Cheap Brisbane to Melbourne flights (BNE to MEL)

Arriving at Melbourne Airport

Melbourne CBD is approximately 23 kilometres from Melbourne Airport, with commute options including private bus transfer, taxi, rideshare - or the comfortable value-option Express Skybus which runs every 10 minutes, 24 hours a day, to Southern Cross Station. Arriving into Terminal 3 (T3) at Melbourne Airport make your way outside the terminal to the available transport services.

Alternatively book car hire, a private bus transfer, taxi, or rideshare through to your Melbourne accommodation.

Transfer times and cost guide (to Melbourne City)

• Taxi: 20-40mins - $55 - $65
• Private Bus Transfer: 20-40mins - $18 - $25 per person
• Skybus: 20-40mins from $15 per person

Read more in our Melbourne Airport Guide.

Getting around Melbourne

Whether you're navigating through the capital's multiple attractions or planning a getaway down the Great Ocean Road, Melbourne is home to a wide variety of transportation options to help you explore the city and its surrounds. 

Tram

With over 31,000 services operating throughout the city every week, Melbourne's trams are the most popular form of transport amongst locals and visitors alike. Short trips within the CBD are free for all passengers, although myki passes are required for longer journeys beyond the city limits. For a detailed map of the network, including the Melbourne CBD Free Tram Zone, visit Public Transport Victoria's official website. 

Public Bicycle

Whether you choose to hire a bike from a Melbourne Bike Share docking station or activate one of the many eBikes that are available across town, it's easy to explore the city's bustling streets and laneways on two wheels. For more information on public bike hire in Melbourne, including safety tips for new riders, visit The City of Melbourne's website. 

Car Hire

If you're planning to explore the city's surrounds, there are a wide range of car hire options available on arrival at Melbourne Airport. For a great deal, be sure to take advantage of our exclusive partner offers by visiting our Car Hire Offers page before take-off.

Departing from Brisbane Airport

Located 12km from Brisbane City, Brisbane Airport is best accessed by an easy 20-minute Airtrain journey, which runs every 15-30 minutes. Pre-book your Airtrain ticket online, or simply tap on with your Translink go card.

Alternatively you can commute to Brisbane Airport via taxi, rideshare, shuttle bus – or the option to self-drive and utilise the airport parking.

In non-peak times, the drive is approximately 20-minutes from central Brisbane, however allow additional time for travel to Brisbane airport during peak times.

Virgin Australia operates from Brisbane Domestic Airport for the flight from Brisbane to Melbourne.

What time do you need to arrive at Brisbane Airport?

If you’re planning to check in luggage we recommend that you plan to arrive at the airport 60 minutes prior to your flight time, as check-in is 45 minutes prior departure. This should allow you enough time to grab a coffee or snack on the way to the departure gate.

Read more in our Brisbane Airport Guide.

Melbourne Itinerary – What to do in a day?

Only have 24 hours to explore Melbourne? Here’s our handy guide to make every minute count, squeezing in lots of attractions and things to do, without feeling like you’re a contender on The Amazing Race.

8.30am - City Circle Tram

From Melbourne Airport, catch the Express Skybus through to Southern Cross Station, drop off your bags, then hop on the free historic City Circle Tram to get your bearings of the city (whilst listening to the audio commentary).

9.30am - Coffee stop and Hosier Lane

Jumping off the tram at Flinders Street Station pop into the hole-in-the-wall Cup of Truth for a caffeine-fix and you’re now ready to explore Melbourne City by foot. Take a walk through the laneways off Flinders Lane and check out the murals and installations. Join a tour of graffiti street-art lined Hosier Lane, then head to iconic Federation Square near Flinders Street Station.

10.30am - Guided tour at MCG

The next stop is for the Aussie Rules fans. Hop on the tram at Flinders Street for a 4-minute ride to John Cain Arena. A few minutes’ walk and you’re at the ‘G’ – the famous MCG. Lap up the incredible history and sports facilities on a guided tour.

12.00pm - Lunch in Prahran

Grab a taxi or your pick of rideshare from the ‘G’, we’re off to inner-city Prahran for lunch. Option A is the Vietnamese culinary adventure, Firebird, with its distinctive Melbourne edge, while Option B is for the vegans at Red Sparrow Pizza Prahran, an all-vegan pizza palace. Whichever you choose it will be a gastronomic experience.

