The airport has 4 terminals, which are de facto a single large connected building, so any transfer between them can be quickly done by walking through the public area (inside and outside on the sidewalk).

Despite Melbourne being the second largest airport in Australia, the area of all terminals is relatively small, very compact and uncluttered.

The longest walking distance from security to the aircraft is about 7 minutes.

Find a hotel near Melbourne Airport

Which terminal?

The terminals are divided into domestic and international and further divided by airline:

• Terminal 1 - Qantas domestic flights only
• Terminal 2 - all international flights of all airlines
• Terminal 3 - Virgin Australia domestic flights only
• Terminal 4 - Domestic flights by Jetstar, Rex and Link Airways only

Transfer between flights

Transfer procedures vary depending on whether you are transferring from an international or domestic flight.

Because the airport is combined in one building and is very compact, transferring here is extremely simple and straightforward and, especially if you are transferring international <-> domestic, much clearer than at Sydney or Perth airports, for example.

The procedures are described below in case you have purchased all flights as one booking (guaranteed transfer).

International <-> International

If you arrive from another country and continue on to another country (for example, Dubai - Melbourne - Auckland), you do not need to leave the transit zone at all and therefore do not need to process an electronic entry permit to enter Australia.

All international transfers will take place within Terminal 2 only.

When you exit the aircraft, follow the signs "International Transfer", which will lead you to the transit counters (which you will only visit if you do not already have a connecting boarding pass) and security check.

• Average transfer time - 15 to 35 minutes
• Baggage on transfer - will be transferred automatically
• Security check - yes
• Immigration check / visa required - no

International -> Domestic

You will always arrive at Terminal 2. Here you must go through immigration, collect your baggage, go through customs and exit to the public area.

The queues for immigration control are usually between 5 and 15 minutes.

You then proceed to the appropriate terminal where your flight is departing from:

• Terminal 1 - towards the left, about 2-3 minutes walk
• Terminal 3 - towards the right, approx. 2-3 minutes walk
• Terminal 4 - towards the right, approx. 6-8 minutes walk

At the respective domestic terminal you will check in your baggage and go through security to the departure gate.

• Average transfer time - 35 to 60 minutes
• Baggage on transfer - you must collect and re-check in
• Security check - yes
• Immigration check / visa required - yes

National -> International

Once off the plane, follow the signs "International Transfer", which will lead you to the public area of the airport.

You will then proceed to Terminal 2 where all flights depart from. The shortest distance is from terminals 1 and 3 (about 2-3 minutes walk). From terminal 4 you will walk for 6-8 minutes.

• Average transfer time - 25 to 50 minutes
• Baggage on transfer - will be transferred automatically
• Security check - yes
• Immigration check / visa required - yes

National <-> National

Guaranteed transfers will always take place within the same terminal.

You don't have to leave the transit area at all, as you get off the plane directly into the departure gate area.

• Average transfer time - 5 to 15 minutes
• Transfer baggage - will be transferred automatically
• Security check - no

If you were to make a transfer on your own and had to change terminals, then you would need to exit the transit area, check in again and go through security to the departure gates.

Transportation between terminals

As all terminals are interconnected and very close to each other, moving between them is only possible on foot.

Overnight in the terminal - opening hours

The public area of the airport is open 24/7 and Terminal 2 remains open all night even in the transit area.

However, the airport facilities are not very large and therefore you will find virtually no seats or places suitable for overnight stays in the public area.

Hotels near the airport

If you have a long layover or an early morning departure, stay comfortably near the airport.

• Park Royal **** - Directly opposite all terminals, approx. 2-3 minutes on foot
• ibis Styles Melbourne Airport **** - near the parking garage at Terminal 4 (approx. 5-10 minutes walk from the other terminals)
• Holiday Inn Melbourne Airport **** - behind the main car park (behind the Park Royal Hotel), approx. 7-11 minutes on foot, the hotel offers a shuttle service to the terminals for 10 aud