Travelling from Melbourne to Seattle: what you need to know
Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL) is Melbourne's main airport. Explore your options for reserving a flight from Melbourne to Seattle jetting off from here.
Touch down in Seattle at Seattle / Tacoma International Airport (SEA) or Seattle Lake Union SPB Airport (LKE).
Seattle's timezone is UTC-8, making Seattle 19 hours behind Melbourne.
To ensure you board your Melbourne to Seattle flight, leave enough time for things like baggage drop and finding your gate. Turning up two hours ahead of international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the general travel rule.
You'll likely experience longer queues during popular months such as December. Arriving up to four hours ahead of international flights and two hours for domestic departures will help ensure a smooth travel experience.
How to find the cheapest flights from Melbourne to Seattle
Don't leave everything to the last minute. You're more likely to get cheap Melbourne to Seattle flights if you book early. Airlines often offer some amazing early bird discounts.
Getting cheap plane tickets from Melbourne to Seattle is easy if you can be flexible with your trip dates. Use the 'Whole month' search tool to see the lowest prices across the month and score an awesome deal.
Spend less time searching for cheap flights from Melbourne to Seattle by creating a Price Alert. We'll send you an email or notification on the app when a new low fare is offered.
Tailor your travel plans using filters. Pick your ideal departure and arrival times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort the results by 'Fastest,' 'Cheapest' or 'Best' Melbourne to Seattle flights.
Flying from Melbourne
Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL)
A stopover is the ideal opportunity to take a break from travelling — and possibly even tour another city. When browsing Melbourne to Seattle flights leaving from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport, uncheck the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can stop along the way. Here are some popular options to consider:
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
Honolulu International Airport (HNL)
MEL is about 19 kilometres from central Melbourne. If you're ride-sharing, catching a taxi or driving from the centre, it'll take 25 minutes or so to get there, depending on the traffic. If you're using public transport, expect the travel time to be around 35 minutes.
Planning to catch an early flight from Melbourne to Seattle? Avoid rushing to the airport (and enjoy a little extra shut-eye) by choosing one of these stays close to Melbourne Tullamarine Airport:
When it comes to the on-time performance of Melbourne Tullamarine Airport, data shows 63% of flights meet their scheduled arrival time.
Arriving in Seattle
Seattle / Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
The distance from Seattle / Tacoma International Airport (SEA) to central Seattle is approximately 19 kilometres. It'll take you around 25 minutes to reach the centre driving.
Travelling to the centre by public transport takes about 35 minutes.
If you have a late flight from Melbourne to Seattle, nothing beats the convenience of staying near the terminal. Pick up your bags from the carousel and then be showered and resting soon after at one of these accommodation options near SEA:
Go where the road takes you with a Seattle / Tacoma International Airport rental car. Pick up a set of wheels from Thrifty, Europcar or Budget and chase adventure across Seattle and beyond.
For the lowest price, book your ride from Seattle / Tacoma International Airport about one week in advance of your Melbourne to Seattle flight.
Paine Field Airport (PAE)
Once your flight from Melbourne to Seattle has hit the runway, you can get to the city centre in around 20 minutes by car. Central Seattle is roughly 32 kilometres from Paine Field Airport (PAE).
If you choose to travel on public transport, the ride to the centre takes 40 minutes or so.
There are some great places ready to welcome you near PAE. Settle in and get cosy after your Melbourne to Seattle flight at one of these well-located options:
Why wait around? A Paine Field Airport rental car lets you start exploring right away. Crank up the music and hit the road with a set of wheels from Budget or Enterprise.
Generally speaking, the earlier you book, the more you save and the better your options. Lock in your ride from PAE as soon as you know your dates.
Seattle Boeing Fld Airport (BFI)
Head toward the city centre after your flight from Melbourne to Seattle has touched down. Central Seattle is about 11 kilometres from Seattle Boeing Fld Airport (BFI) and takes roughly 20 minutes to get to by car.
Public transport will take you there in about 35 minutes.
Start your travels without worrying about how to arrive at your destination with a Seattle Boeing Fld Airport rental car. Book your wheels with trusted companies here like Alamo, Budget and Avis.
Rental companies sometimes offer promotions on early bookings, so reserve your ride from BFI a few weeks ahead of your flight from Melbourne to Seattle. A little planning can save you money.
Best time to go to Seattle
It's time to work out your travel dates for your flight from Melbourne to Seattle. July is the busiest month to visit Seattle. If you want a more relaxed atmosphere, go in March.
The warmest month in Seattle is August, with temperatures ranging between 12ºC and 28ºC. Lock in your Melbourne to Seattle ticket then if that's your idea of comfortable weather.
February sees average temperatures of between -1ºC and 11ºC. Look for cheap flights from Melbourne to Seattle around that time if you want to travel when it's cooler.
More about Seattle
Start your Seattle trip off on the right foot by choosing the ideal place to stay. As soon as you've booked your flight from Melbourne to Seattle, browse our range of accommodation options including:
All great journeys should include a little sightseeing. Space Needle, Pike Place Fish Market and The Museum of Flight are attractions you won't want to skip in Seattle.
Explore more of the United States
Portland is just one of the many cities in the United States waiting to be discovered once you've seen the sights of Seattle. Around 241 kilometres to the south, its top attractions include Portland Japanese Garden, Peninsula Park Rose Garden and International Rose Test Garden.
Around 370 kilometres east of Seattle, Spokane is another essential stop in the United States. Experience this destination's highlights firsthand at Riverside State Park, Spokane Falls (Upper Falls) and Cathedral of Our Lady of Lourdes.
