Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine) has four terminals, and knowing which one you’re flying from makes pickup and drop off far less stressful, especially if you’re being collected by a taxi for the trip back to the Mornington Peninsula. Here’s a plain breakdown of what each terminal covers, how long the drive takes, and what to tell your driver so the day runs smoothly.
Terminal 1, Qantas Domestic
Terminal 1 handles Qantas and QantasLink domestic flights. If you’re flying Qantas within Australia, this is where you’ll check in, arrive and be picked up.
Terminal 2, International
Every international flight into and out of Melbourne uses Terminal 2, regardless of airline. That includes the international services of Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin Australia, so check whether your flight is domestic or international rather than going by the airline name. If you’re arriving from overseas or flying out internationally, T2 is the terminal you need.
Terminal 3, Virgin Australia
Terminal 3 is Virgin Australia’s domestic terminal, used for Virgin Australia flights within Australia.
Terminal 4, Jetstar and Rex
Terminal 4 covers Jetstar and Rex domestic flights, along with smaller regional carriers. It’s a separate building from T1, T2 and T3, so allow a little extra time if you’re connecting between terminals.
Quick Reference
- Qantas or QantasLink within Australia: T1
- Any international flight: T2
- Virgin Australia within Australia: T3
- Jetstar or Rex within Australia: T4
Airlines do move flights between terminals from time to time, so check the terminal on your booking confirmation or the airline app the day before you fly.
Where Taxis Pick Up and Drop Off
Taxis drop off at the departures forecourt of your terminal and collect arriving passengers from the ground level forecourt outside arrivals. Melbourne Airport has been upgrading the area in front of Terminals 1, 2 and 3, so pickup and drop off zones can move while the works are under way. Terminal 4 has its own forecourt. For a pre booked pickup, your driver will confirm the exact meeting point, so you are not searching the kerb with your bags.
How Long the Drive Takes From the Peninsula
Drive times to Tullamarine vary with traffic, but as a guide:
- Frankston: 60 to 75 minutes
- Mornington: 75 to 90 minutes
- Rosebud: 85 to 100 minutes
- Sorrento: 100 to 115 minutes
As a general rule, aim to arrive about 2 hours before a domestic flight and 3 hours before an international one, and allow more in the weekday morning peak and on long weekends. For an early flight from the southern Peninsula, that often means a pickup well before dawn, which is exactly when a booked taxi is easier than finding a ride on the spot.
Fixed Fares to Melbourne Airport
Our airport transfers are fixed price and agreed before the trip, with tolls included and no extra charge for late night or early morning travel. Fares depend on your suburb, for example $175 from Frankston, $200 from Mornington, $230 from Rosebud and $250 from Rye or Sorrento. Avalon Airport transfers are $50 more per trip. Groups can travel together in an SUV for up to 6 passengers or a Maxi Taxi for up to 11.
What to Tell Your Driver
- Your airline and flight number
- Your terminal, especially for T4 or an international flight from T2
- How many passengers and bags are travelling
- For the trip home, a mobile number that works when you land
Coming Home to the Peninsula
On the way home, the flight number does most of the work. We watch the arrival time, so if your flight lands early or late the pickup moves with it, and there is no extra charge when a flight is delayed. Once you have your bags, head to the meeting point your driver confirmed, and if you can’t see them, call 0433 238 017. If you are flying back late at night or on a busy weekend, book the return leg when you book the outward trip, so the car is arranged before you leave home.
Booking Your Transfer
Since check in counters and pickup points differ by terminal, it’s worth confirming your flight’s terminal before booking so your driver knows exactly where to meet you, particularly for early morning departures from the Mornington Peninsula. Our drivers track flight arrival times, so delays are covered automatically, and you can book both legs of the trip in one call.
See our Airport Transfers page for fixed price bookings to and from Melbourne Airport across the Mornington Peninsula, or read how much a taxi from Mornington to Melbourne Airport costs.