MEL - DRW

Find cheap flights from Melbourne to Darwin

1 adult
1 adult, Economy

KAYAK searches hundreds of travel sites at once for deals on flights to Darwin

 
These are the airlines KAYAK users have selected most often from within our search results in flight searches from Melbourne to Darwin, as well as popular online travel agencies
These are the airlines KAYAK users have selected most often from within our search results in flight searches from Melbourne to Darwin, as well as popular online travel agencies
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Flights Deals

Cheap Flights from Melbourne to Darwin (MEL-DRW)

 
Here are some of the best deals found on KAYAK recently from the most popular airlines for round-trip flights from Melbourne to Darwin that are departing in the next months. While these flights were available on KAYAK in the last 72 hours, prices and availability are subject to change and deals may expire.
Discover the best prices for you by selecting your travel dates on KAYAK.

Recent round-trip flight deals from Melbourne to Darwin

Qatar Airways Logo
MEL-DRW
4h 40mnonstop
Qatar Airways Logo
DRW-MEL
4h 10mnonstop
Qatar Airways
Find Deal
Cathay Pacific Logo
MEL-DRW
4h 30mnonstop
Cathay Pacific Logo
DRW-MEL
4h 15mnonstop
Cathay Pacific
Find Deal
Qantas Airways Logo
MEL-DRW
4h 30mnonstop
Qantas Airways Logo
DRW-MEL
4h 15mnonstop
Qantas Airways
Find Deal
Jetstar Logo
MEL-DRW
4h 30mnonstop
Jetstar Logo
DRW-MEL
4h 10mnonstop
Jetstar
Find Deal
Air India Logo
MEL-DRW
4h 40mnonstop
Air India Logo
DRW-MEL
4h 10mnonstop
Air India
Find Deal
China Eastern Logo
MEL-DRW
4h 30mnonstop
China Eastern Logo
DRW-MEL
4h 10mnonstop
China Eastern
Find Deal
Virgin Australia Logo
MEL-DRW
4h 40mnonstop
Virgin Australia Logo
DRW-MEL
4h 10mnonstop
Virgin Australia
Find Deal
Air New Zealand Logo
MEL-DRW
4h 30mnonstop
Air New Zealand Logo
DRW-MEL
4h 15mnonstop
Air New Zealand
Find Deal
United Airlines Logo
MEL-DRW
4h 40mnonstop
United Airlines Logo
DRW-MEL
4h 10mnonstop
United Airlines
Find Deal
Singapore Airlines Logo
MEL-DRW
4h 40mnonstop
Singapore Airlines Logo
DRW-MEL
4h 10mnonstop
Singapore Airlines
Find Deal
Useful Info

KAYAK's insights & trends for Melbourne to Darwin flights

Get data-powered insights and trends into flights from Melbourne to Darwin to help you find the cheapest flights, the best time to fly and much more.

What’s the cheapest day of the week to fly from Melbourne to Darwin?

The average price of all round-trip flights from Melbourne Airport to Darwin clicked on KAYAK for each day over the last 12 months.

If you are looking for a flight deal from Melbourne to Darwin, look for departures on Saturdays and avoid leaving on a Thursday, as it's usually the priciest day. When flying back from Darwin, Monday is the cheapest day to fly and Tuesday is the most expensive.

What is the cheapest month to fly from Melbourne Airport to Darwin?

To calculate monthly average prices, KAYAK takes all prices for each month over the last year for round-trip flights from Melbourne Airport to Darwin, removes the top 0.1% to account for outliers, and then takes the median of all values for each month.

The cheapest month for flights from Melbourne Airport to Darwin is November, where tickets cost $271 (return) on average. On the other hand, the most expensive months are July and June, where the average cost of round-trip tickets is $451 and $384 respectively.

Can I save money by flying with a layover from Melbourne Airport to Darwin?

The average round-trip price for all non-stop flights, flights with one layover, and flights with two layovers for the route found by users searching on KAYAK in the last 2 weeks.

No, with an average price for the route of $296, prices are generally cheapest when you fly direct.

How far in advance should I book a flight from Melbourne Airport to Darwin?

