Flights from Melbourne to New York City

Compare Cheap Flights from Melbourne to NYC

New York City is the largest city in the United States and is famous around the world for its fashion, theatre, museums, restaurants, and nightlife. The city is made up of five boroughs: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island. While the majority of tourist attractions are located in Manhattan, each borough has something unique and beautiful to offer. NYC is often referred to as the “city that never sleeps.” No matter what time of day or night it is, there is always something new and exciting for you to discover. New York has a unique atmosphere to it. In the centre, it is fast-paced with large skyscrapers shooting up all around you. But if you head to certain areas of Manhattan and the outer boroughs, it’s easy to find peaceful areas that are popular among locals. New York is an incredibly diverse city, so no matter what your interests are, you’ll have no problem finding things to love about NYC.

Start planning the trip of a lifetime to New York City with Webjet’s cheap return flights from Melbourne to NYC.

The best time to visit NYC

New York has four distinct seasons, and each one offers a completely different experience to visitors. While New York is always busy, its high season falls between the months of June and August. During these months, the city experiences its highest volume of tourists and increased rates on hotels. The summer is a particularly popular time for families to visit during the school holidays. Weather in the summer is hot and humid, with temperatures often hitting 28°C during the day. Summer is an exciting time in NYC with lots of outdoor festivals and markets to keep you busy.

To experience smaller crowds and pleasant weather, consider planning your flights from MEL to JFK for the spring or autumn. Daytime temperatures during these seasons tend to fall between 15 and 20°C. The spring experiences more rain than the other seasons, but there are lots of sunny days as well. With spring comes lots of flowers blooming around the city, while autumn is complete with vibrant foliage. Since spring and autumn are less busy than the summer, you can find some decent rates on hotels.

If you are looking for a bargain, you may enjoy visiting New York in the winter. Weather is cold, but don’t let that deter you from visiting. If there is snow, it tends to melt quickly, and New York has plenty of indoor activities to keep you warm on the especially cold days. After the New Year, there aren’t many tourists visiting New York, so hotel rates drop. Booking cheap flights from Melbourne to NYC in the winter is ideal for anyone looking to experience the USA on a budget.

If you don’t mind braving the crowds, December is an incredible time to visit New York. Leading up to Christmas and the New Year, decorations and holiday festivities take over the city. Some of the best spots to experience during the Christmas season are the Christmas tree and ice skating in Rockefeller Center, the Christmas windows at Macy’s on Fifth Avenue, and the Christmas markets in Bryant Park and Grand Central Station. Then on New Years Eve, there is the world-famous celebration in Times Square. Since December is a busy time to visit New York, many hotels increase their rates, but Christmas in New York is an experience you’ll always remember.

Departing From Melbourne

Melbourne is home to two airports. Melbourne Airport (MEL) is the main airport serving the city and is located 23 kilometres (14 miles) north of the CBD. The majority of international flights originate in this airport. Melbourne also has a smaller regional airport called Avalon Airport (AVV). It is located 55 kilometres (34 miles) from central Melbourne, just outside the city of Geelong. Avalon operates short-haul domestic flights, but some flights to New York originate in Avalon if they are connecting through Sydney.

With more than 1,000 return flights from Melbourne to NYC each week, you have plenty of opportunity to visit the Big Apple. Flights to NYC include at least one stopover and can get you to your destination in about 21 hours. A wide variety of major airlines offer cheap airfares from Melbourne to NYC, including Virgin Australia, Qantas, Emirates, American Airlines, United Airlines, and Air Canada.

Getting to Melbourne Airport (MEL)

The most popular way to reach Melbourne Airport from the city is on the SkyBus. There are five different SkyBus routes that offer service from all different areas of Melbourne. Each route runs 7 days a week, with the main route also operating 24 hours a day. This route departs from Southern Cross Station and arrives to the airport in about 30 minutes. SkyBus routes are also available from the Docklands and Southbank, St Kilda, the western suburbs, and the Mornington Peninsula. Ticket prices vary based on departure point and start at $18 AUD from Southern Cross Station.

Taxis and Ubers are available for direct rides to the airport. They are available from all areas of Melbourne and its suburbs. If you are travelling from the CBD or inner suburbs, a taxi will get you to the airport in about a half hour with taxi fare of $55 to $75 AUD.

If you would prefer to drive to Melbourne Airport, there are several parking options to match different budgets. The most affordable option is the Long Term car park, which offers parking for as low as $10 AUD per day. From the car park, you can catch a complimentary shuttle to your airport terminal. The shuttle departs every 10 minutes and arrives to the airport in 5 minutes or less.

