Flying from San Diego International Airport (SAN) to Melbourne: what you need to know
San Diego International Airport is located in San Diego. Based in the UTC+11 timezone, Melbourne is 18 hours ahead of San Diego.
Give yourself plenty of time to catch your SAN to Melbourne flight. As a general rule, turn up two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
If you're jetting off during a major holiday or another peak period, allow extra time. A good general rule is two hours ahead of domestic flights and up to four hours before international departures. Queues at security and check-in will be longer.
We make it easy to book plane tickets from SAN to Melbourne with a stopover. To see your options, deselect 'Direct flights only.' Next, select a flight that has a stop long enough to see the sights of the city of your choice. Some popular stopovers include:
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
Located around 3 kilometres from central San Diego, SAN can be reached in about 10 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The journey on public transport takes roughly 20 minutes.
Searching for a hotel close to SAN? If you're catching an early flight from San Diego International Airport to Melbourne, these accommodation options set you up for a seamless send-off:
71.38% of flights that take off from San Diego International Airport arrive at their destination on time.
SAN's address is N Harbour Dr.
How to find the cheapest flights from San Diego International Airport (SAN) to Melbourne
$714 is currently the lowest price for a one-way San Diego International Airport to Melbourne flight. Return plane tickets start from $1,384. These prices may change depending on demand and availability.
To find cheap flights from SAN to Melbourne, book as early as you can. Airlines tend to offer lower fares when tickets first go on sale.
Landing cheap tickets from San Diego International Airport to Melbourne is easier if you can be flexible with your dates. Use the 'Whole month' search tool to get the lowest fares across the month and walk away with a sweet deal.
Finding a cheap flight from SAN to Melbourne couldn't be easier with Price Alerts. All you need to do is create one of these automatic notifications and we'll get in touch as soon as a lower fare pops up.
Choose your ideal arrival and departure times, number of stops and airlines with our filters. Then, sort the results for your flight from San Diego International Airport to Melbourne by 'Cheapest,' 'Best' or 'Fastest.'
Airports in Melbourne
Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL)
The distance from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL) to central Melbourne is roughly 24 kilometres. It takes about 30 minutes to reach the centre driving.
It takes around 40 minutes to get there using public transport.
If you're coming in on a late flight from San Diego International Airport to Melbourne, nothing beats the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Collect your bags from the carousel and then be showered and snoozing not long after at one of these hotels near MEL:
Explore without limits with a Melbourne Tullamarine Airport rental car. Pick up your wheels from Bargain Car Rentals, East Coast or Sixt and find adventure across Melbourne and beyond.
To get the best deal, reserve your vehicle from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport about four weeks ahead of your flight from SAN to Melbourne.
Avalon Airport (AVV)
Central Melbourne is located around 56 kilometres from Avalon Airport (AVV). After your flight from San Diego International Airport to Melbourne has hit the runway and you've made your way through the terminal, expect a drive of about 50 minutes.
The trip will take roughly 2 hours 5 minutes on public transport.
There are some comfortable accommodation options just a quick drive from AVV. Switch to relaxation mode at Corio Bay Motel after your SAN to Melbourne flight.
The fastest way to reach your destination is with an Avalon Airport rental car. Collect your wheels from Sixt, Kangaroo Rental or yesaway car hire and make a speedy getaway.
Avoid last-minute price surges. Securing your ride three weeks before your arrival at AVV will help you stay within budget.
Essendon Airport (MEB)
Hop off your flight from San Diego International Airport to Melbourne and head for your hotel or jump right into sightseeing. The centre of Melbourne is around 19 kilometres from Essendon Airport (MEB) and typically takes 25 minutes to reach driving.
If you travel by public transport, the journey will take you around 1 hour 15 minutes.
Reserve a hotel close to MEB and go from the runway to resting in a snap. Whether you're coming in on a late SAN to Melbourne flight or just want to keep your travel plans simple, these accommodation options are all about convenience:
Whether you want a zippy mini for a solo adventure or an SUV to fit everyone and their gear, you'll find the perfect Essendon Airport rental car for your needs. Explore the types of wheels available from providers such as East Coast, Ace Rental Cars and Goldcar.
If you'd like a particular make or model, booking early gives you a better shot at finding what you want. Book your ride from MEB a couple of weeks ahead of your flight from San Diego International Airport to Melbourne.
Best time to go to Melbourne
Carefully consider your dates before locking in your flight from San Diego International Airport to Melbourne. The city buzzes in high season, but hotel prices are often higher and attractions can be crowded. Visit Melbourne in the off-season if you like a more relaxed vibe.
When booking your San Diego International Airport to Melbourne plane ticket, think about the type of weather you enjoy. January is the warmest month in Melbourne, with temperatures ranging from 12ºC (54ºF) to 29ºC (84ºF).
July has average temperatures of between 4ºC (39ºF) and 13ºC (55ºF). Search for a cheap ticket from SAN to Melbourne around that time if you'd rather travel in cooler conditions.
More about Melbourne
Once you've booked your flight from San Diego International Airport to Melbourne, choose a hotel that puts you right where the action is. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring Melbourne:
National Gallery of Victoria and Federation Square are just a couple of the popular attractions to add to your Melbourne travel itinerary. Continue your sightseeing adventures at Eureka Skydeck 88.
Explore more of Australia
You've seen Melbourne, now it's time to discover other parts of Australia. Travel about 467 kilometres north-east to Canberra to tick off its must-visit sights. From Australian War Memorial to National Gallery of Australia and Parliament House, your itinerary will be busy.
If you're looking to explore another great destination in Australia, head for Launceston, roughly 451 kilometres south-east of Melbourne. City Park, Tamar Island Wetlands and James Boag Brewery Experience are key reasons to visit.
