Travelling from Belfast to Melbourne: what you need to know
There are two main airports you can start your journey from in Belfast. Explore your options departing from Belfast International Airport (BFS) or George Best Belfast City Airport (BHD) when planning your flight from Belfast to Melbourne.
Come in for landing at Melbourne's chief entry point, Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL).
Melbourne's timezone is UTC+11, making Melbourne 11 hours ahead of Belfast.
For a relaxed travel experience, turn up at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and one hour before domestic departures. This ensures you have enough time to board your Belfast to Melbourne flight.
Be prepared for bigger queues during popular months like August. Arriving up to four hours ahead of international flights and two hours for a domestic departure is a good idea.
How to find the cheapest flights from Belfast to Melbourne
To find cheap Belfast to Melbourne flights, book early. Airlines usually offer the most competitive fares when flights are first released.
The 'Whole month' tool shows you the cheapest plane tickets from Belfast to Melbourne across each month. It's a great way to snap up a bargain if your plans are flexible.
Cut down on the time spent looking for cheap flights from Belfast to Melbourne by creating a Price Alert. You'll get an email or notification through the app when a special offer becomes available.
Pick your preferred departure and arrival times, number of stops and airlines with the filters. Alternatively, sort your Belfast to Melbourne flight results by 'Fastest,' 'Cheapest' or 'Best.'
Flying from Belfast
Belfast International Airport (BFS)
BFS is around 19 kilometres from central Belfast. If you're catching a cab, driving or ride-sharing from the centre, it'll take you 30 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic. If you're planning to take public transport, expect the travel time to be around 2 hours.
Planning to catch an early flight from Belfast to Melbourne? Avoid the last-minute rush to the terminal (and sneak in some extra snooze time) by choosing one of these stays close to Belfast International Airport:
When it comes to the on-time performance of Belfast International Airport, data shows 67.55% of flights arrive within the scheduled time frame.
George Best Belfast City Airport (BHD)
With public transport, you can travel from central Belfast to BHD in around 20 minutes. The terminal is roughly 5 kilometres away. Driving will take you about 10 minutes.
Want to enjoy an extra night away before boarding your flight from Belfast to Melbourne? Check in to a hotel near George Best Belfast City Airport before your break officially begins. These stays are calling your name:
Looking at how often flights stay on schedule, George Best Belfast City Airport has an on-time arrival performance of 68%.
Arriving in Melbourne
Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL)
Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL) is approximately 19 kilometres from the centre of Melbourne. If you're catching a cab or a ride-share, the drive takes around 30 minutes.
It typically takes 40 minutes to get there when travelling by public transport.
Consider staying in a hotel near MEL if you're coming in on a late flight from Belfast to Melbourne. Check in to one of these accommodation options and avoid the hassle of a long transfer:
Grab a Melbourne Tullamarine Airport rental car and discover Melbourne and beyond with your own wheels. Bargain Car Rentals, East Coast and Sixt are top providers you can book with here.
Lock in the lowest price by reserving your ride from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport around four weeks ahead of your departure.
Avalon Airport (AVV)
Once your flight from Belfast to Melbourne has touched down, you can make your way to the city centre in about 50 minutes by car. Central Melbourne is approximately 48 kilometres from Avalon Airport (AVV).
If you choose to travel on public transport, you'll reach the centre in 2 hours 5 minutes or so.
The fastest way to get to where you're going is with an Avalon Airport rental car. Grab your wheels from Sixt, Kangaroo Rental or yesaway car hire and set off in the blink of an eye.
Get the pick of the lot. Booking your ride from AVV three weeks in advance often means more savings and a greater range of vehicles.
Essendon Airport (MEB)
Essendon Airport (MEB) is roughly 11 kilometres from central Melbourne. It takes about 25 minutes to reach the city centre in a ride-share or cab after your flight from Belfast to Melbourne.
If you travel by public transport, the journey takes about 1 hour 15 minutes.
Whether you're looking for a mini just for you or a spacious SUV to fit the family, you'll find the ideal Essendon Airport rental car for your needs. Browse the range of wheels available from providers such as East Coast, Ace Rental Cars and Goldcar.
If you'd like a specific make or model, booking early increases your chances of snagging what you want. Reserve your ride from MEB a couple of weeks ahead of your flight from Belfast to Melbourne.
Best time to go to Melbourne
January is the busiest month for flights from Belfast to Melbourne. To travel when it's less crowded, head to Melbourne in April.
Book a Belfast to Melbourne ticket departing in January if you want to explore the city during its warmest month. You can expect temperatures in Melbourne to range from 12ºC (54ºF) to 29ºC (84ºF).
If you want cooler conditions, look for a cheap flight from Belfast to Melbourne in July when temperatures average between 4ºC (39ºF) and 13ºC (55ºF).
More about Melbourne
After booking your flight from Belfast to Melbourne, take your pick from prime hotels that put you close to the action. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring Melbourne:
All great adventures should include a little sightseeing. Federation Square, National Gallery of Victoria and Eureka Skydeck 88 are attractions you won't want to skip in Melbourne.
Explore more of Australia
Melbourne will leave a lasting impression, but there are so many other corners of Australia you should also see. About 467 kilometres north-east of Melbourne, a trip to Canberra will fill your itinerary to the brim. Start with leading attractions like Australian War Memorial, National Gallery of Australia and Parliament House.
Geelong is another standout destination in Australia and is around 64 kilometres south-west of Melbourne. No trip is complete without a visit to Ford Motor Company, Roraima Nursery and RTC Resource Centre.