Recently, I have been eagerly anticipating my upcoming trip to Melbourne. To ensure a smooth international adventure, I conducted a comprehensive and detailed study of Melbourne Airport. Now, I will share these practical tips to help you easily plan the perfect trip to Melbourne.
At the beginning of my trip planning, I was confused by the many options for international flights departing from Melbourne. After careful consideration, I found that each airline has its own unique charm.
There are many airline choices
- Group A: The vibrant Air Asia, with its warm and attentive service, provides passengers with a consistently pleasant experience; China’s flagship airline, Air China, has won the trust of travellers with its many years of operational experience and excellent service. Other options include Air India, Air New Zealand and the attentive Asiana Airlines. A friend of mine once flew with Air Asia and was full of praise for the enthusiasm of the flight attendants, which made the long journey more enjoyable.
- Group B: Airlines with unique names such as Batik Air, Buddie Air and Beijing Capital Airlines. When I first heard the name Batik Air, I was curious and even looked up its routes and passenger reviews.
- Group C: The famous Cathay Pacific is known for its delicious in-flight meals; Cebu Pacific, China Airlines and China Eastern Airlines also belong to this group. Every time I fly Cathay Pacific, I can’t wait to try the various meals they offer.
- Group E: Emirates is known for its spacious and comfortable cabins, which make long-haul flights less tiring. Etihad Airways also offers first-class service. Flying with Emirates, the spacious seats and excellent service make the journey extra enjoyable.
- Group F: If you dream of the magnificent scenery of Fiji, Fiji Airways is the ideal choice for flights from Melbourne to Fiji. Imagine boarding a Fiji Airways plane in Melbourne and flying towards the turquoise waters. Doesn’t that sound dreamy?
- Group G: Garuda Indonesia also flies from Melbourne. According to friends who have flown with them, the experience is smooth and the service is good.
- H group: Hainan Airlines brings a sense of home and warmth to your journey.
- J group: Japan Airlines is known for its meticulous service, while Jetstar and Juneyao Airlines offer more choices. When choosing an airline, I consider factors such as price, service and routes to find the best option for me.
Explore the terminals at Melbourne Airport
I didn’t know which airport Melbourne’s international flights land at. After some research, I confirmed that Melbourne’s T2 International Airport is the main landing point for international flights. It is officially known as Melbourne Airport (MEL) and is also nicknamed Tullamarine, 20 kilometres (12.5 miles) from the city centre.
All international flights to and from Melbourne operate through Terminal 2 (T2). Knowing that I would be departing from Terminal 2, I planned my transportation to the city in advance to avoid any last-minute scrambling.
Connections between domestic and international terminals
As I also planned to explore other cities in Australia, I was very concerned about the connection between the domestic and international terminals.
As it turned out, all terminals are in the same area, under the same roof, and are easily accessible on foot. The domestic terminal is located on either side of T2 (international) and is within walking distance. T4 is located about 100 metres south of T3 and has a clear layout, so you won’t get lost.
Flight information at Terminal 4
I also investigated Terminal 4 at Melbourne Airport. As T2 is the hub for international flights, domestic travellers use T1, T3 or T4. Qantas departs from T1, Virgin Australia from T3 and all other airlines from T4. If you are planning domestic travel within Australia, be sure to plan your itinerary and timing carefully from these terminals.
I learned that Melbourne Airport is Australia’s second busiest airport and is open 24/7. However, between 2am and 4am, cargo flights are more frequent than passenger flights.
Knowing this, my concerns about waiting in queues during peak hours were alleviated – as long as I plan my time reasonably, I shouldn’t have any problems.
Getting to Melbourne Airport and checking in
Recommended arrival time
How long before my international flight from Melbourne Airport should I arrive? I checked multiple sources and found that whether departing from Sydney, Brisbane or Melbourne, the airport recommends arriving 3 hours before your scheduled flight.
I remembered that on my last trip, I almost didn’t make it to the gate on time, so I decided this time I would definitely arrive early to avoid the stress.
Key check-in points
Airlines recommend that international flight passengers check in at Melbourne International Airport Terminal 2, Level 1, 3 hours before departure. If you are taking ground transportation, please take the escalator or elevator to Level 1. I plan to arrive early, check in calmly, and take a stroll through the duty-free shops.
Most airlines allow passengers to check in online 24 hours before departure, but please note that counters for international flights usually close 60-75 minutes before departure.
Be sure to check the specific requirements of your airline to avoid missing the deadline.
Methods and procedures for checking in
1. Online check-in
For passengers with only carry-on luggage, online check-in is very convenient and can save a lot of time. The specific steps are as follows:
- Time schedule: Most airlines allow online check-in 24 hours before departure. I plan to check in as soon as it opens to ensure my preferred seat.
- Steps:
- First, visit the airline’s website or open their app (I’ve already downloaded the required app).
- Next, enter your booking reference number or flight information carefully to avoid errors.
- Then, choose your preferred seat (I like a window seat to enjoy the view).
- Finally, print your boarding pass or save it to your phone for easy access at the airport. Last time, I saved my boarding pass to my phone and the whole process went very smoothly.
2. Airport check-in
If you are checking in at the airport, go to the airline counter to check in your luggage. Be prepared for additional security checks, including passport, visa and vaccination checks. Arrive at the gate at least 45 minutes before departure. Remember, check-in for international flights usually closes 60–75 minutes before departure – don’t risk missing your flight!
Conclusion
My friend and I have arranged for her to pick me up. For international arrivals at Melbourne Airport, please meet your pick-up person in the ground floor forecourt outside Terminals 1, 2 and 3 – this is the Meet & Greet area.
If your pick-up person is arriving from overseas (Terminal 2), on Qantas (Terminal 1) or Virgin Australia (Terminal 3), please proceed to these areas. I have given my friend the details of my terminal and pick-up point, and I can’t wait to see her.