Travelling from Melbourne to Christchurch Airport (CHC): What you need to know
Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL) is Melbourne's main airport. Explore your options for booking a flight from Melbourne to Christchurch Airport (CHC) leaving from here.
3 hours 25 minutes is the average travel time for a direct Melbourne to Christchurch Airport flight.
Christchurch Airport is located in Christchurch. The city is in the UTC+13 timezone and is two hours ahead of Melbourne.
With 25 direct flights a week between the two airports, Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL) to Christchurch Airport (CHC) is the busiest route. Air New Zealand operates the earliest flight at 8:05am. If you'd like to make the most of your day before taking off, the last departure from MEL to CHC is with Air New Zealand at 6:55pm.
Arrive at the airport on time so you don't miss your flight from Melbourne to CHC. Be there at least two hours ahead for international flights and an hour early for domestic departures to skip the mad dash to your gate.
Popular months like July or other busy periods mean longer lines and potential delays. Get a head start by arriving at the airport even earlier. Plan for at least four hours ahead of an international flight and two hours before domestic departures.
Airports in Melbourne
Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL)
You can book a direct flight from Melbourne to Christchurch Airport (CHC) departing from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL).
At MEL, there's a good selection of airlines operating direct flights from Melbourne to Christchurch Airport, including:
The majority of passengers choose to fly with Qantas between MEL and CHC.
The carrier with the most reliable on-time arrival rate on this route is Jetstar.
We make it simple to find cheap flights from Melbourne to CHC that include a stopover. To explore all the options leaving from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL), uncheck 'Direct flights only.' Then, select a flight that has a stop long enough to tour the city of your choice. Popular stopovers between MEL and CHC include:
Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport (SYD)
Wellington International Airport (WLG)
Queenstown Airport (ZQN)
Travelling from central Melbourne to MEL takes about 35 minutes by public transport. If you drive, ride-share or get a taxi, you'll cover the 24 kilometres in 25 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.
In search of a comfortable hotel close to Melbourne Tullamarine Airport? If you're catching an early flight from Melbourne to Christchurch Airport, these accommodation options will have you sleeping a quick hop from check-in:
Of the flights that depart from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport, 63% land on schedule at their destination.
Avalon Airport (AVV)
Add another location to your travels or just take a moment to stretch your legs with a stopover. If you'd like to split up your flight from Melbourne to Christchurch Airport, here's where you can stop when departing from Avalon Airport:
Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport (SYD)
Brisbane Airport (BNE)
Gold Coast Airport (OOL)
On public transport, you can travel from central Melbourne to AVV in about 1 hour 20 minutes. The terminal is roughly 56 kilometres away, and getting there by car takes approximately 1 hour 5 minutes.
It's your holiday, so why not spend an extra night away at a hotel near Avalon Airport? Before your Melbourne to CHC flight, check yourself in to Corio Bay Motel.
76% of flights out of Avalon Airport make it to their destination as expected.
About Christchurch Airport (CHC)
The last thing you want is a long journey to your hotel if you're arriving on a late flight from Melbourne to Christchurch Airport. Make yourself comfy at one of these accommodation options near CHC instead:
To get the best deal, book your vehicle around three weeks ahead of your Melbourne to Christchurch Airport flight.
Getting from Christchurch Airport (CHC) to central Christchurch
Central Christchurch is around 11 kilometres from Christchurch Airport and takes about 20 minutes to reach by car. Work out your options for getting into the city, whether that's with a taxi, car hire or ride-share.
If you're travelling by public transport, expect a journey time of roughly 35 minutes.
How to find the cheapest flights from Melbourne to Christchurch Airport (CHC)
The lowest price we've found for a one-way ticket from Melbourne to Christchurch Airport is Rs52,309. For a return flight on this route, the best price is Rs91,443. Depending on how early you book and the availability, these fares may change.
To pick up cheap flights from Melbourne to CHC, book ahead. Airlines tend to offer lower prices when tickets first go on sale.
The 'Whole month' search tool shows you the cheapest Melbourne to Christchurch Airport tickets across the entire month. It's an easy way to snap up a bargain if your travel plans are flexible.
Locking in a cheap plane ticket from Melbourne to CHC is a piece of cake with Price Alerts. All you need to do is set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll get in touch when prices go down.
Tailor your flights using filters. Choose your preferred arrival and departure times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort your results by 'Cheapest,' 'Best' or 'Fastest' flights from Melbourne to Christchurch Airport.
The best time to fly from Melbourne to Christchurch Airport (CHC)
It's time to decide your travel dates for your flight from Melbourne to Christchurch Airport (CHC). March is the busiest month to travel to Christchurch. If you like your getaways a little more chill, think about going in December.
The warmest month in Christchurch is January, with temperatures ranging between 10ºC and 24ºC. Lock in your Melbourne to CHC plane ticket then if this is the type of weather you enjoy.
July has temperatures of between 1ºC and 12ºC. Look for cheap tickets from Melbourne to Christchurch Airport around that time if you like cooler conditions.
More about Christchurch
Start your Christchurch trip right by choosing the ideal place to stay. Once you've booked your flight from Melbourne to Christchurch Airport, check out our range of accommodation options including:
There are plenty of awesome things to do in Christchurch when you're ready to see the sights. Start exploring at Mount Herbert/Te Ahu Patiki followed by Gemston & Fossil Museum Birdlings Flat and Phytofarm Herbal Learning Garden.
Explore more of New Zealand
You've done Christchurch, now it's time to discover more of New Zealand. Travel about 306 kilometres southwest to Dunedin to tick off its leading sights. From Dunedin Botanic Garden to Saint Kilda Beach and Sandfly Bay, you've got a jam-packed schedule ahead.
If you're interested in discovering another great destination in New Zealand, consider Nelson, roughly 257 kilometres north of Christchurch. Centre of New Zealand, Maitai Esplanade and Tahunanui Beach are among its highlights.
