
Planning a trip from Australia to California? There are a few things you should know. First, the fastest way to get there is by plane, with the quickest flight taking just under 17 hours. You can fly from Sydney or Melbourne to Los Angeles, or from Brisbane to San Francisco. There are also direct flights to Los Angeles, and other routes include San Diego, near the Mexican border, and Sacramento, the state capital. The cheapest flights start from $327 one way, and the best time to book is in February, when prices average $785 return.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Flight duration | 12 hours 55 minutes – 17 hours 45 minutes |
| Flight price | $327 – $1,500 |
| Airports in California | Los Angeles (LAX), San Francisco (SFO), San Diego International Airport, John Wayne International Airport, Palm Springs Airport |
| Airlines | Qantas Airways, Air New Zealand, Virgin Australia, United Airlines, Fiji Airways, Air Canada, American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Delta, Sichuan Airlines |
| Airports in Australia | Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport, Melbourne (Tullamarine) Airport, Darwin International Airport, Brisbane Airport, Hobart Airport, Perth Airport, Gold Coast Airport, Adelaide Airport |
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What You'll Learn

Sydney to Los Angeles
The flight path from Sydney, Australia to Los Angeles, California covers a distance of about 7,500 miles or 12,000 kilometres. The flight time for this route is approximately 14 hours and 40 minutes.
Sydney and Los Angeles are almost antipodal—that is, they are almost exactly on opposite sides of the Earth. This means that the flight path between the two cities is almost a straight line running through the Pacific Ocean. The exact route will depend on factors like weather, wind speed, and political considerations.
The flight usually begins at Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport (SYD) and ends at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). The initial bearing on the course from Sydney to Los Angeles is 51.40°, and the compass direction is northeast.
The time difference between Sydney and Los Angeles is 17 hours, so be sure to set your watch when you board the plane!
The price of a flight from Sydney to Los Angeles can vary depending on the airline, the season, and other factors. Generally, the cheapest month to book a flight is February, with an average price of $785, while the most expensive month is December, with an average price of $1,319.
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Melbourne to Los Angeles
When flying from Australia to California, the fastest way to travel is by plane, which takes approximately 16 hours and costs between $500 and $1,500. The distance between the two places is about 7,144 miles.
If you are flying from Melbourne to Los Angeles, the flight time is approximately 14 hours and 45 minutes, and the distance is about 7,971 miles. There are 2 direct flights every day, operated by Qantas, United, and Delta, all of which fly the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The flight numbers are DL12, QF93, and UA99. The flights depart from Melbourne International Airport (MEL) and arrive at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
It is possible to find cheap flights from Australia to California, with prices starting from $531 for a one-way ticket. The cheapest month to fly is February, with an average ticket price of $785, while December is the most expensive month, with an average price of $1,319. It is worth noting that prices can vary depending on factors such as the airline, departure airport, and flight time.
When planning your trip, you can use websites like Rome2Rio and FlightsFrom.com to find up-to-date schedules, route maps, and estimated fares to make informed decisions about your travel options. Additionally, websites like Cheapflights.com.au offer holiday packages that include both flights and hotels.
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Brisbane to San Francisco
When flying from Australia to California, you're looking at a flight time of around 16 hours. The exact duration depends on which city in Australia you're departing from, and which city in California you're landing in. For example, the flight time from Brisbane, Australia to San Francisco, California is around 13 hours. This route is approximately 7,000 miles long and is served by airlines such as Qantas and United Airlines.
There are several ways to calculate the straight-line distance between Brisbane and San Francisco. The shortest path between two points on the Earth's surface is known as the great-circle distance. Vincenty's formula calculates the geodesic distance between two points using an ellipsoidal model of the planet, taking into account the Earth's flattening at the poles. The Haversine formula, on the other hand, estimates the distance between two points on a sphere, assuming a perfect spherical Earth.
When flying from Brisbane to San Francisco, you will depart from Brisbane International Airport (BNE) and land at San Francisco International Airport (SFO). There are 7 direct flights per week between these two cities, and the flight number for this route is usually UA97. The time difference between Brisbane and San Francisco is 17 hours, so be prepared to adjust your schedule accordingly!
In terms of pricing, flights from Australia to California can vary depending on the time of year and the specific route. On average, February is the cheapest month to book, with flights costing around $785, while December is the most expensive, with flights averaging $1,319. You can find flights for as low as $531 on airlines like Fiji Airways, or for $672 on Qantas.
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Flight prices
The time of day can also affect the price of a ticket, with morning departures being around 1% cheaper than evening flights and the afternoon being the most expensive time of day to fly. The day of the week can also make a difference, with Monday being the most common day for departures. Booking in advance can also help to secure a cheaper ticket, with data suggesting that booking 24 weeks before departure will get you the cheapest price, while booking 5 weeks in advance can still get you a below-average price.
Prices also vary depending on the specific route taken, with the most popular route being Los Angeles (LAX) to Sydney (SYD). The cheapest round-trip ticket found on this route in the last 72 hours was $795. However, the cheapest ticket to Australia from California in the last 72 hours was to Melbourne Airport, at $660 round-trip.
Direct flights are also generally available, with Los Angeles offering the most direct flights, and San Francisco offering the shortest route, with an average flight time of 14 hours and 5 minutes. Direct flights from Melbourne to Los Angeles can also be a good option for low prices.
There are many different websites available to compare prices and book flights, with some offering price alerts and flexible booking options. It is worth shopping around to find the best deal.
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Travel documents
When flying from Australia to California, there are several travel documents that you need to have in order. Here is a list of the essential documents:
- Passport: Ensure that you have a valid passport from your country of citizenship. The passport must be valid (not expired) on the day of your arrival in California. It is recommended to check the expiry date well before your travel date to allow for adequate renewal time if needed. Keep your passport in a safe place at all times, as it is a valuable document.
- Visa: Depending on your citizenship and the purpose of your trip, you may need to obtain a visa before travelling to the United States. Check the specific visa requirements for your country of citizenship and understand the relevant terms and conditions. An approved ESTA or valid visa does not guarantee entry, as US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials will determine your eligibility upon arrival.
- Travel authority: If you are an Australian citizen, you do not need a travel exemption to enter California. However, foreign travellers, except for New Zealand citizens, must obtain a visa or travel authority before travelling to Australia.
- Boarding pass: Once you have booked your flight, you will need to check in and obtain a boarding pass. Keep this document handy as you will need to present it at the airport security checkpoints.
- Other identification: When travelling within the United States, you may need to present a form of photo identification, such as a passport or a US-issued ID, to board domestic flights.
It is always a good idea to visit official government websites for the most up-to-date and accurate information regarding travel documents and requirements. Additionally, staying informed about the rules and restrictions of the airlines and countries you are travelling through is essential.
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Frequently asked questions
West.
The fastest flight from Australia to California takes 12 hours and 55 minutes. On average, the journey takes 16 hours and 13 minutes.
The price of a flight from Australia to California varies. The cheapest one-way flight in the past 72 hours was $327, while the best round-trip flight deal found in the same period was $618. On average, a flight from Australia to California costs between $500 and $1,500.
Airlines that fly from Australia to California include Qantas Airways, Air New Zealand, Virgin Australia, United Airlines, Fiji Airways, and Sichuan Airlines.
There are two airports near California: Los Angeles (LAX) and San Francisco (SFO).





























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