Melbourne to Lagos Flights

  About Melbourne

Melbourne is one of the most popular destinations in Australia. It is a blend of a laid-back lifestyle with a vibrant nightlife. Melbourne is also known for its world-class cuisines. It is a hot spot for musical events and club hopping. It is a vacation destination in an urban setup. The city is also closer to the ocean, which makes it popular among travellers. You can head to the beach whenever you want and try your hand at water sports like surfing, scuba diving and sea kayaking. There is also Yarra Valley, which is about an hour's drive from the city and is home to about 120 wineries. Melbourne is also known for its wildlife and is another major attraction among tourists. Be it high-end shopping arcades, restaurants, cafes or nightclubs and theatres, the small city accommodates everything and makes for the perfect vacation destination. While it is a popular place for people to head to with their friends, you will also find a lot of family-friendly spots in the city worth visiting. The city makes sure that you have a memorable trip.

Best Time to Visit Melbourne

Summer is one of the best seasons to visit Melbourne since you will get to make the most of all the ocean fun. December to February is summer in Melbourne and peak travel season, too. The temperature ranges from 14 to 26 degree Celsius, and it is the perfect season to head to the beach. Make sure you book your hotel in Melbourne well in advance since it will be difficult to find a good one at the last moment. If you are visiting Melbourne in December, you can also be a part of the Christmas celebrations in the city and ring in the New Year through some of the most happening parties here. If you are a sports fanatic, you can also attend the Australian Open that happens in January. Midsumma Festival, White Night Melbourne and Lonsdale St Greek Festival are some of the events you can attend in Melbourne if you are on your summer vacation. The city will be buzzing with tourists, and if you are a socially active person, you will love interacting with them and making new friends while you are at it.

March to May is the fall season and also one of the best times to visit Melbourne. The temperature ranges from 10 to 24 degree Celsius. The days are warm and the nights are comparatively less warm. The city has lesser tourists as compared to summer, and if you are not a fan of crowded places, this will be the best time for you to visit the city. You can also attend events like Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival, Moomba Festival, Formula One Australian Grand Prix, Melbourne Food and Wine Festival and Next Wave Festival. June to August is the winter season in Melbourne, and the city is quite cold as compared to Sydney and Brisbane. The temperature ranges from 7 to 15 degree Celsius. This is a big-time for the city to host festivals related to food and films. You can attend the Good Food and Wine Show, Melbourne International Jazz Festival, Melbourne International Film Festival and Melbourne Writers Festival.

September to November is also a great time to head to Melbourne. You will come across great deals of flights to Melbourne and even get a decent accommodation at affordable prices. The temperature ranges from 9 to 22 degree Celsius, and there are a bunch of events for you to attend during this season, too. You can attend the Melbourne Writers Festival, Melbourne Fringe, Melbourne Festival, Melbourne Cup Carnival and Taste of Melbourne. You can get cheap flight tickets to Melbourne during this time since it is not tourist season. However, prices might start increasing as you begin inching towards summer. This is also a great time to hit the beach without having to deal with a lot of tourists.

Places to Visit in Melbourne

Dockland is a popular tourist spot in Melbourne. It is a happening shopping destination, pubs, nightclubs, amusement parks, cafes and parklands. The Melbourne Star, which is a giant Ferris wheel and Icehouse are popular places in the Dockland area. Shrine of Remembrance is a memorial in the Kings Domain garden is another place you must visit. It was built as a tribute to everyone who lost their lives in the First World War. One of the oldest railway stations in Australia, Flinders Street Station, is an iconic place to go sightseeing in Melbourne. If you are an art and history lover, you must also visit the Ian Potter Museum of Art. The entry to the museum is free, and you can also attend talk shows and exhibitions here. Sovereign Hill is another unique museum that you can visit. It showcases the lifestyle of people in the age of old days. You will also find hotels, a theatre, factories and underground mines here. If you want to go on a shopping spree, you can also head to Harbor Town. The place has a lot of shopping options, along with restaurants.

Head to 12 Apostles that have enormous limestone cliffs that are formed naturally. It is also closer to Port Campbell National Park. 12 Apostle is an ideal place to head to for breathtaking views, and you can take some of the best pictures here. Yarra Valley Wineries is one of the most popular wineries in the city. You can opt for a guided wine tour of food trails here. The place also has a gourmet restaurant for tourists. You must also visit the Peninsula Hot Spring to feel rejuvenated and relieve yourself of all the stress. Bath House and Dream Spa Centre are the most popular places here, and this is the best place to visit during winter. You can also try the Turkish Steambath here along with mud and salt wraps, massages, healing stone therapies, thermal mineral shower and much more. Healesville Sanctuary is near the Yarra Ranges and is also home to animals like koalas, platypus, Tasmanian devils, wombats and so on.

