Travelling from Melbourne to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX): What you need to know
Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL) is Melbourne's main airport. Check out your options for booking a flight from Melbourne to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) departing from here.
The average duration of a direct Melbourne to Los Angeles International Airport flight is 14 hours 25 minutes.
The timezone in Los Angeles is UTC-8, which is 19 hours behind Melbourne. Los Angeles International Airport is located in Los Angeles.
With 14 direct flights a week between the two airports, Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is the busiest route. United Airlines operates the earliest flight at 9:30am. If you prefer to get more out of your day before leaving, the latest departure from MEL to LAX is with Qantas at 12pm.
Arriving two hours before an international flight and one hour ahead of a domestic departure are travel rules to live by. Be at the airport on time to catch your flight from Melbourne to LAX.
During popular months like July, you'll want to get to the airport earlier. Arrive two hours before a domestic departure and four hours ahead for an international flight whenever you're flying during peak periods in general.
Airports in Melbourne
Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL)
You can book a direct flight from Melbourne to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) departing from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL).
At MEL, there's a range of carriers offering direct flights from Melbourne to Los Angeles International Airport, such as:
The preferred choice for passengers flying between MEL and LAX is Qantas.
Among carriers operating on this route, Delta has the best track record for timely arrivals.
We make it simple to find cheap flights from Melbourne to LAX with a stopover. To explore all your options departing from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL), deselect 'Direct flights only.' Next, choose a flight with a stop long enough to tour the city of your choice. Top stopovers between MEL and LAX include:
Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport (SYD)
Auckland Airport (AKL)
Nadi International Airport (NAN)
Located around 24 kilometres from the centre of Melbourne, MEL can be reached in about 25 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The journey on public transport is roughly 35 minutes.
Looking for a comfortable hotel close to Melbourne Tullamarine Airport? If you're catching an early flight from Melbourne to Los Angeles International Airport, these accommodation options will put you moments from your departure gate:
When it comes to Melbourne Tullamarine Airport's on-time performance, data shows 63% of flights arrive within the expected time frame.
Avalon Airport (AVV)
Break up your flight from Melbourne to Los Angeles International Airport with a stop at Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport (SYD). A main stopover between Avalon Airport and LAX, it's a good opportunity to unwind before the next leg of your journey.
With public transport, you can travel from central Melbourne to AVV in about 1 hour 20 minutes. The airport is roughly 56 kilometres away, and making the trip by car will take approximately 1 hour 5 minutes.
It's your holiday, so why not spend an extra night away at a hotel near Avalon Airport? Before your Melbourne to LAX flight, treat yourself to a stay at Corio Bay Motel.
When it comes to keeping flights on track, Avalon Airport has an on-time arrival rate of 76%.
About Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Consider booking a hotel close to LAX if you have a late flight from Melbourne to Los Angeles International Airport. Settle into one of these accommodation options and be in bed in no time flat:
Booking your vehicle around one week ahead of your Melbourne to Los Angeles International Airport flight can help you get the lowest rate.
The street address for LAX is One World Way.
Getting from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to central Los Angeles
From Los Angeles International Airport, central Los Angeles is around 29 kilometres away. It takes about 35 minutes to get to the city centre by car.
If you're using public transport, expect a journey of about 1 hour.
How to find the cheapest flights from Melbourne to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
The lowest price we've found for a one-way ticket from Melbourne to Los Angeles International Airport is $854. For a return flight on this route, the best price is $1,227. Depending on when and how early you book, these fares may change.
To pick up cheap flights from Melbourne to LAX, book early. Airlines generally offer the most competitive fares when flights first go on sale.
If you have some flexibility with your trip dates, use the 'Whole month' tool. It'll show you the cheapest price across every month when searching for your Melbourne to Los Angeles International Airport ticket.
Locking in a cheap plane ticket from Melbourne to LAX is a breeze with Price Alerts. Simply create one of these automatic alerts and we'll get in touch when there's a price drop.
Filters make it easier to find a bargain for your flight from Melbourne to Los Angeles International Airport. Pick the departure times, airlines and number of stops that check all your boxes. Then sort the results by 'Cheapest' to bring up the lowest fares right away.
The best time to fly from Melbourne to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
July is the busiest month for flights from Melbourne to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Plan your visit to Los Angeles in December for a quieter experience.
Lock in a Melbourne to LAX plane ticket departing in August if you want to experience the city during its warmest month. Expect temperatures in Los Angeles to range from 16ºC to 32ºC.
February sees temperatures of between 6ºC and 26ºC. Look for cheap tickets from Melbourne to Los Angeles International Airport around that time if you want to travel in cooler conditions.
More about Los Angeles
Once you've booked your flight from Melbourne to Los Angeles International Airport, find a hotel that offers a good mix of location and comfort. Make one of these options your base for exploring Los Angeles:
There are so many things to see and do in this city, it can be difficult to know where to start. Hollywood Sign, Universal Studios Hollywood and Hollywood Bowl are leading attractions which should be on any good Los Angeles itinerary.
Explore more of the United States
You've visited Los Angeles, now it's time to discover more of the United States. Travel about 177 kilometres southeast to San Diego to check off its top sights. From San Diego Zoo to San Diego Balboa Park and USS Midway Museum, there's plenty to keep you busy.
If you want to check out another great destination in the United States, consider Bakersfield, roughly 161 kilometres north of Los Angeles. Kern County Museum, Rabobank Arena, Theatre & Convention Centre and Bakersfield Museum of Art are highlights.