Travelling from Melbourne to Chiang Rai International Airport (CEI): What you need to know
Planning your trip starts with figuring out where you'll fly out of in Melbourne. Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL) is the city's main airport, so explore your options for reserving a flight from Melbourne to Chiang Rai International Airport (CEI) taking off from here.
Chiang Rai International Airport is located in Chiang Rai. The city is in the UTC+7 timezone and is four hours behind Melbourne.
Arriving two hours before an international flight and one hour ahead of a domestic departure are golden rules for stress-free travel. Be at the airport with enough time to catch your flight from Melbourne to CEI.
If you're jetting off during a major holiday or other peak period, give yourself extra time. Get there two hours ahead of domestic flights and up to four hours before international departures. Queues at security and check-in will be longer.
Airports in Melbourne
Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL)
You might be able to make your cheap flight from Melbourne to CEI even cheaper with a stopover. Just deselect 'Direct flights only' during your search to find out where you can stop along the way. Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) is an option when departing from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL).
Located around 24 kilometres from central 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 Chiang Rai International Airport? Avoid the mad dash to the terminal (and enjoy a few extra z's) by choosing one of these stays close to Melbourne Tullamarine Airport:
Of all flights departing from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport, 67.71% arrive on time at their destination.
Avalon Airport (AVV)
AVV is about 56 kilometres from central Melbourne. It takes 50 minutes or so to get to the airport by car from the city centre. Public transport takes roughly 2 hours 5 minutes.
You're going on holiday, so why not spend another night away at a hotel near Avalon Airport? Before your Melbourne to CEI flight, lay your head at Corio Bay Motel.
Avalon Airport has earned its reputation for punctuality. 80.09% of flights departing here make it to their final destination as planned.
About Chiang Rai International Airport (CEI)
If you have a late flight from Melbourne to Chiang Rai International Airport, nothing beats the convenience of staying near the terminal. Grab your bags from the carousel and then be showered and relaxing soon after at one of these options near CEI:
Follow your own route with a Chiang Rai International Airport rental car. Pick up a set of wheels from Chic Car Rent, Drive Car Hire or Hertz and chase adventure across Chiang Rai and beyond.
Booking your ride around four weeks in advance of your Melbourne to Chiang Rai International Airport flight can help you secure the lowest rate.
How to find the cheapest flights from Melbourne to Chiang Rai International Airport (CEI)
$252 is the lowest price for a one-way ticket from Melbourne to Chiang Rai International Airport. Return flights start at $494. These fares may change depending on demand.
Don't wait until the last moment. You're more likely to find cheap flights from Melbourne to CEI if you book ahead. Airlines often offer some fantastic early bird rates.
The 'Whole month' search tool shows you the cheapest Melbourne to Chiang Rai International Airport tickets across every month. It's an easy way to find a bargain if your plans aren't set in stone.
Stay on top of deals for plane tickets from Melbourne to CEI by setting up a Price Alert. We'll send you an email or notification on the app when a new discounted fare appears.
Tailor your flights using filters. Select your preferred arrival and departure times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort the results by 'Best,' 'Fastest' or 'Cheapest' flights from Melbourne to Chiang Rai International Airport.
The best time to fly from Melbourne to Chiang Rai International Airport (CEI)
February is the quietest month for flights from Melbourne to Chiang Rai International Airport (CEI), while August is the busiest. Find the ideal time to go to Chiang Rai based on whether you prefer a laid-back vibe or a more bustling atmosphere.
Lock in a Melbourne to CEI plane ticket departing in April if you want to experience the city during its warmest month. Expect temperatures in Chiang Rai to range from 22ºC (72ºF) to 41ºC (106ºF).
Search for cheap tickets from Melbourne to Chiang Rai International Airport in January if you'd rather travel during cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 12ºC (54ºF) and 30ºC (86ºF).
More about Chiang Rai
Once you've booked your flight from Melbourne to Chiang Rai International Airport, choose a hotel that puts you where you want to be. Make one of these options your base for exploring Chiang Rai:
There are loads of terrific things to do in Chiang Rai when you're ready to see the sights. Make your way to Wat Rong Khun followed by Wat Phra Kaew and Wat Huai Pla Kung.
Explore more of Thailand
Chiang Mai is just one of the many cities in Thailand waiting to be explored after you've seen Chiang Rai. Around 161 kilometres away to the south-west, its best attractions include Songkran Festival Chiang Mai, Yi Peng and Loy Krathong (Lantern Festival) and Doi Suthep.
If you're interested in discovering another major stop in Thailand, consider Lampang, roughly 193 kilometres south of Chiang Rai. Wat Chiang Rai, Wat Phra Kaeo Don Tao and Wat Phra That Doi moung Kham are key reasons to visit.
