Which Is Melbourne’s Main Airport?
Melbourne’s main airport is Melbourne Airport, also known as Tullamarine, with the airport code MEL. It is about 23 km northwest of the Melbourne CBD and is the city’s biggest airport by far. It handles almost all of Melbourne’s domestic and international flights, and it is the second busiest airport in Australia, after Sydney.
About Melbourne Airport
Melbourne Airport opened in 1970 and took over from Essendon as the city’s main airport. Today it is the main gateway to Victoria for visitors from around the world. It is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with no night curfew, so flights can arrive and depart at any hour. This is why it suits early morning and late night flights.
Many airlines fly in and out of Melbourne Airport. It links Melbourne to cities across Australia and to destinations in Asia, the Middle East, Europe and North America. Because it is so well connected, it is also a common stop for travellers changing flights on the way to other parts of Australia.
Terminals at Melbourne Airport
The airport has four terminals:
- 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 and Rex domestic flights
T1, T2 and T3 are in one building, and you can walk between them in about 10 minutes. T4 is a separate building next door. Each terminal has its own security, so check your airline’s terminal before you travel. If you are flying overseas, our guide to which terminal is international at Melbourne Airport covers T2 in detail.
Facilities and Services
Melbourne Airport has everything a traveller needs, including:
- Cafes, restaurants and food courts
- Shops and duty free stores
- ATMs and currency exchange
- Airline lounges
- Luggage storage and luggage wrapping
- Prayer rooms
- Parents’ rooms and baby change facilities
- Car hire desks
- Short term and long term parking
T2 has the most services, because it handles international passengers.
Getting to Melbourne Airport
The airport is easy to reach from the city, but there is no train. Your main options are:
- Taxi: the most direct option, with taxi ranks close to each terminal’s arrivals area. The trip from the CBD usually takes 25 to 40 minutes outside peak hours.
- SkyBus: a bus that runs to Southern Cross Station in the city.
- Rideshare: pickups are in a set area outside the terminals.
- Car: follow the Tullamarine Freeway. Parking and drop off areas are close to the terminals.
Peak hour, from 7am to 9am and 4pm to 7pm on weekdays, can add a lot of time to the trip, so leave early if you are travelling then.
Other Airports in Melbourne
Melbourne has a few other airports, but none of them match Tullamarine for size.
- Avalon Airport (AVV): Melbourne’s second airport, about 55 km southwest of the CBD near Lara, between Melbourne and Geelong. It is smaller and mostly used by Jetstar for domestic flights.
- Essendon Fields Airport (MEB): the closest airport to the CBD, about 8 km away. It is mainly used for corporate jets, charter flights and emergency services, with a few small regional passenger flights.
- Moorabbin Airport (MBW): in the south east, used for private flying, flight training and small aircraft. It has no regular airline flights.
Which Airport Is Better, Avalon or Tullamarine?
For most travellers, Tullamarine is the better choice. It is closer to the city, has far more airlines and destinations, and handles every international route. Avalon suits people who live in Geelong or Melbourne’s west and want a cheap Jetstar fare. We cover all three airports, so compare Tullamarine, Avalon and Essendon Fields before you book.
Conclusion
Melbourne’s main airport is Melbourne Airport at Tullamarine. It has four terminals, runs 24 hours a day and offers lounges, shops, food and parking. Avalon, Essendon Fields and Moorabbin are Melbourne’s other airports, but they serve far fewer flights. Check your airline’s terminal before you travel, allow extra time for traffic and book your taxi to Melbourne Airport in advance. For more on the airport itself, see our Melbourne Airport guide.