Things to do in Melbourne

You can opt for a sightseeing tour of the city, or you can explore the city on your own. The city has a vibrant nightlife, and you will love partying here. Nature lovers can head to the Port Campbell National Park and Melbourne Zoo. The city also has a lot of museums and places of historical importance that you can visit. You can also head to the beaches here to indulge in water activities. You can also sign up for a food and wine tasting tour online here. Make sure you also visit the Peninsula Hot Spring for a rejuvenating experience.

Food and Restaurants in Melbourne

Melbourne has a very eclectic dining scene, and you will find a lot of restaurants here that serve cuisines from all over the world. The city also has a lot of cafes. Cafe Andiamo and Two Birds One Stone are some of the most popular cafes in Melbourne. If you are craving some Chinese food or the best of Asian food that Melbourne has to offer, you can head to Rice Paper Scissors or Longrain. Scopri and Da Guido Melbourne la Pasta near Lygon Street are known for their delicious Italian cuisines. Head over to Stalactites for authentic Greek cuisines like souvlaki and spanakopita. Yarra Valley, Mornington Peninsula, Geelong, Macedon and Sunbury are well-known wine regions in Melbourne that you can head to for an extraordinary wine and food experience. David's Spicy Pot is another famous place in Melbourne for Chinese and Asian food. The city is also known for its vibrant nightlife, and you can head to some of the popular nightclubs here. Geppetto Trattoria is another popular place for Italian food. Roule Galette Melbourne is known for serving traditional French cuisines and also has healthy options on its menu.

How to reach Melbourne (Transportation)

Melbourne Airport is the main international airport in Australia and about 23 km from the city centre. The flight connectivity to Melbourne from India is excellent. Cathay Pacific Airways, Srilankan Airlines, Malaysia Airlines are some of the popular airlines that have frequent flights to Melbourne from India with layovers at Hong Kong, Colombo and Kuala Lumpur. If you book well in advance, you might get cheap flight tickets to Melbourne. If you book during the off-season, you might even come across exciting flight deals to Melbourne online. It's easier to find a taxi or car rental service from the airport. The Melbourne Airport also has premium lounges, restaurants, cafes, shopping areas and a lot of other facilities that passengers can use. The airport also has a currency exchange facility for its passengers. If you have reached the airport early or have to wait at the airport for a long time to board your flight, be assured that you will not be bored. You can finish your last-minute shopping at the airport or sit in a cafe and read a book.

  About Lagos

Touted to be one of the most populous city centres of the Sub-Saharan Africa, Lagos, located on the coasts of Nigeria, is a fasting-growing city in the continent. The city's exquisite resorts, cultural museums, nightlife and boutiques make it one of the most sought-after cities in Nigeria. Not to mention how it also stands tall as the financial capital of the metropolis. The port city of Lagos has turned a new leaf and is quite the thriving city with impeccable contribution to the economy of Nigeria.

Best time to visit Lagos

Thanks to Lagos' proximity to the equator, the climate is hot and wet most of the year. The air is always hot and humid, which makes it quite unfavourable for travelling. However, there are some seasons or rather months in the city when the sun and humidity are relatively bearable and ideal for tourism. The peak travel and offseason are perfectly segregated into two halves. The six months from October to April are dry with winters taking over from December to February. The remaining months see wet and humid weather. The beginning of the dry season is called Harmattan in Nigeria. During this season, the weather is extremely tourist-friendly and amiable. The beaches are exceptionally beautiful as the dry season kicks in. December to February easily become the best months to visit the city. However, you should ensure that if you do opt for one of the months from the dry season, you should carry clothes accordingly. The dry season can get a little hot too. Light clothing is the best thing you can opt for when in Lagos. Plus, carrying a bottle of water is also quite essential. More than one, if needed.

