Travelling from Melbourne to Sam Ratulangi International Airport (MDC): what you need to know
Melbourne's main base, Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL), is where many unforgettable trips begin. Explore your departure choices from here for your flight from Melbourne to Sam Ratulangi International Airport (MDC).
Sam Ratulangi International Airport is located in Manado. The city operates in the UTC+8 timezone and is 3 hours behind Melbourne.
To ensure you get on your flight from Melbourne to MDC, leave enough time for things like baggage drop and finding your gate. Turning up two hours before international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the standard rule.
Travelling during a peak time such as July? Public holidays and other popular seasons can mean longer queues and delays at security. Be extra cautious and get there up to four hours ahead of an international flight and two hours before domestic departures.
Airports in Melbourne
Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL)
Finding a stopover on your flight from Melbourne to MDC is a cinch. Whether you're eager to potentially save money on your fare or discover a new city, just deselect 'Direct flights only' to explore your options. A popular stop when leaving from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL) is Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (CGK).
The distance from central Melbourne to MEL is roughly 24 kilometres. Use travel apps like Google Maps for the best way to get there, whether that's in your own car or with public transport.
Need a handy hotel close to Melbourne Tullamarine Airport? If you're boarding an early flight from Melbourne to Sam Ratulangi International Airport, these stays will have you moments from your departure lounge:
About Sam Ratulangi International Airport (MDC)
Consider staying in a hotel near MDC if you have a late flight from Melbourne to Sam Ratulangi International Airport. Check in to one of these accommodation options and skip the long transfer:
Getting from Sam Ratulangi International Airport (MDC) to central Manado
From Sam Ratulangi International Airport, Manado is approximately 16 kilometres away. It takes around 36 minutes to get to the centre driving.
How to find the cheapest flights from Melbourne to Sam Ratulangi International Airport (MDC)
The best price we've seen for a one-way ticket from Melbourne to Sam Ratulangi International Airport is $473. The cheapest price for a return flight is $774. Keep in mind fares may change due to demand at the time of booking.
Don't leave everything to the last minute. You're more likely to find flight tickets from Melbourne to MDC if you book ahead. Airlines often offer some amazing early bird rates.
Use the 'Whole month' search tool to compare the prices of tickets from Melbourne to Sam Ratulangi International Airport across the entire month. The lowest fares are highlighted in green, so you can easily find a flight that fits your budget.
Set up a Price Alert for flight tickets from Melbourne to MDC. There's no need to check back in every day to see if prices have dropped. We'll tell you the moment the price changes.
Use the filters to tailor your flights from Melbourne to Sam Ratulangi International Airport. Enter your preferred arrival and departure times, airlines and number of stops. You can also sort your results by 'Cheapest' to get the best deals.
The best time to fly from Melbourne to Sam Ratulangi International Airport (MDC)
February is the quietest time to fly to Manado. Alternatively, follow the crowds and go in July. This is the most popular month for flights from Melbourne to Sam Ratulangi International Airport, but the best time to go is your call.
Before booking a flight from Melbourne to MDC, think about the type of weather you enjoy. September is the warmest month in Manado, with the temperature ranging from 22ºC to 32ºC.
March sees average temperatures of between 21ºC and 29ºC. Search for cheap flights from Melbourne to Sam Ratulangi International Airport sometime around then if you want to travel when it's cooler.
More about Manado
When it comes to looking for somewhere to lay your head, you'll find the most popular stays in Manado right here. Check out these options once you've booked your flight from Melbourne to Sam Ratulangi International Airport:
There are so many things to do and see in this city it can be hard to figure out where to start. Ban Hin Kiong Temple, Taman Penda Mas and 10.PM Studio are major attractions which should be on any well-planned Manado itinerary.
Complete your Manado trip with a car rental
Exit all those tabs and leave the hard work to us. We've also got amazing deals on car rentals in Manado once you've booked your cheap flight from Melbourne to Sam Ratulangi International Airport. Easily compare prices in one place and drive away with the perfect rental for less.