MEL - SFO

$558 Find Cheap Flights from Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine) to San Francisco – Compare and Save

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Everything you should know

Cheapest return flight
$1,044
Typical prices: $1,117-$1,808
Fiji Airways
Tue 20/11Wed 28/11
MEL - SFO • 1 stop
Cheapest direct flights
$1,195
Typical prices: $1,286-$2,201
Virgin Australia
Sat 27/10Sat 3/11
MEL - SFO • Direct
Direct flights
You can fly direct with United Airlines. Average duration is 14h 20m
Direct flights
+1
Direct flights
+1
Avoid delays
Most punctual • 85% on-time
Best time • Fewest delays
Insights
Insights
When to book
in advance
Our data shows that travellers who book at least 20 weeks in advance save around 27% compared to booking last minute.
Insights
Insights
When to travel
Cheapest • 17% price drop
Most popular
Good to know
+1
Good to know
+1
Top stopover airports
Cheapest • Avg $1,190 (return)
Shortest trip • 17h 53m (one-way)
Insights
Insights
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We hope you enjoy your trip to San Francisco!
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Booking Insights
Flight Deals

Cheap Flights from Melbourne to San Francisco (MEL-SFO)

 
Discover the best prices for you by selecting your travel dates on KAYAK.

Recent return flight deals from Melbourne to San Francisco

Fri, 20 Nov - Sat, 28 Nov
Fiji Airways Logo
13:55 - 12:25MEL  Melbourne-SFO San Francisco
17h 30m1 stop Nadi
Fiji Airways Logo
21:50 - 12:20SFO  San Francisco-MEL Melbourne
19h 30m1 stop Nadi
$1,044Fiji Airways
Tue, 9 Mar - Sun, 14 Mar
American Airlines Logo
12:00 - 15:09MEL  Melbourne-SFO San Francisco
22h 09m1 stop Dallas/Fort Worth
American Airlines Logo
11:12 - 05:00SFO  San Francisco-MEL Melbourne
23h 48m1 stop Dallas/Fort Worth
$1,173American Airlines
Mon, 8 Mar - Mon, 15 Mar
American Airlines Logo
22:45 - 10:44MEL  Melbourne-SFO San Francisco
30h 59m1 stop Los Angeles Los Angeles
American Airlines Logo
11:29 - 09:30SFO  San Francisco-MEL Melbourne
28h 01m1 stop Los Angeles Los Angeles
$1,173American Airlines
Wed, 28 Oct - Wed, 4 Nov
Qantas Airways Logo
22:45 - 23:37MEL  Melbourne-SFO San Francisco
18h 52m1 stop Los Angeles Los Angeles
Qantas Airways Logo
15:07 - 09:30SFO  San Francisco-MEL Melbourne
23h 23m1 stop Los Angeles Los Angeles
$1,177Qantas Airways
Thu, 1 Oct - Tue, 13 Oct
Virgin Australia Logo
10:55 - 08:10MEL  Melbourne-SFO San Francisco
14h 15mdirect
Virgin Australia Logo
23:20 - 09:15SFO  San Francisco-MEL Melbourne
15h 55mdirect
$1,195Virgin Australia
Mon, 19 Oct - Mon, 26 Oct
Virgin Australia Logo
11:55 - 08:10MEL  Melbourne-SFO San Francisco
14h 15mdirect
Virgin Australia Logo
23:35 - 09:30SFO  San Francisco-MEL Melbourne
15h 55mdirect
$1,195Virgin Australia
Wed, 28 Oct - Wed, 4 Nov
United Airlines Logo
11:45 - 08:10MEL  Melbourne-SFO San Francisco
14h 25mdirect
United Airlines Logo
16:25 - 09:30SFO  San Francisco-MEL Melbourne
22h 05m1 stop Los Angeles Los Angeles
$1,198United Airlines
Tue, 6 Oct - Mon, 19 Oct
United Airlines Logo
11:55 - 08:10MEL  Melbourne-SFO San Francisco
14h 15mdirect
United Airlines Logo
13:50 - 08:30SFO  San Francisco-MEL Melbourne
24h 40m1 stop Los Angeles Los Angeles
$1,198United Airlines
Thu, 8 Oct - Mon, 19 Oct
Qantas Airways Logo
09:45 - 12:35MEL  Melbourne-SFO San Francisco
20h 50m1 stop Los Angeles Los Angeles
Qantas Airways Logo
11:32 - 06:45SFO  San Francisco-MEL Melbourne
25h 13m1 stop Los Angeles Los Angeles
$1,220Qantas Airways
Fri, 25 Dec - Fri, 22 Jan
Fiji Airways Logo
13:55 - 12:25MEL  Melbourne-SFO San Francisco
17h 30m1 stop Nadi
Fiji Airways Logo
22:05 - 12:25SFO  San Francisco-MEL Melbourne
19h 20m1 stop Nadi
$1,259Fiji Airways
Booking Insights

