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Melbourne Airport Insider Guide
MELMelbourne's main airport (Tullamarine) — Australia's second busiest. Four terminals: T1 (Qantas domestic), T2 (international), T3 (Virgin domestic), T4 (budget domestic). Well-organized with strong lounge options. No rail link yet — SkyBus is the main transit option.
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30min
Transit to city
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25min
Immigration
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45min
Security buffer
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Leave with 3–6 hours+
Leave the airport?
OK to leave:
3–6h
6–10h
10h+
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Lounges
| Terminal | Lounge | Access | Showers | Good for | Price (paid) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| T2 (Intl) | Qantas International Business Lounge | Qantas/oneworld biz, QFF Gold+ | Yes | Full buffet, bar, barista coffee | Not sold at door |
| T2 (Intl) | Qantas International First Lounge | Qantas First, QFF Platinum, OW Emerald | Yes + spa | Neil Perry menu, spa, premium | Not sold at door |
| T2 (Intl) | Plaza Premium Lounge | Priority Pass / paid | Yes | Hot food, Asian/Western buffet | ~A$70 walk-in |
| T2 (Intl) | Singapore Airlines SilverKris Lounge | SQ biz/first, Star Alliance Gold | Yes | Asian food, good views | Not sold at door |
| T1 (Dom) | Qantas Domestic Business Lounge | Qantas biz, QFF Gold+ | Yes | Barista, buffet, quiet | Not sold at door |
| T3 (Dom) | Virgin Australia Lounge | VA biz, Velocity Gold+, PP | Yes | Good food, bar, comfortable | ~A$65 walk-in |
Qantas First International is the standout — one of the best domestic airline lounges globally. PP holders can use Plaza Premium (international) or Virgin Australia Lounge (domestic).
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Traveler notes
- Terminals are connected landside; after security you cannot move between terminals.
- International immigration can be slow during morning/evening peaks with multiple wide-body arrivals.
- SmartGate (automated passport control) available for Australian, NZ, UK, US, and other passports.
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Sleep / Rest
- No airside sleep pods or transit hotel.
- Holiday Inn Melbourne Airport: 5-minute walk from T2, day rooms available.
- Mantra Tullamarine and Parkroyal also nearby.
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Food
- Good Australian café culture represented: brunches, flat whites, and Asian options.
- T2 has the best variety for international travelers. Some 24-hour options available.
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Showers
- Plaza Premium Lounge, Qantas lounges, SilverKris, and Virgin Lounge all have showers.
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Luggage Storage
- Smarte Carte luggage storage in T2 arrivals; approximately A$10–20 per bag per day.
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Transit to City
- SkyBus: Express to Southern Cross Station, ~30 min, runs 04:00–01:00, ~A$20 one way.
- Taxi/Uber: ~25–40 minutes to CBD depending on traffic, around A$55–75.
- No train or metro connection (airport rail link under development).
- Buffer: Back at MEL 3h international, 1.5h domestic.
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Essentials
- SIM/eSIM: Telstra, Optus, Vodafone counters in T2 arrivals. eSIM recommended.
- ATMs: AUD dispensed; contactless payment is universal in Australia.
- Wi‑Fi: Free (30 min sessions, repeatable), decent speed.
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