Travelling from Ottawa to Melbourne: what you need to know
Planning your getaway starts with figuring out where you'll fly out of in Ottawa. Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW) is the city's main airport, so check out your options for booking a flight from Ottawa to Melbourne taking off from here.
Hop off the plane at Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL), the primary gateway of Melbourne.
To ensure you get on your Ottawa to Melbourne flight, leave enough time to check in and drop off your luggage. Arriving two hours before international departures and one hour before domestic flights is a good rule of thumb.
Longer lines at security and check-in are more likely if you're travelling during high season, so give yourself some extra breathing space. A good rule for peak times? Get there up to four hours early for international flights and two hours for domestic departures.
How to find the cheapest flights from Ottawa to Melbourne
Booking early is often the key to locking in a cheap Ottawa to Melbourne flight. Fares tend to rise as seats fill up, so the nearer you get to departure, the more it could cost you.
If you're willing to be flexible with your trip dates, try using the 'Whole month' search tool. It'll show you the cheapest price across the month when searching for your plane ticket from Ottawa to Melbourne.
Locking in a cheap flight from Ottawa to Melbourne is a breeze with Price Alerts. All you need to do is set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll notify you when there's a better deal.
Pick your preferred departure and arrival times, number of stops and airlines by using the filters. Or sort your Ottawa to Melbourne flight results by 'Best,' 'Cheapest' or 'Fastest.'
Flying from Ottawa
Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW)
Located around 11 kilometres from the centre of Ottawa, YOW can be reached in about 20 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The journey on public transport is roughly 45 minutes.
In search of a handy hotel near Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport? If you've booked an early flight from Ottawa to Melbourne, these stays will have you moments from your departure gate:
Of the flights that depart from Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport, 58.21% arrive on time at their destination.
The address for YOW is 50 Airport Road.
Arriving in Melbourne
Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL)
Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL) is approximately 19 kilometres from the centre of Melbourne. If you're catching a cab or a ride-share, the drive takes around 30 minutes.
If you're using public transport, expect a journey time of around 40 minutes.
Book a hotel close to MEL if you're coming in on a late flight from Ottawa to Melbourne. Pick one of these accommodation options and skip the long transfer:
Grab a Melbourne Tullamarine Airport rental car and discover Melbourne and beyond with your own wheels. Bargain Car Rentals, East Coast and Sixt are top outlets to choose from here.
To get the lowest price, reserve your vehicle from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport about four weeks in advance of your Ottawa to Melbourne flight.
Avalon Airport (AVV)
Avalon Airport (AVV) is around 48 kilometres from central Melbourne. Following your flight from Ottawa to Melbourne, it'll take you approximately 50 minutes to reach the heart of the city in a ride-share or cab.
If you're travelling on public transport, it'll take around 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 hire and get going in the blink of an eye.
Call dibs on the best options. Booking your ride from AVV three weeks in advance often means better prices and a wider choice of vehicles.
Essendon Airport (MEB)
Hop off your flight from Ottawa to Melbourne and go straight to your hotel or start sightseeing right away. Central Melbourne is around 11 kilometres from Essendon Airport (MEB) and typically takes 25 minutes to reach driving.
If you use public transport, expect a journey of around 1 hour 15 minutes.
Stay in control of the next part of your trip by picking up an Essendon Airport rental car. East Coast, Ace Rental Cars and Goldcar are some companies you can book with.
Booking at least a few weeks ahead of your flight from Ottawa to Melbourne is a good move. As well as better prices, you'll be able to choose the vehicle make and model you prefer at MEB.
Best time to go to Melbourne
January is the busiest month for flights from Ottawa to Melbourne. To escape the crowds, visit Melbourne in April.
Lock in an Ottawa to Melbourne ticket departing in January if you're eager to explore the city during its warmest month. Expect temperatures in Melbourne to range from 12ºC (54ºF) to 29ºC (84ºF).
July sees average temperatures of between 4ºC (39ºF) and 13ºC (55ºF). Search for cheap flights from Ottawa to Melbourne around that time if you want to travel when it's cooler.
More about Melbourne
Once you've booked your flight from Ottawa to Melbourne, take your pick from prime hotels that put you close to the action. Make one of these options your base for exploring Melbourne:
Federation Square and National Gallery of Victoria are a couple of top-rated attractions to add to your Melbourne to-do list. Keep the sightseeing going at Eureka Skydeck 88.
Explore more of Australia
You've done Melbourne, now it's time to explore more of Australia. Travel about 467 kilometres north-east to Canberra to check off its top attractions. From Australian War Memorial to National Gallery of Australia and Parliament House, you'll have a packed itinerary ahead.
Geelong is another must-experience destination in Australia and is around 64 kilometres south-west of Melbourne. No journey is complete without dropping by Ford Motor Company, Roraima Nursery and RTC Resource Centre.
