Category icon

Melbourne Airport (MEL)

International Airport
Tullamarine
Save
Share
6.7/10
2,908
ratings
  • Tips
    Laura M.
    "Glad I have arrived at the airport an hour before my flight."(41 Tips)
    John B.
    "Love the qantas self check-in, very efficient."(27 Tips)
    Tm B.
    "Catch the skybus from the city it's 3 x cheaper than a taxi."(14 Tips)
    Jaya N.
    "Spare a lot of time if you are traveling with JetStar."(13 Tips)
Tips and Reviews icon453 Tips and reviews
Filter:
  • flight
  • qantas
  • skybus
  • coffee
  • café
User icon
Log in to leave a tip here.

Sort:
  • Popular
  • Recent
  • Paddy H.heart icon on user image
    Paddy HewJanuary 23, 2015
    If you like travelling, Melbourne airport is great. It's so far away from Melbourne that you actually feel like you've made a significant journey before you even get there.
    Upvote150Downvote
    Upvoted 1 week ago
  • Oscar S.
    Oscar SheridanSeptember 22, 2013
    If you are flying on a budget airline such as jet star then I would advise picking up some snaks at the airport, or even before you arrive. It's much cheaper than buying the inflight food.
    Upvote81Downvote
    Upvoted Mar 17
  • Graham
    GrahamApril 1, 2017
    Been here 50+ times
    If you're flying from T2, remember to have some food before going through customs and security. There are very few food options after that!
    Upvote59Downvote
    Upvoted 6 days ago
  • Maryam M.heart icon on user image
    Maryam MAugust 21, 2017
    Make sure you declare everything. Very friendly staff, long lines but thankfully people do not break the cues
    Upvote14Downvote
  • Cheen T.
    Cheen The CuriousJanuary 3, 2019
    The official free airport WiFi here is called "Airport Free Wi-Fi". Straight forward: provide a name & email address, indicate whether you are local or international, & u r good to go!
    Upvote5Downvote
  • Cheen T.
    Cheen The CuriousJanuary 3, 2019
    Mobile data for tourists. Unless free airport WiFi is insufficient for ur needs, there's no urgency to buy a pre-paid plan. Downtown Melbourne supermarkets & convenience stores has the latest offers
    Upvote5Downvote
  • Amber P.
    Amber POctober 16, 2013
    Been here 5+ times
    Thanks to the baggage handlers for being so rough with my backpack, managed to pull stitching out & also the metal rods in the back support.
    Upvote4Downvote
  • Ric C.
    Ric ChungFebruary 2, 2016
    For students especially those beginning their new semester in Melbourne, get your student pack from the information counter at the arrival hall!. It includes a SIM card to start off your university!
    Upvote1Downvote
  • A W.heart icon on user image
    A WDecember 27, 2016
    To park in the airport, you can save some $ by booking online with your credit card. Then insert the same card at the barrier to gain access. Gives one hour before and an hour after grace period
    Upvote2Downvote
  • Cil F.
    Cil FelpsFebruary 13, 2020
    Been here 10+ times
    Skip the SkyBus! 😉 Go past the T4 taxi rank for myki charged PTV metro buses! Numbers 901, to Broady and beyond... 478, 479 and 482 to Airport west SC and #59 tram.
    Upvote1Downvote
  • Shimma A.
    Shimma A Rahim2 weeks ago
    easy to navigate. for uber, make sure to just join the uber queue, book a cab and they’ll help you get one. you just need to show your pin shown in the app after you make your booking, to the driver
    UpvoteDownvote
  • Edgar H C.
    Edgar H CampaJanuary 15, 2012
    If you're at the airport an hour early and there is a massive queue just relax have a coffee until they do last call for your flight then you'll be in a 15min queue instead of an hour queue!
    Upvote10Downvote
  • Marianne N.heart icon on user image
    Marianne NMay 22, 2016
    Been here 5+ times
    The SkyBus was pretty cheap, fast and painless. The cab was pretty expensive.
    Upvote3Downvote
  • David L.heart icon on user image
    David Le BlancSeptember 26, 2013
    Been here 10+ times
    Pray your bags cone of plane first , or the automated bag carousel - will hold your bag until all other taken from belts. Doesn't matter you have Snart card custom fast clearance
    Upvote1Downvote
    Upvoted Feb 23
  • Byron M.
