Melbourne-Tullamarine Airport (MEL) is one of the biggest and busiest in Australia, handling more than 28 million passengers each year and servicing the greater Melbourne area of Victoria.
The airport has four terminals: Terminal 1 services domestic flights from Qantas and its affiliates, Terminal 2 handles international flights, Terminal 3 is devoted to Virgin Australia and Regional Express Airlines (Rex), and Terminal 4 is for Tiger Airways.
The airport has modern (if modest) facilities for such a high-volume hub, but generally handles the crowds with style. The only hiccups come at Australia’s notoriously strict customs points, where queues can sometimes be long and frustrating.
Flights to Melbourne-Tullamarine Airport come in from all over Asia and Oceania, with select routes from further abroad, including Beijing, Hong Kong, Abu Dhabi, Seoul, Shanghai, Auckland, Singapore, Sydney, Manila, Los Angeles, London, Cairns, Canberra, Adelaide, Alice Springs, Honolulu, Bali, Mauritius, Doha, Phuket, Perth and Hanoi.
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<div class="rxbodyfield"><div class="rxbodyfield">Terminals 1-3 are in the same building, and Terminal 4 is a short walk away across the Express Car Park.</div></div>
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Train: There are no train services to the airport.
Bus: SkyBus has an express service from the airport into Melbourne’s city center, running every 10 minutes from 6am to 10pm during the week and 7:30am to 5:30pm Saturdays and Sundays. Tickets are A$16 (£10) for one way. There are other public buses available to other areas in the region as well.
Taxi: There is a taxi stand on the ground floor outside each terminal. An average fare into downtown Melbourne from the airport is A$80-85 (£52-£56).
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There are five car parks at Melbourne Airport. Short-term parking is 330 feet (100m) from the terminals, and costs A$3 (nearly £2) for 20 minutes, A$6 (about £4) for 40 minutes, and A$12 (£8) for an hour. After that the rate is A$8 (£5) per hour, with a flat rate of A$52 (£34) for the first day and A$55 (£36) per additional day. Long-term parking is located 1,300 feet (400m) from the terminals and charges A$10 (nearly £7) for the first three hours, A$29 (£19) for the first day, A$46 (£30) for two days, and A$69 (£45) for up to six days. There is also long-term parking in the multi-level car park nearer the terminals for increased rates starting at A$52 for the first day.
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Money and communications: The airport has ATMs, banks, and currency-exchange offices in Terminals 2 and 3, and public phones throughout the airport.
Luggage: There are luggage-wrapping facilities available. Luggage storage is available for A$11 (£7) per day for hand luggage and A$15 (£10) for larger bags.
Conference and business: There are Internet kiosks in Terminals 2 and 3.
Other facilities: Pharmacy, medical services, a pet hotel, a golf course, airport hotels, handicapped facilities, baby-changing facilities, travel agents and shower facilities.
Wi-Fi: There is pay-as-you-go Wi-Fi available in the airport at a rate of A$4 (£2.60) for 15 minutes, A$6 (£4) for half an hour, A$11 (£7) for an hour or A$20 (£13) for two hours.
Shopping: The airport boasts a number of shops selling everything from souvenirs and Australian rugby gear, to surf wear and sunglasses, to books and magazines. Most of the best shops are in Terminals 2 and 3, with only a couple of utilitarian shops in Terminal 4. There is duty-free shopping in Terminal 2.
Food and drink: There are a few fast-food options at the airport, including McDonald’s, Subway, Krispy Kreme, Hungry Jack’s and Nando’s. There are also a few sit-down restaurants and bars in the Terminals 2 and 3. There’s virtually nothing in Terminal 4, other than a cafe and coffee shop.
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