MEL - DRW

Find cheap flights from Melbourne to Darwin - Compare and Save

1 adult
1 adult, Economy, 0 bags

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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Everything you should know

Nonstop flights
Every day
You can fly direct with Jetstar, Qantas Airways and Virgin Australia. Average duration is 4h 34m
Direct flights
Direct flights
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+1
Direct flights
Direct flights
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Avoid delays
Most punctual • 85% on-time
Best time • Fewest delays
Insights
Insights
Insights
Insights
When to book
in advance
Our data shows that travelers who book at least 6 weeks in advance save around 22% compared to booking last minute.
Insights
Insights
Insights
Insights
When to travel
Cheapest • 16% price drop
Most popular
Good to know
Good to know
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Good to know
Good to know
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Flight Deals
Booking Insights
Flight 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

Multiple Airlines Logo
MEL
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DRW
1945 mimulti-stop
Multiple Airlines Logo
DRW
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MEL
1945 mimulti-stop
Multiple Airlines
Booking Insights

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 Tuesdays and avoid leaving on a Monday, as it's usually the priciest day. When flying back from Darwin, Saturday is the cheapest day to fly and Sunday 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 February, where tickets cost $323 (return) on average. On the other hand, the most expensive months are June and July, where the average cost of round-trip tickets is $501 and $477 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.

Yes, flying with a layover may cost you more time, but you can also save money on the route, with a 1 stop layover the cheapest option at $371 on average.

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 6 weeks before departure, which saves you about 22% compared to booking last minute. For the absolute cheapest price, our data suggests you should book 24 weeks before departure.

Good to know

Low seasonJanuary
Best time to beat the crowds but there is an average 3% increase in price.
Most popular time to fly with an average 1% 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.

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

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

  • Which is the best airline for flights from Melbourne to Darwin, Virgin Australia or Jetstar?

    The two airlines most popular with KAYAK users for flights from Melbourne to Darwin are Virgin Australia and Jetstar. With an average price for the route of $442 and an overall rating of 7.6, Virgin Australia is the most popular choice. Jetstar is also a great choice for the route, with an average price of $410 and an overall rating of 6.5.

  • 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 $259 or less one-way.
  • Travellers on a budget should book with low-cost airline Jetstar for their flight from Melbourne to Darwin (DRW). The airline departs from both Melbourne Tullamarine (MEL) and Melbourne Avalon (AVV), but choose Melbourne Tullamarine as your origin airport for a direct flight.
  • When you fly from Melbourne Tullamarine (MEL), you can spend the time before your flight in one of the open-access lounges inside the International Terminal. At the Marhaba Lounge on Level 3, you can work in peace, enjoy a hot drink and dinner, and watch the planes land and take off. In the Plaza Premium Lounge, there are also kids’ packages available.
  • When you arrive at Darwin International Airport (DRW) and need to change your baby, head to the baby changing facilities close to Gate 9 and the Green Bean Café.
  • If you depart from Terminal 3 at Melbourne Tullamarine, you can relax at one of the massage chairs available in the post-security area. For A$ 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?

 
Direct data is based off flight results for the next 60 days. Find direct flights from all airlines flying 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

Jetstar,Qantas Airways,Virgin Australia

Jetstar,Qantas Airways, +1 more

Tuesday

Jetstar,Qantas Airways,Virgin Australia

Jetstar,Qantas Airways, +1 more

Wednesday

Jetstar,Qantas Airways,Virgin Australia

Jetstar,Qantas Airways, +1 more

Thursday

Jetstar,Qantas Airways,Virgin Australia

Jetstar,Qantas Airways, +1 more

Friday

Jetstar,Qantas Airways,Virgin Australia

Jetstar,Qantas Airways, +1 more

Saturday

Jetstar,Qantas Airways,Virgin Australia

Jetstar,Qantas Airways, +1 more

Sunday

Jetstar,Qantas Airways,Virgin Australia

Jetstar,Qantas Airways, +1 more

See more direct flights

Direct returns

Darwin to Melbourne

Monday

Jetstar,Qantas Airways,Virgin Australia

Jetstar,Qantas Airways, +1 more

Tuesday

Jetstar,Qantas Airways,Virgin Australia

Jetstar,Qantas Airways, +1 more

Wednesday

Jetstar,Qantas Airways,Virgin Australia

Jetstar,Qantas Airways, +1 more

Thursday

Jetstar,Qantas Airways,Virgin Australia

Jetstar,Qantas Airways, +1 more

Friday

Jetstar,Qantas Airways,Virgin Australia

Jetstar,Qantas Airways, +1 more

Saturday

Jetstar,Qantas Airways,Virgin Australia

Jetstar,Qantas Airways, +1 more

Sunday

Jetstar,Qantas Airways,Virgin Australia

Jetstar,Qantas Airways, +1 more

See more direct flights

Reviews of the 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.
7.6
Virgin AustraliaOverall score based on 462 reviews
8.2Crew
6.4Entertainment
6.4Food
7.5Comfort
7.7Boarding
Airline reviews

I bought flights in August and there wasn’t a flight in the system

2.0 MediocreJan, Feb 2026
MEL - CNS
Read more Virgin Australia reviews

I bought flights in August and there wasn’t a flight in the system

Overall experience was good but what really impressed me the most was the care the flight attendants took of a sick passenger who was sitting in front of me. The flight attendants would come and check on her quite regularly providing her support and comfort. Brilliant service!

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

The level of incompetence of this airline is truly astounding.

2 hrs + delay! Times kept changing, Onboard menu was half depleted, Entertainment wifi was N/A Overall very frustrating flight and I never slate Virgin.

When the flight is full out would be good to allow the use of the front toilet as well as the rear. Otherwise it was an uneventful flight.

When I made the booking I was not aware I had to book our checked baggage separately. As we had no checked luggage booking, I had to pay A$120 per bag (total 2 bags) so you can imagine I was not pleased. I am an experienced traveller so something needs to be done to improve the booking app,

The seats are so uncomfortable. The food doesn't exist unless you pay. Disappointed

Very good experience, considering the short flight the meals were served promptly after takeoff.

Last 10 minutes boarding they canceled the flight and didn’t organise anything

Knees in back from passenger behind, limited seat pockets, no entertainment.

The Ryanair of Australia. Not impressed. Forced me to gate check my bag as it was over their weight limit. Charged me $125 for the privilege. Then said plane hold was locked and it would have to go out in the next flight, which was the following day. Explained that I was on a cruise the next day and the plane would not arrive until after the ship left, and that it would be impossible to catch up with the cruise at any point. Lady at the gate unimpressed. So to sum up they were ready to charge me $125 to lose a bag. Finally got it resolved by appealing to management, but the whole episode was not good for the blood pressure. The gate lady said they followed the Ryanair business model which means first time passengers get penalized for doing things that other airlines routinely allow.

Flight was delayed both directions but once in the air was ok. Boarding out of Melbourne is just a mess.

Delayed twice. Poor communication and people made to change gates too often.

Late leaving and desintuon board showed ‘gate closed’ when they hadn’t even commenced boarding!

It was better than I expected. Thought $5 for a small cup of tea was a bit much!

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

No food taken so can't rate also no entertainment so can't rate.

It was a super crowded time to travel out of Melbourne, but the flight was OK

It’s only a moment away until they ask you to stand on the scale and charge you a fee for how heavy you weigh.

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

Information on your arrival and departure airports