    Byron McLeanSeptember 1, 2013
    Hudsons coffee is my favourite place to grab a bite and chill out after clearing security. It's on the left hand side after Hungry Jack's and Gate 2.
    Upvote1Downvote
  • Laura M.
    Laura McKenzieOctober 7, 2014
    There is not a lot to view through the window right now. I can see beauty in the reflection of pink haze in the clouds. Glad I have arrived at the airport an hour before my flight. Eating Pringles.
    UpvoteDownvote
  • Teresa V.
    Teresa VillanuevaAugust 26, 2016
    Been here 5+ times
    The pen situation here is dire. Bring your own. Else face the time, effort and disappointment of asking people. Sort it out Melbourne.
    Upvote2Downvote
  • Naoki F.
    Naoki FerrioAugust 20, 2023
    The international departure terminal was located next to the domestic terminal. However you have to exit first then go in to another door. They have automatic immigration gates, so it would be fast.
    Upvote1Downvote
  • Cil F.
    Cil FelpsMay 4, 2014
    Been here 10+ times
    if someone is picking u up., Go have maccas/ #cafe Vue and get them to call you when they arrive :] So they don't also spend heaps on parking.
    Upvote3Downvote
  • Steve C.heart icon on user image
    Steve CDecember 3, 2016
    Ho-hum. It's just an airport. Park Royal (the only attached hotel) is very convenient if you need to stay nearby, or want runway-views.
    UpvoteDownvote
  • Marc E.
    Marc EnnersAugust 30, 2013
    Flying Virgin Australia domestic. Download the VirginAustraliaEntertainment app before you board and watch a ton of shows on your smartphone for free. Bring your charger cord to recharge phone battery
    UpvoteDownvote
  • 💁🏻 S.heart icon on user image
    💁🏻 SrKeedaJanuary 7, 2019
    Easy to navigate. Staff generally nice and friendly except Sichuan Airline's business class window tho. Bossy and rude.
    UpvoteDownvote
  • James H.heart icon on user image
    James HopkinsJuly 19, 2016
    Catch bus 901 to Broadmeadows train station and get a train to the city. Takes a bit longer than skybus but a lot cheaper
    Upvote3Downvote
  • Jack S.heart icon on user image
    Jack SmithSeptember 12, 2022
    Public transport vending machines for the Myki Card are available in both the arrival halls of Terminal 2 and 3, as well as baggage reclaim area of Terminal 4.
    UpvoteDownvote
  • Richard F.
    Richard FooOctober 24, 2014
    Not exactly efficient, and 90% of the outlets close after 12 midnight. Therefore for all passengers on red eye flights out of Melbourne, make sure you have your tummy and other necessities stocked.
    Upvote2Downvote
  • Cy C.heart icon on user image
    Cy ChJanuary 23, 2015
    Been here 10+ times
    Picking up a mate who's just dropped the bomb that they're luggage was late and they're stuck at customs? On quiet days, airport staff seem happy to turn a blind eye at the pick up bays.
    UpvoteDownvote
  • NN N.
    NN NAugust 18, 2015
    Sleeping Spot - International adjacent escalator from duty free shops, u found a quite lounge with arcade game
    UpvoteDownvote
  • Tuan I.heart icon on user image
    Tuan IfanOctober 10, 2014
    To travel to the City cheaper? First, buy/top up a MyKi card at a blue machine at the arrival area. Second, take bus 900 at Terminal 1 to Broadmeadows. Third, take the Flinders St train
    UpvoteDownvote
  • Steve A.heart icon on user image
    Steve AndroulakisSeptember 3, 2014
    Been here 50+ times
    The redeveloped international baggage claim area is a big improvement. Less waiting on bags and exiting the airport!
    Upvote2Downvote
  • A.
    A.September 14, 2014
    For tax refunds, remember to pack your items together for easy retrieval at the counter. You gotta show them your items along with your receipt... quite a pain in the arse to be honest!
    UpvoteDownvote
  • Daniel B.
    Daniel BradbyMarch 8, 2015
    Been here 25+ times
    The Optus store at international baggage collection has pins to swap SIM cards
    Upvote1Downvote
  • Leonora Salma M.
    Leonora Salma MostaphaAugust 21, 2014
    Been here 10+ times
    Well, don't get your hopes up. The free wifi only works when you register-and that includes giving info on your postcode. If you're non-aussie, just use the hotel's code. Or your friends' 😁.