Getting to Avalon Airport (AVV)

If you are travelling to Avalon Airport from Melbourne, the most affordable option is to catch the airport’s SkyBus. The SkyBus originates at Southern Cross Station and is also available from Synnot Street in Werribee. The SkyBus will get you to the airport in 50 minutes from the CBD and in 30 minutes from Werribee. If you are travelling from Southern Cross, tickets cost $22 AUD, while they are $19 AUD from Werribee.

Avalon Airport offers one large car park to its passengers. The car park is located just outside the airport, so you can walk from your car into the airport in a few minutes. The longer you park for, the lower your daily parking rate will be. If you have booked return flights from Melbourne to NYC for a week, the cost to park is $79 AUD. If you are travelling to NYC for two weeks, the cost to park at Avalon Airport is $132 AUD.

Arriving in New York City

As the largest city in the United States, New York is surrounded by three major airports. The primary one is John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK), which is located in the southeastern corner of Queens, New York. It is one of the busiest airports in the country and is made up of six passenger terminals. LaGuardia Airport (LGA) is also located in Queens and is the closest airport to the city centre. Newark Liberty Airport (EWR) is across the river from Manhattan in the neighbouring city of Newark, New Jersey. Whichever airport you fly into, there are several quick and affordable options to reach your hotel in the city centre.

How to Get from John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK) to Your NYC Hotel or Accommodation

Once your flight has landed in John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK), the quickest route into Manhattan is on the Long Island Rail Road. From the airport, catch the AirTrain to Jamaica Center where you can connect to the LIRR. This train will get you into Penn Station in central Manhattan in about 35 minutes. Tickets for the AirTrain cost $5 USD ($7.05 AUD), and tickets for the LIRR are $10 USD ($14.10 AUD). So, altogether, this journey into the city will cost you $15 USD ($21.15 AUD).

For the most affordable journey into the central areas of Manhattan and Brooklyn, you can take the subway. Once again, catch the AirTrain from the airport. If you take it to Jamaica Center, you can connect to the E, J, and Z subway lines into the city. If you would like to take subway line A, take the AirTrain toward Far Rockaway or Rockaway Park. Once you are on the subway, there will be plenty of opportunities to change lines in order to reach the stop closest to your hotel. This journey will take you about an hour and will set you back a total of $7.75 USD ($10.95 AUD) for both the AirTrain and the subway.

If you would like to take one of New York’s iconic yellow taxis to your hotel, you can arrive into the city in about 45 minutes without traffic. Taxis offer a fixed rate of $52 USD ($73.45 AUD) between John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK) and Manhattan. If you are travelling during the peak times between 4pm and 8pm on weekdays, you will also need to pay a rush hour surcharge of $4.50 USD ($6.35 AUD). In addition, it is customary to tip taxi drivers an additional 15 to 20% for taxi rides in the USA.

How to Get from Newark Liberty Airport (EWR) to Your NYC Hotel or Accommodation

If your flight to New York lands at Newark Liberty Airport (EWR), you can catch the AirTrain and then transfer to a New Jersey Transit train. The AirTrain from the airport is free to ride and connects passengers to the Newark Liberty rail station. From Newark Liberty, you can catch a train into Penn Station in Manhattan. The journey takes about 45 minutes, and the train fare comes to $13 USD ($18.30 AUD). Be aware that there is also a Penn Station in New Jersey, so be careful not to get off at that station by mistake.

There is also a Newark Airport express bus available from Newark Liberty Airport (EWR). The bus makes several stops in Midtown Manhattan, including Grand Central Station, Bryant Park, and the Port Authority Bus Station. Tickets to ride this bus cost $17 USD ($24 AUD) one way and $28 USD ($40 AUD) return.

If you would prefer to catch a taxi to your hotel, you can arrive into Midtown Manhattan in about 30 minutes without traffic. Base taxi fare costs about $50 USD ($70 AUD), plus tolls and a 15 to 20% tip.

How to Get from LaGuardia Airport (LGA) to Your NYC Hotel or Accommodation

LaGuardia Airport (LGA) does not receive flights from abroad. However, your flight could land at this airport if you have a stopover in another US city along the way.

Two public bus routes are available from LaGuardia Airport (LGA), which cost $2.75 USD ($3.90 AUD) to ride. The M60 bus departs from all four airport terminals and makes stops north of 59th street in Manhattan. This includes the Upper East Side, Upper West Side, and Harlem. The Q70 bus departs from terminals B, C, and D and makes stops south of 59th street in Manhattan. This includes Midtown, Soho, and Greenwich Village. Throughout each bus journey, you will also have several opportunities to transfer to various subway lines.

