Travelling from Melbourne to London: what you need to know
Melbourne's main base, Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL), is where many unforgettable trips begin. Explore the options for leaving from here when booking your flight from Melbourne to London.
Land at London Heathrow Airport (LHR), London Gatwick Airport (LGW) or London Stansted Airport (STN). You can also hop off the plane at London Luton Airport (LTN) and London City Airport (LCY) in London.
London's timezone is UTC+0, which makes London 11 hours behind Melbourne.
For a stress-free journey, turn up at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and one hour before domestic departures. This leaves you with plenty of time to catch your Melbourne to London flight.
Travelling during a popular month like December? Major public holidays and other popular seasons can lead to longer queues and delays at security. Play it safe and arrive up to four hours ahead of an international flight and two hours before domestic departures.
How to find the cheapest flights from Melbourne to London
Booking early is often the key to scoring a cheap Melbourne to London flight. Airlines adjust prices based on demand, so the nearer you get to departure, the more it could cost you.
Getting cheap plane tickets from Melbourne to London is more likely if you're flexible with your travel plans. Use the 'Whole month' search function to see the best prices across the month and bag a sweet deal.
Stay on top of deals for cheap flights from Melbourne to London by setting up a Price Alert. You'll get an email or notification through the app when a new discounted fare appears.
Tailor your flights using filters. Pick your ideal departure and arrival times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort the results by 'Best,' 'Cheapest' or 'Fastest' Melbourne to London flights.
Flying from Melbourne
Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL)
A stopover is the perfect opportunity to take a travel break — and possibly even explore a different city. When searching for Melbourne to London flights leaving from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport, deselect the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can stop along the way. Popular options include:
Dubai Airport (DXB)
Singapore Changi Airport (SIN)
Hamad International Airport (DOH)
MEL is about 19 kilometres from central Melbourne. If you're catching a taxi, driving or ride-sharing from the centre, it'll take 25 minutes or so to get there, depending on the traffic. If you're using public transport, expect the trip time to be around 35 minutes.
Looking for a handy hotel close to Melbourne Tullamarine Airport? If you're catching an early flight from Melbourne to London, these stays will have you moments from your check-in counter:
Of all flights departing from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport, 63% arrive as scheduled at their destination.
Arriving in London
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
London Heathrow Airport (LHR) to central London takes about 45 minutes to reach by car. The centre is roughly 26 kilometres away.
Travelling to the centre by public transport will take you roughly 25 minutes.
Book a hotel close to LHR if you have a late flight from Melbourne to London. Select one of these options and skip the long transfer:
Travel at your own speed with a London Heathrow Airport rental car. Book your wheels from Surprice, U-Save or Green Motion and see more of London and beyond.
For the lowest price, book your vehicle from London Heathrow Airport about one week in advance of your Melbourne to London flight.
London Gatwick Airport (LGW)
As soon as your flight from Melbourne to London has hit the runway, you can get to the city centre in about 1 hour 5 minutes by car. Central London is approximately 40 kilometres from London Gatwick Airport (LGW).
If you're catching public transport, it'll take approximately 45 minutes.
After your flight from Melbourne to London, kick back at a hotel near LGW. These are some comfortable options that'll help you get into relaxation mode:
Green Motion, U-Save and Drivalia make picking up a London Gatwick Airport rental car simple. These trusted providers are located around or in the terminal and will have you behind the wheel before you know it.
Lock in the best price by securing your ride from LGW three weeks in advance. You'll also have access to a wider range of vehicles.
London Stansted Airport (STN)
Step off your flight from Melbourne to London and travel to your hotel or start exploring right away. Central London is around 48 kilometres from London Stansted Airport (STN) and typically takes 1 hour 5 minutes to reach by car.
Public transport will get you there in around 45 minutes.
Enjoy a quiet, low-key start to your break by staying at a hotel near STN after your Melbourne to London flight. Recover from your travel day or simply give yourself time to settle into a new destination at:
Begin your journey without stressing about how to reach your destination with a London Stansted Airport rental car. Book your wheels with reliable suppliers here like Green Motion, Drivalia and Europcar.
About four weeks ahead of your flight from Melbourne to London is a good time to book your vehicle from STN. You're more likely to find a cheaper rate or pick up some early bird promotions.
Best time to go to London
March is the quietest month for flights from Melbourne to London, while July is the most popular. Work out the ideal time to visit London based on whether you like a laid-back vibe or a lively atmosphere.
Book a Melbourne to London ticket departing in July if you're eager to visit the city during its warmest month. You can expect temperatures in London to range from 11ºC (52ºF) to 26ºC (79ºF).
If you want cooler conditions, look for a cheap flight from Melbourne to London in January when temperatures average between 0ºC (32ºF) and 9ºC (48ºF).
More about London
When it comes to looking for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the top stays in London right here. Explore these hotels after locking in your flight from Melbourne to London:
All great adventures should include a little sightseeing. The British Museum, Westminster Abbey and Big Ben are attractions you won't want to skip in London.
Explore more of the United Kingdom
London has its own special appeal, but there are so many other corners of the United Kingdom waiting to be explored. Around 257 kilometres northwest of London, a trip to Manchester will keep your itinerary packed. Start with leading sights like Manchester United Museum & Stadium Tour, The Homes of Football and Science and Industry Museum.
Birmingham is another favourite destination in the United Kingdom and is around 161 kilometres northwest of London. No journey is complete without visiting Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, Birmingham Hippodrome and Bournville Experience.