Travelling from Johannesburg to Melbourne: what you need to know
Planning your trip begins with working out where you'll leave from in Johannesburg. O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) is the city's main base, so check out your options for reserving a flight from Johannesburg to Melbourne jetting off from here.
Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL) is where you'll be landing in Melbourne.
Melbourne is nine hours ahead of Johannesburg and observes the UTC+11 timezone.
For a relaxed travel experience, arrive at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and an hour before domestic departures. This will give you plenty of time to catch your Johannesburg to Melbourne flight.
Travelling during a popular month like July? Public holidays and other popular seasons can lead to longer queues and delays at check-in and security. Play things extra safe and get there up to four hours ahead of an international flight and two hours before a domestic departure.
How to find the cheapest flights from Johannesburg to Melbourne
Don't leave everything to the last moment. You're more likely to get cheap Johannesburg to Melbourne flights if you book ahead. Airlines often offer some amazing early bird deals.
Getting cheap plane tickets from Johannesburg to Melbourne is easy if you're flexible with your trip dates. Use the 'Whole month' search function to see the lowest prices across every month and bag an incredible deal.
You don't need to search every day to see if fares have dropped when you create a Price Alert. We'll let you know as soon as there's a better deal on cheap flights from Johannesburg to Melbourne.
Save money on your Johannesburg to Melbourne flight with the help of our filters. Select your preferred duration, departure time and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' to see the best deals.
Flying from Johannesburg
O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB)
Stopovers are the ideal opportunity to break up your journey — and perhaps even visit a new city. When browsing Johannesburg to Melbourne flights leaving from O.R. Tambo International Airport, uncheck the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can stop along the way. Here are some options to consider:
Dubai Airport (DXB)
Changi International Airport (SIN)
Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport (SYD)
Located around 23 kilometres from central Johannesburg, JNB can be reached in about 30 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The journey on public transport is roughly 1 hour 10 minutes.
Booked an early flight from Johannesburg to Melbourne? Avoid the stress of rushing to the airport (and sneak in some extra precious sleep) by choosing one of these stays near O.R. Tambo International Airport:
Of the flights that depart from O.R. Tambo International Airport, 77.1% touch down on time at their destination.
Arriving in Melbourne
Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL)
Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL) to central Melbourne takes around 30 minutes to reach by car. The centre is roughly 19 kilometres away.
It usually takes 40 minutes to get there on public transport.
The last thing you need is a lengthy journey to your hotel if you're landing late on a flight from Johannesburg to Melbourne. Reserve one of these accommodation options near MEL instead:
Get your adventure underway by picking up a Melbourne Tullamarine Airport rental car. Grab a set of wheels from Bargain Car Rentals, East Coast or Sixt and explore beyond Melbourne's usual tourist stops.
For the lowest price, book your ride from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport around four weeks in advance of your Johannesburg to Melbourne flight.
Avalon Airport (AVV)
Central Melbourne is approximately 48 kilometres from Avalon Airport (AVV). After your flight from Johannesburg to Melbourne has touched down and you've made your way through the terminal, the drive should take about 50 minutes.
If you're travelling on public transport, it'll take around 2 hours 5 minutes.
No time to waste? The fastest way to get to where you're going is with an Avalon Airport rental car. Collect your wheels from Sixt, Kangaroo Rental or yesaway car hire and set off in the blink of an eye.
Lock in the lowest price by reserving your ride from AVV three weeks ahead of time. You can also expect to have a wider range of vehicles.
Essendon Airport (MEB)
Step off your flight from Johannesburg to Melbourne and head straight for your hotel or start sightseeing right away. Central Melbourne is around 11 kilometres from Essendon Airport (MEB) and typically takes 25 minutes to drive there.
If you're using public transport, the journey time is around 1 hour 15 minutes.
Start your travels without stressing about how to get to your next stop with an Essendon Airport rental car. Book your ideal wheels with reliable suppliers here like East Coast, Ace Rental Cars and Goldcar.
Booking at least a few weeks ahead of your flight from Johannesburg to Melbourne is a smart move. As well as better deals, you'll be able to choose the vehicle make and model you prefer at MEB.
Best time to go to Melbourne
April is the quietest month for flights from Johannesburg to Melbourne, while January is the busiest. Figure out the ideal time to go to Melbourne based on whether you want a laid-back vibe or a more bustling atmosphere.
Lock in a Johannesburg to Melbourne ticket departing in January if you're eager to visit the city during its warmest month. You can expect temperatures in Melbourne to range from 12ºC to 29ºC.
Look for cheap flights from Johannesburg to Melbourne in July if you want to travel in cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 4ºC and 13ºC on average.
More about Melbourne
Start your Melbourne trip right by choosing the perfect place to stay. As soon as you've booked your flight from Johannesburg to Melbourne, browse our range of hotels including:
There are so many things to discover in this city it can be tricky to work out where to begin. Federation Square, National Gallery of Victoria and Eureka Skydeck 88 are top attractions which should feature on any well-planned Melbourne itinerary.
Explore more of Australia
You've seen Melbourne, now it's time to explore other corners of Australia. Travel around 467 kilometres north-east to Canberra to check off its must-visit sights. From Australian War Memorial to National Gallery of Australia and Parliament House, you'll have a full itinerary ahead.
Geelong is another essential stop in Australia and is around 64 kilometres south-west of Melbourne. No journey is complete without visiting Ford Motor Company, Roraima Nursery and RTC Resource Centre.