Summer and monsoon months are quite unfavourable for travelling. The city is soaked wet with extreme possibilities of floods and other such conundrums. Not to mention how the damp and humid weather only adds to creepy crawlers in the environment. It would be quite risky to travel to the city during the monsoon. The hotel prices are cheap in Lagos during monsoon for this very reason. As it is an offseason, the hotel prices are slashed, and it becomes easier to make reservations. However, it is not advisable to plan a trip around this time just to make some savings in the hotel booking. Instead, opt for one of the dry months which are close to the winter season. The city would be pleasant, and tourist activities would be compelling, without any trouble.

Places to visit in Lagos

Lagos has quite a handful of tourist attractions worth visiting. The Tafawa Balewa Square is one such location that boasts historical significance and plays a memorial to victims of the two world wars. The area also hosts events, concerts and plays the role of a racecourse. You should also visit the Teslim Balogun Stadium, which is the country's national stadium. The place is known for its exceptional sporting facilities and also witnesses some exquisite festivals and events, including football matches, both local and international. The Nigerian National Museum is another attraction that would pique your interest. With archaeological relics from the Nigerian history and ethnographic artworks on display, the place is perfect to learn more about the country's ancient history and culture. Lekki Conservation Centre is acclaimed to be an urban park which boasts lush landscapes, wildlife and a perfect getaway for recreational activities. Lagos' Freedom Park is a place you should definitely visit as it exhibits the creative expression of art and culture of the country.

Things to do in Lagos

To indulge in some more of the vibrant African music culture, you can check out the New Afrikan Shrine. Its compelling and engaging music would have quite an effect on you. Not to mention how the lively atmosphere would be an experience of a lifetime. You can also visit the Jhalobia Recreation Park and Gardens to relish the green expanses and lawns that the park has to offer. It is perfect for photography and picnics. Do not miss out some of their beaches and lagoons that touch the city. With the dry and hot weather, the beaches would be a good escape. La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort would be a nice place to relax and unwind. Hi Impact Planet is also a good place where you can engage in some recreational activities. The amusement park has some fun rides that would elevate your spirits and make you quite happy. To catch some Nigerian movies, you can watch a show at the Silverbird Galleria.

Food and restaurants in Lagos

Lagos is recognised as one of the most populous and culturally eclectic cities in Nigeria. In fact, it is also revered for its cultural stance in the whole of Africa. The city does have a Western air with more emphasis on global music, art and culinary spheres. With such artistic and cultural heritage that Lagos boasts, the food culture is a reflection of the same. You will find not just African and Lagos- specific dishes but an array of fusion food from around the world. Villa Medici is one such place that brims French flavours and adds more panache to it. Some of the highlights that the French cuisine is known for, including frogs' legs and escargot a la bourguignonne, can be found here in this food establishment. Order some fine wine and cocktails to go with the food, and you'll have quite a good time here. Métisse is another recognised restaurant in the city that raves Asian and fusion cuisine. With a nautical decor of the place, the restaurant offers a platter of not just Asian dishes but also Lagos's traditional taste. The place also hosts live music to make the dining experience rich.

While fusion food is something you'll find aplenty in Lagos. However, to get the authentic Nigerian food, you have Terra Kulture, a good establishment predominantly known for its exquisite take on Nigerian cuisine. Indulge in the gastronomical delights of authentic Nigerian food at Terra Kulture. Taste their ofada rice, boiled yam, plantain and catfish. The setting of the place is also quite awesome with Nigerian art exhibited on the walls for customers to relish, aside from their food. The Jazzhole is an interesting and iconic record shop, book shop and a cafe. Basically, it is a quaint cafe nestled in the internal routes of Ikoyi in Lagos. The place is untouched and perfect as it sees less crowd and more peace. Plus, the soothing jazz music with soulful performances goes perfectly well for high tea and books. You can also visit the Eko Sky Restaurant and Lounge to receive the best view of the city and astounding food and drinks. It is away from the city's hustle-bustle and has a very tranquil environment that would go down perfectly well with the food and drinks that they serve.

How to reach Lagos

Flight connectivity to Lagos from India is quite decent. There are no direct flights that connect to Lagos from India, but there are enough connecting flights from Cairo and Addis Ababa. The demand for Lagos from India is not a lot, due to which even the number of flights is limited. However, there are various international routes connected to Lagos which have immaculate connectivity. Airlines such as EgyptAir, Ethiopian Airlines, Emirates, RwandAir, Turkish Airlines, Kenya Airways, SpiceJet, Emirates, Lufthansa, Swiss, Etihad Airways, to name a few, have flights flying in and out of Lagos. There are various international routes that connect to Lagos from Middle-East to European to even Atlantic. However, there are countless layovers and long durations that make only a handful ideal to pick from. From India, the most popular routes to Lagos are from Addis Ababa, Dubai, Cairo and Istanbul. These cities have direct flights heading to Lagos and have fewer hours of layovers too. There are flight options connecting from European cities such as Frankfurt and Zurich too. However, these cities have multiple layovers and connecting flights, making it a cumbersome ordeal.

