🇦🇺 MEL
Melbourne
439 mi
SYD 🇦🇺
Sydney (Mascot)

Melbourne to Sydney (Mascot) Flights

Melbourne Airport Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport 6 airlines

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The Melbourne to Sydney (Mascot) route connects Melbourne Airport (MEL) in AU with Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport (SYD) in AU. This short-haul flight covers approximately 439 miles (707 km) with a typical flight time of 1h 8m. This route is served by 6 airlines: Qantas, Virgin Australia, Jetstar and others. AirportRoutes has tracked 101 unique flight numbers on this route.

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About This Route

Route Overview

The Melbourne (MEL) → Sydney (Mascot) (SYD) air route links Australia’s two largest cities across 439 miles (707 km). It’s one of the country’s busiest corridors, serving business commuters, weekenders, and international connections via Sydney’s hub. Typical nonstop flight time is about 1 hour 25 minutes to 1 hour 40 minutes, with frequent departures across the day. Travelers choose this route for speed and reliability compared with driving, and for easy onward links to regional NSW, the Pacific, and long-haul services. Expect a smooth, short-haul experience with limited cruise time, so boarding and disembarking are quick. The route also suits day trips and short breaks, letting visitors move from Melbourne’s laneways to Sydney’s harbour precinct in a single morning.

Travel Tips

Book early for better fares, especially for Friday evenings and Monday mornings; typical one-way deals can start around AUD 90–180 (USD 60–120), while peak times may run higher. Compare inclusions: some economy fares exclude checked bags and seat selection, which can add costs. At MEL, allow extra time if departing from Terminal 4 (often busier) and use online check-in to head straight to security. At SYD, follow clear signage to trains and rideshare pick-up zones; the Airport Link train is the fastest to the CBD. On this short flight, bring essentials in your personal item, as service can be brief. Sit on the left side (A seats) for potential coastal views near Sydney in clear weather.

Destination Highlights

Sydney (Mascot) is the gateway to a city defined by Sydney Harbour, iconic architecture, and beach culture. Start at the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge, then explore The Rocks for heritage laneways, markets, and pubs. For waterfront scenery, take a ferry to Manly or Watsons Bay, or walk the Bondi to Coogee coastal trail. Art and history lovers can visit the Art Gallery of NSW and the Australian Museum, while food fans should try modern Australian dining, fresh oysters, and multicultural staples like laksa and Lebanese charcoal chicken. Popular areas to base yourself include the CBD and Circular Quay for sights, Surry Hills for cafes, and Darling Harbour for family-friendly attractions and evening views.

Best Time to Fly

The most comfortable periods are September–November and March–May, when Sydney is warm without peak summer humidity. December–February brings higher demand and prices around school holidays, while winter (June–August) is cooler and often cheaper. For better value, fly midweek and outside holiday peaks; fares can drop notably compared with Friday/Sunday. Notable draws include Vivid Sydney (typically May–June) and New Year’s Eve fireworks, which can push accommodation and flight prices up well in advance.

AI-Generated Content: This information was compiled using AI from web sources on Dec 25, 2025. Content may not be current; please verify with airlines before booking.

Departure Airport

Melbourne Airport

ICAO Code:
YMML
IATA Code:
MEL
City:
🇦🇺 Melbourne
Country:
AU
Elevation:
434 ft

Destination Airport

Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport

ICAO Code:
YSSY
IATA Code:
SYD
City:
🇦🇺 Sydney (Mascot)
Country:
AU
Elevation:
21 ft

6

Operators

101

Tracked Flights

439

Miles

1h 8m

Flight Duration

Route Map

Great Circle
Flight route map from Melbourne to Sydney (Mascot)
Map data © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap contributors

Operating Airlines

Airline ICAO IATA
Qantas QFA QF
Virgin Australia VOZ VA
Jetstar JST JQ
QantasLink QLK -
SriLankan Airlines ALK UL
Cathay Pacific CPA CX

Flight Schedule Pattern

Day Flights Observed Frequency Activity
Monday 93 13%
Tuesday 103 15%
Wednesday 90 13%
Thursday 126 18%
Friday 111 16%
Saturday 100 14%
Sunday 75 11%

Pattern Analysis

101 Tracked Flights:
Data Points: 698
API observations used to build this analysis
Weekdays: 523 flights
Weekend: 175 flights
Business Route More active on weekdays

All Flight Routes

6 Routes
Note: This table shows aggregated route data by airline. Each airline may operate multiple daily flights at different times. See the "Spotted Departure Times" section below for all observed departure times.
Airline Flight Numbers Aircraft Type Typical Time Days Active Last Seen Status
A333 16:10 4:10 PM (Representative)
M T W T F S S
Jul 3, 2026 Active
B463 02:45 2:45 AM (Representative)
M T W T F S S
Jul 3, 2026 Active
Jetstar
JST / JQ
A320 14:25 2:25 PM (Representative)
M T W T F S S
Jul 3, 2026 Active
Qantas
QFA / QF
B738 14:05 2:05 PM (Representative)
M T W T F S S
Jul 3, 2026 Active
BCS3 06:00 6:00 AM (Representative)
M T W T F S S
Jul 3, 2026 Active
B738 14:00 2:00 PM (Representative)
M T W T F S S
Jul 3, 2026 Active
Total Routes: 6
Active Routes: 6
Unique Airlines: 6
Aircraft Types: 6

Spotted Departure Times

Departure Time Operator ICAO IATA
02:45 2:45 AM Cathay Pacific CPA CX
06:00 6:00 AM QantasLink QLK -
14:00 2:00 PM Virgin Australia VOZ VA
14:05 2:05 PM Qantas QFA QF
14:25 2:25 PM Jetstar JST JQ
16:10 4:10 PM SriLankan Airlines ALK UL

Time Information

Times are shown in the departure airport's local timezone (YMML - Australia/Melbourne).

Total Departure Times: 6
Time Range:
02:45 - 16:10
These are typical departure times observed from actual flights. Times may vary by season and schedule changes.