Airport · MEL
Melbourne Airport
Melbourne, Australia
Marek Ślusarczyk (Tupungato) Photo portfolio — CC BY 3.0
IATA
MEL
ICAO
YMML
Continent
Oceania
Country
Australia
Transport
Getting To & From Melbourne Airport
Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine) does not have a direct heavy rail link to the CBD. The primary public transport option is the SkyBus Melbourne City Express, which runs every 10 to 15 minutes between the airport and Southern Cross Station, taking approximately 30 to 45 minutes. Taxis and rideshare services like Uber and Didi operate from designated ranks and pick-up zones outside the terminals, with a trip to the city center typically taking 25 to 35 minutes depending on traffic. Budget travelers can also take the local PTV Bus Route 901 from the Terminal 4 ground transport hub to connect with suburban train lines.
Navigate
Terminals & Getting Around
Terminals
Melbourne Airport features four interconnected terminals situated within a single continuous building complex, allowing passengers to walk between them landside. Terminal 1 (T1) handles domestic flights for Qantas and QantasLink. Terminal 2 (T2) is the dedicated international hub. Terminal 3 (T3) primarily serves Virgin Australia domestic services. Terminal 4 (T4) accommodates low-cost domestic carriers including Jetstar and Rex. Inter-terminal transfers are conducted entirely on foot landside, taking between 5 and 10 minutes.
Hours of Operation
<p>Melbourne Airport operates 24 hours a day on the landside and does not feature a government-mandated curfew, permitting overnight arrivals and late-night operations. However, security screening checkpoints and airside departures zones scale down or close overnight based on flight schedules.</p>
Know Before You Go
Practical Tips
- Security Wait Times: Peak morning and afternoon business travel banks can create heavy bottlenecks at domestic and international security checkpoints; allow extra time during peak hours.
- Connection Windows: Minimum connection times vary significantly if you are transferring between domestic and international flights, as you must exit airside, clear customs/immigration, and re-check bags across terminals. Allow at least 2.5 to 3 hours for self-transfers.
- Rideshare Surcharges: App-based rideshare pickups carry a mandatory airport fee (approximately $4.48 AUD) which is typically added directly to your fare total by providers like Uber and Ola.
- Toll Roads: Taxis and rental vehicles traveling between the airport and the CBD via the Tullamarine Freeway will incur CityLink toll charges. Clarify with your driver or rental provider how tolls are calculated prior to departure.
Sources: Melbourne Airport Official Website, Public Transport Victoria (PTV)