How to get to Melbourne

Melbourne – the capital and most populous city in the Australian state of Victoria – is located on Port Phillip Bay in the southeastern part of mainland Australia.

The most convenient route to Melbourne is by air to Melbourne Airport (MEL), known locally as Tullamarine Airport, located about 23km (14mi) northwest of the city centre.


Flight times to Melbourne

The following are the most convenient flights to Melbourne Airport (MEL).

Within Australia: Qantas, Virgin Australia, Jetstar and Scoot Tigerair operate frequent daily direct flights to Melbourne.

Adelaide to Melbourne is 1 hrs 20 min, direct flight
Brisbane to Melbourne is 2 hr 25 min, direct flight
Canberra to Melbourne is 1 hr 10 min, direct flight
Darwin to Melbourne is 4 hrs 10 min, direct flight
Sydney to Melbourne is 1 hrs 35 min, direct flight
Perth to Melbourne is 3 hrs 30 min, direct flight


From New Zealand: Air New Zealand, Jetstar, Qantas and Virgin Australia offer the most convenient daily flights to Melbourne.

Auckland to Melbourne is 4 hrs 5 min, direct flight


From China: Air China, China Eastern Airlines, Qantas and Cathay Pacific offer the most convenient flights to Melbourne.

Beijing to Melbourne is 12 hrs 5 min, direct flight
Hong Kong to Melbourne is 9 hrs 5 min, direct flight
Shanghai to Melbourne is 10 hrs 45 min, direct flight


From Singapore: Singapore Airlines, British Airways, Qantas and Scoot Tigerair operate the most convenient daily flights to Melbourne.

Singapore to Melbourne is 7 hrs 10 min, direct flight


From United States: American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Qantas, Air New Zealand and Virgin Australia offer the most convenient daily scheduled flights to Melbourne.

Los Angeles to Melbourne is 15 hrs 30 min, direct flight
San Francisco to Melbourne is 15 hrs 30 min, direct flight

Atlanta to Melbourne is 21 hrs 10 min, connecting flightˆ
Boston to Melbourne is 23 hrs, connecting flightˆ
Chicago to Melbourne is 20 hrs 20 min, connecting flightˆ
Dallas-Fort Worth to Melbourne is 19 hrs 25 min, connecting flightˆ
New York to Melbourne is 23 hrs 20 min, connecting flightˆ


From Canada: Air Canada, Westjet, Qantas, United Airlines and Virgin Australia offer the most convenient daily scheduled flights to Melbourne.

Vancouver to Melbourne is 16 hrs 15 min, direct flight

Toronto to Melbourne is 21 hrs 20 min, connecting flightˆ
Montreal to Melbourne is 22 hrs 40 min, connecting flightˆ


From United Kingdom: Emirates, Etihad, British Airways, Singapore Airlines and Qantas offer the most convenient daily flights to Melbourne.

London to Melbourne is 21 hrs 5 min, connecting flightˆ
Manchester to Melbourne is 22 hrs 25 min, connecting flightˆ


From France: Emirates, Air France, Singapore Airlines and Qantas offer the most convenient daily flights to Melbourne.

Paris to Melbourne is 21 hrs 10 min, connecting flightˆ


From Germany: Singapore Airlines, Etihad, Emirates, Lufthansa and Scoot Tigerair offer the most convenient flights to Melbourne.

Berlin to Melbourne is 22 hrs 45 min, connecting flightsˆ
Dusseldorf to Melbourne is 21 hrs 10 min, connecting flightsˆ
Frankfurt to Melbourne is 20 hrs 30 min, connecting flightsˆ
Hamburg to Melbourne is 22 hrs, connecting flightsˆ
Munich to Melbourne is 21 hrs 40 min, connecting flightsˆ

(ˆincludes transfer time.)


Flying in

Melbourne Airport (MEL), known locally as Tullamarine Airport, is located 23km (14mi) northwest of the city centre.


Transfer between terminals

Terminals 1, 2 and 3 are located within the same complex and are linked by covered walkways. Terminal 4 is adjacent to the main building.


Public transport

Taxi: Taxis into the city centre are available from several local providers. Journey time into Melbourne is approximately 30 to 40 minutes, depending on traffic conditions. Fares start at around A$60.

Bus: Skybus Super Shuttle (tel: +61 1300 759 287; www.skybus.com.au) operates every 10 minutes, 24 hours a day, between Melbourne Airport and the city centre's Southern Cross Station with a journey time of around 25 minutes and a fare of A$19.

A number of public buses (tel: +61 1800 800 007; www.ptv.vic.gov.au) connect the airport with destinations in and around Melbourne.

Information on all routes and schedules is available from the information desks in the terminal building or from the airport's website.

All buses depart from outside Terminal 1. Tickets for all buses can be purchased online or at the ticket offices outside Terminals 1 and 3.

Air: A helicopter taxi service (tel: +61 8587 9700; www.airmelbourne.com.au) is available from the airport to central Melbourne. Journey time is 6 minutes with a single fare of A$274.


Car rental

Car hire companies at Melbourne Airport include Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz, Redspot and Thrifty. Car hire desks are in the domestic terminals and offices on the ground floor of the short-term car park.


Terminal facilities

Money: Banking and currency facilities are available from the ANZ bank branches in the departures and arrivals areas of Terminal 2. In addition, Travelex bureaux de change kiosks are located in the same terminal. ATMs are positioned throughout the airport.

Food: A large variety of cafés, bars and restaurants are available in Terminal 2. Terminal 3 has options ranging from fast-food outlets to cafés and bars, while Terminal 4 has a small choice of juice bars.

Shopping: Terminal 2 has the most choice when it comes to shopping. As well as GST-free and Downtown Duty-Free outlets, the terminal boasts a range of fashion boutiques, gift retailers, bookshops and newsagents.

Terminal 3 has a smaller selection, while Terminal 4 is home to a newsagent's.

Wi-Fi: Free Wi-Fi internet access is available at Melbourne Airport. Qantas also provides free Wi-Fi access in Terminal 1. Internet kiosks are located at various points within each terminal. Public telephones can be found throughout Terminals 1, 2 and 3.

Other: Other available facilities at Melbourne Airport include baby-changing rooms, a pet hotel, a medical practice and a pharmacy in Terminal 2, as well as a prayer room and showers (also both located in Terminal 2).


Disabled facilities

Wheelchair-accessible toilets, travelators and lifts are provided throughout Melbourne Airport. A TTY telephone is available for use on the ground floor of Terminal 2.

Wheelchairs can be requested from individual airlines. Passengers should inform their airline in advance or contact the Travellers' Information Desk.

Disabled parking is available in the on-site car parks. Any passengers who may require additional assistance are advised to contact their airline before travelling.


Entry requirements to Australia

UK, USA and Canadian nationals must have a passport valid for intended period of stay. A visa is required, except for those with Electronic Travel Authority (ETA). New Zealand citizens are granted a Special Category Visa on arrival.


Getting around Melbourne

See the sights by walking or hiring a bicycle – Melbourne has a bicycle sharing system, with a network of marked road lanes and segregated cycle facilities.

Melbourne has an integrated and extensive public transport system, including train, tram, bus and taxi systems. Trams are convenient with stops often found in the middle of the road. The City Circle Heritage Tram offers a free 40-minute ride, passing many of Melbourne's attractions.


More about Melbourne…


Latest update: How to get to Melbourne: 10 January, 2023



Advertising