Traveling from Melbourne to Christchurch International Airport (CHC): what you need to know
Planning your getaway begins with figuring out where you'll leave from in Melbourne. Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL) is the city's main airport, so explore your options for reserving a flight from Melbourne to Christchurch International Airport (CHC) taking off from here.
Expect to be in the air for 3 hours 21 minutes. That's the average duration of a direct flight from Melbourne to Christchurch International Airport.
Christchurch is 2 hours ahead of Melbourne. Christchurch International Airport is located in Christchurch, which operates on the UTC+13 timezone.
Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL) to Christchurch International Airport (CHC) is the most popular route. There are 59 direct departures a week to pick from. If you have things to do before heading off, hop on the last flight with Jetstar at 19:00. Choose the first MEL to CHC departure operated by Air New Zealand at 08:15 if you want to get going earlier.
For a smooth journey, arrive at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and one hour before domestic departures. This will give you plenty of time to catch your flight from Melbourne to CHC.
Head to the airport even earlier during popular months like July. Aim for two hours before a domestic departure and as much as four hours for international journeys. After checking in, you can use any extra time to relax or find something to eat.
Airports in Melbourne
Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL)
You can jump on a direct flight from Melbourne to Christchurch International Airport (CHC) leaving from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL).
Leading airlines that offer direct flights from Melbourne to Christchurch International Airport leaving from MEL include:
A stopover is the perfect opportunity to take a break from traveling — and perhaps even explore another city. When browsing flights from Melbourne to CHC leaving from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL), deselect the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can visit along the way. Consider one of these popular options:
Wellington International Airport (WLG)
Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport (SYD)
Queenstown Airport (ZQN)
MEL is approximately 24 kilometers from central Melbourne. To help work out how to get there, use Google Maps. This handy traveler tool will give you the quickest route and available public transport options.
Have an early flight from Melbourne to Christchurch International Airport? Avoid the hassle of rushing to the terminal (and sneak in some extra precious sleep) by choosing one of these hotels close to Melbourne Tullamarine Airport:
About Christchurch International Airport (CHC)
Book a hotel near CHC if you have a late flight from Melbourne to Christchurch International Airport. Choose one of these options and avoid the hassle of a long transfer:
Getting from Christchurch International Airport (CHC) to central Christchurch
Christchurch International Airport to the center of Christchurch takes about 59 minutes in a car. It's approximately 56 kilometers away. Find out what options are available, such as cabs, car rentals or ride-sharing.
How to find the cheapest flights from Melbourne to Christchurch International Airport (CHC)
For a one-way ticket from Melbourne to Christchurch International Airport, $147 is the cheapest price. You can also book a return flight starting from $238. These are the lowest fares right now but are subject to change based on availability.
Book 8 months before your departure date. After crunching the numbers on our calendar, this is how far you should book ahead to secure cheap tickets from Melbourne to CHC.
The cheapest month for tickets from Melbourne to Christchurch International Airport is May. Use the 'Whole month' search feature to find the most affordable day to fly if you're flexible with your plans.
Set up a Price Alert and keep track of changes on this route through email or push notifications. You'll know straight away when prices fall. Good timing makes all the difference when searching for cheap tickets from Melbourne to CHC.
Personalize your trip with filters. Choose the number of stops, duration, and departure and arrival times to find the ideal flight from Melbourne to Christchurch International Airport. You can also sort the results to see the 'Best,' 'Fastest' or 'Cheapest' options first.
The best time to fly from Melbourne to Christchurch International Airport (CHC)
It's time to work out your travel dates for your flight from Melbourne to Christchurch International Airport. July is the busiest month to visit Christchurch. If you want a more relaxed vibe, go in April.
Book your flight from Melbourne to CHC for January if you're eager to experience the city during its warmest month. You can expect temperatures in Christchurch to range from 10ºC to 24ºC.
Visit in July if you want to explore when it's cooler. Temperatures average between 1ºC and 12ºC. However, this city promises a good time whenever you book your cheap flights from Melbourne to Christchurch International Airport.
More about Christchurch
When it comes to looking for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the most popular stays in Christchurch right here. Browse these hotels once you've booked your flight from Melbourne to Christchurch International Airport:
Start your Christchurch sightseeing at well-known attractions like Phytofarm Herbal Learning Garden and Little River Rail Station.
Complete your Christchurch trip with a car rental
Shut down all those tabs and let us do the hard work for you. We've also got amazing deals on car rentals in Christchurch once you've booked your hotel and cheap flight from Melbourne to Christchurch International Airport. Instantly compare prices in one place and drive off with a bargain that's hard to match.