Price, demand, and travel trends for Melbourne Airport to San Francisco flights

Use KAYAK data on prices, travel dates, airlines, and seasonal trends to compare options and book flights from Melbourne Airport to San Francisco with more confidence.

How much is a return flight from Melbourne Airport to San Francisco?

Return flights from Melbourne Airport to San Francisco start at $1,044. Prices are below average for this route right now, with typical return fares ranging from $1,117 to $1,808. The lowest price found in the past 5 days was $1,044 on Fiji Airways.

What's the cheapest day of the week to fly from Melbourne Airport to San Francisco?

Wednesday is the cheapest day of the week to fly from Melbourne Airport to San Francisco and is 6% cheaper than the average day. Saturday is the most expensive day with flight prices 29% higher than average. Based on deals found by KAYAK users in the last 12 months.

What is the cheapest month to fly from Melbourne Airport to San Francisco?

  • May is the cheapest month to fly from Melbourne Airport to San Francisco at $1,127 return.
  • July ($1,658) and December ($1,641) are the most expensive months.
  • The price difference between flying in the cheapest and most expensive months is 47% on average.
This is based on KAYAK aggregated and averaged internal data over the past 12 months.

When are prices from Melbourne Airport to San Francisco the cheapest?

Flights from Melbourne Airport to San Francisco are cheapest 20 weeks before departure. Booking in this window typically costs about 27% less than the average last-minute fare (within 2 weeks of the flight), based on KAYAK data.

Key details for Melbourne Airport to San Francisco flights

Low season

August

Cheapest flight

$558
Best time to beat the crowds but there is an average 5% increase in price.
Most popular time to fly (14% more expensive on average)
Flights from Melbourne Airport to San Francisco

When to book flights from Melbourne to San Francisco

Are your dates flexible? Find out the best times to travel from Melbourne to San Francisco based on our flight data from the last year. Discover the cheapest month and even day to fly.
Estimated return price

Your Melbourne Airport to San Francisco flight questions, answered

Find helpful route details based on KAYAK data, including flight times, airports, airlines, and booking questions.

  • Can I fly from Melbourne to San Francisco directly?

    You will be able to find some direct flights from major airports in Melbourne to San Francisco International Airport. These flights will reduce your travel time by up to five hours in comparison to connecting flights that can take as long as 19h. United Airlines provides direct flights for this route.

  • Where can I find the prayer room at Melbourne International Airport?

    Opposite the Departures Area of Melbourne International Airport, you will find multi-faith prayer rooms. There is no cost to access these prayer rooms.

  • Are there hotels onsite at the San Francisco International Airport?

    You will be able to find numerous choices for accommodation once you have landed at the San Francisco International Airport. There are quite a few hotels located onsite and several more are located nearby. You will be able to get to nearby hotels either by using the hotel's shuttle service or by hailing a cab.

  • Where can I find restaurants in San Francisco International Airport?

    There are several choices for restaurants located within the airport. You will be able to find food services whether you are in Terminal 3, 2, or 1, as each terminal caters to travellers needs. Cat Cora's Kitchen restaurant can be found in Terminal 2; this restaurant is a great choice for travellers who enjoy health-conscious meals above fast food.

  • Is there a medical clinic at the San Francisco Airport?

    The San Francisco International Airport provides all the necessary services for travellers, including a medical clinic. Should you need any health care once you have landed, you will be able to find the medical clinic at the International Terminal Departures area on Level 3 of the airport.

  • Which airlines offer extra legroom and free seat selection on Melbourne Airport to San Francisco flights?

    Among airlines operating Melbourne Airport to San Francisco flights:

    • United Airlines: offers extra legroom; offers free seat selection
    • Virgin Australia: offers free seat selection
    • Asiana Airlines: offers free seat selection

    Extra legroom and free seat selection availability depends on fare class and route.

  • Which airlines are available on the route from Melbourne Airport to San Francisco?

    Only United Airlines operates flights between Melbourne Airport and San Francisco.

  • Which airports can I use when flying from Melbourne Airport to San Francisco?