To calculate weekly average prices, KAYAK takes all prices for each week before departure over the last year for round-trip flights from Melbourne Airport to Darwin, removes the top 0.1% to account for outliers, and then takes the average of all the values for each week.

To get a below average price on the flight from Melbourne Airport to Darwin, you should book around 4 weeks before departure. For the absolute cheapest price, our data suggests you should book 20 weeks before departure.

Good to know

Low seasonFebruary
High seasonJuly
Best time to beat the crowds with an average 10% drop in price.
Most popular time to fly with an average 33% increase in price.

When to book flights from Melbourne to Darwin

Are your dates flexible? Find out the best times to travel from Melbourne to Darwin based on our flight data from the last year. Discover the cheapest month and even day to fly.
Estimated round-trip price
KAYAK looks at all historical flight data for each date to provide a predicted price for one-way trips or round-trips with a duration up to 40 days. While we try to provide actual minimum prices for each date, some prices are predictions and actual prices may differ.

FAQs for booking Melbourne to Darwin flights

  • What is the best way to reach Darwin centre from Darwin Airport?

    There is no public bus departing directly from Darwin Airport, but within a 5–15min walk, you can board the BusLink to Darwin centre. Tickets for the bus lie at approximately A$ 3–7, depending on how long you want the ticket to be valid. The closest bus stop to the airport is at Charles Eaton Drive, about 5min away.

  • Where can I find the car hire centre at Darwin Airport?

    One who wants to rent a car for their time in Darwin does not have to bother with public transport and can head straight to the many car hire desks in the Arrivals Hall. Just outside the baggage claim area, you find a variety of providers, including Avis, Hertz, and Thrifty, among many others.

  • What is the smoking policy at Melbourne Tullamarine Airport?

    Smoking is only permitted in a few areas and not possible once passengers have passed through the security screening. In general, it is difficult to find clearly marked smoking areas throughout the airport building, so it is best-advised to refrain altogether or inquire about safe smoking places at the information desk in the Departures Hall.

  • What shopping perks can I enjoy at Melbourne Airport?

    Melbourne Tullamarine offers a wide range of shops, including high-street brands like Burberry, Salvatore Ferragamo, and Emporio Armani. As part of their Shop & Collect policy, you can leave your purchases at Melbourne Airport and collect them when you return, so you don’t have to account for extra luggage space beforehand.

  • How fast can I be in Darwin by car from Darwin Airport?

    Darwin International Airport is merely 15min by car away from the centre of Darwin and about 10min from Charles Darwin National Park. The quickest route into the city leads via Bagot Road and Tiger Brennan Drive.

  • Do I need a passport to fly between Melbourne and Darwin?

    No, a passport isn't needed to fly from Melbourne to Darwin. However, local authorities might ask for an official ID.

  • Which airlines offer Wi-Fi service onboard planes from Melbourne to Darwin?

    Only Scoot offers inflight Wi-Fi service on the Melbourne to Darwin flight route.

  • Which aircraft models fly most regularly from Melbourne to Darwin?

    The Boeing 737-800 Passenger/BBJ2 (winglets) is the aircraft model that flies most regularly on the Melbourne to Darwin flight route.

  • Which airline alliances offer flights from Melbourne to Darwin?

    Star Alliance, oneworld, and SkyTeam are the airline alliances operating flights between Melbourne and Darwin, with Star Alliance being the most commonly used for this route.

  • On which days can I fly direct from Melbourne to Darwin?

    There are nonstop flights from Melbourne to Darwin on a daily basis.

  • How does KAYAK find such low prices on flights from Melbourne to Darwin?

    KAYAK is a travel search engine. That means we look across the web to find the best prices we can find for our users. With over 2 billion flight queries processed yearly, we are able to display a variety of prices and options on flights from Melbourne to Darwin.

  • How does KAYAK's flight Price Forecast tool help me choose the right time to buy my flight ticket from Melbourne to Darwin?

    KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool uses historical data to determine whether the price for a flight to Darwin from Melbourne is likely to change within 7 days, so travelers know whether to wait or book now.

