Flying from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL) to Christchurch International Airport (CHC): what you need to know
The average time for a direct flight from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport to Christchurch International Airport is 3 hours 21 minutes. Christchurch's timezone is UTC+13, making Christchurch 2 hours ahead of Melbourne.
Flights from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport to Christchurch International Airport start at 06:05 — the earliest with Air New Zealand. The latest departure is the 19:00 option with Jetstar. In total, there are 59 services every week between MEL and CHC.
You'll likely experience longer lines in popular months like July and other peak periods. Arriving up to fours hours ahead of international flights and two hours for domestic departures will give you ample time for security and boarding.
You'll find a range of airlines running direct flights from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport to Christchurch International Airport. When you're ready to start your Christchurch holiday and explore this part of New Zealand, these popular carriers service the MEL to CHC route:
If you'd like to break up your flight from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport to Christchurch International Airport, think about adding a stopover. Simply uncheck 'Direct flights only' and find a destination that appeals to you. Popular stopovers on the MEL - CHC route are:
Wellington International Airport
Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport
Queenstown Airport
To see if you need a visa to enter New Zealand, contact your carrier and the local consulate or embassy. They'll provide you with the most current information, including other paperwork you may need after booking your cheap ticket from MEL to CHC.
How to find the cheapest flights from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL) to Christchurch International Airport (CHC)
The lowest price we've found for a one-way ticket from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport to Christchurch International Airport is 123 €. For a return flight on this route, the best price is 203 €. Depending on the availability when you book, these fares can change.
Score cheap tickets from MEL to CHC by booking at least 9 months ahead. Based on our research, that's the sweet spot for landing a bargain.
May is the cheapest month for tickets from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport to Christchurch International Airport. If you're looking to travel at a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will give you the lowest airfares for each month.
Sign into your online account or use the app to create a Price Alert. We'll notify you straight away if there's a better deal on this route. It doesn't take long, and it'll save you the hassle of looking for cheap tickets from MEL to CHC every day.
Take advantage of filters to find the best trip for you. To see the 'Cheapest,' 'Best' or 'Fastest' flights from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport to Christchurch International Airport, use the 'Sort by' tool. You can also filter by arrival and departure times, airline, and number of stops.
Handy information about Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL)
Melbourne Tullamarine Airport is about 24 kilometres from central Melbourne. If you're ride-sharing, driving or catching a cab from the centre, it'll take 28 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic conditions. If you're planning to take public transport, expect the trip time to be approximately 42 minutes.
Booked an early flight from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport to Christchurch International Airport? Avoid the last-minute rush to the terminal (and sneak in some extra precious sleep) by picking one of these stays close to MEL:
Arriving at Christchurch International Airport (CHC)
Book a hotel close to CHC if you're catching a late flight from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport to Christchurch International Airport. Settle into one of these accommodation options and skip the long transfer:
Getting from Christchurch International Airport (CHC) to central Christchurch
Christchurch International Airport is approximately 56 kilometres from central Christchurch. With your own car rental or in a cab, the drive is around 59 minutes.
When to fly to Christchurch International Airport (CHC)
It's time to choose your travel dates for your flight from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport to Christchurch International Airport. July is the most popular month to visit Christchurch. If you like a quieter vibe, go in April.
Before locking in your flight from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport to Christchurch International Airport, think about the type of weather you like. January is the warmest month in Christchurch, with the temperature ranging from 10ºC to 24ºC.
July sees average temperatures of between 1ºC and 12ºC. Search for cheap tickets from MEL to CHC sometime around then if you want to travel when it's cooler.
More about Christchurch
As soon as you've locked in your flights from MEL to CHC, you'll want to find somewhere to stay in Christchurch. Make one of these options your base for exploring this exciting destination:
Kick off your Christchurch sightseeing at well-known attractions like Phytofarm Herbal Learning Garden and Little River Rail Station.
Complete your Christchurch trip with hotels and a car rental
Once you've secured your cheap ticket to Christchurch International Airport, check out our low prices and exclusive rates for hotels. You can also compare a range of car rental companies in one place to find the best car rental price for your Christchurch escape.
