Travelling from Chicago to Melbourne: what you need to know
There are two main airports you can start your trip from in Chicago. Check out your options leaving from O'Hare International Airport (ORD) or Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) when reserving your flight from Chicago to Melbourne.
Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL) is the primary point of entry to Melbourne.
Melbourne is 16 hours ahead of Chicago and observes the UTC+11 timezone.
To ensure you make your Chicago to Melbourne flight, leave enough time to check in and drop off your luggage. Turning up two hours ahead of international departures and an hour before domestic flights is the general travel rule.
During popular months like August, it's a good idea to get to the airport earlier than normal. Plan to arrive two hours before domestic departures and four hours ahead for international flights whenever you're travelling during a peak period in general.
How to find the cheapest flights from Chicago to Melbourne
To pick up cheap Chicago to Melbourne flights, book in advance. Airlines usually offer the most competitive fares when flights are first released.
If you're flexible with your travel dates, use the 'Whole month' search tool. It'll give you the lowest price in every month when searching for your plane ticket from Chicago to Melbourne.
Save time searching for cheap flights from Chicago to Melbourne by setting up a Price Alert. You'll receive an email or notification through the app when a new low fare is offered.
Save on your Chicago to Melbourne flight with the help of our filters. Choose your preferred times, number of stops and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' for the best deals.
Flying from Chicago
O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
We make it a breeze to find a Chicago to Melbourne flight with a stopover. To see the options departing from O'Hare International Airport, deselect 'Direct flights only.' Next, choose a flight offering a stop long enough to see the sights of your chosen city. Top stopovers include:
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
ORD is around 26 kilometres from central Chicago. If you're catching a cab, ride-sharing or driving from the centre, it'll take 35 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic. If you're planning to take public transport, expect the trip time to be around 55 minutes.
Need a handy hotel close to O'Hare International Airport? If you're catching an early flight from Chicago to Melbourne, these accommodation options will have you nice and close to your departure gate:
74.85% of flights that depart O'Hare International Airport reach their destination on schedule.
You'll find ORD at 10000 West O'Hare.
Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)
Visit family or friends or just take a moment to recharge with a stopover. If you'd like to split up your Chicago to Melbourne flight, check out these options when departing from Chicago Midway International Airport:
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
You can get to MDW from the centre of Chicago in about 20 minutes by car (depending on traffic conditions). The journey by public transport will take roughly 45 minutes to cover the 14 kilometres or so.
Kick off your holiday early with an extra night away from home. Before your flight from Chicago to Melbourne, unwind in one of these hotels close to Chicago Midway International Airport:
Chicago Midway International Airport has an on-time performance rate of 78%. This figure provides insight into how frequently flights that depart from this airport reach their destination on schedule.
MDW is located at 5700 South Cicero.
Arriving in Melbourne
Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL)
Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL) to central Melbourne takes around 30 minutes by car. The centre is roughly 19 kilometres away.
It usually takes 40 minutes to get there on public transport.
If you're coming in on a late flight from Chicago to Melbourne, few things beat the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Grab your suitcases from the carousel and then be showered and resting not long after at one of these hotels near MEL:
Follow your own route with a Melbourne Tullamarine Airport rental car. Pick up your wheels from Bargain Car Rentals, East Coast or Sixt and discover more of Melbourne and beyond.
Booking your vehicle from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport about four weeks in advance can help you secure the lowest rate.
Avalon Airport (AVV)
Central Melbourne is about 48 kilometres from Avalon Airport (AVV). Once your flight from Chicago to Melbourne has landed and you've navigated your way to arrivals, the drive should be around 50 minutes.
You can expect the journey to take roughly 2 hours 5 minutes on public transport.
Sixt, Kangaroo Rental and yesaway car hire make picking up an Avalon Airport rental car simple. These providers are located around or in the terminal and will have you behind the wheel before you know it.
Avoid paying extra. Securing your ride three weeks before your arrival at AVV can get you a lower rate.
Essendon Airport (MEB)
Make your way into the city centre after your flight from Chicago to Melbourne has landed. Central Melbourne is around 11 kilometres from Essendon Airport (MEB) and takes roughly 25 minutes to reach by car.
Public transport will take you there in roughly 1 hour 15 minutes.
Whether you're after a compact for a solo getaway or a spacious SUV to fit the whole crew comfortably, you'll find the ideal Essendon Airport rental car for your needs. Browse wheels available from suppliers such as East Coast, Ace Rental Cars and Goldcar.
If you're hoping for a particular type of vehicle, booking early increases your chances of snagging what you want. Reserve your ride from MEB a few weeks ahead of your flight from Chicago to Melbourne.
Best time to go to Melbourne
April is the quietest month for flights from Chicago to Melbourne, while January is the busiest. Pick the best time to go to Melbourne based on whether you like a laid-back vibe or a lively atmosphere.
Book a Chicago to Melbourne ticket departing in January if you want to visit 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 Chicago to Melbourne around that time if you like cooler conditions.
More about Melbourne
Start your Melbourne trip right by choosing the perfect place to stay. After booking your flight from Chicago to Melbourne, explore our range of hotels including:
There are so many things to discover in this city it can be tricky to work out where to start. Federation Square, National Gallery of Victoria and Eureka Skydeck 88 are popular attractions which should feature on any good Melbourne itinerary.
Explore more of Australia
Melbourne is easy to fall in love with, but there are so many other corners of Australia waiting to be explored. Around 467 kilometres north-east of Melbourne, a visit to Canberra will keep you on the go. Start with leading sights like Australian War Memorial, National Gallery of Australia and Parliament House.
Geelong is another essential stop in Australia and is around 64 kilometres south-west of Melbourne. No trip is complete without experiencing Ford Motor Company, Roraima Nursery and RTC Resource Centre.
