Avalon Airport (AVV) is a passenger and cargo airport in the suburb of Avalon, inside the City of Greater Geelong in Victoria. It lies about 15 km from Geelong and roughly 50 km south-west of the Melbourne CBD, so it serves travellers from both cities as well as the Bellarine Peninsula and the Surf Coast. Its operator describes it as Victoria's second international airport. Jetstar is the passenger airline here, flying domestic routes around Australia and an international service to Bali. The airport has two buildings: a domestic terminal, where every passenger checks in, and a separate international terminal, used for security and passport control on overseas departures.

Avalon is one of the airports serving greater Melbourne, alongside Melbourne Airport (MEL). The two are different airports with their own car parks and buses, so check whether your booking says AVV or MEL before you plan the trip out. Every second year the airfield also hosts the Australian International Airshow. Below you will find how the terminals work, the ground transport options, parking, opening hours, facilities and some practical tips for flying from Avalon.

Terminals and airlines at Avalon Airport

The set-up at Avalon is unusual, and it helps to know it before you arrive. Check-in kiosks for both domestic and international flights sit together in the domestic terminal. What happens after check-in depends on where you are flying. Domestic passengers stay in that building, while travellers heading overseas walk across to the international terminal. Airline arrangements at smaller airports can change, so look at your e-ticket for the latest details before departure day.

Domestic terminal

The domestic terminal is the main building at Avalon Airport and the place everyone starts. Jetstar's flights within Australia board from here, after security screening and a wait in the domestic departure lounge.

• Jetstar (domestic flights, including Sydney, Adelaide, Brisbane and the Gold Coast)

International terminal

The international terminal handles overseas departures. Passengers on these flights check in at the domestic terminal first, then walk to the international building, where security, passport control and the international departure lounge are located.

• Jetstar (international flights to Bali)

Walking between the domestic and international terminals

The transfer is done on foot. Once your bags are checked, you exit the domestic terminal and walk over to the international terminal. Allow a few spare minutes for this step on an overseas trip, because security and passport control only begin once you reach the international building.

Getting to and from Avalon Airport

Avalon Airport sits between Melbourne and Geelong, and every option listed here travels by road. Choose your option based on where you are heading: the airport bus suits the Melbourne CBD, a door-to-door shuttle suits Geelong and the coast, and a hire car gives the most freedom for regional Victoria. Fares are set by each operator and shown at the counter, online or in the operator's app.

SkyBus Avalon City Express

The SkyBus Avalon City Express is the airport bus between the terminal and the Melbourne CBD. It boards outside the terminal and is timed to meet each major flight. The bus runs to Southern Cross Station in the city and also serves Werribee. Expect a trip of about 50 minutes to the CBD, depending on traffic on the freeway.

MyBus door-to-door shuttle

MyBus is a pre-booked shuttle that drops passengers at their own address in Geelong, on the Bellarine Peninsula and along the Surf Coast. Bookings are essential and must be made at least two business days ahead. Journey time depends on where you are going and who else is on board, so ask when you book.

Public bus route 18

Route 18 is a public bus that links the airport bus stop with Lara Station. It is a lower-key option for travellers already familiar with the local network. The operator does not give a journey time, so check the timetable before you rely on it for a flight.

Taxi and rideshare

A taxi rank and a rideshare zone are located at the terminal. A car to the Melbourne CBD takes about 50 minutes, and it can be the easiest choice when you are travelling as a group or arriving late with heavy luggage.

Car rental

Rental desks are inside the main terminal, so you can collect a car straight after landing. From Avalon the drive takes about 20 minutes to Geelong and about 40 to 50 minutes to the Melbourne CBD. A hire car also makes sense if you are staying on the Bellarine or the Surf Coast and want to explore at your own pace.

