Travelling from Melbourne to Christchurch International Airport (CHC): What you need to know
Planning your getaway starts with figuring out where you'll fly out of in Melbourne. Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL) is the city's main airport, so check out your options for booking a flight from Melbourne to Christchurch International Airport (CHC) leaving from here.
Book a direct Melbourne to Christchurch International Airport flight and you'll be in the air for around 3 hours 20 minutes.
Christchurch is two hours ahead of Melbourne. Christchurch International Airport is located in Christchurch, which operates on the UTC+13 timezone.
With 24 direct weekly flights between the two airports, Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL) to Christchurch International Airport (CHC) is the busiest route. Air New Zealand operates the earliest flight at 8:05am. If you prefer to make the most of your day before leaving, the latest flight from MEL to CHC is with Air New Zealand at 6:55pm.
To ensure you catch your flight from Melbourne to CHC, leave enough time for things like check-in and baggage drop. Arriving two hours ahead of international departures and an hour before domestic flights is the standard rule.
During peak travel periods, expect extended wait times and arrive earlier. Aim for at least two hours ahead for domestic flights and as much as four hours for international journeys.
Airports in Melbourne
Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL)
Reach your destination without the detour from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL). Nonstop flights from Melbourne to Christchurch International Airport (CHC) can be booked from here.
At MEL, there's a range of carriers that offer direct flights from Melbourne to Christchurch International Airport, including:
The majority of passengers choose to book seats with Qantas from MEL to CHC.
Jetstar is the most punctual carrier on this route.
Consider adding a stopover to find cheap flights from Melbourne to CHC. Simply deselect 'Direct flights only' when searching for departures from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL). Take a break from travelling at one of these airports:
Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport (SYD)
Wellington International Airport (WLG)
Queenstown Airport (ZQN)
Travelling from central Melbourne to MEL takes about 40 minutes on public transport. If you ride-share, drive or get a cab, you'll cover the 24 kilometres in 30 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.
Want a relaxed start to your travels? Stay near Melbourne Tullamarine Airport. Whether you're boarding an early flight from Melbourne to Christchurch International Airport or prefer not to rush, these hotels offer the perfect solution:
When it comes to Melbourne Tullamarine Airport's on-time performance, data shows 67.71% of flights complete their journey on time.
Avalon Airport (AVV)
Check a new destination off your list 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 International Airport, check out these options when departing from Avalon Airport:
Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport (SYD)
Brisbane Airport (BNE)
Gold Coast Airport (OOL)
You can get to AVV from central Melbourne in about 50 minutes by car, depending on traffic conditions. The journey by public transport takes roughly 2 hours 5 minutes to cover the 56 kilometres or so.
Getting everyone to the airport on time before your Melbourne to CHC flight is far easier when you stay near Avalon Airport. If you have an early departure, Corio Bay Motel will put you just a short drive away.
Flights from Avalon Airport have a proven record for punctuality, with 80.09% of them landing as expected.
About Christchurch International Airport (CHC)
If you're arriving on a late flight from Melbourne to Christchurch International Airport, nothing beats the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Grab your luggage from the carousel and then be showered and relaxing soon after at one of these hotels near CHC:
Pick up a Christchurch International Airport rental car and explore Christchurch and beyond with your own set of wheels. Yes rentals, Discount Car Rentals and mode rentals are top providers you can book with here.
Lock in the best possible rate by reserving your ride around three weeks ahead of your Melbourne to Christchurch International Airport flight.
How to find the cheapest flights from Melbourne to Christchurch International Airport (CHC)
At the moment, Rs42,276 is the best price we've found for a one-way ticket from Melbourne to Christchurch International Airport. The cheapest price for a return flight is Rs70,240. Keep in mind fares may change due to demand at the time of booking.
Booking in advance is often the key to finding a cheap flight from Melbourne to CHC. Flight prices rise as demand increases, so the closer you get to departure, the more you'll likely pay.
Cheap Melbourne to Christchurch International Airport tickets are easier to find when your dates are flexible. Use the 'Whole month' search tool to compare fares across each month and then pick the cheapest day.
Save time searching for cheap flight tickets from Melbourne to CHC by creating a Price Alert. We'll send you an email or notification on the app when a lower fare pops up.
Find the best deal on a flight from Melbourne to Christchurch International Airport with the help of the filters. Pick your preferred arrival and departure times, number of stops and airlines. You can also sort your results by 'Best,' 'Fastest' or 'Cheapest.'
The best time to fly from Melbourne to Christchurch International Airport (CHC)
April is the quietest month for flights from Melbourne to Christchurch International Airport (CHC), while July is the most popular. Figure out the ideal time to visit Christchurch based on whether you like a bustling atmosphere or a more laid-back vibe.
When booking your Melbourne to CHC flight ticket, consider the weather you're most comfortable in. January is the warmest month in Christchurch, with temperatures ranging from 10ºC to 24ºC.
July sees temperatures of between 1ºC and 12ºC. Search for cheap tickets from Melbourne to Christchurch International Airport around that time if you'd rather travel in cooler conditions.
More about Christchurch
After booking your flight from Melbourne to Christchurch International Airport, find a hotel that offers the right mix of comfort and location. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring Christchurch:
Your visit to Christchurch won't be complete without checking out the sights. Top attractions that belong on your itinerary include Mount Herbert/Te Ahu Patiki, Purau Bay and The Monument Track (North).
Explore more of New Zealand
Dunedin is just one of the many places in New Zealand waiting to be explored once you've seen Christchurch. Around 306 kilometres away to the south-west, popular attractions include Dunedin Botanic Garden, Saint Kilda Beach and Sandfly Bay.
Around 257 kilometres north of Christchurch, Nelson is another essential stop in New Zealand. Experience the best of this destination with a visit to Centre of New Zealand, Helibike Nelson and Maitai Esplanade.
