Flying from Melbourne to Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport (SYD): What you need to know
Start your trip planning by checking out the best place to catch your flight from Melbourne to Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport (SYD). Explore the options for leaving from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL) or Avalon Airport (AVV), the city's main airports.
The average length of a direct Melbourne to Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport flight is 1 hour 25 minutes.
Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport is located in Sydney. The city's timezone is UTC+11 — the same as Melbourne.
With 503 direct weekly flights between the two airports, Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL) to Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport (SYD) is the busiest route. Virgin Australia Regional operates the earliest flight at 5:15am. If you'd like to get more out of your day before jetting off, the latest flight from MEL to SYD is with Qantas at 9pm.
To ensure you catch your flight from Melbourne to SYD, allow plenty of time for things like check-in and baggage drop. Arriving two hours ahead of international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the standard rule.
Delays at check-in and security are likely if you're heading away during high season, so allow some extra wiggle room. The recommendation for peak times? Arrive up to four hours early for international flights and two hours for domestic departures.
Airports in Melbourne
Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL)
Go straight to your destination from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL). Direct flights from Melbourne to Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport (SYD) can be booked from here.
Leading airlines that operate direct flights from Melbourne to Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport leaving from MEL include:
Qantas is the most frequently booked airline offering flights from MEL to SYD.
The carrier with the most reliable on-time arrival rate on this route is Jetstar.
Located around 24 kilometres from the centre of Melbourne, MEL can be reached in about 30 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The journey on public transport takes roughly 40 minutes.
Planning to catch an early flight from Melbourne to Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport? Avoid the hassle of rushing to the terminal (and enjoy a few extra z's) by picking one of these hotels close to Melbourne Tullamarine Airport:
When it comes to the on-time performance of Melbourne Tullamarine Airport, data shows 67.71% of flights arrive within the expected time frame.
Avalon Airport (AVV)
You can book a direct Melbourne to Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport (SYD) flight ticket out of Avalon Airport (AVV). Decide if leaving from AVV is a better fit for your trip.
Jetstar offers direct flights from Melbourne to SYD departing from AVV. Book your favourite window seat and reach your destination in one go.
On the AVV to SYD route, Jetstar is the go-to airline for most travellers.
Want the most on-time carrier? Your best bet is Jetstar. 88.2% of its flights between Avalon Airport and Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport touch down as planned.
With public transport, you can travel from central Melbourne to AVV in around 2 hours 5 minutes. The terminal is roughly 56 kilometres away, and making the trip by car takes approximately 50 minutes.
You're off on holiday, so why not book another night away at a hotel close to Avalon Airport? Before your Melbourne to SYD flight, check yourself in to Corio Bay Motel.
Avalon Airport has a strong track record for reliability and timeliness. 80.09% of flights taking off from here meet their scheduled arrival times without fail.
About Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport (SYD)
The last thing you want is a lengthy journey to your hotel if you're arriving on a late flight from Melbourne to Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport. Check in to one of these accommodation options near SYD instead:
Go wherever you want, whenever you want with a Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport rental car. Pick up a set of wheels from simba car hire, Bargain Car Rentals or Yes Drive and find adventure across Sydney and beyond.
To get the lowest price, book your vehicle around two weeks ahead of your Melbourne to Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport flight.
Getting from Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport (SYD) to central Sydney
From Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport, central Sydney is around 18 kilometres away. It takes about 20 minutes to get to the city centre by car.
If you're travelling on public transport, expect a journey time of roughly 25 minutes.
How to find the cheapest flights from Melbourne to Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport (SYD)
$55 is the lowest price for a one-way ticket from Melbourne to Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport. Return flights start at $122. These prices may change depending on availability and demand.
Score cheap flights from Melbourne to SYD by booking ten months ahead. Based on our research, that's the ideal time frame for finding the biggest deals.
March is when you're most likely to find a fantastic deal on a Melbourne to Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport ticket. If you're looking to travel at a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will show you the lowest prices for each month.
Locking in a cheap flight ticket from Melbourne to SYD is a piece of cake with Price Alerts. Simply set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll let you know when the price has dropped.
Nail down a great price on a flight from Melbourne to Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport with the help of the filters. Choose your ideal departure and arrival times, airlines and number of stops. You can also sort your results by 'Cheapest,' 'Fastest' or 'Best.'
The best time to fly from Melbourne to Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport (SYD)
July is the most popular month for flights from Melbourne to Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport (SYD). Visit Sydney in April if you'd rather be there when it's quieter.
The warmest month in Sydney is January, with temperatures ranging between 17ºC and 32ºC. Book your Melbourne to SYD flight ticket then if that's your ideal forecast.
If you'd rather travel in cooler conditions, search for a cheap ticket from Melbourne to Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport in July when temperatures are between 5ºC and 19ºC.
More about Sydney
When it comes to searching for somewhere to lay your head, you'll find the best places to stay in Sydney right here. Check out these hotels once you've locked in your flight from Melbourne to Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport:
Your Sydney trip won't be complete without checking out the sights. Major attractions worth exploring include Sydney Harbour, Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Harbour.
Explore more of Australia
Sydney is easy to fall in love with, but there are so many other parts of Australia you should also see. About 241 kilometres south-west of Sydney, a trip to Canberra will fill your itinerary to the brim. Start with popular sights like Australian War Memorial, National Gallery of Australia and National Portrait Gallery.
Around 129 kilometres north-east of Sydney, Newcastle is another essential stop in Australia. Start your sightseeing at Merewether Beach, Bathers Way Coastal Walk and Nobbys Beach.