Trade the Tube for a tram, one stop away.
London is heading into the grey. Melbourne is heading into spring. Air China is flying London to Melbourne return from £473, one stop. Seats are open through September and October 2026.
✈️ The Deal
- From: London, UK
- To: Melbourne, Australia
- Airline: Air China
- Stops: 1 stop
- Price: £473-£530 return
- When: September - October 2026
Example dates:
09/09/2026 - 16/10/2026
14/09/2026 - 30/09/2026
14/09/2026 - 16/10/2026
Check dates on Trip.com
Flying Air China means a stop, usually through Beijing. If it's long enough, you could land a free night's hotel during the layover. Here's how it works.
💰 How Far Does Your Money Go?
A pint in a Melbourne pub runs around £6.50, not far off a round in Zone 1. A flat white from a laneway cafe costs about £2.70, cheaper than most coffee shops near your office. A full plate at a Chinatown dumpling house comes in under £6.
☀️ The Weather
Melbourne is climbing out of winter just as London slides into autumn. Expect daytime highs of 17°C in September, warming to 21°C by late October, with nights still cool at 9-12°C. Bring a jumper for the evenings and pack for spring, not summer.
🏨 Where to Stay
From a CBD base near Bourke Street to a rooftop with skyline views.
Holiday Inn Melbourne Bourke Street Mall — 9.1/10 · From £61/night Central rooms steps from the tram lines, easy walking distance to most of the CBD.
Laneways by Ovolo — 8.6/10 · From £70/night Design-led rooms tucked into Melbourne's laneway network, right where the street art and coffee culture live.
QT Melbourne — 9.6/10 · From £140/night A rooftop terrace, a 24-hour gym and rooms in the heart of the CBD, for anyone treating this as the trip of the year.
🎯 What to Do
Melbourne stacks laneway culture, sport and coastline into one city.
Victoria's laneways — Wander Hosier Lane and Centre Place for street art, hidden bars and some of the best coffee in the country.
National Gallery of Victoria — Australia's oldest and most visited gallery, spread across two buildings, free to enter.
Queen Victoria Market — Stalls, street food and a Wednesday night market packed with local produce and live music.
MCG match day — Catch Australian-rules football at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, an atmosphere you won't find anywhere else.
🗺️ Where to Go From Here
Melbourne is also the gateway to some of Australia's best coastline and countryside.
Great Ocean Road — 240km of coastline running past the Twelve Apostles, reachable by car or organised day tour.
Phillip Island — Home to the nightly Penguin Parade, about two hours south-east of the city.
Yarra Valley — Wineries, cheese shops and gourmet restaurants, a short drive from the CBD.
Mornington Peninsula — Beaches, hot springs and vineyards, an easy day trip from Melbourne.
From £473 return, this is one of the cheapest ways into Melbourne from London right now. Seats at this price won't last through the spring.
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