Flying from Houston to Melbourne: what you need to know
There are two main airports you can start your journey from in Houston. Explore your options departing from George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) or William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) when searching for a flight from Houston to Melbourne.
Touch down at Melbourne's primary gateway, Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL).
Melbourne's timezone is UTC+11, which makes Melbourne 16 hours ahead of Houston.
Give yourself enough time to make your Houston to Melbourne flight. Generally, it's best to arrive at least two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
Peak months like July or vacation periods such as spring break and Thanksgiving will mean bigger lines at check-in and security. Be on the safe side and head to the terminal even earlier. Arriving two hours before a domestic flight and four hours ahead of an international departure is a wise move.
How to find the cheapest flights from Houston to Melbourne
Don't leave everything to the last minute. You're more likely to get cheap Houston to Melbourne flights if you book early. Airlines often offer some great early bird deals.
If you can be flexible with your travel plans, try using the 'Whole month' search tool. It'll show you the lowest price across every month when searching for your plane ticket from Houston to Melbourne.
Locking in a cheap flight from Houston to Melbourne is easy with Price Alerts. Simply set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll let you know as soon as a better deal is available.
Tailor your travel plans using filters. Choose your arrival and departure times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort the results by 'Best,' 'Fastest' or 'Cheapest' Houston to Melbourne flights.
Flying from Houston
George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
Think about adding a stopover to possibly find a cheaper Houston to Melbourne flight. Simply deselect 'Direct flights only' when searching for departures from George Bush Intercontinental Airport. Break up your trip (and maybe save some cash) by stopping at one of these popular options:
Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport (SYD)
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
Travelling from central Houston to IAH takes around 50 minutes on public transport. If you ride-share, drive or get a cab, you'll cover the 21 kilometres in 20 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.
In search of a convenient hotel near George Bush Intercontinental Airport? If you've booked an early flight from Houston to Melbourne, these accommodation options will put you moments from check-in:
Of all flights leaving George Bush Intercontinental Airport, 78.42% land on time at their destination.
IAH is located at 16930 JFK Boulevard.
William P. Hobby Airport (HOU)
Break up your Houston to Melbourne flight with a stop at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). One of the main stopovers between William P. Hobby Airport and Melbourne, it's a good opportunity to relax before the next leg of your journey.
HOU is about 16 kilometres from central Houston. It'll take you 20 minutes or so to get to the airport if you're driving from the city centre. Public transport takes roughly 1 hour 40 minutes.
Want to treat yourself to an extra night away before boarding your flight from Houston to Melbourne? Check in to a hotel near William P. Hobby Airport before your trip officially starts. Consider one of these stays:
Flights from William P. Hobby Airport are known for their punctuality, with 81.06% of them landing within the expected time frame.
You'll find HOU at 7800 Airport Boulevard.
Arriving in Melbourne
Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL)
The distance from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL) to central Melbourne is approximately 19 kilometres. It takes about 30 minutes to get to the centre driving.
It usually takes 40 minutes to get there when travelling by public transport.
If you're arriving on a late flight from Houston to Melbourne, nothing beats the convenience of staying near the terminal. Pick up your bags from the carousel and then be showered and sleeping not long after at one of these hotels near MEL:
Get your adventure underway by picking up a Melbourne Tullamarine Airport rental car. Grab a set of wheels from Bargain Car Rentals, East Coast or Sixt to explore Melbourne and beyond.
Lock in the best possible rate by booking your ride from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport around four weeks before your departure date.
Avalon Airport (AVV)
Avalon Airport (AVV) is about 48 kilometres from central Melbourne. Once you've disembarked your flight from Houston to Melbourne, it'll take you approximately 50 minutes to get to the heart of the city in a ride-share or cab.
If you're catching public transport, it'll take approximately 2 hours 5 minutes.
No time to waste? The fastest way to get to where you're going is with an Avalon Airport rental car. Grab your wheels from Sixt, Kangaroo Rental or yesaway car rental and be off and running.
Avoid paying extra. Securing your ride three weeks before your arrival at AVV will save you money.
Essendon Airport (MEB)
Essendon Airport (MEB) is about 11 kilometres from the centre of Melbourne. It'll take you about 25 minutes to reach the city centre by car once you've stepped off your flight from Houston to Melbourne.
The journey takes around 1 hour 15 minutes when travelling by public transport.
Take control of the next chapter of your journey with an Essendon Airport rental car. East Coast, Ace Rental Cars and Goldcar are dependable companies for booking.
Rental providers sometimes offer promotions on early bookings, so secure your vehicle from MEB a few weeks in advance of your flight from Houston to Melbourne. A bit of planning goes a long way for your wallet.
Best time to go to Melbourne
April is the quietest month for flights from Houston to Melbourne, while January is the busiest. Figure out the ideal time to go to Melbourne based on whether you want a laid-back vibe or a lively atmosphere.
When booking your Houston to Melbourne tickets, consider the weather you're most comfortable in. January is the warmest month in Melbourne, with temperatures ranging from 12ºC (54ºF) to 29ºC (84ºF).
Search for cheap flights from Houston to Melbourne in July if you want to travel in cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 4ºC (39ºF) and 13ºC (55ºF) on average.
More about Melbourne
When it comes to looking for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the most popular stays in Melbourne right here. Browse these options as soon as you've locked in your flight from Houston to Melbourne:
There are so many things to see and do in this city it can be tricky to know where to start. Federation Square, National Gallery of Victoria and Eureka Skydeck 88 are highlights which should feature on every Melbourne itinerary.
Explore more of Australia
You've done Melbourne, now it's time to explore other parts of Australia. Journey about 467 kilometres north-east to Canberra to check off its leading sights. From Australian War Memorial to National Gallery of Australia and Parliament House, you've got a jam-packed schedule ahead.
If you're ready to explore another great destination in Australia, consider Geelong, about 64 kilometres south-west of Melbourne. Ford Motor Company, Roraima Nursery and RTC Resource Centre are among its highlights.