Travelling from Seattle to Melbourne: what you need to know
Start your travel planning by considering where you'll board your flight from Seattle to Melbourne. Seattle / Tacoma International Airport (SEA) and Seattle Lake Union SPB Airport (LKE) are Seattle's main airports.
Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL) is where you'll be landing in Melbourne.
The timezone in Melbourne is UTC+11, which is 19 hours ahead of Seattle.
To ensure you make your Seattle to Melbourne flight, leave enough time to check in and find your gate. Arriving two hours ahead of international departures and an hour before domestic flights is the general rule to follow.
Travelling during a peak month like July? School holidays and other popular seasons can lead to longer lines and delays at check-in and security. Be extra cautious and get there up to four hours ahead of an international flight and two hours before domestic departures.
How to find the cheapest flights from Seattle to Melbourne
To pick up cheap Seattle to Melbourne flights, book as early as possible. Airlines usually offer the most competitive fares when tickets first go on sale.
The 'Whole month' search tool shows you the cheapest plane tickets from Seattle to Melbourne throughout the month. It's an easy way to snap up a bargain if your travel dates aren't set in stone.
There's no need to search every day to find out if fares have dropped when you set up a Price Alert. We'll tell you as soon as a better deal comes up on cheap flights from Seattle to Melbourne.
Tailor your travel plans using filters. Choose your ideal arrival and departure times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort your results by 'Cheapest,' 'Best' or 'Fastest' Seattle to Melbourne flights.
Flying from Seattle
Seattle / Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
Stopovers are the perfect opportunity to break up your journey — and possibly even visit a new city. When browsing Seattle to Melbourne flights departing from Seattle / Tacoma International Airport, uncheck the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can visit along the way. Top options include:
Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
Located around 19 kilometres from central Seattle, SEA can be reached in about 25 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The journey by public transport takes roughly 35 minutes.
Searching for a convenient hotel near Seattle / Tacoma International Airport? If you're boarding an early flight from Seattle to Melbourne, these stays will put you moments from check-in:
Seattle / Tacoma International Airport gets top marks for on-time performance. 80% of flights that take off from SEA arrive at their destination without delay.
Arriving in Melbourne
Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL)
Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL) is approximately 19 kilometres from central Melbourne. If you're catching a taxi or a ride-share, the drive will take around 25 minutes.
When travelling by public transport, expect a journey time of about 35 minutes.
The last thing you want is a lengthy journey to your hotel if you're landing late on a flight from Seattle to Melbourne. Book one of these accommodation options near MEL instead:
Get on the fast track to adventure by picking up a Melbourne Tullamarine Airport rental car. Grab a set of wheels from Bargain Car Rentals, East Coast or Sixt to explore Melbourne and beyond.
To lock in the lowest price, reserve your vehicle from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport about four weeks ahead of your Seattle to Melbourne flight.
Melbourne Avalon Airport (AVV)
Melbourne Avalon Airport (AVV) is around 48 kilometres from the centre of Melbourne. Following your flight from Seattle to Melbourne, it'll take you approximately 1 hour 5 minutes to reach the heart of the city in a ride-share or taxi.
If you choose to travel on public transport, the ride to the centre will take you 1 hour 20 minutes or so.
Sixt, Kangaroo Rental and yesaway car rental make picking up a Melbourne Avalon Airport rental car easy and quick. These suppliers are located in or around the terminal and will have you ready to go in a flash.
Call dibs on the best options. Securing your ride from AVV three weeks ahead of time often means better deals and a wider selection of vehicles.
Melbourne Essendon Airport (MEB)
Melbourne Essendon Airport (MEB) is around 11 kilometres from central Melbourne. It'll take you about 20 minutes to get to the city centre in a ride-share or taxi after your flight from Seattle to Melbourne.
If you're travelling on public transport, the journey time is about 55 minutes.
Put yourself in the driver's seat of the next leg of your trip by picking up a Melbourne Essendon Airport rental car. East Coast, Ace Rental Cars and Goldcar are reliable rental providers.
Rental providers sometimes offer discounts on early bookings, so reserve your vehicle from MEB ahead of your flight from Seattle to Melbourne. Plan ahead and your wallet will thank you.
Best time to go to Melbourne
March is the quietest month for flights from Seattle to Melbourne, while December is the busiest. Choose the best time to visit Melbourne based on whether you prefer a laid-back vibe or a lively atmosphere.
When booking your Seattle to Melbourne tickets, consider what kind of weather you prefer. January is the warmest month in Melbourne, with temperatures ranging from 11ºC (52ºF) to 28ºC (82ºF).
July sees average temperatures of between 3ºC (37ºF) and 12ºC (54ºF). Search for cheap flights from Seattle to Melbourne around that time if you want to travel in cooler conditions.
More about Melbourne
When it comes to looking for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the most popular stays in Melbourne right here. Check out these options as soon as you've booked your flight from Seattle to Melbourne:
All great holidays should include a little sightseeing. Melbourne's Gardens, Melbourne Park and Arts Centre Melbourne are must-visits when exploring Melbourne.
Explore more of Australia
Canberra is just one of the many cities in Australia waiting to be discovered after you've experienced Melbourne. Around 467 kilometres to the northeast, popular attractions include National Gallery of Australia, National Portrait Gallery and Museum of Australian Democracy.
Geelong is another standout destination in Australia and is around 64 kilometres southwest of Melbourne. No journey is complete without experiencing Wathaurong Booln Booln Cultural Centre, Eastern Beach Promenade and Eastern Beach.