Flying from Ottawa to Melbourne: what you need to know
Ottawa's main base, Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW), is where many great holidays begin. Explore your departure options from here for your flight from Ottawa to Melbourne.
Come in for landing at Melbourne's chief entry point, Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL).
Give yourself enough time to catch your Ottawa to Melbourne flight. A good rule of thumb is to arrive two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
If you're travelling during a major holiday or other peak period, give yourself more time. A good rule is two hours before domestic flights and up to four hours before international departures. Queues at security and check-in will be longer.
How to find the cheapest flights from Ottawa to Melbourne
Booking early is often the key to locking in a cheap Ottawa to Melbourne flight. Fares tend to rise as seats fill up, so the nearer you get to departure, the more it could cost you.
If you're willing to be flexible with your trip dates, try using the 'Whole month' search tool. It'll show you the cheapest price across the month when searching for your plane ticket from Ottawa to Melbourne.
Locking in a cheap flight from Ottawa to Melbourne is a breeze with Price Alerts. All you need to do is set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll notify you when there's a better deal.
Pick your preferred departure and arrival times, number of stops and airlines by using the filters. Or sort your Ottawa to Melbourne flight results by 'Best,' 'Cheapest' or 'Fastest.'
Flying from Ottawa
Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW)
Located around 11 kilometres from the centre of Ottawa, YOW can be reached in about 20 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The journey on public transport is roughly 45 minutes.
Have an early flight from Ottawa to Melbourne? Avoid the last-minute rush to the airport (and enjoy a little extra shut-eye) by choosing one of these hotels close to Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport:
When it comes to Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport's on-time performance, data shows 58.21% of flights complete their journey on time.
YOW is located at 50 Airport Road.
Arriving in Melbourne
Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL)
The distance from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL) to central Melbourne is roughly 19 kilometres. It takes about 30 minutes to reach the centre driving.
It usually takes 40 minutes to get there when travelling by public transport.
If you have a late flight from Ottawa to Melbourne, nothing beats the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Collect your bags from the carousel and then be showered and resting not long after at one of these hotels near MEL:
Pick up a Melbourne Tullamarine Airport rental car and explore Melbourne and beyond with your own wheels. Bargain Car Rentals, East Coast and Sixt are top providers to choose from here.
Reserving your vehicle from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport around four weeks in advance can help you secure the lowest rate.
Avalon Airport (AVV)
Central Melbourne is located around 48 kilometres from Avalon Airport (AVV). After your flight from Ottawa to Melbourne has landed and you've made your way out of the airport, the drive should be around 50 minutes.
The journey will take about 2 hours 5 minutes on public transport.
The quickest way to get to where you're going is with an Avalon Airport rental car. Pick up your wheels from Sixt, Kangaroo Rental or yesaway car hire and hit the road in a heartbeat.
Avoid paying extra. Booking your ride three weeks ahead of your arrival at AVV will save you money.
Essendon Airport (MEB)
Make your way to the city centre after your flight from Ottawa to Melbourne has touched down. Central Melbourne is around 11 kilometres from Essendon Airport (MEB) and takes roughly 25 minutes to get there in a car.
The journey takes roughly 1 hour 15 minutes if you use public transport.
Put yourself in the driver's seat of the next part of your trip by picking up an Essendon Airport rental car. East Coast, Ace Rental Cars and Goldcar make getting on the road smooth sailing.
If you're hoping for a specific type of vehicle, booking early gives you a better shot at finding what you want. Secure your ride from MEB at least a couple of weeks ahead of your flight from Ottawa to Melbourne.
Best time to go to Melbourne
January is the busiest month for flights from Ottawa to Melbourne. To escape the crowds, visit Melbourne in April.
Lock in an Ottawa to Melbourne ticket departing in January if you're eager to explore the city during its warmest month. Expect temperatures in Melbourne to range from 12ºC to 29ºC.
July sees average temperatures of between 4ºC and 13ºC. Search for cheap flights from Ottawa to Melbourne around that time if you want to travel when it's cooler.
More about Melbourne
When it comes to searching for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the best stays in Melbourne right here. Browse these hotels after you've booked your flight from Ottawa to Melbourne:
All great holidays should include some sightseeing. Federation Square, National Gallery of Victoria and Eureka Skydeck 88 are must-do's during your Melbourne adventure.
Explore more of Australia
You've done Melbourne, now it's time to explore more of Australia. Travel about 467 kilometres north-east to Canberra to check off its top attractions. From Australian War Memorial to National Gallery of Australia and Parliament House, you'll have a packed itinerary ahead.
Geelong is another must-experience destination in Australia and is around 64 kilometres south-west of Melbourne. No journey is complete without dropping by Ford Motor Company, Roraima Nursery and RTC Resource Centre.
