Travelling from Sapporo to Melbourne: what you need to know
Sapporo's main base, New Chitose Airport (CTS), is where many great holidays begin. Explore the options for leaving from here when booking your flight from Sapporo to Melbourne.
Come in for landing at Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL), the primary gateway of Melbourne.
The timezone in Melbourne is UTC+11, which is two hours ahead of Sapporo.
To ensure you don't miss your Sapporo to Melbourne flight, allow plenty of time to check in and find your gate. Turning up two hours ahead of international departures and an hour before domestic flights is the standard rule.
Be prepared for longer queues in popular months such as June. Arriving up to four hours ahead of international flights and two hours for a domestic departure is a smart move.
How to find the cheapest flights from Sapporo to Melbourne
To find cheap Sapporo to Melbourne flights, book in advance. Airlines usually offer lower fares when flights first go on sale.
The 'Whole month' tool will show you the cheapest plane tickets from Sapporo to Melbourne throughout the entire month. It's an easy way to find a bargain if your travel plans aren't set in stone.
Save time looking for cheap flights from Sapporo to Melbourne by creating a Price Alert. You'll receive an email or push notification on the app when a lower fare pops up.
Select your preferred departure and arrival times, number of stops and airlines with the filters. Or sort your Sapporo to Melbourne flight results by 'Fastest,' 'Cheapest' or 'Best.'
Flying from Sapporo
New Chitose Airport (CTS)
Stopovers are the ideal opportunity to take a break from travelling — and perhaps even explore another city. When browsing Sapporo to Melbourne flights leaving from New Chitose Airport, uncheck the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can visit along the way. Some popular options include:
Changi International Airport (SIN)
Hong Kong International Airport (HKG)
Narita International Airport (NRT)
Central Sapporo to CTS is around 40 kilometres. Depending on traffic conditions, it'll take about 1 hour to reach there if you're ride-sharing, catching a cab or driving.
Want a convenient hotel near New Chitose Airport? If you've booked an early flight from Sapporo to Melbourne, these accommodation options will put you moments from your check-in counter:
Of the departures from New Chitose Airport, 69.64% land on time at their destination.
CTS's address is 987 Bibi, Chitose.
Arriving in Melbourne
Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL)
Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL) to central Melbourne takes about 30 minutes to reach by car. The centre is roughly 19 kilometres away.
If you're travelling by public transport, expect a journey time of about 40 minutes.
Consider staying in a hotel near MEL if you're coming in on a late flight from Sapporo to Melbourne. Choose one of these accommodation options and avoid the hassle of a long transfer:
Go where the road takes you 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.
Reserving your vehicle from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport about four weeks ahead can help you secure the lowest rate.
Avalon Airport (AVV)
Central Melbourne is located around 48 kilometres from Avalon Airport (AVV). After your flight from Sapporo to Melbourne has touched down and you've made your way out of the airport, the drive should be around 50 minutes.
If you're travelling on public transport, it'll take around 2 hours 5 minutes.
Forget about public transport schedules or slow-moving cab lines. Pick up an Avalon Airport rental car and let your trip unfold on your terms. Compare offers from Sixt, Kangaroo Rental and yesaway car hire.
Avoid paying more than you need to. Reserving your ride three weeks before your arrival at AVV can help you lock in a better rate.
Essendon Airport (MEB)
Essendon Airport (MEB) is around 11 kilometres from central Melbourne. It'll take you about 25 minutes to reach the city centre by ride-share or cab after your flight from Sapporo to Melbourne.
If you go by public transport, expect a journey of about 1 hour 15 minutes.
Be in the driver's seat of the next leg of your trip by picking up an Essendon Airport rental car. East Coast, Ace Rental Cars and Goldcar are reliable rental providers.
Booking at least a few weeks in advance of your flight from Sapporo to Melbourne is always a good idea. Along with better prices, you'll likely have a better variety of makes and models to choose from at MEB.
Best time to go to Melbourne
January is the most popular month for flights from Sapporo to Melbourne. To skip the crowds, go to Melbourne in April.
Lock in a Sapporo to Melbourne ticket departing in January if you're eager to explore the city during its warmest month. You can expect temperatures in Melbourne to range from 12ºC (54ºF) to 29ºC (84ºF).
July sees average temperatures of between 4ºC (39ºF) and 13ºC (55ºF). Look for cheap flights from Sapporo to Melbourne around that time if you like travelling in cooler conditions.
More about Melbourne
When it comes to looking for somewhere to lay your head, you'll find the top stays in Melbourne right here. Browse these hotels after you've booked your flight from Sapporo to Melbourne:
All great adventures should include some 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 just waiting to be explored. Around 467 kilometres north-east of Melbourne, a visit to Canberra will keep you on the go. Check out popular attractions like Australian War Memorial, National Gallery of Australia and Parliament House.
If you want to check out another major destination in Australia, head for Geelong, about 64 kilometres south-west of Melbourne. Ford Motor Company, Roraima Nursery and RTC Resource Centre are the start of reasons to visit.