Melbourne to Adelaide (MEL–ADL) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections
No flights match your filters.
No scheduled airline flights on this route — it's flown by charter / private operators (). No nonstop flights on this route. connecting options below.
Most recently operated nonstop flights — the month shown is when each was last scheduled. Most destinations remain reachable with a connection.
No discontinued nonstop flights on record for this route.
MEL–ADL is served by 3 airlines with nonstop service. Virgin Australia, Qantas and Jetstar lead the route. The flight covers 398 miles in approximately 1h 25m. Beyond nonstop, 1-stop connecting options are also available.
Airline Landscape
| Airline | Freq/wk | Aircraft | Duration | Dep OTP | Alliance | Codeshares |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VA Virgin Australia Also: AI, CZ, QR, SQ | 63 | 73H | 1h25 | – | – | AI, CZ, QR, SQ |
| QF Qantas Also: 6E, AS, CI, CX, CZ, EK, JL, LA, MH, MU, NZ, UL | 51 | 14Z, 73H, E90 | 1h20-1h30 | – | Oneworld | 6E, AS, CI, CX, CZ, EK, JL, LA, MH, MU, NZ, UL |
| JQ Jetstar Also: 6E | 41 | 320, 32Q | 1h25-1h30 | – | – | 6E |
Weekly Schedule Pattern
Connection Landscape
Other ways to reach Adelaide from Melbourne
| Metric | MEL→ADL | AVV→ADL |
|---|---|---|
| Distance from MEL | – | 33 mi |
| Nonstop airlines | 3 | 2 |
| Weekly flights | 580 | 7 |
| Flight time | 1h 25m | 1h 20m |
Travel Essentials
MEL: AEST · ADL: ACST
When it's 6:00 PM in Melbourne, it's 5.5:00 PM in Adelaide.
No train connection exists; the Melbourne Airport Rail Link was under development as of 2026 but not yet open. The SkyBus operates 24/7 between Southern Cross Station (Spencer St) and MEL in 30–40 minutes (AUD $22–24 one-way). Stops at select CBD hotels on some services.Ride-shares (Uber) from the CBD cost AUD $35–55 and take 25–40 minutes. Taxis run AUD $55–75 (higher at nights and weekends). Parking from AUD $20/day in economy lots. The Tullamarine Freeway is the only practical road route; check traffic before departing.
MEL–ADL Quick Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Melbourne to Adelaide: Intrastate Shuttle on the South Coast
MEL–ADL is one of Australia's most competitive domestic routes, with Qantas, Jetstar, Virgin Australia, and Rex all operating regular service. The combined frequency approaches 60 to 70 weekly departures, making it one of the top 10 busiest domestic corridors in Australia. The 730 km distance takes 75 minutes by air and about 7.5 hours by road on the Princes Highway, so the route draws consistent year-round traffic from business travelers and interstate visitors alike. Fares are among the most volatile in Australia's domestic market due to the intensity of competition.
Adelaide Airport and Ground Transport
Adelaide Airport is compact and centrally located, sitting just 6 km from the CBD. No rail link serves the airport directly; the SkyLink bus runs to the city center in 15 to 20 minutes for $5. Taxis and rideshares are available immediately outside arrivals. The airport has a single terminal with domestic and international check-in on the same level, making it one of the simplest major airports in Australia to navigate. Peak delay periods at MEL align with the early morning fog season (July through September) which occasionally grounds the first wave of departures.