Melbourne Airport
Melbourne Airport is 18km north-west of Melbourne city centre. It is Melbourne’s main international airport and is sometimes locally referred to as Tullamarine, distinguishing it from other local airports like Avalon, Essendon and Moorabbin.
Aiport Code
MEL
Location
Departure Drive, Melbourne Airport VIC 3045, Australia
Opening Hours
24 hours
Melbourne Airport terminals
Melbourne Airport has four terminals, all under one roof and within easy walking distance of each other.
Terminal 1
T1 handles most Qantas and QantasLink domestic flights. It sits on the north side of the airport and is the last stop you’ll reach when coming along Departure Drive.
Terminal 2
This is Melbourne’s main international terminal, right next to T1 on the north-west side of the airport. If you’re being dropped off, it’s the second stop on Departure Drive.
Terminal 3
T3 is another domestic terminal, located between Terminals 2 and 4 on the west side of the airport. It’s the first stop along Departure Drive.
Terminal 4
At the southern end of the airport, T4 serves mostly domestic flights. Its drop-off point is accessed via Bonney Court.
How to get to Melbourne Airport
There are lots of ways you can get to the airport before your flight.
SkyBus City Express
The SkyBus City Express is a regular bus service running between Melbourne city centre and the airport.
The service departs every 10-15 minutes from Southern Cross Station Bus Terminal, usually from Bay 75. It runs from 4am to 1am.
There are drop-off and pick-up points at Terminals 1 and 4, while T3 is exclusively a pick-up point. There is no stop at T2, but the terminals are all within a short walk of each other.
provides fixed price fares for all services, and tickets can be purchased online, on the SkyBus app or from e-kiosks at Melbourne Airport and Southern Cross Station.
Local buses
There are several local bus services operated by Public Transport Victoria (PTV) that run to and from the T4 Ground Transport Hub, just south of the T4 entrance.
This service connects the airport to the city centre, its suburbs, the Greater Melbourne area and the wider Victoria region.
Visit the PTV website for the latest route information and schedules.
Taxis
There are official taxi ranks serving both local taxis and Uber outside terminals 1, 2 and 4.
- T1: opposite Qantas domestic arrivals
- T2: outside international arrivals
- T4: on the ground floor of the terminal
Chauffeur services
You can use a chauffeur service to get to Melbourne Airport in premium comfort.
popular choice with business travellers, group travellers, families and more, you’ll be transported to MEL in the comfortable surroundings of a luxury vehicle.
You can take advantage of marhaba’s partnership with Mozio to arrange your chauffeur service and pick from a range of vehicles.
Driving & parking
The airport is about 25-minutes from the city centre – depending on traffic.
If you’re picking someone up from Dubai International Airport, you’ll need to wait in one of the car parks – there are no designated pick-up areas.
There are various parking options at the airport, including budget parking that is slightly further from the entrances, undercover parking close to the terminals and valet services.
- Value Car Park: 15-minute bus
- Value Express: 15-minute bus
- Terminal Car Park: 3-minute walk
- Premium Valet: 2-minute walk
- Premium Self Park: 2-minute walk
The Value Car Park includes a free shuttle bus service that operates 24/7 and reaches Terminals 1 and 4 in around 15 minutes.
There are eight stops in the car park and Terminals 2 and 3 are within walking distance of Terminals 1 and 4, making the final part of your journey to the airport straightforward.
The cheapest parking options start at around $12 per day while the most premium valet options are roughly $79 per day.
Pick-up & drop-offs
All terminals have clearly signposted pick-up and drop-off zones, with a one-minute standing limit for vehicles.
At Terminals 1, 2, and 3, these zones are on the ground level of the forecourt. T4 works a bit differently: the pick-up zone is on Level 1 of the car park, and the drop-off is on Level 2.
If you need a bit more time, all car parks offer 15 minutes free parking. There’s also a wait zone on Mercer Drive, just off the Tullamarine Freeway, where the first hour is free and 60-120 minutes costs $4.
Melbourne Airport facilities & services
Melbourne Airport offers an extensive range of facilities and services, from restaurants and bars to shops and pharmacies. Find out more about what’s available at MEL.
Food & drink
Local flavours
You won’t go hungry - all four terminals have plenty of stylish places to eat. Expect everything from classic Melbourne burger joints to spots serving up native meats and gourmet dishes made with local produce.
Be sure to look out for:
- AFL Kitchen & Bar (for a truly Aussie experience)
- Little Melbourne (an incredibly vibrant bar selling all sorts of food)
International cuisine
From cooked-to-order Asian noodle outlets and casual Vietnamese dining, to traditional Italian pizza slices and health-focused cuisine, there are plenty of international options across MEL’s four terminals.
Options include:
- Bà Xã (self-proclaimed sassy South-East Asian food spot)
- Boccata Restaurant (for delicious Italian food)
- Gusto Pasta Bar (for beautiful fresh pasta dishes)
Fast food
All four terminals are stocked with fast food favourites, from big-name burger chains to classic sandwiches. If you want something a little fresher, you’ll also find grab-and-go spots serving Mediterranean mezze, artisan pizzas and Mexican street food.
You can pick from:
- Hungry Jack’s (Burger King for the rest of the world)
- McDonald’s
- Subway
- Daniel’s Donuts (not just amazing donuts, but milkshakes, pies and much more)
Cafés & bars
You’ll have plenty of choice when it comes to cafés and bars. Grab a seat in a sports bar to catch live local or international games, sip your way through a stylish wine bar or sample craft beers from award-winning Melbourne breweries. If you’re after something lighter, there are premium coffee spots, fresh bakeries and modern juice bars too.
