Flying from Melbourne to Los Angeles: what you need to know
Melbourne's main base, Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL), is where many great holidays begin. Explore the options for leaving from here when booking your flight from Melbourne to Los Angeles.
Hop off your plane in Los Angeles at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) or Van Nuys Airport (VNY).
Around 14 hours 20 minutes is how long you'll be travelling on a direct Melbourne to Los Angeles flight.
Los Angeles is 18 hours behind Melbourne and observes the UTC-7 timezone.
The busiest route for flights from Melbourne to Los Angeles is Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL) to {"defaultCase":"Los Angeles International Airport","accusativeCase":"Los Angeles International Airport","nominativeCase":"Los Angeles International Airport","dativeCase":"Los Angeles International Airport"} (LAX). You'll find 12 services connecting these two airports each week.
Allow plenty of time to make your Melbourne to Los Angeles flight. A good rule of thumb is to arrive two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
During popular months like January, it's a good idea to get to the airport earlier than normal. Arrive two hours before a domestic departure and four hours ahead for an international flight whenever you're travelling during peak periods in general.
How to find the cheapest flights from Melbourne to Los Angeles
The lowest price we've found for a one-way ticket from Melbourne to Los Angeles is 331 €. For a return flight on this route, the best price is 736 €. Depending on when you book and the availability, these fares can change.
Lock in cheap Melbourne to Los Angeles flights by booking two months ahead. Based on our research, that's the ideal time frame for picking up a bargain.
Plan your trip for May. That's the best month for scoring an awesome deal on plane tickets from Melbourne to Los Angeles. If you're flexible on when you fly, use the 'Whole month' tool to find the cheapest price across every month.
Getting a cheap flight from Melbourne to Los Angeles is a breeze with Price Alerts. All you need to do is set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll let you know when a better deal is available.
Choose your ideal departure and arrival times, number of stops and airlines with the filters. Or sort your Melbourne to Los Angeles flight results by 'Best,' 'Fastest' or 'Cheapest.'
Flying from Melbourne
Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL)
You can get a direct flight from Melbourne to Los Angeles jetting off from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL). Start your trip at MEL and end it at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
You'll find a variety of carriers offering direct Melbourne to Los Angeles plane tickets with departures from MEL, including:
Think about adding a stopover to potentially save on your Melbourne to Los Angeles flight. Simply deselect 'Direct flights only' when searching for departures from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport. Take a pause at one of these airports:
Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport (SYD)
Nadi International Airport (NAN)
Auckland Airport (AKL)
Located around 19 kilometres from central Melbourne, MEL can be reached in about 30 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The journey on public transport is roughly 40 minutes.
After a leisurely start to your journey? Stay near Melbourne Tullamarine Airport. Whether you're taking an early flight from Melbourne to Los Angeles or want to avoid feeling rushed, these hotels have you covered:
67.71% of flights taking off from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport land at their destination on schedule.
Arriving in Los Angeles
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
The distance from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to central Los Angeles is roughly 19 kilometres. It takes about 30 minutes to reach the centre driving.
Getting to the centre on public transport will take you roughly 55 minutes.
Book a hotel close to LAX if you're coming in on a late flight from Melbourne to Los Angeles. Settle into one of these accommodation options and skip the long transfer:
Begin your adventure by picking up a Los Angeles International Airport rental car. Grab your wheels from Dollar, Thrifty or Hertz to explore Los Angeles and beyond.
To lock in the lowest price, book your vehicle from Los Angeles International Airport around one week in advance of your Melbourne to Los Angeles flight.
You'll find LAX at One World Way.
Van Nuys Airport (VNY)
Van Nuys Airport (VNY) is about 29 kilometres from the centre of Los Angeles. Once you've disembarked your flight from Melbourne to Los Angeles, it takes approximately 35 minutes to reach the heart of the city in a cab or ride-share.
Public transport will get you there in around 1 hour 40 minutes.
Place the 'Do not disturb' sign on your door and unwind at a hotel close to VNY. Here are a few options where you can take a load off after your flight from Melbourne to Los Angeles:
The fastest way to get to where you're going is with a Van Nuys Airport rental car. Pick up a set of wheels from Budget, Dollar or Hertz and be off and running.
Avoid the slow-moving lines and paperwork at the rental desk by having everything prearranged. Secure your ride from VNY in advance so you can simply pick up the keys and get on your way.
Best time to go to Los Angeles
May is the quietest month for flights from Melbourne to Los Angeles, while July is the most popular. Pick the ideal time to go to Los Angeles based on whether you want a lively atmosphere or a more laid-back vibe.
Book a Melbourne to Los Angeles ticket departing in August if you're eager to experience the city during its warmest month. You can expect temperatures in Los Angeles to range from 16ºC (61ºF) to 32ºC (90ºF).
Look for cheap flights from Melbourne to Los Angeles in February if you'd rather travel during cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 6ºC (43ºF) and 26ºC (79ºF) on average.
More about Los Angeles
After booking your flight from Melbourne to Los Angeles, take your pick from prime hotels that put you close to the action. Make one of these options your base for exploring Los Angeles:
Griffith Observatory and The Broad are just a couple of the top-rated attractions to put on your Los Angeles to-do list. Keep the adventure rolling by checking out La Brea Tar Pits & Museum.
Explore more of United States
San Diego is just one of the many places in United States waiting to be discovered once you've seen Los Angeles. Around 177 kilometres to the south-east, popular attractions include San Diego Zoo, USS Midway Museum and SeaWorld San Diego.
If you're looking to explore another major destination in United States, consider San Jose, about 499 kilometres north-west of Los Angeles. Winchester Mystery House, Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum and San Jose Museum of Art are among its highlights.
