Flying from London Gatwick Airport (LGW) to Melbourne: what you need to know
Melbourne is 11 hours ahead of London, where London Gatwick Airport is located. Melbourne runs on the UTC+11 timezone.
For stress-free travel, turn up at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and an hour before domestic departures. This ensures you have enough time to catch your LGW to Melbourne flight.
If you're jetting off during a bank holiday or another peak period, give yourself more time. A good rule is two hours before domestic flights and up to four hours before international departures. Check-in and security lines will be longer.
Stopovers are the perfect opportunity to break up your trip and possibly even visit a new city. When browsing for plane tickets from LGW to Melbourne, uncheck the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can stop along the way. Here are some popular options to consider:
Dubai Airport (DXB)
Changi International Airport (SIN)
Hamad International Airport (DOH)
Located around 40 kilometres from central London, LGW can be reached in about 1 hour 20 minutes by car. The journey on public transport takes roughly 30 minutes.
Want a stress-free start to your travels? Stay near LGW. Whether you have an early flight from London Gatwick Airport to Melbourne or just don't want to be rushed, these hotels have you covered:
69.26% of flights departing from London Gatwick Airport make it to their destination on time.
How to find the cheapest flights from London Gatwick Airport (LGW) to Melbourne
The best price we've found for a one-way London Gatwick Airport to Melbourne flight is 332 €. The cheapest price for a return flight is 613 €. Bear in mind fares may change due to availability at the time of booking.
Booking ahead of time is often the key to securing a cheap flight from LGW to Melbourne. Fares tend to rise as demand increases, so the nearer you get to departure, the more it could cost you.
If you're willing to be flexible with your travel dates, make the most of the 'Whole month' tool. It'll give you the cheapest price across each month when searching for a London Gatwick Airport to Melbourne ticket.
You don't need to check in daily to find out if fares have dropped when you set up a Price Alert. We'll notify you the moment there's an even bigger deal on cheap flights from LGW to Melbourne.
Snag an affordable flight from London Gatwick Airport to Melbourne with the help of our filters. Select your preferred times, number of stops and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' for the best deals.
Airports in Melbourne
Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL)
Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL) to the centre of Melbourne takes around 30 minutes to reach by car. The centre is roughly 24 kilometres away.
Getting there on public transport takes around 40 minutes.
Consider booking a hotel near MEL if you have a late flight from London Gatwick Airport to Melbourne. Select one of these accommodation options and avoid the hassle of a long transfer:
Follow your own route with a Melbourne Tullamarine Airport rental car. Pick up a set of wheels from Bargain Car Rentals, East Coast or Sixt and discover more of Melbourne and beyond.
Lock in the lowest price by booking your ride from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport about four weeks in advance of your flight from LGW to Melbourne.
Avalon Airport (AVV)
Avalon Airport (AVV) is roughly 56 kilometres from central Melbourne. Once you've hopped off your flight from London Gatwick Airport to Melbourne, it'll take you around 50 minutes to get to the heart of the city in a ride-share or cab.
If you travel by public transport, the ride to the centre takes 2 hours 5 minutes or so.
Corio Bay Motel is a comfortable accommodation option within a short drive of AVV. Drop your bags here after your LGW to Melbourne flight and then put up the 'Do not disturb' sign to get some rest.
Forget about public transport timetables or waiting forever for a cab. Pick up an Avalon Airport rental car and let the journey unfold your way. Check out the rates and availability from Sixt, Kangaroo Rental and yesaway car hire.
Score the best price by securing your ride from AVV three weeks ahead of time. You'll also have access to a greater selection of vehicles.
Essendon Airport (MEB)
Make tracks for the city centre after your flight from London Gatwick Airport to Melbourne has landed. Central Melbourne is about 19 kilometres from Essendon Airport (MEB) and takes roughly 25 minutes to reach by car.
Public transport will take you there in roughly 1 hour 15 minutes.
Book a hotel near MEB and go from the plane to your bed in a flash. Whether you have a late LGW to Melbourne flight or just want to keep your travel plans simple, these stays offer convenience when you need it most:
Stay in control of the next leg of your journey with an Essendon Airport rental car. East Coast, Ace Rental Cars and Goldcar make getting on the road smooth sailing.
Rental providers sometimes offer discounts on early bookings, so reserve your ride from MEB well ahead of your flight from London Gatwick Airport to Melbourne. Plan ahead and your wallet will thank you.
Best time to go to Melbourne
Carefully consider your trip dates before locking in your flight from London Gatwick Airport to Melbourne. The city comes alive in peak season, but rates are often higher and major attractions can be busy. Go to Melbourne in the low season if you want a more relaxed vibe.
Lock in a London Gatwick Airport to Melbourne plane ticket with a departure in January to explore the city during its warmest month. You can expect temperatures to range from 12ºC (54ºF) to 29ºC (84ºF).
July has average temperatures of between 4ºC (39ºF) and 13ºC (55ºF). Look for a cheap ticket from LGW to Melbourne around that time if you like cooler conditions.
More about Melbourne
Start your Melbourne trip off on the right foot by choosing the perfect place to stay. As soon as you've booked your flight from London Gatwick Airport to Melbourne, browse our selection of accommodation options including:
Every great holiday has to include a little sightseeing. National Gallery of Victoria, Federation Square and Eureka Skydeck 88 are essential stops on your Melbourne itinerary.
Explore more of Australia
Melbourne has its own special appeal, but there are so many other parts of Australia just waiting to be discovered. About 467 kilometres north-east of Melbourne, a trip to Canberra will fill your itinerary to the brim. Don't miss top attractions like Australian War Memorial, National Gallery of Australia and Parliament House.
If you want to check out another well-known destination in Australia, consider Launceston, roughly 451 kilometres south-east of Melbourne. City Park, Tamar Island Wetlands and James Boag Brewery Experience are among the biggest draws.