SFO - MEL

$737 Find Cheap Flights from San Francisco to Melbourne – Compare and Save

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Everything you should know

Cheapest return flight
$1,369
Typical prices: $1,523-$2,503
Fiji Airways
Sun 11/11Sun 18/11
SFO - MEL • 1 stop
Cheapest direct flights
$1,993
Typical prices: $1,833-$2,768
United Airlines
Wed 14/3Thu 22/3
SFO - MEL • Direct
Direct flights
You can fly direct with United Airlines. Average duration is 15h 55m
Direct flights
+1
Direct flights
+1
When to book
in advance
Our data shows that travellers who book at least 14 weeks in advance save around 26% compared to booking last minute.
Insights
Insights
When to travel
Cheapest • 19% price drop
Most popular
Good to know
+1
Good to know
+1
Top stopover airports
Cheapest • Avg $1,423 (return)
Shortest trip • 17h 48m (one-way)
Insights
Insights
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We hope you enjoy your trip to Melbourne Airport!
Flight Deals
Booking Insights
Flight Deals

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

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

Recent return flight deals from San Francisco to Melbourne

Wed, 11 Nov - Wed, 18 Nov
Fiji Airways Logo
21:50 - 12:25SFO  San Francisco-MEL Melbourne
19h 35m1 stop Nadi
Fiji Airways Logo
13:45 - 12:35MEL  Melbourne-SFO San Francisco
17h 50m1 stop Nadi
$1,369Fiji Airways
Fri, 12 Feb - Sun, 28 Feb
Fiji Airways Logo
22:05 - 12:25SFO  San Francisco-MEL Melbourne
19h 20m1 stop Nadi
Fiji Airways Logo
13:55 - 12:40MEL  Melbourne-SFO San Francisco
17h 45m1 stop Nadi
$1,369Fiji Airways
Fri, 12 Mar - Fri, 19 Mar
Fiji Airways Logo
22:05 - 12:25SFO  San Francisco-MEL Melbourne
19h 20m1 stop Nadi
Fiji Airways Logo
13:35 - 13:35MEL  Melbourne-SFO San Francisco
18h 00m1 stop Nadi
$1,369Fiji Airways
Sat, 30 Jan - Fri, 5 Feb
Fiji Airways Logo
21:50 - 12:20SFO  San Francisco-MEL Melbourne
19h 30m1 stop Nadi
Fiji Airways Logo
13:35 - 12:35MEL  Melbourne-SFO San Francisco
18h 00m1 stop Nadi
$1,369Fiji Airways
Tue, 23 Feb - Tue, 23 Mar
Philippine Airlines Logo
22:40 - 07:30SFO  San Francisco-MEL Melbourne
37h 50m1 stop Manila Ninoy Aquino Intl
Philippine Airlines Logo
09:20 - 20:45MEL  Melbourne-SFO San Francisco
29h 25m1 stop Manila Ninoy Aquino Intl
$1,424Philippine Airlines
Sat, 3 Apr - Sun, 2 May
Philippine Airlines Logo
00:30 - 06:20SFO  San Francisco-MEL Melbourne
36h 50m1 stop Manila Ninoy Aquino Intl
Philippine Airlines Logo
09:00 - 21:10MEL  Melbourne-SFO San Francisco
29h 10m1 stop Manila Ninoy Aquino Intl
$1,440Philippine Airlines
Tue, 16 Feb - Tue, 23 Feb
Philippine Airlines Logo
22:40 - 07:30SFO  San Francisco-MEL Melbourne
37h 50m1 stop Manila Ninoy Aquino Intl
Philippine Airlines Logo
09:20 - 19:45MEL  Melbourne-SFO San Francisco
29h 25m1 stop Manila Ninoy Aquino Intl
$1,446Philippine Airlines
Sun, 14 Mar - Mon, 22 Mar
United Airlines Logo
23:35 - 09:30SFO  San Francisco-MEL Melbourne
15h 55mdirect
United Airlines Logo
11:45 - 08:10MEL  Melbourne-SFO San Francisco
14h 25mdirect
$1,993United Airlines
Sun, 14 Mar - Wed, 24 Mar
United Airlines Logo
23:35 - 09:30SFO  San Francisco-MEL Melbourne
15h 55mdirect
United Airlines Logo
11:45 - 08:10MEL  Melbourne-SFO San Francisco
14h 25mdirect
$1,993United Airlines
Tue, 9 Mar - Wed, 24 Mar
United Airlines Logo
23:35 - 10:30SFO  San Francisco-MEL Melbourne
15h 55mdirect
United Airlines Logo
11:45 - 08:10MEL  Melbourne-SFO San Francisco
14h 25mdirect
$1,993United Airlines
Booking Insights