2pm - Shopping on Greville Street and Chapel Street

Shopping is next on today’s agenda, with a walk down bohemian-feel Greville Street, full of boutique and streetwear shops. Don’t miss Greville Records if you’re a music lover, and for street and skate fashion pop into Brick & Mortar Supply. From here you’re a hop-skip-and-jump to famous Chapel Street with its international brands and vintage.

4pm - National Gallery Victoria (NGV)

Now I know you want to shop longer but we have more to see today! Jump on Yarra tram at Chapel Street for a ride to the Arts Precinct in Southbank for time at Australia’s most-visited, largest and oldest museum, National Gallery Victoria (NGV), home to fixed and seasonal exhibitions.

5pm - Arts Centre Melbourne

It’s time to rest your feet and take in a show at nearby Arts Centre Melbourne. Performances vary throughout the year, with everything from comedy to music on offer.

8pm – dinner in the Docklands

It’s well and truly dinner time and tonight we’re off to Bhoj at the Docklands for incredible Indian cuisine. Don’t take our word - Bhoj have twice been voted Indian Restaurant of the year.

9.30pm - Urban Allery Brewery

Next - we’re off for a post-dinner ale at nearby Urban Allery Brewery, sitting under the shadows of the Dockland’s Melbourne Star.

11pm - Nightcap at Goldilocks Bar

Lucky last stop for our epic day in Melbourne – heading back to the City we’re off for a night cap at Goldilocks Bar, a rooftop bar serving tasty cocktails.

Where to stay in Melbourne?

Melbourne offers an incredible range of accommodation to suit all styles and budgets, throughout the city and its unique inner-city precincts.

Melbourne CBD

Always buzzing, Melbourne CBD is a central area to stay for both business and leisure travellers -with key attractions at your doorstep such as Federation Square, Princess Theatre and Melbourne Aquarium.

St Kilda

For a hipster beach vibe, stay in St Kilda. Located 7km from the City this resort area is home to iconic Melbourne landmarks such as Luna Park Melbourne, and Palais Theatre.

Fitzroy

For a more alternative vibe, stay in Melbourne’s inner-city Fitzroy, minutes from the city on tram #112. A bit like West End in Brisbane, but bigger. With fewer accommodation options in this area get in quick to secure a stay. Fitzroy is an eclectic suburb to stay in amongst local designer fashion, quirky bars, and vintage clothing stores such as Hunter Gatherer.

Carlton

For a true Italian feel, stay in vibrant Carlton, only a short 10-minute tram ride on line 6 from the city. Start the day like the locals - drinking expresso whilst walking through Carlton Gardens, enjoy Italian pizza and gelato, then spend the afternoon at Melbourne Museum and the evening catching a film at arthouse movie theatre, Cinema Nova.

Footscray

For a culture-fix book your stay in Footscray – with its migrant communities, Footscray Community Arts Centre, Footscray Market, and the many tasty eateries serving a range of food from Ethiopian to Vietnamese.

South Yarra

If shopping is high on your agenda you can’t go past a stay in South Yarra, where on Chapel Street you’ll find everything from vintage collectables, to international designers clothing similar to those on James Street at home.

Explore More with Our Melbourne Travel Guide

When to visit Melbourne?

Melbourne is a fantastic year-round destination (despite the more challenging weather in winter), with a busy event calendar, and always so much to see and do.

A popular time for Brisbane travellers to visit Melbourne is during summer, and the shoulder season - between March and May, and September to November. During this time the temperature isn’t too cool, there are less tourists, and you’ll often find great value accommodation and airfare prices.

Melbourne hosts a range of events that draw Brisbane travellers throughout the year – some key events being Australian Open (February), Melbourne International Comedy Festival (March to April), Melbourne International Film Festival (August), Australian Moto Grand Prix (late October), and Melbourne Cup (November).

What to pack for your trip to Melbourne?

Melbourne, unlike Brisbane, showcases “four seasons in a day” so the best advice we have is to pack lots of layers in the same colour scheme that will all work together (ever noticed you’re your Melbourne friends wear a lot of black?). We recommend that you pack a portable umbrella too to bring on your day trips.

Bring comfortable walking shoes (and some stylish ones too). Or just accidently leave them at home and go shopping for new ones! It’s also recommended to bring a day bag, so you can carry a coat for an easy outfit transition from daytime sightseeing to events in the evening.

Must Pack

• Summer: lightweight clothes, sunscreen, comfortable dresses for women, short- sleeved shirts for the men
• Autumn: a light jacket
• Winter: jeans; waterproof boots; wool scarf, hat and warm gloves; long-sleeved tops; thick wool coats and varying jackets
• Spring: a light jacket for cooler evenings