Flying from Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) to Melbourne: what you need to know
Melbourne is 15 hours ahead of Washington DC, where Washington Dulles International Airport is located. Melbourne observes the UTC+11 timezone.
To avoid rushing for your IAD to Melbourne flight, leave enough time for things like baggage drop and finding your gate. Turning up two hours before international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the general rule.
If you're heading away during a major holiday or another peak period, give yourself more time. A good general rule is two hours ahead of domestic flights and up to four hours before international departures. Security and check-in lines will be longer.
We make it simple to book plane tickets from IAD to Melbourne with a stopover. To see your options, uncheck 'Direct flights only.' Then, choose a flight that has a stop long enough to explore your chosen city. Popular stopovers include:
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
Located around 25 miles from central Washington DC, IAD can be reached in about 50 minutes by car. Travelling on public transport takes roughly 1 hour 10 minutes.
Booked an early flight from Washington Dulles International Airport to Melbourne? Avoid rushing to the airport (and get some extra shut-eye) by choosing one of these hotels close to IAD:
Of all flights departing from Washington Dulles International Airport, 74.39% land on schedule at their destination.
You'll find IAD at 1 Saarinen Circle.
How to find the cheapest flights from Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) to Melbourne
The lowest price we've seen for a one-way Washington Dulles International Airport to Melbourne flight is £471. The cheapest price for a return flight is £983. Keep in mind fares may change due to availability at the time of booking.
Don't leave everything to the last minute. You're more likely to land cheap flights from IAD to Melbourne if you book ahead. Airlines often have some amazing early bird discounts.
The 'Whole month' search tool will show you the cheapest tickets from Washington Dulles International Airport to Melbourne across the entire month. It's an easy way to find a bargain if your travel dates are flexible.
There's no need to keep looking every day to see if fares have dropped when you set up a Price Alert. We'll update you as soon as there's an even bigger deal on cheap flights from IAD to Melbourne.
Tailor your flights with filters. Select your preferred departure and arrival times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort the results by 'Best,' 'Cheapest' or 'Fastest' flights from Washington Dulles International Airport to Melbourne.
Airports in Melbourne
Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL)
Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL) is around 15 miles from central Melbourne. If you're grabbing a cab or a ride-share, the drive takes about 30 minutes.
Travelling to the centre on public transport typically takes 40 minutes.
If you have a late flight from Washington Dulles International Airport to Melbourne, nothing beats the convenience of staying near the terminal. Pick up your bags from the carousel and then be showered and sleeping soon after at one of these accommodation options near MEL:
Pick up a Melbourne Tullamarine Airport rental car and explore Melbourne and beyond with your own set of wheels. Bargain Car Rentals, East Coast and Sixt are leading providers to choose from here.
Booking your vehicle from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport around four weeks ahead of your flight from IAD to Melbourne can help you secure the lowest rate.
Avalon Airport (AVV)
Once your flight from Washington Dulles International Airport to Melbourne has landed, you can get to the city centre in about 50 minutes by car. Central Melbourne is roughly 35 miles from Avalon Airport (AVV).
You can expect the journey to take roughly 2 hours 5 minutes on public transport.
Unpack your bag and relax not long after your IAD to Melbourne flight at Corio Bay Motel. This comfy accommodation option is a short drive from AVV.
No time to waste? The fastest 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 set off in the blink of an eye.
Avoid paying extra. Securing your ride three weeks before your arrival at AVV can help you lock in a better rate.
Essendon Airport (MEB)
Hop off your flight from Washington Dulles International Airport to Melbourne and head straight for your hotel or start exploring right away. Central Melbourne is around 12 miles from Essendon Airport (MEB) and usually takes 25 minutes to reach driving.
If you're travelling on public transport, the journey time is about 1 hour 15 minutes.
Enjoy a low-stress, comfortable start to your trip by checking in to a hotel near MEB after your IAD to Melbourne flight. Recover from your travel day or just give yourself time to get your bearings in a new destination at:
Put yourself in the driver's seat of the next leg of your journey by picking up an Essendon Airport rental car. East Coast, Ace Rental Cars and Goldcar will get you on the road.
Booking a couple of weeks in advance of your flight from Washington Dulles International Airport to Melbourne is always a good idea. In addition to better deals, you'll have a wider selection of vehicle makes and models at MEB.
Best time to go to Melbourne
Carefully consider your travel dates before securing your flight from Washington Dulles International Airport to Melbourne. The city comes alive in high season, but hotel prices are generally higher and major attractions can get crowded. Visit Melbourne in low season if you like a more relaxed vibe.
Lock in a Washington Dulles International Airport to Melbourne plane ticket with a departure in January if you're eager to experience the city during its warmest month. You can expect temperatures to range from 12ºC (54ºF) to 29ºC (84ºF).
July sees average temperatures of between 4ºC (39ºF) and 13ºC (55ºF). Search for a cheap ticket from IAD to Melbourne around that time if you want to travel in cooler conditions.
More about Melbourne
Start your Melbourne trip right by choosing the ideal place to stay. Once you've booked your flight from Washington Dulles International Airport to Melbourne, check out our range of hotels including:
National Gallery of Victoria and Federation Square are just a couple of the top attractions to add to your Melbourne travel itinerary. Keep the sightseeing going at Eureka Skydeck 88.
Explore more of Australia
Melbourne has plenty to offer, but there are so many other corners of Australia just waiting to be explored. Around 290 miles north-east of Melbourne, a visit to Canberra will keep you on the move. Start with leading attractions like Australian War Memorial, National Gallery of Australia and Parliament House.
If you're ready to explore another corner of Australia, consider Launceston, about 280 miles south-east of Melbourne. City Park, Tamar Island Wetlands and James Boag Brewery Experience are key reasons to visit.