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

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

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

Return flights from San Francisco to Melbourne Airport typically range from $1,523 to $2,503. The lowest price found in the past 5 days was $1,369 on Fiji Airways.

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

Based on deals KAYAK users found in the last 12 months, Sunday is the cheapest day of the week to fly from San Francisco to Melbourne Airport. It’s 12% cheaper than the average day, while Thursday is the most expensive, with prices 14% higher.

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

•February is the cheapest month to fly from San Francisco to Melbourne Airport at $1,565 return.
•December ($2,635) and July ($2,309) are the most expensive months.
•The price difference between flying in the cheapest and most expensive months is 68% on average.
This is based on KAYAK aggregated and averaged internal data over the past 12 months.

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

Flights from San Francisco to Melbourne Airport are cheapest 14 weeks before departure. Booking in this window typically costs about 26% less than the average last-minute fare (within 2 weeks of the flight), based on KAYAK data.

Key details for San Francisco to Melbourne Airport flights

Low season

July

Cheapest flight

$690
Beat the crowds with an average 34% drop in traveller numbers.
The most popular month to fly with an average 108% increase in traveller numbers.
One-way flight from San Francisco to Melbourne Airport

When to book flights from San Francisco to Melbourne

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

Your San Francisco to Melbourne Airport flight questions, answered

Find helpful answers about this route, including flight times, airports, airlines, and booking tips.

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

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

    • Earliest: departs at 23:20 and lands at 15:15
    • Latest: departs at 23:35 and lands at 15:30.

    The flight takes about 15h 55m.

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

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

    • Economy class
    • First Class

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

    A direct flight from San Francisco to Melbourne Airport takes 15h 55m, covering 20,350 km.

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

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

    Return flights from San Francisco to Melbourne Airport range from $1,523 to $2,503, with an average of $1,935 over the past 12 months. Anything below $1,523 counts as a good deal.

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

    Last-minute fares on this route (booked within two weeks of departure) run 11% above the $1,935 route average. Book 14 weeks before departure for the lowest fares.

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

    On this route, stopover flights are cheaper than direct options on average. Stopover fares average $1,423 return via Manila Ninoy Aquino Intl (MNL), compared with $2,240 for direct.

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

    The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner family is used most often on this route, operated mainly by United Airlines and Alaska Airlines. Other aircraft seen on the route include Airbus A320-100/200 variants.

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

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

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

    One-way fares from San Francisco to Melbourne Airport are currently lower than usual. Average one-way flight prices are about $934, which is 17% below the typical average for this route.

  • Which car hire options are available at Melbourne Airport (MEL)?

    Melbourne Airport (MEL) hosts 5 major car hire companies, with daily rates starting from around $19 for economy cars. Top options include:

    • Bargain Car Rentals
    • East Coast Car Rentals
    • EverythingFleet
    • Ace Rental Cars
    • Alpha

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

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

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

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

    • Nadi (NAN) – 67% of one-stop connections
    • Auckland Intl (AKL) – 17% of one-stop connections
    • Sydney Kingsford Smith (SYD) – 6% of one-stop connections
    • Los Angeles (LAX) – 5% of one-stop connections

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

    Yes. Flexible dates can save you up to 23% on flights from San Francisco to Melbourne Airport. Sunday is the cheapest departure day at $1,711 return on average, while Thursday is the most expensive at $2,212, a difference of $500.