    Flights from Melbourne Airport to San Francisco usually depart from Melbourne (MEL) and arrive at San Francisco (SFO).

  • Which airlines include bags at no extra cost on Melbourne Airport to San Francisco flights?

    Here are some options for this route, based on selected ticket types and cabin classes:

    • United Airlines: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy class
    • Virgin Australia: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy class
    • Lufthansa: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy class

    Bag allowance can vary by ticket type, cabin class, route, and airline, so travellers should check the fare details before booking.

  • Which cabin classes can I book on flights from Melbourne Airport to San Francisco?

    Four cabin classes are available on flights from Melbourne Airport to San Francisco:

    • Economy class
    • Premium Economy Class
    • Business Class
    • First Class

    Prices vary by airline.

  • How much can I save by having a stopover when flying from Melbourne Airport to San Francisco?

    On this route, stopover flights are cheaper than direct options on average. Stopover fares average $1,190 return via Nadi (NAN), compared with $1,669 for direct.

  • Which aircraft model is used most often on flights from Melbourne Airport to San Francisco?

    The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner family is used most often on this route, operated mainly by United Airlines and Virgin Australia. Other aircraft seen on the route include Airbus A380-800 variants.

  • Which airports do connecting flights from Melbourne Airport to San Francisco pass through?

    One-stop flights from Melbourne Airport to San Francisco most commonly connect through:

    • Nadi (NAN) – 53% of one-stop connections
    • Auckland Intl (AKL) – 30% of one-stop connections
    • Sydney Kingsford Smith (SYD) – 10% of one-stop connections
    • Los Angeles Los Angeles (LAX) – 2% of one-stop connections

    Nadi (NAN) handles the largest share of one-stop connections on this route.

  • Can I save money by using flexible dates for flights from Melbourne Airport to San Francisco?

    Yes. Being flexible with your travel dates can save you up to 28% on the Melbourne Airport to San Francisco route. Wednesday is the cheapest departure day at $1,282 return on average, while Saturday is the most expensive at $1,761, a difference of $480. KAYAK's flexible dates feature shows options up to 3 days before and after your selected dates, making it easier to compare nearby fares.

  • At what point is a flight considered delayed on the route from Melbourne Airport to San Francisco?

    A flight is considered delayed when it departs 15 minutes or more after its scheduled time. This is the standard used by the US Department of Transportation and most airline industry reporting. On the Melbourne Airport to San Francisco route, 15% of flights were delayed in the past 3 months, with delays averaging 2 hours 37 minutes.

  • How are flight departures from Melbourne Airport to San Francisco spread across the day?

    Morning is the busiest departure period on Melbourne Airport to San Francisco flights, with 100% leaving in that window. Afternoon departures account for 0%, Evening flights for 0%, and Night flights for 0%.

  • What popular places can I visit in San Francisco?

    Some of the most popular sights in San Francisco are Fisherman's Wharf, Union Square, and 201 Folsom Street. These are among the most viewed places in San Francisco on KAYAK.

  • What are the earliest and latest flights from Melbourne Airport to San Francisco?

    These are the earliest and latest flight times available from Melbourne Airport to San Francisco:

    • Earliest: departs at 10:55 and lands at 01:15
    • Latest: departs at 12:45 and lands at 03:05.

    The flight takes about 14h 20m.

  • How expensive are last-minute Melbourne Airport to San Francisco flights?

    Last-minute fares on this route (booked within 2 weeks of departure) run 22% above the route average of $1,361. Book 20 weeks before departure for the lowest fares.

  • How long is a flight from Melbourne Airport to San Francisco?

    A direct flight from Melbourne Airport to San Francisco takes 14h 20m, covering 20,350 km.

  • Do I need a passport to fly from Melbourne Airport to San Francisco?

    Yes, a valid passport is required for this international route. Many destinations require at least six months of validity beyond your travel dates. Check your passport expiry well before booking.

  • How are flight prices from Melbourne Airport to San Francisco looking right now?

    One-way fares from Melbourne Airport to San Francisco are currently lower than usual. Average one-way flight prices are about $887, which is 14% below the typical average for this route.

  • How does United Airlines's on-time performance compare to other airlines on Melbourne Airport to San Francisco flights?

    United Airlines is the only airline operating Melbourne Airport to San Francisco flights. 85% of its flights are on time.

  • How do delay rates compare for morning and evening flights from Melbourne Airport to San Francisco?