Parking at Avalon Airport

Parking at Avalon Airport is on the same level as the terminal, so there are no lifts or ramps to deal with when you are pulling a suitcase. There are three main options:

• Terminal Drive Up car park, about a 2-minute walk from the terminal, for when you have not booked ahead
• Terminal Pre-Booked car park, also about a 2-minute walk away, reserved online before you travel
• Online Saver long-stay car park, available by pre-booking only and about an 8-minute walk from the terminal

The first 60 minutes are free, which covers most drop-offs and pick-ups. Accessible parking and accessible drop-off zones are also provided close to the terminal. Rates depend on how long you stay and when you book, so check the current prices on the airport's parking page before you leave home.

Opening hours at Avalon Airport

Avalon Airport's passenger terminal is not open around the clock. It opens at 4am and closes at midnight. There is no accommodation at the airport, so if you land late or have an early departure, sort out where you will stay in Geelong, Werribee or Melbourne before you travel.

The operator says the airfield itself runs 24/7 for domestic and international cargo flights. That applies to freight, not to the passenger terminal, which keeps the hours above.

Facilities at Avalon Airport

Avalon Airport is compact, which means short walks and a quick trip through the building. The facilities are simple but cover the basics for a domestic hop or the flight to Bali.

Shopping and the Tourist Refund Scheme

If you are flying overseas and want to claim the Tourist Refund Scheme on eligible goods, plan this step early. Any items you intend to pack in checked luggage must be shown at the Australian Border Force window in the forecourt before you check in. Keep the goods and your receipts handy so you can present them before your bag goes on the belt.

Terminal layout

Everything at Avalon Airport is on a single level, from the car parks through to the terminal. Check-in kiosks for all flights are in the domestic terminal. After security, domestic passengers wait in the domestic departure lounge for boarding. International passengers walk to the separate international terminal, where they clear security and passport control and then wait in the international departure lounge.

Food and drink

The domestic terminal has food and drink outlets, including a cafe, for a coffee or a meal before boarding. A newsagency sells snacks, drinks and reading material for the flight.

Free wifi and charging

Free Wi-Fi is available in the terminal. Charging points are built into the workbenches near the gate, which is handy for topping up a phone or laptop while you wait to board.

Accessibility

Because the parking and the terminal are on one level, the airport is straightforward to get around for travellers with limited mobility. Each bathroom has an ambulant toilet, and hearing loops are installed at check-in and in the boarding lounge. There is an assistance animal relief area outside the domestic terminal. Wheelchairs are limited, so request one through your airline when you book rather than on the day.

Tips for departing and arriving at Avalon Airport

Check-in times at Avalon Airport are set out clearly by the operator. For domestic flights, check-in opens 2 hours before departure and closes 40 minutes before. For international flights, it opens 3 hours before and closes 50 minutes before. Airlines can refuse boarding after the cut-off, so build in time for the drive from Melbourne or Geelong as well.

If you are heading to Bali, remember the extra steps. You check in at the domestic terminal, walk across to the international terminal, then pass through security and passport control there. Allow time for the Tourist Refund Scheme too, if you are using it. Entry requirements for Indonesia, and for returning to Australia, are set by each government, so read the official guidance for your passport well before you fly.

On arrival, the SkyBus meets each major flight, and taxis, rideshare and hire cars are waiting at the terminal. Since the building closes at midnight, a late landing is easier when your onward transport is already planned. For the latest departure and arrival times on the day, use the Traveloka flight status page.

Flights and flight schedule from Avalon Airport

This page is also a starting point for booking a trip from AVV. The fare cards show fares from Avalon to popular destinations, so you can compare routes in one place. The flight schedule tables list upcoming departures and arrivals at Avalon Airport by date, with the airline and the scheduled times. They show a selection of flights, not every service, and they are a good way to see which days suit your plans.

Pick a route, compare departure times for your dates, and choose the flight that fits. If the fare is higher than you hoped, set a Price Alert and Traveloka will let you know when it changes. Your e-ticket is sent by email and saved in the app once you book.

Popular routes from Avalon Airport include:

• Avalon to Sydney flights
• Avalon to Brisbane flights
• Avalon to Gold Coast flights
• Avalon to Adelaide flights
• Avalon to Bali flights

Flying from the Geelong side of Melbourne? Compare flights from Avalon Airport on Traveloka and book the one that works for you.