A Guide to Melbourne Airport

As the second largest airport in Australia, Melbourne Airport, otherwise known as Tullamarine Airport, is quite large to accommodate the growing travel demand. Serving over 20 million passengers in 2023 alone, it is quite a popular airport, requiring a bit of navigation and guidance to get through it seamlessly. Read below for information & travel tips for those flying from Melbourne Airport. 

Melbourne Airport Arrivals:

For domestic travel within Australia, it’s recommended to arrive at Melbourne Airport within 1 to 1½ hours before your flight. For international travel, allowing 3 hours before departure is

advisable. It’s important to be aware that Melbourne Airport experiences high levels of activity, which may lead to waiting in lines. To streamline your experience, consider downloading your boarding pass in advance and adding it to your Apple wallet, taking a screenshot, or printing it 

for quick access. This simple step can potentially save you at least 15 minutes upon your arrival at the airport. 

Should you discover that you have some extra time upon arrival, consider exploring the various Melbourne Airport lounges accessible for a nominal fee: 

Open-Access Lounges:

● The House 

○ Costs: 

■ For Adults: $34.69 for 2 hours 

■ For Kids 2-11: $23.12 

○ Located on the 3rd floor of T2, International Departures 

○ Lounge Hours: 

■ Monday, Tu, Thurs: 11:00 – 23:30 

■ Wed & Sun: 10:30 – 23:30 

■ Fri & Sat: 04:30 – 22:30 

● Marhaba Lounge: 

○ Costs: 

■ For Adults: $87.57 for 4 hours 

■ There is free lounge admission for children under the age of 2 

○ Located on the 3rd floor of T2, International Departures, between Gates 9 – 11 ○ Lounge Hours: 

■ 05:00 – 23:00, Monday – Sunday

● Plaza Premium Lounge: 

○ Costs: 

■ For Adults: $63.24 for 2 hours 

■ For Kids 2-11: $44.24 for 2 hours 

■ There is free admission for children under the age of 2 

○ Located on the 3rd floor of T2, International Departures, near Gate 9 ○ Lounge Hours: 

■ 7:30 – 14:00 & 20:30 – 23:30, Monday – Sunday 

Membership Lounges:

Domestic Membership Lounges: 

*Melbourne Domestic Membership lounges are exclusive, and only those who have pre-arranged membership with their respective airlines will be allowed entry.

● Virgin Australia 

○ Located on T3, Mezzanine Floor 

● Qantas 

○ Located on T1, 1st floor 

● REX 

○ Located on T4, ground floor at Gate 30 

International Membership Lounges: 

*Melbourne International Membership lounges are exclusive, and only those who have pre-arranged membership with their respective airlines will be allowed entry. 

● Qantas 

○ Located on T2, 3rd floor

● Singapore (Silver Kris Lounge) 

○ Located on T2, 1st floor 

● Air NZ / United Airlines 

○ Located on T2, ground floor 

● Emirates 

○ Located on T2, 3rd floor 

● American Express Lounge 

○ Located on T2, 1st floor 

Melbourne Airport Terminals:

Melbourne Airport has four terminals: the Domestic & International terminals, as well as a 

terminal for domestic Jetstar flights, and one for regional or low-cost carrier flights. All terminals are within walking distance from one another and are all under the same roof; however, the walk from T1 to T4 takes approximately 10-12 minutes.

Melbourne Domestic Terminal (T1): Also known as the ‘Qantas’ terminal, you can find the following airlines flying from this terminal: Qantas and Qantaslink. Departures for this terminal are located on the 1st floor, whereas arrivals are located on the ground floor. Melbourne International Terminal (T2): This terminal services all travellers flying internationally, no matter what airline you are on. Departures for this terminal are located on the 1st floor, whereas arrivals are located on the ground floor. 

Melbourne Domestic Terminal (T3): This terminal services all travelers flying domestically, on any airline except Qantas and Jetstar. So, you will utilise this terminal if you are flying Virgin Australia, REX, or Skywest. 

