Which Is Melbourne's Main Domestic Airport?

Melbourne's main domestic airport is Melbourne Airport, also called Tullamarine (MEL). It is about 23 km northwest of the CBD, and almost every flight inside Australia uses it. Most travellers fly domestic from here, with Qantas, Virgin Australia, Jetstar and Rex. It is open 24 hours a day, so you can find flights early in the morning and late at night.

Domestic Terminals at Melbourne Airport

Melbourne Airport has four terminals. Three of them are for domestic flights:

Terminal	Airlines
Terminal 1 (T1)	Qantas and QantasLink
Terminal 3 (T3)	Virgin Australia
Terminal 4 (T4)	Jetstar and Rex

Terminal 2 (T2) is only for international flights. Your airline decides your terminal, so check your ticket before you leave home. T1, T2 and T3 are in the same building, and the walk from one end to the other is about 10 minutes. T4 is a separate building next door.

Each terminal has its own security check. That means you cannot walk from the departure area of one terminal into another. If you go to the wrong terminal, you must go back out, walk to the right one and go through check in and security again. This can take 20 to 30 minutes, so it is worth checking before you leave.

Which Other Airports Have Domestic Flights?

Melbourne has a few other airports, but they are much smaller:

• Avalon Airport: Melbourne's second airport, near Geelong and about 58 km by road from the CBD. It has fewer flights than Tullamarine, and Jetstar is the main airline.
• Essendon Fields: about 15 km by road from the CBD. It is used for private jets and charters, and it has a few small regional flights.
• Moorabbin Airport: used for private planes and flight training. It does not have regular airline flights.

For almost every domestic trip, you will fly from Tullamarine. Your ticket shows which airport to use, so check it before you go. If you do have a choice, our guide on how to choose a Melbourne airport compares the real cost of getting to each one.

How Early Should You Arrive for a Domestic Flight?

Arrive at least 90 minutes before a domestic flight. If you have bags to check in, give yourself a little more time. Add extra time in the morning rush (7am to 9am), the evening rush (4pm to 7pm), school holidays and long weekends, because the roads and the check in desks are busier.

The drive from the CBD usually takes 25 to 40 minutes outside peak hours, and it can take much longer on a weekday afternoon. If your flight is early in the morning or late at night, the roads are quiet, but fewer buses run, so plan how you will get there. A taxi from the CBD to Melbourne Airport starts from about $60 on the weekday day rate, and the fare estimator prices your exact trip.

Booking Your Airport Taxi

We have been driving Melbourne travellers to the airport since 2015. Tell us your airline and terminal when you book, and add your flight number if you are arriving. We track your flight and change the pickup time if your plane is early or late, and your 30 minutes of free waiting starts when you land. See our Melbourne Airport transfers page for more details. If you are travelling with children, you can book a taxi with a baby seat, and if you are a group, our fleet includes a Maxi Van for up to 11 people. You can book online in a few minutes, or ask for a fixed price quote by phone or email.

Conclusion

Melbourne Airport at Tullamarine is the main domestic airport, with domestic flights from T1, T3 and T4. Avalon, Essendon Fields and Moorabbin are smaller airports, and most travellers will not use them. Check your airline's terminal, arrive at least 90 minutes early and book your ride in advance, so you get to the airport on time and without stress.