Choose from:
Veneziano Coffee Roasters, Small Holdings Café (serving artisan bakes and great coffee), Rustica (ideal for a freshly baked treat), Quikshots (grab yourself a delicious Croque Monsieur) , Pope Joan (one of Melbourne’s most-loved café brands), Hudsons Coffee
Shopping
Duty free
You’ll find duty free shops in T2, with the first ones right after security and more scattered closer to the departure gates. If you like to plan ahead, MEL also has an online duty free service where you can shop online and collect your items before your flight.
Gifts & souvenirs
Forgotten those all-important holiday gifts? Don’t worry. You can find authentic Australian produce and premium gifts that showcase the best of Melbourne and Victoria.
Be sure to check out:
WH Smith, Australian Product Store (ideal for something Aussie-themed), MECCA (for the very best of beauty – with over 200 global brands stocked)
Electronics & toys
Need some last-minute tech? The departure terminals are packed with big-name electronics stores where you can grab everything from headphones to phone chargers. Travelling with kids? There are plenty of toy shops too, perfect for keeping little ones entertained before the flight.
You can find several brands at the airport, including:
JB HI-FI (one of the world’s leading brands of electronics), Tech2Go, Vodafone (if you fancy a new handset), LEGO
Fashion
The airport has a small but handy selection of fashion stores, mostly in Terminals 2 and 4. You might not spot all the big-name brands, but there’s enough to enjoy a casual browse before your flight.
Fashion brands at Melbourne Airport include:
Australian Way, Sunglass Hut, Peter Alexander, Mimco
Health & entertainment
Pools & gyms
If you’re hoping to stretch your legs or get a workout in, there aren’t any pools or gyms inside the airport itself. But several nearby hotels are just a short walk from the terminals and offer these facilities. Some even sell day passes, so you can enjoy a swim, sauna or workout before your flight.
Showers & sleeping
If you want to freshen up, there are free shower facilities in T2, though there is no towel rental. You can enjoy excellent shower facilities when you book the marhaba lounge between Gates 9 and 11 in T2. There are no dedicated sleeping areas at MEL, though there are onsite hotels.
Lounges
There are various lounges you can book throughout MEL, including the marhaba lounge in T2. Here you can enjoy premium international and local food, hot and cold drinks, complimentary high-speed WiFi and more in stylish, comfortable surroundings.
Travel services
ATMs & currency exchange
You’ll find ATMs all over the four terminals, both in arrivals and departures. T2 has a few currency exchange ATMs, and there are dedicated exchange desks before and after security, as well as in arrivals, so it’s easy to get cash or swap money whenever you need it.
Luggage services
If you want to keep your luggage safe, T2 has bag wrapping services right in the check-in area. There are also two dedicated bag shops and storage lockers near international arrivals on the ground floor, making it easy to sort out your bags before your flight.
How to get around Melbourne Airport
The four terminals are situated in one continuous building, meaning you can walk between them without going outside.
Walking between all terminals is possible in around 5-10 minutes, with the distance between Terminals 1 and 4 being the longest.
Accessibility
MEL is designed to make travel comfortable for everyone.
Each terminal has a Mobility Hub to help passengers get around the car parks, check-in areas, baggage halls and pick-up/drop-off zones. Staff are on hand to support travellers with visible or non-visible disabilities, whether that’s helping with wheelchairs, buggies, sensory packs or communication boards for non-verbal travellers.
Every car park has accessible parking - which can be used when displaying a valid Accessible Parking Permit - and carers assisting passengers with companion cards can get parking refunds.
All official taxi ranks outside the terminal buildings have accessible bays and entry lanes.
There are accessible toilets in arrivals and departures in all four terminals, as well as adult change facilities.
The airport also runs a hidden disability programme which uses sunflower lanyards to identify travellers who may need additional assistance or support to be identified by staff. These lanyards can be collected in the T2 arrivals hall on the ground floor.
In addition, there are sensory maps available for all four terminals, which identify high, medium and low sensory areas and help you prepare accordingly.
marhaba services at Melbourne Airport
Take advantage of various marhaba services available at the airport, designed to make your journey streamlined, comfortable and stress-free.
Frequently Asked Questions
Melbourne Airport is one of Australia’s busiest airports, with peak times typically coinciding with the nation’s school holidays, major events and festive seasons.
It’s recommended that you arrive at least one hour before your scheduled departure time for domestic flights and three hours before for international flights.
Yes, you can buy a myki card from several machines at Melbourne Airport. These are in:
- T2 Arrivals
- T3 Arrivals
- T4 Baggage Reclaim
You can also top up an existing card or check your card balance at these machines.
A myki card is a reusable plastic card that’s used to pay for travel on public transport in Melbourne and across Victoria.
You load money onto the card and use it to ‘tap on’ and ‘tap off’ at the start and end of your journey on local buses, trains and trams. It will automatically calculate the lowest fare for your trip.
While smoking and vaping is prohibited inside the terminal buildings at Melbourne Airport, there are clearly marked smoking areas located near the terminal entrances.
There are no smoking areas beyond security.
There are two multi-denominational prayer rooms at Melbourne Airport, with both available 24/7. These are located:
- On the ground floor between Terminals 2 and 3
- After security in T2
There isn’t a free shuttle from Melbourne Airport to the city centre.
The SkyBus City Express is a regular, cost-effective bus service that runs between the airport and Southern Cross Station.
There is, however, a free shuttle bus that connects Terminals 1 and 4 with the airport’s Value Car Park.