Flying from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) to Melbourne: what you need to know
London Heathrow Airport is located in London. Following the UTC+11 timezone, Melbourne is 11 hours ahead of London.
For a smooth journey, turn up at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and one hour before domestic departures. This ensures you have enough time to board your LHR to Melbourne flight.
If you're jetting off during a bank holiday or another peak period, allow extra time. A good rule is two hours before domestic flights and up to four hours before international departures. Security and check-in lines will be longer.
Think about adding a stopover to potentially find a cheaper plane ticket from LHR to Melbourne. All you need to do is deselect 'Direct flights only' during your search. Break up your journey by stopping at one of these popular airports:
Dubai Airport (DXB)
Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK)
Hamad International Airport (DOH)
Located around 16 miles from central London, LHR can be reached in about 55 minutes by car, depending on traffic. Travelling on public transport takes roughly 1 hour.
Want a stress-free start to your journey? Stay near LHR. Whether you've booked an early flight from London Heathrow Airport to Melbourne or just don't like being rushed, these hotels are worth a look:
When it comes to the on-time performance of London Heathrow Airport, 68.18% of flights complete their journey on time.
How to find the cheapest flights from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) to Melbourne
The best price we've found for a one-way London Heathrow Airport to Melbourne flight is £351. The cheapest price for a return flight is £524. Remember fares may change due to demand at the time of booking.
To find cheap flights from LHR to Melbourne, book early. Airlines typically offer lower prices when tickets first go on sale.
The 'Whole month' tool will show you the cheapest tickets from London Heathrow Airport to Melbourne across the month. It's a great way to find a bargain if your plans are flexible.
Picking up a cheap flight from LHR to Melbourne is a breeze with Price Alerts. All you need to do is create one of these automatic notifications and we'll get in touch as soon as the price has dropped.
Select your preferred departure and arrival times, airlines and number of stops with our filters. Then, sort the results for your flight from London Heathrow Airport to Melbourne by 'Fastest,' 'Best' or 'Cheapest.'
Airports in Melbourne
Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL)
The distance from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL) to central Melbourne is roughly 15 miles. It takes about 30 minutes to get to the centre driving.
It'll take around 40 minutes if you're using public transport.
The last thing you need is a long journey to your hotel if you're arriving on a late flight from London Heathrow Airport to Melbourne. Book one of these accommodation options near MEL instead:
Grab 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 you can book with here.
Lock in the lowest price by reserving your ride from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport about four weeks ahead of your flight from LHR to Melbourne.
Avalon Airport (AVV)
Avalon Airport (AVV) is about 35 miles from the centre of Melbourne. Once you've disembarked your flight from London Heathrow Airport to Melbourne, it'll take you around 50 minutes to get to the heart of the city in a ride-share or cab.
You can expect the journey to take about 2 hours 5 minutes on public transport.
Corio Bay Motel is one accommodation option within a short drive of AVV. Drop your bags here after your LHR to Melbourne flight and then put up the 'Do not disturb' sign for some uninterrupted rest.
Sixt, Kangaroo Rental and yesaway car hire make picking up an Avalon Airport rental car easy and quick. These trusted companies are located in or around the terminal and will have you on your way in a heartbeat.
Avoid potential price surges. Booking your ride three weeks ahead of your arrival at AVV can get you a lower rate.
Essendon Airport (MEB)
Essendon Airport (MEB) is about 12 miles from central Melbourne. It'll take you about 25 minutes to get to the city centre by car once you've hopped off your flight from London Heathrow Airport to Melbourne.
The journey takes roughly 1 hour 15 minutes when travelling on public transport.
Book a hotel close to MEB and get from baggage claim to your bed in a snap. Whether you're coming in on a late LHR to Melbourne flight or just want a hassle-free arrival, these accommodation options are all about convenience:
Start your journey without stressing over how to get to your next stop with an Essendon Airport rental car. You can book a set of wheels from trusted companies here like East Coast, Ace Rental Cars and Goldcar.
Rental companies sometimes offer discounts on early bookings, so secure your ride from MEB a few weeks ahead of your flight from London Heathrow Airport to Melbourne. A bit of planning goes a long way for your wallet.
Best time to go to Melbourne
Carefully consider your dates before securing your flight from London Heathrow Airport to Melbourne. The city buzzes in high season, but hotel prices are often higher and major attractions can get busy. Visit Melbourne in the off-season for a more relaxed vibe.
When booking your London Heathrow Airport to Melbourne plane ticket, think about the weather you're most comfortable in. January is the warmest month in Melbourne, with temperatures ranging from 12ºC (54ºF) to 29ºC (84ºF).
July sees average temperatures of between 4ºC (39ºF) and 13ºC (55ºF). Look for a cheap ticket from LHR to Melbourne around that time if you like cooler conditions.
More about Melbourne
Start your Melbourne trip right by choosing the perfect place to stay. Once you've booked your flight from London Heathrow Airport to Melbourne, browse our range of hotels including:
All great adventures should include some sightseeing. National Gallery of Victoria, Federation Square and Eureka Skydeck 88 are must-visits when exploring Melbourne.
Explore more of Australia
Melbourne has its own special appeal, but there are so many other parts of Australia you should also see. Around 290 miles north-east of Melbourne, a trip to Canberra will keep you busy. Don't miss top attractions like Australian War Memorial, National Gallery of Australia and Parliament House.
Launceston is another essential stop in Australia and is around 280 miles south-east of Melbourne. No journey is complete without visiting City Park, Tamar Island Wetlands and James Boag Brewery Experience.