Melbourne Airport (MEL), known locally as Tullamarine Airport (colloquially as simple as Tulla), is a major airport in Australia’s state of Victoria.
The airport is located about 18 kilometers northwest of Melbourne's city center. It is the second busiest airport in Australia and an important hub for both domestic and international travel.
More than 35 million passengers used Melbourne Airport in 2024, around 70% of which were on domestic routes.
Major Airlines - Qantas, Virgin Australia, Jetstar
Melbourne Airport serves as a hub for Qantas and Virgin Australia. Both airlines provide dozens of flights to domestic and international destinations.
Flying to smaller airports within Australia is easy with Qantas Link and Rex Airlines, while Jetstar, also headquartered in Melbourne, is the most prominent low-budget option from Melbourne Airport.
International carriers such as Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, and LATAM connect Melbourne to global destinations across Asia, Europe, and the Americas.
In total, Melbourne Airport offers over 70 non-stop destinations in over 20 different countries.
Click here to see all airlines that fly and land at Melbourne Airport.
Antarctic sightseeing flights
Qantas started offering 14-hour-long sightseeing flights over Antarctica in 2023. Melbourne Airport is one of the airports used.
These flights run “figure-8s” over the Antarctic ice shelf to provide every passenger on the plane with impressive views of the permafrosted land below (moreover, moving around the cabin is allowed!).
While en route to the icy continent, you receive full dining and entertainment as if on a regular commercial flight, plus video screenings about life in Antarctica and educational talks from Antarctic expedition leaders about the history and significance of exploration.
Discover other things to do in Melbourne.
Terminal Layout and Gates
Melbourne Airport has four terminals: one international terminal (Terminal 2), two domestic terminals (Terminals 1 and 3), and one budget domestic terminal (Terminal 4).
Terminal 1: Domestic flights operated by Qantas and QantasLink.
Terminal 2: All international flights plus very few domestic flights.
Terminal 3: Domestic flights operated by Virgin Australia.
Terminal 4: Budget domestic flights, primarily by Jetstar, Rex Airlines, and Airnorth.
The four terminals are under one roof and connected by walkways, allowing you to seamlessly transit between them.
In total, there are 68 gates, of which 53 domestic and 15 international.
Transfer and transit at Melbourne Airport
Melbourne Airport is one of the more convenient airports to have a connecting flight at.
If this is a domestic to domestic, just proceed to your new terminal (depending on the airline) and gate.
If it’s a domestic to international transit, proceed to Terminal 2 (the international terminal), clear security and Immigration, and go to your new gate.
Lastly, if you’re coming from abroad and continuing to another destination in Australia, clear Immigration and Customs in Terminal 2 (the only international terminal), then change to your new terminal and go to your new gate.
Melbourne Airport doesn’t offer an inter-airport shuttle but the terminals are within walking distance of each other.
Security procedures
Security is of utmost importance at Melbourne Airport, including both international and domestic flights.
All terminals are fitted with body scanners and passing through one is mandatory unless you present a medical certificate that clearly states you cannot go through one.
Additional security checks, including pat-downs and explosive-test detection tests, may be required until airport security is satisfied.
The standard “powders, liquids, aerosols & gels” (PLAGs) restrictions apply if you’re traveling outside of Australia. PLAGs restrictions don’t apply for domestic flights except for flights using Terminal 2.
Dining Options
Melbourne Airport houses a variety of dining options across all terminals, ranging from quick-service outlets to sit-down restaurants. Perhaps the greatest choice is available in Terminal 2, because it’s the international terminal, but you can find something for your taste in all terminals.
Just some of the options you have are:
WHSmith: a popular convenience store for light snacks, drinks, sandwiches, and desserts. It has 14 different locations at the airport.
Liv Eat: a healthy eating venue in Terminal 1.
Mobo Moga: a unique classy restaurant serving cuisine from Southeast Asia. Find in Terminal 1.
Pickett’s Deli & Rotisserie: Quality Melbourne food in Terminal 2.
Grill’d Healthy Burgers: Tasty gluten-free burgers with a twist. Find in Terminal 2.
Biggie Smalls: Enjoy the 90s ambiance and culture in this chic bar in Terminal 3.
Daniel’s Donuts: Freshly-made donuts in Terminal 4.
Lounges
Every terminal of Melbourne Airport has at least one lounge but most VIP membership lounges are, predictably, situated in Terminal 2, the international terminal. These are:
Qantas First
Singapore (Silver Kris Lounge)
Air New Zealand / United Airlines
Emirates Lounge
The Centurion Lounge (American Express)
In the other terminals, the membership lounges are:
Qantas Club (Terminal 1)
Virgin Australia Lounge (Terminal 3)
The REX Lounge (Terminal 4)
All of those lounges are open to various premium fliers and membership cardholders.
Melbourne Airport also offers several open-access lounges, both for international and domestic passengers:
The House by Aspire in Terminal 2, airside.
Merhaba Lounge in T2 departures, between gates 9 and 11.
Plaza Premium Lounge in Terminal 2, after security, near Gate 9.
Transport to the city
Melbourne Airport is easily accessible by overland transport. A rail link has been planned for a long time and is tentatively scheduled to open in 2033.
For now, you have these transport options:
SkyBus: This express bus service provides services to Melbourne CBD and other key locations. It operates every 10-15 minutes between 4 AM and 1 AM. You can buy tickets online or at the automated kiosks right at the station. A single ticket costs 20.60 AUD. It stops at all airport terminals and the terminus in Melbourne is Southern Cross Station.
Other buses: A couple of other buses also connect Melbourne Airport with locations within Victoria. Routes 478, 479, and 482 go to Airport West and Sunbury and Route 901 goes to Frankston via Broadmeadows. You will need a Myki card to use these buses.
Taxis: Stands are situated in front of all terminals. The ride to the city is around 30 minutes with a fare of approximately 70 AUD.
Rideshare: Uber has designated pick-up and drop-off locations within Melbourne Airport.
Car Rentals: Major car rental companies have desks located within the arrival area.
For private transfers to other destinations, see your options here.
Parking
Melbourne Airport offers multiple parking options available to passengers of all terminals.
The ones closer to the airport are more expensive but offer more convenience, whereas the ones farther away are a suitable budget-friendly alternative with frequent shuttle buses to the terminal buildings.
Value and Value Express: Economical long-term parking lots with shuttle services to the terminals. Starts from 12 AUD per day.
Terminal Car Park: Short-term and long-term parking located 3 minutes from the terminals. Daily rates are much higher at 49 AUD per day but the first 15 minutes are free.
Premium Valet and Premium Self-park: Secure parking with added benefits. Starts at 79 AUD per day.
Qantas Valet Parking: The ultimate parking with a long list of added perks. Starts at 99 AUD per day.
For all parking lots, booking online comes with various perks and discounts.
Hotels
There are no hotels directly within Melbourne Airport but several accommodation options are right outside the terminals:
PARKROYAL Melbourne Airport: Connected to Terminal 2 via a covered walkway, this 4-star hotel is the most convenient hotel for early international flights or late arrivals.
Novotel: A short distance from Terminal 4, with a free shuttle service to and from the airport. Business-style luxury and modern amenities.
Ibis Budget Melbourne Airport: An economical choice within walking distance of the terminals.
Melbourne, VI, Australia
