Arriving in Melbourne
Whether you’re coming from overseas, interstate or even regional Victoria, Melbourne is a big city with a lot of ways of getting in, out and around.
Flying in?
Melbourne has two major airports:
- Melbourne Airport, also called Tullamarine Airport, is a 25-minute drive from the Melbourne city centre. Most international and domestic flights to Melbourne arrive here, so chances are you will too!
- Avalon Airport is a 45-minute drive from the Melbourne city centre. Some domestic and international flights to Melbourne arrive here.
Note: We do not currently offer an airport pick-up service from Avalon Airport. Transport options are available.
COVID-19 and the border
Travel restrictions are subject to change and Australia has strict border measures in place to protect the health of the community. So, we strongly advise you to find out the latest government updates on travel to and from Australia.
Find out more about updates to Australia's immigration and border arrangements during the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic.
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Domestic Arrivals
If you're flying domestically, you’ll be flying into either Melbourne Airport or Avalon Airport.
You're not usually required to go through a passport entry control point or meet any customs requirements when travelling within Australia; however, quarantine restrictions are in place for some domestic travel. This means certain food and plant items cannot be brought into the state of Victoria. -
Plan your arrival in Melbourne
After you have accepted your offer to study with us, you can start getting excited for your arrival in Melbourne. Find out what you must do before you leave your country.
Getting from the airport into the city
Getting to and from the airport in Melbourne is easy. As a Swinburne student, there are a few different options available to you to ensure you arrive safely.
Service availability
Students arriving into Melbourne for the first time to commence their studies with Swinburne can book a free transfer service from Melbourne airport to your accommodation address.
Students under 18 years of age
Use of the service is mandatory for students under 18 years of age for whom Swinburne has provided a CAAW form.
If you are under 18, you cannot book the airport pickup yourself. You or your education agent must provide your arrival flight details and accommodation address in Melbourne to the Swinburne U18 International Student Adviser via email to U18request@swinburne.edu.au and they will arrange the airport pickup booking and confirm this with you.
How to make a booking
Eligible students must request the booking five working days prior to their flight.
Every attempt is made to assist, but it may not be possible to confirm bookings with our service provider if they are made with fewer than five working days’ notice.
You can make a booking by following the instructions online. If you are ineligible, your booking will be rejected. If your booking is successful, you will receive a confirmation email from Hughes Transport.
How to change a booking
If your flight is cancelled, you change to another flight or want to cancel the booking, please make changes in the Hughes booking portal. For last minutes changes or urgent matters please contact Hughes Transport directly or Swinburne ISA&S (only business hours). You can find contact details on this page. Flight landing times are monitored by Hughes, who will account for changes accordingly. There is no need to contact them if your flight is delayed.
Baggage information
The Hughes sedan can carry a maximum of two (2) check-in sized suitcases and two (2) pieces of carry-on sized luggage.
Family or friends travelling with the student
Any family members or friends travelling with the student who wish to use the Hughes service must arrange and pay for their own booking directly with Hughes.
Meeting your Hughes driver at Tullamarine (Melbourne) airport
Airport meeting locations vary depending on your airline and arrival terminal (details below). You must have a confirmed airport pickup booking. Look out for your driver who will be holding a Swinburne welcome sign. Please connect to the airport free Wi-Fi after you land, the driver may contact you using the WhatsApp ID number you provided in your booking form if necessary.
Arriving at the international terminal
- Once you have passed through customs and collected your luggage, you will exit into the Arrivals Hall.
- Turn right when you enter the Arrivals Hall.
- The driver will wait at the international arrival chauffeur meeting point. Download an airport map.
- Please wait inside and do not leave the airport with anyone else.
- Connect to the airport free Wi-Fi and use the agreed WhatsApp number if you cannot connect with your driver.
Your booked driver will arrive at the meeting point 45 minutes after your flight arrival time and will wait until one hour later at which time you will be considered a non-arrival.
Arriving at the domestic terminal
| Arrival | Where to meet your driver |
|---|---|
Terminal 1 Qantas: landing gates 1 to 12 |
Left from escalators, next to car rental area, in front of baggage carousel 1 |
Terminal 1 Qantas: landing gates 13 to 24 |
In front of baggage carousel 4, directly outside of gates |
Terminal 3 Virgin |
At the bottom of Virgin escalators |
Terminal 4 Jetstar and regional airlines |
At the exit door after baggage collection |
If you cannot find the driver or the meeting point, please go to the Airport Tourist Information Desk for assistance.
You can download a summary of the Melbourne Airport arrival instructions.
Contact Swinburne's Accommodation Advisor
Phone: +61 3 9214 5551
Email: accommodation@swinburne.edu.au
Contact Hughes Transport
Phone (within Australia): 1300 615 165
Phone (outside Australia): +61 3 9403 1900
Email: res@hughes.com.au
SkyBus is a bus service that connects Melbourne’s airports (including Avalon Airport) with Southern Cross train station in Melbourne’s city centre, Southbank and Docklands near the city, as well as suburbs St Kilda and Frankston, and others in Melbourne’s west.
It departs from the domestic and international terminals and you can buy tickets online starting from A$15* each way, depending on your destination. You can also buy tickets on the day from SkyBus ticket booths at the airport terminals. Your ticket is valid for three months from the date of purchase.
*Visit SkyBus for timetables, up-to-date pricing, and more information.
Taxis are available from the taxi ranks immediately outside the domestic and international terminals.
For a trip to Melbourne city, approximate fares are:
- A$70 from Melbourne Airport
- A$110 from Avalon Airport
Additional charges may apply for airport taxis and for using tollways.
Rideshare drivers can also be arranged via individual service provider apps. Drivers can pick up travellers from two locations at Melbourne Airport:
- Qantas, International and Virgin Australia passengers from the pick-up zone on the ground level of the Terminals 1, 2 and 3 forecourt
- Jetstar, Rex or Airnorth passengers from level 1 of the Terminal 4 car park.
Rideshare access fees may apply.