  • What is the Hacker Fare option on flights from Melbourne to Darwin?

    Hacker Fares allow you to combine one-way tickets in order to save you money over a traditional round-trip ticket. You could then fly to Darwin with an airline and back to Melbourne with another airline. Booking your flights between Melbourne and DRW can sometimes prove cheaper using this method.

  • What is KAYAK's "flexible dates" feature and why should I care when looking for a flight from Melbourne to Darwin?

    Sometimes travel dates aren't set in stone. If your preferred travel dates have some wiggle room, flexible dates will show you all the options when flying to Darwin from Melbourne up to 3 days before/after your preferred dates. You can then pick the flights that suit you best.

KAYAK’s top tips for finding a cheap flight from Melbourne Airport to Darwin

  • Looking for a cheap flight? 25% of our users found flights on this route for $154 or less one-way and $590 or less round-trip.
  • Travellers on a budget should book with low-cost airline Jetstar for their flight from Melbourne to Darwin (DRW). The airline departs from both Melbourne Tullamarine (MEL) and Melbourne Avalon (AVV), but choose Melbourne Tullamarine as your origin airport for a direct flight.
  • When you fly from Melbourne Tullamarine (MEL), you can spend the time before your flight in one of the open-access lounges inside the International Terminal. At the Marhaba Lounge on Level 3, you can work in peace, enjoy a hot drink and dinner, and watch the planes land and take off. In the Plaza Premium Lounge, there are also kids’ packages available.
  • When you arrive at Darwin International Airport (DRW) and need to change your baby, head to the baby changing facilities close to Gate 9 and the Green Bean Café.
  • If you depart from Terminal 3 at Melbourne Tullamarine, you can relax at one of the massage chairs available in the post-security area. For A$ 2, you can enjoy 5min on the massaging chairs to board entirely relaxed.
  • The Skybus services are your quickest public connection from Melbourne CBD to both Melbourne airports. Tickets to Avalon Airport cost approximately A$ 25, and are around A$ 20 to Melbourne Tullamarine.
  • If you opt to park your car at Melbourne Tullamarine to have it await your return, you can choose from various car parks. The cheapest is around A$ 100–150 per week in the long-term car park, located a bit away from the airport. A complimentary shuttle connects the lot with the terminal buildings.

Prefer to fly direct from Melbourne to Darwin?

Find which airlines fly direct from Melbourne Airport to Darwin Airport, which days they fly and book direct flights.