Melbourne Domestic Terminal (T4): This terminal services travellers flying domestically, exclusively on Jetstar.

Public Transportation to & from Melbourne Airport:

● Car: If you are arriving at Melbourne Airport from the city center via car, the trip will take 

you around 20-45 minutes, depending on traffic. There are various locations to park your car at Melbourne Airport if you plan to leave it there whilst away, they are detailed below.

● Taxi: If you are arriving or departing from Melbourne Airport via taxi, coming or going towards the city center, you can expect to spend around $55-80. If you need a taxi, walk outside Terminals 1 & 4. If you have pre-booked a taxi for pick-up, you can plan to meet your driver at the north end of the Terminal Car Park 1,2, & 3. The trip will take you around 20-45 minutes. 

● Uber: If you are arriving or departing from Melbourne Aiport via Uber or another rideshare app, coming or going towards the city center, you can expect to spend around

$45-58. If you need to meet your Uber, walk to the Uber ‘Pick-up Zone’ outside Terminal 2. 

● Bus: If you are arriving or departing from Melbourne Aiport via Skybus Express, coming or going towards the city center or nearby Victoria, you can expect to spend around $22.00 for one-way fares, and $36.00 for round trips. It runs every 10-15 minutes and is closed only between 01:00 – 04:00. 

Melbourne Airport Pick-up/ Drop-off

Pick-Up 

Terminal 1-3: If you need to be picked up from Terminal 1-3 at Melbourne Airport, you may meet your party at the designated ‘Pick-Up’ zone located on the ground floor outside at the forecourt of Terminals 1, 2, & 3.

Terminal 4: If you need to be picked up from Terminal 4 at Melbourne Airport, you may meet your party at Level 1 of the Terminal 4 car park. 

Drop-Off 

Terminals 1-3: If you need to be dropped off at Terminals 1-3, you can take Departure Drive into Level 2 of the forecourt area of Terminals 1, 2 & 3. 

Terminal 4: If you need to be dropped off at Terminal 4, you can do so at Level 2 of the Terminal 4 Car Park.

Melbourne Airport Parking:

Off-site airport parking: Melbourne Airport features a range of off-site parking facilities that provide security, affordability, and less congestion compared to the official on-site options. Most off-site car parks offer free shuttle services that conveniently transport you to and from the airport terminals based on your schedule, catering to both domestic and international travelers. To explore the available airport parking at Melbourne, you can visit Flyparks and view some of the most reputable Australian airport car parks, like Andrews Airport Parking, and Busy Beaver Airport Parking. This platform allows you to compare prices, read reviews, and make reservations with your preferred car park provider. 

On-site airport parking: Melbourne Airport offers 6 on-site, official car parks. These car parks are the Value Car Park, Value Express, Terminal Car Park, Valet Parking, Premium Parking, and Business Parking. These parking facilities offer options for both short-term and long-term parking at Melbourne Airport. However, it’s important to note that they come with higher costs

compared to off-site alternatives and often experience significant crowding, particularly during the peak travel season. 

Melbourne Airport Hotels:

At the airport, you can find the following Melbourne airport hotels close by, with shuttles to take 

you to the airport, and some that are within a mere walking distance. 

● Park Royal Melbourne Airport Hotel, $340.00 for 1 night 

● Holiday Inn Melbourne Airport, $248.00 for 1 night 

● Ibis Budget Melbourne Airport, $127.62 for 1 night 

● Mantra Tullamarine Airport, $199 for 1 night 

Please note, all prices are subject to change without notice based on duration, seasonality, and capacity.

You now have all the essential information to navigate Melbourne Airport smoothly. Remember to download your boarding passes onto your mobile device for convenient access, and consider checking in for your flight in advance to minimize time spent at the airport. Above all, make the most of your journey and enjoy your travels!