Not to mention how you will require a transit visa to board connecting flights from these cities to Lagos. EgyptAir, RwandAir and Ethiopian Airlines offer the best ticket prices to Lagos as well as decent flight duration. The approximate flight duration from India to Lagos is 12 hours and fifty minutes. The flight tickets to Lagos are a little expensive. It would cost you just as much to reach a European country as much it would be for a trip to Lagos. The best thing to do to snag inexpensive tickets would be searching for excessive flight deals online to get a good price for a flight ticket to Lagos. There are always countless deals and offers on the web. You could probably use this time to invest in miles or make use of the already-existing miles to fund the trip. While you're booking your flight tickets to Lagos, also opt to make hotel reservations in the city. The prices of hotels in Lagos could also vary depending on which season you pick for your trip. It would be best to look for combo deals online where your flight and hotel reservations are made for a cheap and affordable rate.

  About Murtala Muhammed Airport

Murtala Muhammed International Airport, also known famously as Lagos Airport, caters to international operations and is situated in Ikeja, Lagos. It is one of the major hubs that serve the airport in the entire state. It was originally built in World War II and has been named after the fourth military ruler of Nigeria, Murtala Muhammed, in the 1970s. The most popular destinations that are often opted for from Murtala Muhammed International Airport are cities such as London Heathrow, Abuja, Enugu, Addis Ababa, Port Harcourt, Dubai, Owerri and Accra. The airport has a capacity to accommodate 6,367,478 passengers as of 2017.

About Airport Terminals

The Lagos Airport has two terminals, one dedicated to international operations and the second one for domestic activities. The two terminals use the same runway with respect to flight activities. The domestic terminal was originally the old Ikeja Airport. When the new international terminal opened in 1979, all the flight operations moved to the new terminal. Meanwhile, the old Ikeja Airport was transformed to cater to domestic operations. However, after a fire incident took place in the domestic terminal in 2000, the airport's operations were shifted to the old Lagos domestic terminal while a new terminal was constructed. The new terminal, also known as MMA2, was constructed and eventually commissioned in 2007. The international terminal was designed keeping Amsterdam Airport Schiphol's model in mind. The new terminal caters to Nigeria's biggest airline, Arik Air.

About Airport Authority

Murtala Muhammed International Airport is currently owned and operated by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria. FAAN's headquarters is located in Ikeja, Lagos. Originally established as Nigeria Airports Authority (NAA) in 1976, the airport authority was renamed as Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria in 1995 after the Federal Government restructured and reformed the norms of the aviation industry. FAAN has since been working towards an ambitious rehabilitation programme to upscale the Murtala Muhammed International Airport. The airport has managed to finish about 90 per cent of the work that they planned. In the recent times, the airport has seen some tremendous changes under the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria's management.

Murtala Muhammed International Airport's infrastructure has seen some good developments with the air conditioning improved and luggage belts repaired to perfection. The airport has also been cleaned and sanitized with many recent restaurants and food establishments being installed in the vicinity. Duty-free stores have also been opened with to make the airport fancier. After Bilateral Air Services Agreements were signed between Nigeria and a bunch of countries was revived, many airlines received landing rights again. With airlines such as Emirates, Delta Air Lines, China Southern Airlines and Ocean Air receiving rights and interest to land at Nigeria's Murtala Muhammed International Airport, the country has become easier to reach. In fact, Lagos Airport has become the largest international airport in Nigeria.

Top airlines flying from Murtala Muhammed International Airport

Muhammed International Airport majorly sees a lot of African airlines. However, the airport also accommodates a slew of international airlines in many global cities. The airport also has reserved a space for an Indian airline, Air India. Air India operations from Muhammed International Airport flies to Mumbai and Delhi. In terms of travelling within the continent, Lagos Airport sees a blend of many African airlines. Some of the airlines that operate from Muhammed International Airport include Aero Contractors, Africa World Airlines, Air Peace, Air Senegal, Arik Air, Ethiopian Airlines and Kenya Airways.

