Flights to Adelaide
Best student & youth fares right now to Adelaide
Browse the prices below to see what’s currently on offer when it comes to flights from the US to Adelaide, and remember that these fares are updated daily. Bookmark this page and check back for deals, or use the search box above to find more options.
Student flights from the US to Adelaide
Adelaide is the capital of South Australia and an excellent city to explore if you like culture, cool bars and cafes, live music and colonial architecture. The city is located right on the coast in a naturally sheltered bay, and is a favourite spot for backpackers and students who are exploring or studying in Australia.
On account of its plethora of religious buildings and Christian denominations Adelaide is known as the ‘City of Churches’ (there are hundreds!). While these architectural gems are a big draw, they’re just one reason to visit. In recent years Adelaide has developed a well-deserved reputation for being one of Australia’s most cosmopolitan cities, and the arts and festival scene is world-class. February-March sees the city taken over by Adelaide Fringe, the world’s second-largest fringe festival, with over 10,000 artists creating over 1000 events hosted across hundreds of locations citywide. And then there’s surrounding areas to visit as well: for example, Kangaroo Island, a short boat trip away, is one of the highlights of Australia, and the wineries of the nearby Barossa Valley are amazing.
Check out our cheap student flights from the US to Adelaide, and go see it all for yourself!
What are the main Adelaide airports, and how do I get from them to central Adelaide?
Adelaide International Airport is the main flight hub servicing South Australia’s capital city, and the airport into which all international (and a good deal of domestic) passengers touch down in.
Adelaide International Airport: As noted above, this is Adelaide’s one and only international airport. There are a variety of ways to get from Adelaide Airport to the city centre, and the cost and time the journey will take depends on which mode of transport you opt for. Because the airport is only about 4 miles from the city centre, you could do it on foot, if you were being super budget conscious. The walk would take about an hour and a half. A taxi, conversely, takes about 10 minutes, but would cost something in the region of $30 AUD ($22 USD). The middle ground is to hop on the Shuttle Bus, which offers a door-to-door service and will cost about $10 AUD ($7 USD).
How to fly from the US to Adelaide
There are currently no direct flights from the US to Adelaide, but there are plenty of options if you don’t mind having a layover (or two) en route. Regardless of where you’re flying from, the total flight time will be around 25-30 hours, so you might want to consider stopping over in a layover city for a night or two, just to break things up a bit!
The most popular airlines for flights from the US to Adelaide include Air New Zealand, Qantas, United Airlines and Virgin Australia.
Cheap flights to Adelaide
from New York / JFK
Average flight duration
29+ hours (whew!)
Number of weekly/daily flights
No nonstop flights, but numerous connecting flights departing daily
Cheap flights to Adelaide
from Los Angeles / LAX
Average flight duration
24+ hours
Number of weekly/daily flights
No nonstop flights, but numerous connecting flights departing daily
Cheap flights to Adelaide
from San Francisco / SFO
Average flight duration
19 hours, 25 minutes +
Number of weekly/daily flights
No nonstop flights, but numerous connecting flights departing daily
Cheap flights to Adelaide
from Washington, D.C. / IAD
Average flight duration
30+ hours
Number of weekly/daily flights
No nonstop flights, but numerous connecting flights departing daily
When is the best time to fly to Adelaide?
Adelaide has a warm climate, with highs in summer (Dec-Feb) of about 86°F and lows in winter (Jun-Aug) of about 50°F. The best time to visit as far as weather goes is on either side of those seasons, so spring (Sep-Nov) or autumn (March-May), as these temperatures will be most comfortable. Alternatively, you could time your visit in February to coincide with Adelaide Fringe Festival, the second largest in the world after Edinburgh in the UK!
When is the cheapest time to book a flight from the US to Adelaide?
Prices based on bookings made 60-91 days prior to departure.
Why do American students love visiting Adelaide?
Adelaide is a city rich in culture and is often called the ‘City of Churches’, due to the abundance of the historic religious buildings. It’s also highly walkable (good for getting around on a budget!), occupying a fairly compact area that can easily be explored on foot, and offers a laid-back vibe.
Adelaide universities and campuses
Adelaide has several excellent universities and all offer international study placements. Top higher education establishments include The University of Adelaide, which was established in 1874; The University of South Australia, which is the largest in the state; and Flinders University, which has students from over 90 countries all over the world. If you want to study abroad in Australia without staying in a huge city like Sydney or Melbourne, Adelaide is a perfect choice!
Adelaide lifestyle and culture
Adelaide is a laid-back city with a friendly vibe. Like other Australian cities, Adelaide has a great cafe culture, and you’ll find some of the best coffee in the country here. The city is compact and walkable, and can seem charmingly rural at times. As is the case in most of Australia, the locals are quite friendly and happy to chat with visitors, and the culture is relaxed and more casual than you might have experienced in other cities. Adelaide really offers some of the best of city life with a small town feel.
Exploring Adelaide on a student budget
Adelaide has lots of free or budget things to do, so it’s perfect for exploring on a student budget. The Botanic Gardens are beautiful and make for a great place to hangout enjoying the sunshine, and don’t cost a cent to get into. You can head to one of the many beaches and swim in the surf—also free—or do some reading (for free) in the State Library of South Australia. And if you fancy a cycle, just hop on one of the Adelaide Free Bikes!
Frequently asked questions about flying from the US to Adelaide
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