Taxis travelling into the city from LaGuardia Airport (LGA) use meters to calculate fare. Taxis into Manhattan cost about $30 to $45 USD ($42 to $63 AUD) plus a 15 to 20% tip. Between the peak times of 4pm and 8pm on weekdays, there is also a $1 USD ($1.40 AUD) surcharge added. If there is no traffic, a taxi will get you to central Manhattan in about 25 minutes.

Things to do in New York City

Times Square

Times Square is located in the heart of Manhattan and is one of the city’s most visited attractions. The large square is surrounded by neon billboards and signs as well as lots of restaurants and shops. Many of the city’s Broadway theatres are also scattered around the outskirts of Times Square. Seeing a Broadway show is a must-have experience for anyone who loves live theatre. In order to score some amazing deals on same-day Broadway tickets, head to the TKTS office in Times Square.

Empire State Building

While New York has lots of iconic skyscrapers, the most well-known is the Empire State Building. The building dominates the city’s skyline and is the tallest building in Midtown Manhattan. For an incredible view over the city, head to the observation deck on top of the Empire State Building. The observation deck offers an expansive view over Manhattan and the surrounding area. Tickets to visit the observation deck in the Empire State Building cost $37 USD ($52 AUD) for adults and $31 USD ($43.60 AUD) for children. Alternatively, you could combine dinner with a view by making a reservation in one of the restaurants in the Empire State Building.

Central Park

NYC is known as a concrete jungle, but the city has lots of nature and green space as well. The largest park in the city is Central Park, which extends for 51 blocks between Midtown, the Upper East Side, the Upper West Side, and Harlem. The park has a quiet atmosphere to it, making you feel a world away from the busyness of the city centre. Throughout the park, there is a lot to see, including Belvedere Castle, the Reservoir, Bethesda Terrace, and the Strawberry Fields memorial to John Lennon.

Statue of Liberty

The Statue of Liberty is located south of Manhattan on the small Liberty Island. The statue was given to the United States by France in 1886 and has been a symbol of New York ever since. Although the statue is made of copper, the effect of time has made it the light green colour that it is today. If you would like to see the Statue of Liberty up close, you can visit Liberty Island for $18.50 USD ($26 AUD). If you would like to climb the statue, you can purchase a Crown ticket for an additional $3 USD ($4.20 AUD). Tickets to Liberty Island also include access to Ellis Island, where you can learn about the history of immigration in New York. If you would like to get a view of the Statue of Liberty without the high ticket price, another option is to take a ride on the Staten Island Ferry. It departs from southern Manhattan every 30 minutes, is free to ride, and offers a great view of the statue.

The 9/11 Memorial

The most prominent event to affect New York in recent history were the attacks on the city’s Twin Towers on September 11, 2001. In the spot where the towers once stood, a beautiful memorial to this tragic event was built. The memorial is dominated by two massive fountains, which are located in the same spots as the original towers. Along the sides of the fountains, you will see the names of everyone who lost their life on that day. You will also spot some names with a flower on them. That means it would have been that person’s birthday. The September 11 Museum is a great place to visit in order to learn more about the attacks and the effect they had on the city. You can also see the Freedom Tower, which is now the tallest building in New York.

Brooklyn Bridge

Many visitors come to New York without leaving the borough of Manhattan. You’ll find lots of excitement in Manhattan, but for a more local experience, head to the borough of Brooklyn. To get there, take the walk over the city’s iconic Brooklyn Bridge, which stretches between the Lower East Side in Manhattan and DUMBO in Brooklyn. From the bridge, you’ll be rewarded with stunning views of the Manhattan skyline. Once you have reached Brooklyn, take a walk through the neighbourhood to experience the old architecture and quaint cobblestone streets. If you’re hungry, grab a slice of pizza from Grimaldi’s, which is one of the most popular pizzerias in the city, then sit by the river to take in the view of Manhattan.

New York City Museums

New York is home to some of the most famous museums in the world. You’ll find museums relating to history, art, fashion, science, architecture, and anything else you could imagine. The Metropolitan Museum of Art (the Met) is the most famous and offers a collection of art and historical artefacts. The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) and the Guggenheim are also made up of impressive art collections. The American Museum of Natural History has displays about dinosaurs, animals, and the geographic history of the New York area. Many museums in New York operate on a “pay what you wish” system, allowing you to donate whatever amount you feel comfortable with.