Melbourne Airport Guide
Melbourne Airport is in Tullamarine, about 22 km northwest of the Melbourne city centre. It is the second-busiest airport in Australia by passenger numbers, behind Sydney, and handled about 36 million passengers in 2024-25, roughly 24 million domestic and 12 million international.
The airport opened in 1970, replacing Essendon Airport as Melbourne's main airport. Australia Pacific Airports Corporation operates it under a long-term lease from the federal government. Unlike Sydney, it has no curfew and operates 24 hours a day.
Four terminals serve passengers. Terminal 1 is used by Qantas and QantasLink for domestic flights, Terminal 2 handles international flights, Terminal 3 is used by Virgin Australia, and Terminal 4 serves Jetstar, Rex, Link Airways and Airnorth. The airport has two intersecting runways, a 3,657 m north-south runway and a 2,286 m east-west runway. A third, parallel runway is planned and is due to open in 2031.
There is no rail connection to the airport; proposals for one have been made. SkyBus runs express coaches between the airport and Southern Cross Station in the city centre. The airport is also a gateway for flights to regional Victoria, Tasmania and the rest of Australia.
Services
5 of 6 availableCompare 57 listed options at Melbourne Airport, spanning parking, car rentals, lounges, hotels and shuttles. Each guide sets out locations, distance from the airport, key features and links to book direct, so you can weigh cost against convenience before you fly. Select a service below to see every provider we track for Melbourne Airport.
Location
Key facts
- Size
- 36M passengers (2025)2 runwaysopened 1970
- Location
- -37.671, 144.838
- Operator
- Australia Pacific Airports Corporation
Terminals
4 terminalsMelbourne Airport has 4 passenger terminals — Terminal 1, Terminal 2, Terminal 3 and Terminal 4, handling both international and domestic flights for around 11 airlines. Check which terminal your airline uses before you travel, as check-in, security and boarding points differ between them, and moving from one to another can take time.
- Terminal 1Domestic
Qantas, QantasLink
- Terminal 2International
Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Malaysia Airlines
- Terminal 3Domestic
Virgin Australia
- Terminal 4Domestic
Jetstar, Rex Airlines, Link Airways, Airnorth
Nearby cities
3 citiesMelbourne Airport is closest to Sunbury (12 km northwest), and also serves Melbourne, Geelong and other nearby areas. With 3 towns and cities within reach, it is a practical gateway for the wider region. Distances shown are straight-line from the airport, so allow extra time for road transfers, traffic and parking.
- Melbourne23 km southeast
- Sunbury12 km northwest
- Geelong75 km southwest
Frequently Asked Questions
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What are the airport codes for Melbourne Airport?
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Where is Melbourne Airport located?
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