Flights to and from Melbourne Airport (MEL)

Most people who land on this page are looking for flights to or from Melbourne, and almost all of them will use Melbourne Airport, code MEL. It is the main gateway to Victoria, handling domestic flights across Australia and long-haul services to Asia, the Middle East, New Zealand and beyond. If you are searching for a flight ticket to Melbourne from Southeast Asia, this is the airport your booking will show.

Three Australian airlines use MEL as a base: Qantas, Virgin Australia and the low-cost carrier Jetstar. Between them they connect Melbourne with Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, the Gold Coast, Hobart and many regional towns, as well as a list of international points.

Melbourne to Asia flights

Routes between Melbourne and Asia are a big part of the airport's timetable. Travellers from Singapore can choose between Singapore Airlines and its low-cost arm Scoot. From Kuala Lumpur, both Malaysia Airlines and AirAsia X fly to MEL. Garuda Indonesia links Melbourne with Bali, and Thai Airways flies to Bangkok. Vietnam Airlines connects the city with Ho Chi Minh City, while Cathay Pacific serves Hong Kong.

For onward journeys to Europe and Africa, Emirates flies via Dubai and Qatar Airways via Doha. Schedules and the exact list of carriers shift from season to season, so it is worth comparing current options on Traveloka before you settle on a date.

MEL Airport at a Glance: Codes and Other Names

The official name is simply Melbourne Airport. Locals, pilots and many booking sites also call it Tullamarine Airport, after the suburb next to it, and Melburnians often shorten that to "Tulla". All three names point to the same place.

• IATA code: MEL, the three letters printed on your ticket and baggage tag
• ICAO code: YMML, used by air traffic control and flight plans
• Operator: Australia Pacific Airports Corporation
• Opened: 1970

Melbourne has other airfields, such as Avalon and Essendon, but when a search result says "MEL airport" or "Melbourne (MEL)", it means Tullamarine. Keep that in mind when you book, because choosing the wrong Melbourne airport can add a long transfer to your trip.

Another thing that sets Tullamarine apart is that it has no night curfew. Flights can take off and land around the clock, which is why you will often see late-night departures to Asia and early-morning arrivals from overseas on the MEL timetable.

Where Is Melbourne Airport?

Melbourne Airport sits in its own suburb, also named Melbourne Airport, in the north-west of greater Melbourne. The city centre, which Australians call the CBD, is about 22 kilometres to the south-east. By road, the trip into the CBD usually takes around half an hour, although morning and evening peak traffic can stretch that noticeably.

The airport's location on the north-western edge of the city makes it handy for the northern and western suburbs, and it links into the freeway network that runs straight toward the CBD. If you are staying in the south-eastern suburbs or on the Mornington Peninsula, expect a longer drive.

Melbourne Airport Terminals

There are four passenger terminals, and knowing which one you need saves a lot of walking.

• Terminal 1 (T1): Qantas and QantasLink domestic flights
• Terminal 2 (T2): all international flights
• Terminal 3 (T3): Virgin Australia domestic flights
• Terminal 4 (T4): Jetstar, Rex and other budget and regional domestic flights

T1, T2 and T3 share one long building, so you can walk between them on foot in a few minutes. T4 stands a short walk further along. There is no train or shuttle between terminals, so if you are connecting from an international arrival in T2 to a domestic flight in T4, allow time for the walk and for re-checking your bags.

A useful tip: Qantas and Jetstar are related brands but use different terminals at MEL. Always check the terminal on your booking rather than guessing from the airline group.

Facilities at Melbourne Airport

Terminal 2, the international building, has the widest choice of shops, restaurants and cafes, plus the duty-free area after passport control. The domestic terminals have their own food courts and coffee spots, and Melbourne's cafe culture shows up at the airport too.

Lounges

Several airline and paid lounges operate in T2 for international travellers, and the main domestic carriers have lounges in their own terminals. Access depends on your ticket class, frequent-flyer status or a paid pass.

Wi-Fi, charging and quiet spaces

Free Wi-Fi is offered in the terminals, and charging points for phones and laptops are spread around the gate areas. Multi-faith prayer rooms are open around the clock, including one in Terminal 2 after security.

Luggage storage

If you have a long layover or a late check-out, a luggage storage service operates in Terminal 2. Bag wrapping is also available in the T2 check-in area.

Getting to and from Melbourne Airport

Melbourne Airport does not have a train station yet, so every trip to the city starts by road. The good news is that there are several easy options.

SkyBus express to the city

SkyBus is the most popular choice for travellers. Its City Express runs frequently between the terminals and Southern Cross Station on the western edge of the CBD, where you can switch to trains, trams or a taxi. The ride usually takes about 30 minutes, and longer at rush hour.

Public bus 901

For a cheaper, slower option, public bus 901 leaves from the bus area outside Terminal 4. It runs to Broadmeadows Station, where you can catch a suburban train into the city. You will need a myki card for this route.

Taxi and ride-hailing

Taxi ranks sit outside every terminal, and a taxi to the CBD takes roughly half an hour in normal traffic. Ride-hailing apps such as Uber and DiDi pick up from marked zones at the airport, so follow the signs rather than waiting at the kerb.

Car rental and parking

Major car rental brands have desks at the airport, which suits travellers heading to the Great Ocean Road, the Yarra Valley or Phillip Island. Paid parking is available for drivers dropping off or collecting passengers, and it is worth booking ahead in busy holiday periods.

Tips for Flying Through Melbourne Airport

• Arrive early for international flights. About three hours before departure is a sensible target at T2, as queues for check-in, security and outbound immigration can build up.
• Check in online. Most airlines let you check in on their app or website, which cuts time at the counter.
• Know your terminal. T4 is a separate walk from T1 to T3, so check your terminal before you head off.
• Declare food and plant items on arrival. Australia has strict biosecurity rules, and undeclared food, seeds or animal products can lead to fines.
• Pack layers. Melbourne weather changes fast, and cool, windy days can arrive in any season, so keep a light jacket in your hand luggage.
• Plan around peak road traffic. Weekday mornings and late afternoons are the slowest times on the roads to and from the airport.

Exploring Melbourne After You Land

Melbourne is known for its laneway cafes, street art, sport and food scene. In the CBD you can wander Federation Square, the Hosier Lane murals and Queen Victoria Market, then catch a free tram around the city centre. The Royal Botanic Gardens and the Melbourne Cricket Ground sit just outside the core.

Further afield, day trips from Melbourne are a highlight of any visit. The Great Ocean Road and its coastal rock formations lie to the south-west, the Yarra Valley wineries to the east, and Phillip Island, famous for its little penguins, to the south-east. With Melbourne Airport on the city's north-western side, it is easy to pick up a rental car and start a road trip straight from arrival.

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