Tullamarine Airport (MEL) · Australia
Photo: Robert Stokoe on Pexels.
Quick answer
Entry
Australia requires ETA for VWP + visa for others. Transit passengers at MEL must clear Australian immigration. Re-check baggage required for international-domestic transfers.
Into town
SkyBus (to Southern Cross station): 20–35 min, AUD 24 (€15).
Time outside
4–5 hours in the city (stay close)
Times from MEL arrivals. Check entry rules for your passport before you fly.
The sights in Melbourne worth leaving the airport for.
1Iconic intersection + free public square. Walk to Hosier Lane (street art) and Centre Place laneway (cafes) — Melbourne's laneway culture in one block.
Photo: Created by Philip Mallis in 2021; cropped by HappyWaldo, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
2Massive 1878 market (Tue-Sun, closed Mon) with fresh produce + food stalls + souvenirs. Free entry. The American doughnut van + bratwurst are iconic.
Photo: Bob T, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Beach + 1912 Luna Park (free entry, individual ride tickets AUD 7-15). Penguin viewing at St Kilda Pier at sunset (free, 100+ little penguins).
4Australia's oldest + most-visited art museum. Free permanent collection. Famous stained-glass ceiling. Bonus: free wifi + bathroom.
Photo: Shkuru Afshar, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Pick the plan that fits the time between your flights.
Stay airside — 3h is too tight
See the 3-hour planPhoto: Atlantic Ambience on Pexels.
4–5 hours in the city (stay close)
Insider tip
MEL is 22km from centre — SkyBus (AUD 24, 20-35 min) runs every 10 min. Faster + cheaper than taxi for solo travellers. For 4+ hour layovers: SkyBus + Federation Square + Queen Victoria Market is achievable.
| Mode | Cost | Time |
|---|---|---|
| SkyBus (to Southern Cross station) | AUD 24 (€15) | 20–35 min |
| Taxi / Uber | AUD 60–95 (€35–55) | 25–40 min |
Smashed avo + flat white at any laneway café (Melbourne invented both). Vietnamese rice paper rolls at Quan 88 (Richmond). Espresso at Patricia Coffee (oldest specialty café).
0–45 min
Clear passport control
Only leave the airport if your passport and visa allow entry; see the entry note above.
45–90 min
Into Melbourne: SkyBus (to Southern Cross station)
20–35 min, AUD 24 (€15).
90–210 min
Federation Square + Flinders Street Station
Iconic intersection + free public square. Walk to Hosier Lane (street art) and Centre Place laneway (cafes) — Melbourne's laneway culture in one block.
210–270 min
Eat before you head back
Smashed avo + flat white at any laneway café (Melbourne invented both). Vietnamese rice paper rolls at Quan 88 (Richmond). Espresso at Patricia Coffee (oldest specialty café).
270–360 min
Back to Tullamarine Airport
Head back to Tullamarine Airport by SkyBus (to Southern Cross station) (20–35 min, AUD 24 (€15)). Be at the airport at least 2 hours before your flight.
Australia requires ETA for VWP + visa for others. Transit passengers at MEL must clear Australian immigration. Re-check baggage required for international-domestic transfers. Check the rules for your own passport before you fly.
4–5 hours in the city (stay close). Getting into Melbourne by SkyBus (to Southern Cross station) takes 20–35 min each way.
SkyBus (to Southern Cross station): 20–35 min, AUD 24 (€15). Taxi / Uber: 25–40 min, AUD 60–95 (€35–55).
Luggage storage near Tullamarine Airport and in Melbourne is listed in our Melbourne luggage storage guide.
Skip the taxi rank and lock in your fare before you land.
Pre-book a fixed-price transfer
Our pickDriver waits at arrivals with your name, tracks your flight, and the price you see is the price you pay. English-speaking, fixed price. No surge, no haggling at 2am.
Check transfer pricesRenting a car instead? Compare rentals with free cancellation.Lock in a few experiences before you go — the good ones sell out.
Tours, tickets & day trips
Our pickGetYourGuide has the deepest catalogue for Melbourne and free cancellation on most experiences — book now, decide later.
Browse MelbourneJust need timed-entry attraction tickets in Melbourne? Try Tiqets.Want a private driver-guide? Trip.com Private Tours in Melbourne.Compare overland routes — often cheaper, more scenic and skip the airport queue.
Photo: Engin Akyurt on Pexels.
A day-use hotel near the airport is a great option for a 6-hour layover.
Find hotels in Melbourne
Hotels, hostels & more · Trip.com
Stay connected abroad — no roaming bills
Buy a travel eSIM before you fly and install it by QR code.
See each airline’s route map: where else it flies from MEL.
Flights to Melbourne from 45 cities: fares and airlines →
Wait for your flight in a lounge — one membership covers lounges at airports across the country and worldwide.
Weekly layover, flight + hotel deals. No spam.
01
Australia requires ETA for VWP + visa for others. Transit passengers at MEL must clear Australian immigration. Re-check baggage required for international-domestic transfers.
02
SkyBus (to Southern Cross station): 20–35 min, AUD 24 (€15).
Photo: Artem Yellow on Pexels.
03
Head back to Tullamarine Airport by SkyBus (to Southern Cross station) (20–35 min, AUD 24 (€15)). Be at the airport at least 2 hours before your flight.
Tours, tickets and day trips that fit between your flights.
Daylight in Melbourne runs from about 9.4 hours in Jun to 14.6 in Dec. Enough of a difference that a winter stopover gives you noticeably less usable time outside than a summer one.