Direct departures

Melbourne to Darwin

Monday

Air New Zealand, Cathay Pacific, China Eastern, +6 more

Air New Zealand, Cathay Pacific, +7 more

Tuesday

Air New Zealand, China Eastern, Jetstar, +5 more

Air New Zealand, China Eastern, +6 more

Wednesday

Air New Zealand, China Eastern, Jetstar, +5 more

Air New Zealand, China Eastern, +6 more

Thursday

Air New Zealand, China Eastern, Jetstar, +5 more

Air New Zealand, China Eastern, +6 more

Friday

Air India, Air New Zealand, Cathay Pacific, +7 more

Air India, Air New Zealand, +8 more

Saturday

Air India, Air New Zealand, Cathay Pacific, +7 more

Air India, Air New Zealand, +8 more

Sunday

Air India, Air New Zealand, China Eastern, +6 more

Air India, Air New Zealand, +7 more

See more direct flights

Direct returns

Darwin to Melbourne

Monday

Air India, Air New Zealand, Cathay Pacific, +8 more

Air India, Air New Zealand, +9 more

Tuesday

Air India, Air New Zealand, Cathay Pacific, +8 more

Air India, Air New Zealand, +9 more

Wednesday

Air India, Air New Zealand, Cathay Pacific, +8 more

Air India, Air New Zealand, +9 more

Thursday

Air India, Air New Zealand, Cathay Pacific, +8 more

Air India, Air New Zealand, +9 more

Friday

Air India, Air New Zealand, Cathay Pacific, +8 more

Air India, Air New Zealand, +9 more

Saturday

Air India, Air New Zealand, Cathay Pacific, +8 more

Air India, Air New Zealand, +9 more

Sunday

Air India, Air New Zealand, Cathay Pacific, +7 more

Air India, Air New Zealand, +8 more

See more direct flights
See more direct flights

Top airlines flying from Melbourne to Darwin

 
See real verified KAYAK customer reviews for airlines flying from Melbourne to Darwin. Airline scores are aggregated from all reviews left by passengers on KAYAK after flying with an airline. KAYAK doesn’t show reviews that are older than 5 years. Learn how KAYAK collects reviews.
Need help choosing which airline to fly with from Melbourne to Darwin? KAYAK airline reviews give an overall score for each airline based on loads of factors, including comfort, boarding, in-flight entertainment and more, to make your decision easier. See airline scores according to verified KAYAK customer reviews.
7.5
Virgin AustraliaOverall score based on 407 reviews
6.4Entertainment
7.5Comfort
6.4Food
7.7Boarding
8.2Crew
Airline reviews

4.5 hr international flight. We got a glass of water. Ranks up there with Ryan Air, Easy Jet, Spirit and Frontier. Expected better.

4.0 OkayAnonymous, May 2025NAN - BNE
Read more Virgin Australia reviews

4.5 hr international flight. We got a glass of water. Ranks up there with Ryan Air, Easy Jet, Spirit and Frontier. Expected better.

Gluten free options less explicit on business class, but great service

Very good… seems the virgin staff particularly in the lounge and in flight exceeded expectations.

I liked everything about the experience but would have liked some free snacks!

Crew was great but flight was delayed almost three hours due to a technical issue and we had to go back to the terminal and wait for another one.

Being told why we delayed three hours and not even given an apology by someone. Not a word. Not my airline of choice ever.

Checked Baggage line up was long but moved quickly, rest of the process, boarding, crew was excellent

Virgin has always provided a smooth and comfortable flight. This one was no different. Seats are comfortable. Staff are great. This is my favourite airline.

Virgin changed the flight to an Alliance flight. Smaller plane, tea coffee and water the only refreshments available and not sure what happened to the extra money I paid to sit in a selected seat with extra leg room. This is obviously a regular switch as it happened on our flight there and back. Do not recommend.

Late boarding, late departure due to weather and slow boarding, packed 5+hour flight, only 2 toilets for main cabin, tight leg room, no free food except tea, coffee, and water, arrived 75 minutes late.

stuck in the aircraft for over three hours due to engineering work, significantly delayed and made a lot of passengers missed the connecting transport, no mention any compensation

Very quiet plane!! One of the quietest planes we have been on.

Jetsatar refused to take my foldable stroller in the plane, despite following all the rules on dimensions and packaging. Similar thing happened on our previous fight. However, at that instance, they offered to check in the stroller. At this fight, the staff was rude, trying to rush us to board the flight. They made excuses that the stroller was not allowed and even offer to leave it behind and ship it back at our own cost. Fortunately, we had someone else attending. Since the flight was about to take off, they left it behind and send it back to us on the next available flight.

Overall, it was good. The only concern was that I couldn't charge my phone because the USB port didn't work after we took off. One of the crew members tried to restart it but never came back to me with an update.

Comfortable seats, boarding was easy and staff were very nice.

Flight was fine but a domestic flight was called by Jetstar international. This meant going through immigration and custom scanning twice. Long queues were experienced which were frustrating. We were using a wheelchair and exit at Perth needed a scissor lift as no air bridge provided. No fast lane at Perth for wheelchair. The staff were helpful but this system is poor.

The crew were great. The seat was older than an old Holden with a big metal bar sticking right into my back. The passenger next to me complained that hers was the same. The pre purchase system for food was disappointing as the pie/quiche took 20 mins to warm up, arrived too hot and with no utensils. It was one of the most uncomfortable flights I've ever been on.

Not very good, no food and not drink ( caffe or tea). Never ever fly with jet star.

Fabulous I have no issues with JetStar great service always use them to fly

Flight was as expected - we got what we paid for which was a base fare

Everything you need to know for your flight from Melbourne to Darwin

Information on your arrival and departure airports

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