Along with the African airlines operating from Muhammed International Airport, there are also a few international ones. Some of the prominent international airlines operating from Muhammed International Airport are Air France, British Airways, China Southern Airlines, Delta Air Lines, EgyptAir, Emirates, Etihad Airways, KLM, Lufthansa, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, United Airlines and Virgin Atlantic.

Facilities at Murtala Muhammed International Airport

WiFi - Murtala Muhammed International Airport offers free WiFi services that you can avail. All you need to do is visit the information desk of the airport and ask them for instructions. Some of the instructions are also available on various internet kiosks spread across the airport terminals.

ATM and foreign exchange - Currency exchange booths are located at the arrival and departure zones of international terminals. The airport also offers decent exchange rates. In case you haven't had the time to make the exchange during your trip, the airport is the best place to exchange currencies. There are ATMs of local banks also present at the airport. You can withdraw or even transfer money within the premise.

Medical services - Kupa Aerospace Clinic offers medical services at the airport. They have been placed within the premise of the airport to help with emergency cases that might crop up. The clinics are spread out in proper intervals at the domestic and international terminals. Along with clinics, the airport also has pharmacies installed at the terminals with most of the medicinal drugs.

Nursing stations - The airport has installed nursing stations for parents travelling with infants. The rooms are available for mother's to feed their infants and even clean them. There are baby products such as diapers, baby powders and other such essentials. This has been kept in the rooms, in case they run out of supplies.

Special assistance - Facilities to help special cases falling under the restricted mobility category are also available at the airport. For this, you will have to speak to your airlines and inform them that you require special assistance. The airport, with its trained staff, will accommodate the same for you. You can request for wheelchairs and porter services as well.

Restaurants and cafe - Much like all the airports, you can find restaurants and cafes at Lagos Airport as well. There are a few good options for restaurants with global cuisine. The airport has witnessed some massive upgradations and has since accommodated more restaurants and food establishments. They are available at the international and domestic terminals.

Prayer rooms - The airport has prayer rooms at the departure and arrival zones of the terminals. You can spend some time at the airport's multi-faith rooms. You can also meditate in the quiet rooms as a way to calm your nerves, in case flying concerns you.

Conference room - There is one dedicated conference room that is present within the airport premise. In case you need to hold a conference or a business meeting, the location is quite convenient, especially if it is for an international group of delegates. The conference room is well-equipped with modern amenities to cater to the needs of the host. Anything beyond what is available, you can request the same and ask Muhammed International Airport to help you out.

Lounges - Muhammed International Airport has quite a few lounges at the international as well as domestic terminals. At the international terminal, there are airline lounges as well as some by the airport. You can find Air France/KLM Lounge, British Airways Lounge, Premium Lounge, Skyway Premium Lounge, Gabfol Lounge, First Lounge, Oasis Lounge, SDS Lounge Services and SDS Llegada Arrival Lounge. All the lounges are open 24/7 and offer world-class facilities. They have a plush seating arrangement, snacks, liquor, play area for kids, smoking zones, entertainment decks, free WiFi, restaurants and more. Some of them even have sleeping beds and shower services. VIP Lounge and Platinum Membership Lounge are available at the domestic terminal and offer similar services.

Baggage - Baggage services are available but split into the domestic and international terminals. Depending on which terminal you are at, the baggage services would be offered. The international airport provides specific facilities such as baggage wrapping to prevent theft and mishandling, trolleys, porter services to carry the luggage and more. The domestic terminal has comparatively fewer services. However, you can request for specified services to your airlines, and the airport would provide them.

How to reach Murtala Muhammed International Airport

Public transport

There are bus services available that will reach you to Murtala Muhammed International Airport. However, there is no definitive route that would connect you to the airport from the city. From the Ikeja region, there are no specific routes or even fares that would be fixed to reach you anywhere within Lagos. Further on this, it is not safe to take a bus at certain hours during the day and night. You need to be very careful of the fact that some areas are unsafe and shouldn't be travelled by bus. Hence, the best way to reach Murtala Muhammed International Airport would be to take the taxi instead of a bus.

Taxicabs

The trip from the airport to Lagos city could take a lot of time, approximately one to three hours. This is because the routes have terrible roads. Plus, the distance to the city centre is also quite a lot. However, it is safer to reach Murtala Muhammed International Airport from anywhere in the city of Lagos. Again though, avoid taking a taxi in the night as the roads are not safe.