Cheap Flights to Melbourne (MEL)

If you've been craving a holiday in Australia, then you should certainly consider hopping on a flight to Melbourne. It's the cultural heart of Australia and is a cosmopolitan city with a laid back style. Plus there's no need to worry about missing out on the beach life that the Aussies are famous for as there are beaches here too!

Get your hands on cheap flights to Melbourne by using our search box and being flexible on travelling dates. Known as the Garden City because of the large number of parks and green space, Melbourne is a popular destination with visitors from all over the world, but the long flying time means the cost of flights to Melbourne will always take up a large part of your travel budget.

This is city just full of culture and cool places to go, including some of the best art galleries in Australia. To spice up your 2013 or 2014 Melbourne trip, you could visit for one of the many annual festivals. They are plentiful and range from arts to sport, and comedy to food. The Melbourne International Film Festival in August and the International Art Festival in October are two of the highlights. Make sure you book your cheap Melbourne hotel extra early for these big events.

How to get to Melbourne

Thanks to the duration of a flight to Melbourne, you will never be able to get a direct flight from the UK into Melbourne. Expect to be travelling for upwards of 25 hours on the cheapest flights to Melbourne, and perhaps slightly less if you're happy to fork out a little extra. Look for the shortest stopovers to maximise your holiday or take advantage of deals on your Melbourne flight with a much longer stopover somewhere you have always wanted to sample, like Los Angeles or Hong Kong. Then come prepared for a day trip along the way!

Flights to Melbourne from the UK land at Melbourne Tullamarine Airport, and there are a range of onward travel services:

Taxi: - This is a quick but expensive option, with all taxis charging a $2 fee per passenger simply for an airport pickup, which can increase to $4 for pre-booked chauffeur services. Touting is illegal though and you can be sure of a good service. Check your fare here.

Skybus: - This shuttle bus runs every 10 minutes, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so if you're arriving on a flight into Melbourne or departing back home in the small hours, you'll have no problem making the trip. The trip takes about 20 minutes. Prices and booking can be found here .

Local Buses: - Public buses also operate services to and from Melbourne Airport. A choice of different providers can cause confusion, and large luggage will be hard to get on board. It's a cheap way to travel though, so if you're looking to save money consider this option!

Car Hire: - If you're hoping to explore Melbourne and beyond after your flight then getting a hire car can be a great way to get around. Traffic at rush hour is bad, as it is everywhere, but you won't have too many problems otherwise.

When to go to Melbourne

Melbourne sits on Australia's south coast and it boasts a temperate climate. If you want to experience the Garden City at its riotous best then you'll want to visit in September and October. March, April and May see the autumn colours taking over. Cheap flights to Melbourne can be found during most of the year but Christmas is a perennial favourites with us Brits, so expect to pay slightly more at this time of year.

What to do in Melbourne

Melbourne is situated on the banks of the Yarra River, the banks of which have been recently regenerated and are now a lively social space with numerous trendy bars, restaurants and nightspots. This beautiful city's real secret lies in the incredible amount of performing arts available so be sure to check out some of the music, theatre and ballet, and of course sample some of the fine cuisine too! Don't forget to take a day out to the coast on the tram - St Kilda is the most popular seaside day trip.

When you're in Melbourne it's also a great idea to take the time to explore more of Victoria. You will find plenty of beautiful towns as well as miles of stunning coastline too.