    Morning flights have the fewest delays on this route. Delays tend to pile up throughout the day as one late flight pushes the next, so earlier departures are usually more reliable.

  • How much time can I save by choosing a different stopover airport from Melbourne Airport to San Francisco?

    Flying via Sydney Kingsford Smith (SYD) gives the shortest average 1-stop total travel time of 17h 53m, compared to 19h 01m via Nadi (NAN) and 19h 13m via Auckland Intl (AKL).

  • What is the time difference between Melbourne Airport and San Francisco?

    San Francisco is 17 hours behind Melbourne Airport (Pacific Time vs Eastern Australia Time). Plan for the time shift when scheduling connections or first-day activities.

  • Which car hire options are available at San Francisco Airport (SFO)?

    San Francisco Airport (SFO) hosts 5 major car hire companies, with daily rates starting from around $21 for economy cars. Top options include:
    • Thrifty
    • Europcar
    • Dollar
    • Hertz
    • Fox

  • How much should I expect to pay for a Melbourne Airport to San Francisco flight?

    Return flights from Melbourne Airport to San Francisco range from $1,117 to $1,808, with an average of $1,361 over the past 12 months. Anything below $1,117 counts as a good deal.

Your guide to booking Melbourne Airport to San Francisco flights

Get tips on when to book, when to fly, and what to know before your trip.
  • If your dates are flexible, aim for a Wednesday departure instead of Saturday. On this route, Wednesday flights average $1,282 – about $480 less than Saturday (27% savings) based on the last 12 months.
  • For the best chance at a low fare, aim to book around 20 weeks before you fly. On this route, that window historically saves about 27% versus last-minute pricing (KAYAK booking data, last 12 months).
  • If you can choose when to travel, plan your Melbourne Airport to San Francisco trip for May. Fares historically average $1,127 return in that month – typically $531 less than the most expensive month, which is July (based on the last 12 months).
  • If you have the time, taking a 1-stop flight through Nadi Airport (NAN) can be cheaper than flying direct. The cheapest stopover option averages $1,190 return on this route – about $478 less than direct flights (based on the last 12 months).
  • Melbourne is served by 4 airports. The Melbourne International Airport (MEL) is one of the most popular in the region. However, Avalon Airport (AVV), Moorabbin Airport (MBW), and Essendon Fields Airport (MEB) also cater to international flights to and from Melbourne.
  • Melbourne International Airport provides travellers with a useful app that informs travellers of discounted flights while ultimately aiming to make travelling from the airport as easy as possible. You will be able to use the app to calculate flight fares and discover essential information about your flight.
  • There are 3 international airports in and around San Francisco, although, when flying from Melbourne, it is best to fly to the San Francisco International Airport (SFO). The San Francisco International Airport is well-connected to the city, which means you will be able to travel to and from the airport and use it as a base during your stay.
  • You can find Hungry Jack’s, Billie Chu, and BAXA Noodle Bar restaurants in Melbourne International Airport. There are numerous family-friendly restaurants located in the airport. Billie Chu hosts a play area and a children’s menu to cater to families with younger children.
  • If you travel from San Francisco Airport to the city centre via the BART quick train, you can expect a rough travel time of 45–60min, including your wait time. The cost of this trip will be around $ 8.65 (A$ 12).
  • The train station at San Francisco airport is located in the airport opposite the Garage G. Between three and four trains depart from the station each hour and it will take you around 30min to reach downtown San Francisco via train.
  • You can find tax-free retailers in the International Terminal A of San Francisco International Airport. In International Terminal G, you will find a Duty-Free Burberry retailer where you can purchase luxury items tax-free.

Prefer to fly direct from Melbourne to San Francisco?

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

Direct departures

Melbourne to San Francisco

Monday

United Airlines

United Airlines

Tuesday

United Airlines

United Airlines

Wednesday

United Airlines

United Airlines

Thursday

United Airlines

United Airlines

Friday

United Airlines

United Airlines

Saturday

United Airlines

United Airlines

Sunday

United Airlines

United Airlines

See more direct flights

Direct returns

San Francisco to Melbourne

Monday

United Airlines

United Airlines

Tuesday

United Airlines

United Airlines

Wednesday

United Airlines

United Airlines

Thursday

United Airlines

United Airlines

Friday

United Airlines

United Airlines

Saturday

United Airlines

United Airlines

Sunday

United Airlines

United Airlines

See more direct flights

More options for your flight from Melbourne to San Francisco

Complete your trip to San Francisco with a hotel stay or car hire