    UpvoteDownvote
  • Heitor D.
    Heitor Dantas de MatosNovember 10, 2012
    Been here 10+ times
    Take a regular bus from Essendon, after getting there by train from Southern Cross. Cheapest way, but a slower than SkyBus though. Plan ahead :-)
    Upvote1Downvote
  • AManda H.heart icon on user image
    AManda HUangApril 24, 2016
    Wifi is good here and free once u arrive. If ur hungry don't worry. Cafes to eat at and some shops to look around to kill time.
    UpvoteDownvote
  • Review K.heart icon on user image
    Review KingMarch 2, 2019
    Bar Pulpo. Urban Provodore, Cafe Vue, Brasserie Bread - best food outlets by a MILE HERE! 😍❤️✈️👍🏻
    UpvoteDownvote
  • STUART M.heart icon on user image
    STUART MURDOCHMarch 16, 2024
    Been here 10+ times
    While it’s no Heathrow, LAX, or LaGuardia it’s a great airport and busy most days most weeks. Plenty of food and drink options, even if they are expensive.
    UpvoteDownvote
  • Zi S.heart icon on user image
    Zi ShawDecember 17, 2017
    Nööödles has good vegan options, decent price, yummy and filled with veggies! Made fresh too, very satisfying.
    UpvoteDownvote
  • Luke
    LukeMarch 5, 2012
    Been here 5+ times
    If you have a group of 7 or more get a maxi taxi to the city. Cost us $70 total. Cheaper than skybus and takes you to your door.
    Upvote1Downvote
  • Y K.heart icon on user image
    Y KimMarch 8, 2016
    The airport is not big at all but it has free wifi, a cafe using Allpress coffee beans and many electric sockets which enable you to charge your phone!
    Upvote1Downvote
  • Crescentrating Halal Friendly Travel
    There's a prayer room at Terminal 2 near the international departures lounge.It is gender segregated and offers Qibla direction.Don't miss your Halal Dining at Krispy Kremes and Nando's Read more
    Upvote6Downvote
  • Tara C.heart icon on user image
    Tara CatherineNovember 15, 2014
    If there's more than two of you, a taxi can most often be cheaper than the skybus
    Upvote1Downvote
  • Tim R.heart icon on user image
    Tim RobinsonAugust 15, 2013
    Been here 50+ times
    When approaching Tullamarine for a departure, take the Long Term Car Park exit (one before the actual exit) for a sneaky "back" way to avoid the funnel at the usual entrance.
    Upvote3Downvote
  • Alper Ç.
    Alper ÇuğunOctober 27, 2012
    Don't bother with the smart bus system. It's only slightly cheaper, takes longer and gives you a tour of the (though interesting in its own right) underside of Melbourne.
    UpvoteDownvote
  • Joanna T.heart icon on user image
    Joanna TillmanMay 6, 2019
    Pretty easy to navigate here but give yourself extra time as it’s quite big.
    UpvoteDownvote
  • Nate S.
    Nate StiùbhardAugust 12, 2013
    Been here 5+ times
    Been coming to this airport since I was a few months old. I'd love to see the old observation deck back, maybe even with some TG DC10's!
    UpvoteDownvote
  • Jake P.
    Jake PearceJune 18, 2013
    If you are here in the middle of the night as I am. Go to the International lounge and Hudsons coffee by counter J is open. For wifi chose 'Mel Air free' - free wifi without sign up complications
    UpvoteDownvote
  • Yvonne T.heart icon on user image
    Yvonne ThompsonJuly 2, 2014
    Been here 25+ times
    Recharge your phones: Look for the big recharging sign for pier outlets near virgin gate 4
    Upvote1Downvote
  • Paul M.heart icon on user image
    Paul MullerOctober 2, 2012
    Been here 50+ times
    This is one of the few airports (along with Vienna) that weighs your carry on. Travel light or wear your heavier clothing items etc through security screening.
    UpvoteDownvote
  • Diana L.heart icon on user image
    Diana LowJune 10, 2017
    Hopefully when we're back next time, the airport will be fully renovated. Now a lot of area still undergoing renovating
    UpvoteDownvote
  • 𝙻𝚒𝚕𝚒á𝚗𝚊 ✨
    The airport has nice food court before going though security check, you can also find few option in side the terminal
    UpvoteDownvote
Photos2,820 Photos