    Cheaper weekend fares like these are typical of routes dominated by weekday business travel.

  • Which airlines fly from San Francisco to Melbourne Airport?

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

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

    Flying via Sydney Kingsford Smith (SYD) gives the shortest average 1-stop total travel time of 17h 48m, compared to 18h 48m via Nadi (NAN) and 19h 02m via Auckland Intl (AKL).

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

    Melbourne Airport is 18 hours ahead of San Francisco (Eastern Australia Time vs Pacific Time). Plan for the time shift when scheduling connections or first-day activities.

  • What popular places can I visit in Melbourne Airport?

    Some of the most popular sights in Melbourne Airport are Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, Crown Casino, and Marvel Stadium. These are among the most viewed places in Melbourne Airport on KAYAK.

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

    Among airlines operating San Francisco to Melbourne Airport flights:

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

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

  • Which airlines include bags at no extra cost on San Francisco to Melbourne Airport 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
    • ANA: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy class

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

  • Where is the best place to get dropped off at San Francisco Airport?

    If you’re getting a ride to San Francisco International Airport (SFO), you can avoid the traffic of the terminal drop-off zones and head instead to the Kiss & Fly area, which can be found in the Rental Car Precinct (on North McDonnell Road). From here, you can take the free AirTrain (which operates 24h a day) to your terminal. You should arrive in just a few minutes.

  • Is there on-site accommodation at the San Francisco Airport?

    Luxury on-site accommodation is available at the Grand Hyatt at San Francisco Airport, which offers soundproof rooms to all guests. The hotel can be found at the entrance to the airport, and you will have easy access to all terminals via the AirTrain’s Red Line. If you’re not in need of luxury, there are plenty of budget hotels within 2 km of San Francisco Airport.

  • What are the layover options between San Francisco and Melbourne?

    Most flights from San Francisco (SFO) to Melbourne (MEL) come with a stop or two along the way. These stops depend greatly on which airline you choose to fly with. For example, Singapore Airline flights come with a layover at Singapore’s Changi Airport (SIN), while Cathay Pacific flights come with a stop at Hong Kong International Airport (HKG). If you fly with Hawaiian Airlines, you can enjoy a stop in Honolulu, after which you will generally also stop in either Sydney (SYD) or Brisbane (BNE).

Your guide to booking San Francisco to Melbourne Airport 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 Sunday departure and avoid flying on Thursday. On this route, Sunday flights average $1,711, about $500 less than Thursday fares (23% savings) based on the last 12 months.
  • For the best chance at a low fare, aim to book around 14 weeks before you fly. On this route, that window historically saves about 26% versus last-minute pricing (KAYAK booking data, last 12 months).
  • If you can choose when to travel, plan your San Francisco to Melbourne Airport trip for February. Fares historically average $1,565 return in that month – typically $1,071 less than the most expensive month, which is December (based on the last 12 months).
  • If you have the time, taking a 1-stop flight through Manila Ninoy Aquino Intl Airport (MNL) can be cheaper than flying direct. The cheapest stopover option averages $1,423 return on this route – about $817 less than direct flights (based on the last 12 months).
  • If you're arriving late at night and need somewhere to stay, check out these hotels close to Melbourne Airport.

    • Holiday Inn Melbourne Airport By IHG
  • You can get around quickly and easily at San Francisco Airport (SFO) thanks to the free AirTrain. The Red Line has stops at the parking areas, the BART station, and all terminals.
  • San Francisco Airport has a variety of long-term parking options for international travellers, with prices ranging from around $18 (A$ 23.40) to $36 (A$ 46.70) per day.
  • San Francisco Airport is awash with art. If you have time before your flight, check out the Aviation Library and the Aviation Museum, both of which can be found in the International Terminal.

Prefer to fly direct from San Francisco to Melbourne?

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

Direct departures

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

Direct returns

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

More options for your flight from San Francisco to Melbourne

Complete your trip to Melbourne with a hotel stay or car hire