Flying from Chengdu to Melbourne: what you need to know
There are a couple of main airports you can fly out of in Chengdu. Check out your options leaving from Chengdu Tianfu International Airport (TFU) or Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (CTU) when organising your flight from Chengdu to Melbourne.
Come in for landing at Melbourne's primary gateway, Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL).
Take a direct Chengdu to Melbourne flight and you'll be travelling for an average of 10 hours 35 minutes.
Melbourne's timezone is UTC+11, which makes Melbourne three hours ahead of Chengdu.
With five flights a week between the two airports, Chengdu Tianfu International Airport (TFU) to Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL) is the most popular route. Hop on the first flight from Chengdu to Melbourne with Sichuan Airlines at 01:30. If you'd like to make the most of your day before flying, the latest flight from TFU to MEL is with Sichuan Airlines at 01:40.
Leave enough time to catch your Chengdu to Melbourne flight. As a rule of thumb, arrive two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
During popular months like December, it's a good idea to get to the airport earlier than normal. Plan to arrive two hours before a domestic departure and four hours ahead for an international flight when you travel during high season in general.
How to find the cheapest flights from Chengdu to Melbourne
To pick up cheap Chengdu to Melbourne flights, book ahead. Airlines typically offer their most competitively priced fares when flights first go on sale.
The 'Whole month' search tool will show you the cheapest plane tickets from Chengdu to Melbourne across the entire month. It's a good way to find a bargain if your travel plans aren't set in stone.
You don't need to check back in every day to find out if prices have dropped when you set up a Price Alert. We'll update you when there's a better deal on cheap flights from Chengdu to Melbourne.
Tailor your trip using filters. Choose your departure and arrival times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort the results by 'Fastest,' 'Best' or 'Cheapest' Chengdu to Melbourne flights.
Flying from Chengdu
Chengdu Tianfu International Airport (TFU)
You can book a direct flight from Chengdu to Melbourne taking off from Chengdu Tianfu International Airport (TFU). Begin your journey at TFU and end it at Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL).
Look out for promotions with Sichuan Airlines. This airline offers direct Chengdu to Melbourne plane tickets out of TFU.
TFU is about 48 kilometres from central Chengdu. If you're catching a taxi, ride-sharing or driving from the centre, it'll take 50 minutes or so to get there, depending on the traffic. If you're planning to take public transport, expect the trip time to be around 1 hour.
Looking for a handy hotel close to Chengdu Tianfu International Airport? If you're boarding an early flight from Chengdu to Melbourne, these stays will have you sleeping moments from your departure gate:
85% of flights departing from Chengdu Tianfu International Airport touch down at their destination as planned. With its reliable on-time performance, you're unlikely to face delays when jetting out of TFU.
Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (CTU)
Visit family or friends or just take some time to unwind with a stopover. If you'd like to split up your Chengdu to Melbourne flight, here's where you can stop when taking off from Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport:
Guangzhou Airport (CAN)
Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG)
Xiamen Airport (XMN)
CTU is around 11 kilometres from central Chengdu. It'll take 35 minutes or so to get to the airport if you're driving from the city centre. Public transport takes roughly 45 minutes.
Want to enjoy an extra night away before boarding your flight from Chengdu to Melbourne? Kick back in a hotel near Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport before your break officially begins. Here's where you can stay:
Most flights that depart Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport touch down at their destination as planned. It achieves a consistent on-time performance rate of 84%.
CTU is located at Airport Expressway Entrance.
Arriving in Melbourne
Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL)
The distance from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL) to central Melbourne is approximately 19 kilometres. It takes about 25 minutes to reach the centre driving.
Travelling to the centre by public transport takes roughly 35 minutes.
If you're arriving on a late flight from Chengdu to Melbourne, nothing beats the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Grab your suitcases from the carousel and then be showered and snoozing not long after at one of these accommodation options near MEL:
Grab a Melbourne Tullamarine Airport rental car and explore Melbourne and beyond with your own wheels. Bargain Car Rentals, East Coast and Sixt are well-known companies you can book with here.
To secure the lowest price, book your ride from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport about four weeks in advance of your Chengdu to Melbourne flight.
Melbourne Avalon Airport (AVV)
Once your flight from Chengdu to Melbourne has hit the tarmac, you can reach the city centre in around 1 hour 5 minutes by car. Central Melbourne is approximately 48 kilometres from Melbourne Avalon Airport (AVV).
Public transport will get you there in around 1 hour 20 minutes.
Forget about inconvenient public transport schedules or slow-moving taxi lines. Grab a Melbourne Avalon Airport rental car and let the journey unfold your way. Compare rates and availability from Sixt, Kangaroo Rental and yesaway car rental.
Score the best price by securing your ride from AVV three weeks in advance. You'll also have access to a greater range of vehicles.
Melbourne Essendon Airport (MEB)
Melbourne Essendon Airport (MEB) is about 11 kilometres from the centre of Melbourne. It'll take you about 20 minutes to reach the city centre by taxi or ride-share once you've stepped off your flight from Chengdu to Melbourne.
If you travel by public transport, expect a journey of about 55 minutes.
Begin your travels without stressing about how to arrive at your destination with a Melbourne Essendon Airport rental car. You can book with reliable names here like East Coast, Ace Rental Cars and Goldcar.
Rental agencies sometimes offer deals on early bookings, so book your vehicle from MEB a few weeks in advance of your flight from Chengdu to Melbourne. Plan ahead and your wallet will thank you.
Best time to go to Melbourne
March is the quietest month for flights from Chengdu to Melbourne, while December is the busiest. Pick the best time to visit Melbourne based on whether you want a laid-back vibe or a more bustling atmosphere.
When booking your Chengdu to Melbourne tickets, think about the type of weather you enjoy. January is the warmest month in Melbourne, with temperatures ranging from 11ºC to 28ºC.
Search for cheap flights from Chengdu to Melbourne in July if you want to travel in cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 3ºC and 12ºC on average.
More about Melbourne
Once you've booked your flight from Chengdu to Melbourne, find a hotel that offers the right mix of comfort and location. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring Melbourne:
There are so many things to discover in this city it can be tricky to work out where to start. Melbourne's Gardens, Melbourne Park and Arts Centre Melbourne are top attractions which should be on any well-planned Melbourne itinerary.
Explore more of Australia
You've done Melbourne, now it's time to discover other corners of Australia. Travel around 467 kilometres northeast to Canberra to check off its popular sights. From National Gallery of Australia to National Portrait Gallery and Museum of Australian Democracy, there's plenty to keep you busy.
If you want to check out another major destination in Australia, consider Geelong, about 64 kilometres southwest of Melbourne. Wathaurong Booln Booln Cultural Centre, Eastern Beach Promenade and Eastern Beach are among its highlights.
