Cheap flights from Melbourne Tullamarine
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Melbourne Tullamarine Airport has four terminals, although three of these (T1, T2 and T3) are housed in the same building. T4 is a short walk away.
International flights leave from T2, while the three other terminals deal with domestic flights of specific airlines. T1 is used by Jetstar and Qantas, T3 by Rex and Virgin Australia, and T4 by Tigerair.
The check-in hall for international flights is on level one of T2. Before the counters, you'll see an information board with the latest flight details as well as where you should go to check in.
The security screening area is behind this hall, in the far left-hand corner. There's a fairly even spread of shops and restaurants before and after passport control.
It's roughly a five-minute walk to the farthest away gates.
Terminal 1 entrances – found right beside the bus stops – lead into the check-in hall. There are two areas of desks, with the entrance for security checks found between these. Once you pass through here, you can eat at the food court, check out the shops or relax in the Qantas lounge.
For flights from Terminal 3, the check-in desks for domestic flights are to the left of the terminal, and the security screening area is clearly sign-posted.
The process at Terminal 4 is straightforward. Check-in desks welcome passengers to the terminal, with security screening immediately behind. Departure lounges are found beyond that, with cafes and the chance to get some last minute essentials.
International arrivals come in on the ground floor of T2. From the plane, you'll walk through duty-free, then customs, before making it to the baggage carousels. To get to the car hire desks, turn right after passing through quarantine and walk towards T3.
For those flying domestically into T3, from the aircraft gates you'll walk straight towards the two baggage carousels for your terminal, as well as the area to collect oversize luggage. A bank of car hire desks is on the far wall.
Few planes make arrivals at T4, but those that do have the advantage of a transport hub and a parking terminal directly outside.
Arrivals in Terminal 1 come in on the ground floor. Other than baggage carousels, this floor has very little in terms of services other than ATMs.
If you're dropping off passengers for departing flights, there are two areas to be aware of. Flights from terminals 1, 2, and 3 have just a single drop off zone on level one. For passengers heading to Terminal 4, the drop off zone is on level one of the transport hub.
When you go to Melbourne Tullamarine to pick up passengers, the zones are one level up. Terminals 1, 2 and 3 have overhead signs to guide you to the right spot, and Terminal 4 again uses the transport hub for drivers looking to pick up passengers.
A time limit of one minute applies to cars picking up or dropping off at all terminals. The driver must stay with the car at all times.
If you arrive early, a wait zone is available for you to while way the minutes until they get there. The first 20 minutes are free, 20-40 minutes costs $2, and up to one hour costs $4. After that, you'll be charged the standard short-term parking rate.
Melbourne Airport has three separate car parks. One for T1, T2 and T3, another for T4 and a third for long-term parking.
The parking lot for T1, T2 and T3 is a five-minute walk from the terminals, with all spots under cover. Drive-up rates start at $5 for up to 15 minutes, $15 for one hour, $59 for a day and $199 for a week.
The designated parking area for T4 flights is 100m away from the terminal, with undercover spots available. The charges are the same as the other short-term lot up to 24 hours, but drop by $10 on the second day. A week costs $189.
The long-term car park is farther away from the terminals, with a free shuttle bus available. Although the spots aren't under cover, if you're planning to stay at the airport for more than three hours it's cheaper to park here. There's a $25 fee for 0-24 hours, and a week costs $99.
Melbourne Tullamarine Airport is 14 miles north of the city, and passengers can make that journey by car, taxi or bus.
Whether you parked at the airport or you're planning to hire a car once you land, driving gives you the freedom to get to Melbourne in your own time.
The most direct way to reach Melbourne's city centre is to take the M2 south from the airport. When this road turns into State Route 43, it indicates that you're getting close to the CBD. Follow the signs for North Melbourne, turn left onto State Route 50, then take another left onto State Route 55. Turn right on either King Street or William Street to head towards the centre.
This journey takes around 25 minutes in good traffic and involves going through tolls. In a taxi, this would likely cost $50-$60.
Public buses are available outside Terminal 1 and from the transport hub at Terminal 4. There are four routes available (478, 479, 482 and 901). Details of these routes and their stops are available on the Public Transport Victoria website or at information booths inside the airport.
The express SkyBus service is also available from the airport. There are two routes available: one to the city centre and one to St Kilda. Adult tickets cost $19 for a one-way journey.
For those going to the city, the stop is at Southern Cross Station. A complimentary shuttle service is available to nearby hotels.
Please note: all information is correct as of October, 2016.