Flights from Melbourne to Los Angeles

Los Angeles is a city like no other. It has a unique glamour you won’t find anywhere else and perfectly blends city and coastal living. With almost perfect weather year-round, Los Angeles places a huge emphasis on outdoor living. The city is full of beautiful beaches, hikes, shopping, an amazing food and drink scene, and is the hub for the American film and television industry.

With over 1,000 flights Melbourne to Los Angeles every week, LA is the perfect gateway to exploring the USA. Many airlines fly the route between the two cities, and several, including Qantas, Virgin Airlines, and Delta, offer non-stop flights Melbourne to Los Angeles. Without layovers, flights Melbourne to Los Angeles are just over 14 hours. Plenty of time to relax and watch some LA-based movies to get you excited for your trip! And when you travel from Australia to the USA, you gain a full day when you fly over the International Date Line, giving you even more time to experience the glitz and glamour of Los Angeles.

Ready to hop on a flight to visit LA? Here is your guide to ensure your trip to Los Angeles is smooth sailing.

Things to Do in Los Angeles

Los Angeles is one of the most popular cities to visit in the United States and for good reason. It has an atmosphere that is unlike anywhere else in the USA. Downtown, you can experience fast-paced city life, but head west and you’ll find the laid-back coastal neighbourhoods of Los Angeles.

Often referred to as the Entertainment Capital of the World, Los Angeles is home to many of the top American film and television companies. And all that is centred around Hollywood. To learn about the Hollywood film industry and see some famous movie sets, be sure to take a tour of one of the many studios. The most popular to visit are Warner Bros. Studio, Universal Studios, and Paramount Studios. While in Hollywood, be sure to stroll along the Hollywood Walk of Fame and take a hike up to the famous Hollywood sign.

A first time visit to Los Angeles would not be complete without a stop at the “happiest place on Earth”—Disneyland. Disneyland first opened in 1955 and inspired the many other Disney parks you will now find all over the world. Disneyland LA is full of rides and activities spread across eight different “lands”. Disneyland is fun for both children and adults and makes for a perfect day out from the city. Disneyland is just over a half hour drive from Downtown LA and is also accessible by public transport.

The city is exciting, but what will really make you fall for Los Angeles are its beaches. Santa Monica has a famous pier topped with a small amusement park and some gorgeous ocean views. Venice Beach has a long boardwalk lined with great shops and restaurants and a beautiful beach. Just off the main drag, Venice also has a series of canals. It’s the perfect spot for a quiet, scenic walk under the California sunshine.

Hoping to rub elbows with some A-Listers on your visit to Los Angeles? Beverly Hills is where you want to be. The world-famous Beverly Hills Hotel offers a glimpse into the glamorous “Old Hollywood” of the early 1900s. It’s the perfect spot for lunch or a drink. Just outside the hotel, take a walk down Rodeo Drive—the high end fashion capital of Los Angeles. Visit during awards season and you may even spot some celebrities shopping for their dresses!

To get a real feel for Southern California, rent a car and head outside of Los Angeles for the day. The Pacific Coast Highway is widely considered to be one of the most beautiful drives in the world, taking you along the coast of California. Hop on Highway 1 from Santa Monica and take in all the beautiful views. Head north of the city to see Malibu and Santa Barbara, and to check out Orange County, head south. Once you’ve visited LA and Southern California, you’ll be hooked and already thinking about booking your next flights Melbourne to Los Angeles! 

What is the best time of year to visit Los Angeles?

With almost perfect weather year-round, there’s no bad time to visit Los Angeles! There tend to be larger crowds between June and August, particularly in Disneyland, as this is summertime in the USA. For a less busy visit to LA, flights Melbourne to Los Angeles are best in the spring or autumn. It isn’t too hot during this time, and you’ll still get to soak up lots of California sunshine.

Departing from Melbourne

North of the city, Melbourne Airport (also known to locals as Melbourne Tullamarine) is the departure point for all international flights leaving Melbourne. Every day, there are close to 150 flights Melbourne to Los Angeles on many of the top airlines, including Qantas, Virgin Australia, and Delta.

Getting to Melbourne Airport (MEL)

With five different express services, the Skybus is the most stress-free way to get to Melbourne Airport. Each bus runs 7 days a week and is equipped with Wifi onboard.

The Melbourne City Express gets you from Southern Cross Station to Melbourne Airport in under 45 minutes. With buses running every 10 minutes between 4:30AM-midnight every day, you’ll be to the airport and on your way to Los Angeles in no time. The City Express runs 24 hours, so even in the early hours of the morning, you can catch a ride to the airport every 15-30 minutes. Tickets for the City Express are $18 online or $19.50 at the station.

The Southbank Docklands Express has 6 different pick-up points around the Southbank and Docklands. This bus runs between 7AM-7PM and departs regularly for the airport. Buses leave every half hour during the week and every hour during the weekend. Tickets for this service can be purchased online for $18.

If you’re coming from St Kilda, you can catch the St Kilda Express from 4 different locations. It runs every half hour during the week between 6:15AM-8PM and every hour during the weekend between 6AM-7PM. The St Kilda Express to the airport is $19 and will have you to the airport in about an hour.

Coming from a bit further south of the city? The Peninsula Express has 16 pick-up points along the Mornington Peninsula and southeastern beaches. Fares vary between $22-$55 based on pick-up point, and there are regular departures throughout the day. Check the Skybus website for the timetable for your stop.

From the western suburbs, you can catch the Western Express with pick-up points in Werribee and Tarneit. Tickets are $21, and buses leave hourly between 6:15AM-6:30PM.

Prefer to take a taxi or an Uber? Leaving from the CBD, you can be to the airport in less than a half hour. From the CBD, taxi fare to the airport will come out to about $55-$75.

Parking at Melbourne Airport

Planning on driving to the airport? Melbourne Airport has plenty of parking options to choose from. The best option for the budget-conscious traveller is the Long Term car park. You can park for less than $10 a day, and the sooner you reserve your spot, the lower your rate will be. A free shuttle bus takes you from the car park to the terminals in less than 5 minutes, so you can be on your way to Los Angeles in no time!

Arriving in Los Angeles

LAX Airport receives all flights coming from Australia. Located west of the city near the ocean, LAX Airport has easy access to the most popular LA neighbourhoods—Hollywood, Downtown LA, Venice Beach, and Santa Monica. LAX Airport has a variety of services available for when you land, including currency exchange and places to buy SIM cards for your phone. One of the things that makes Los Angeles so unique is that it is a big city spread over many different areas. Whether you’re staying in the city centre or by one of the beautiful beaches, you’ll have no trouble getting there from LAX Airport.

Getting to Your Hotel from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)

If you are heading to the city, the FlyAway Bus is the most affordable way to get there from LAX Airport. The FlyAway Bus has stops all over Los Angeles, including the major hotspots like Hollywood, Westwood, and Downtown LA. Tickets vary between $8-$10 USD based on which stop you are going to.

If you are heading to Venice Beach or Santa Monica, you can catch a public city bus for just $1.25. Right outside the airport, you will see the LAX Airport City Bus Center. From there, catch the R3 bus heading north, which will take you through LA’s coastal suburbs.

For the most direct ride from LAX Airport to your hotel, you can get a taxi or Uber from the airport. A taxi from the airport to Downtown Los Angeles will run about $50 USD, and a ride to Venice Beach is about $30 USD.

If you want to see Los Angeles like a true local, you can rent a car (preferably a convertible) from several different rental car companies right at LAX Airport. You can get a rental car for as low as $15 a day if you book in advance. Complimentary shuttles are available to take you form the airport terminal right to the rental car pick-up spot.