Melbourne is Australia's second-busiest international gateway, with fares that generally track Sydney's but come with their own set of local demand spikes worth planning around.
The cheapest months to fly
February to April and August to September offer the best value, landing between the summer holiday peak and the spring events calendar that follows.
How far ahead to book
3 to 5 months ahead is usually enough for a good fare. If your trip lines up with the Australian Open, Melbourne Cup week, or the Christmas–New Year period, book 6-8 months out instead — these are Melbourne's biggest annual demand drivers.
Watch out for these price spikes
- The Australian Open, mid-to-late January — one of the biggest tennis events in the world, drawing visitors from across the globe
- Melbourne Cup Day, a Victorian public holiday (confirmed for Tuesday 3 November 2026), and the spring racing carnival around it
- Mid-December through late January — Australian summer holidays and Christmas–New Year
- The AFL Grand Final, held in Melbourne each September, which fills the city even for those not attending
The short version
February–April and August–September offer the best fares. Book 3-5 months out generally, but plan further ahead — 6-8 months — for the Australian Open, Melbourne Cup, or Christmas–New Year.