about Melbourne
Once you've booked your flight from Los Angeles International Airport to Melbourne, choose a hotel that puts you right where the action is. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring Melbourne:
There are so many things to see and do in this city it can be hard to know where to begin. Melbourne's Gardens, Flinders Street Railway Station and Melbourne Park are major attractions which should feature on any well-planned Melbourne itinerary.
Explore more of Australia
Melbourne has its own special appeal, but there are so many other corners of Australia waiting to be discovered. Around 467 kilometres northeast of Melbourne, a visit to Canberra will fill your itinerary to the brim. Check out popular attractions like National Gallery of Australia, National Portrait Gallery and Museum of Australian Democracy.
Around 451 kilometres southeast of Melbourne, Launceston is another essential stop in Australia. Start your sightseeing at Cataract Gorge Scenic Chairlift, Queen Victoria Museum at Inveresk and Hollybank Mountain Bike Park.














