Melbourne airports travellers guide

Melbourne is serviced by two airports, Melbourne International Airport at Tullamarine (International/Domestic) and Avalon Airport (New Zealand/Domestic Only), both located West of Melbourne.

Melbourne International Airport (Tullamarine)

Melbourne Airport, located 22 km north-west of the city centre at Tullamarine, provides regular access from all major Australian cities, as well as many international destinations across Europe, America, Asia and the South Pacific region. Note that due to Australia’s distance from most parts of the world, many international flights may go via an Asian hub (for example Singapore, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur or Hong Kong) or a Pacific Hub like Auckland, and/or transfer in Sydney.

The airport is divided into three main terminals, T1, T2 and T3 which are all in the same building. The new T4 is Australia’s first ever low cost carrier terminal, used by Tiger Airways Australia  domestic services. This is separate to the main airport and can be located by the Tiger like tower south of the main terminal.

T1 (the “North Terminal”) is host to Qantas and Jetstar domestic services

T2 (the “International Terminal”) is host to international services. It is the middle terminal of the airport.

T3 (the “South Terminal”) is host to Virgin Blue and Regional Express REX domestic services.

All arrivals are on the lower level of the terminals, with departures from the upper level. Unlike many airports around the world, all the terminals at Melbourne Airport are connected and within easy walking distance of each other. However, each terminal has separate security screening, and access between terminals is not available once in the sterile area.

Taxis between the airport and the city centre cost around $40-$45 and take about 25 minutes when traffic is no problem.

Skybus, tel 9670 7992, runs a 24/7 shuttle to and from the Southern Cross Bus Terminal on Spencer Street at the west end of the Central Business District, just north of Lonsdale Street. The trip takes 20 minutes and is the fastest way between the airport and city by road (it uses an enhanced freeway route with bus lanes). It costs $15 adult one-way, $24 adult return, $5 child one-way (between 4 and 14 years of age). There are also several family ticket options available.

There are two airport pickup locations. One is outside the Virgin Blue/REX terminal (T3), 50m from the international terminal (T2). The other is outside the Qantas/Jetstar domestic terminal (T1). There are ticket desks at both T1 and T3, and if unattended tickets can be purchased electronically or from the driver.

Frequency ranges from hourly during the wee hours to quarter hourly from about 6:30am-7:30pm (always on the quarter hour). They also run a connection service between the terminal and central hotels/hostels during the day (M-F 6am-8pm, Sa-Su 8am-6pm). Book hotel pick-up 3 hours ahead. Bookings are not needed for travel from the airport to hotels.

It is worth noting that the Skybus will drop you at Southern Cross bus terminal, which is connected (albeit not very well) to Southern Cross train station, where you can board all suburban trains and country/interstate trains.

Avalon Airport

Avalon Airport , is Situated in the Geelong outer suburb of Lara. The Airport is located 55 km to the south-west of Melbourne. Sun Bus Australia operates a shuttle service to Melbourne’s CBD. The Avalon Airport Shuttle provides a service to other areas of Victoria. Avalon Airport is serviced by Qantas subsidiary low-cost airline Jetstar which services destinations such as Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Darwin and Perth.

Note that Avalon is quite a distance from Melbourne city (about 50 minutes drive), although only 10 minutes from Geelong. Avoid a taxi as this will cost a lot of money($100+). Consider arriving at Melbourne Airport if possible for convenience.

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