MELBOURNE AIRPORT review : 27 May 2009 : by S Turton

Customer Rating : 2/5

Touting by limo drivers at T1 & T2 early morning and late evening has become a real pain for arriving passengers. It is illegal, the public announcements say so, and the signs say so, but the airport is doing nothing visible to stop these pushy touts hassling arriving passengers. The airport has extensive video surveillance, they can see what is happening, but they don't are. Makes Melbourne look like a 3rd world airport. With the lack of proper public transport options they will unfortunately persist!

MELBOURNE AIRPORT review : 27 February 2009 : by Marshall Davies

Customer Rating : 2/5

Recently had the slowest arrival experience of any international flights my wife and I have taken over the past 15 years - including our previous arrivals at Melbourne. We disembarked at about 2220 & collected our luggage at the carousel at 2245. Ominously, there were approximately 150 people queued for Customs when we first arrived at the carousel. By the time passengers from our flight had collected their luggage, there was a single queue that snaked twice around carousel 1 before feeding into the existing three lines of people who had been waiting when we arrived. As we waited patiently, passenger from another flight collected their bags & joined the queues. It took until 2345 to reach a Customs Officer & be waved though after a quick check of our luggage. I don't blame Customs staff who were obviously doing their best with patience & good humour, but seeing almost everyone being asked to open their cases, I could understand the delays. I doubt whether too many people waiting to clear Customs that night would have any positive thoughts about Melbourne Airport or maybe Melbourne & Australia, in general. Either there needs to be more Customs Officers on duty or some further risk analysis needs to be undertaken with a view to limiting searches of suitcases to a much smaller proportion than was carried out while we were there.

MELBOURNE AIRPORT review : 16 February 2009 : by Eric Simpson

Customer Rating : 3/5

Passing through Melbourne on two occasions as a transit passenger was a disappointing experience. The arrival pier was shabby and in need of re-carpeting and decoration. Only on reaching the arrivals duty free area did the appearance of the airport improve. Transit passengers were required to negotiate what appeared to be poorly finished service corridors and stairs in order to reach the departures security search area. The departure area itself was attractive with a good range of duty free outlets, unfortunately the toilets were in need of some deep cleaning.

MELBOURNE AIRPORT review : 7 February 2009 : by Simon Smith

Customer Rating : 2/5

I flew out of Melbourne on a Qantas domestic flight. The airport works OK, with little queue for check in or security, but it looks in need of modernisation. My main issue was that the food and drink options airside were awful. There are lots of different outlets, all with different branding, but they all sell the same products for the same prices. I bought a sandwich which was stale, a chocolate muffin which tasted more of banana, and a coffee which was cold - and this cost nearly $20. Eat before you get to the airport.

MELBOURNE AIRPORT review : 18 November 2008 : by J Potter

Customer Rating : 4/5

One of the most annoying things about this airport is the very high cost of short term parking which is $45 a day. This is more than a car park in central Melbourne. There is an undercover "Long-term" car park which is quite misleading. This car park charges the same as the short term car park which it shares the building with. I have no idea what the discount applying is, and at $90 overnight, it is expensive. I agree with the comments about baggage and customs delays, but there again this is an island nation and we think every one wants to come here. The domestic terminals are quite decent but then there is no immigration or much baggage there.

MELBOURNE AIRPORT review : 9 November 2008 : by E Carew

Customer Rating : 3/5

While I understand the arguments an airline operator might make about the need to make a return on its lease, Melbourne Airport's continued refusal to install free Internet terminals (emulating Singapore) is poor. Singapore may be essentially a government-run airport, but Melbourne is boring by comparison and it is about time that passengers were offered a small 'freebie' given the various airport charges that are included in the prices of most tickets. Of course it would be unfair to claim that Melbourne Airport is the only Australian airport to fall behind progressive transport hubs like Changi Airport. While Melbourne Airport's per-passenger processing fees are lower than most other Australian capital city airports, it ought to give something back to passengers who contribute a huge daily amount in parking fees and indirectly in airport income by supporting overpriced shops that block one's way once airside in the international terminal, as others have observed. There seems to be a lack of drinking water fountains in the Virgin Blue terminal, unforgivable in an often warm to hot climate like Melbourne's (in summer and early autumn at least) and another attempt to force us all to purchase bottled water should we forget to bring non- alcoholic drinks from home, office or hotel.

MELBOURNE AIRPORT review : 7 November 2008 : by K Goshalia

Customer Rating : 3/5

The security and immigration was not very long departing Melbourne taking a red eye flight to Singapore. The whole idea of passing the duty free to move to the gate area seems a little pushy to passengers. This leaves a feeling of aggressive selling on the minds of passengers. Once you pass the duty free shops to the gate area there is nothing much to do except just waiting at the gate area.No decent bar/dining area to relax before a flight. Unlike major airports worldwide there is no lounge access even on payment for travellers using non-premium cabins.

MELBOURNE AIRPORT review : 15 October 2008 : by A Jafarzadeh

Customer Rating : 3/5

Have flown in and out of Tullamarine International four times and every time I've been left wanting. Arriving in Melbourne is a tiring and tedious process with inefficient immigrations and customs procedures. Getting out of the building an hour after touchdown is the best you can hope for, especially if you're arriving with another international flight. When leaving Melbourne, make sure you grab something to eat before you go airside because there is quite literally nothing once you're through unless you fancy a dodgy sandwich bar with grumpy teenagers behind the counter or an overpriced "wine bar" that would be better suited to downtown Melbourne than an airport where most people just want something well-priced and appetising. I'm not much of a fan of fast food joints but even a Hungry Jacks would be welcome in the departure lounge. Pretty much nothing to do when waiting for your flight so bring a book or time it so you don't have long to wait after clearing security. For Australia's second biggest city Tullamarine is not doing Melbourne any favours and desperately needs more airside.

MELBOURNE AIRPORT review : 7 October 2008 : by G Hailey

Customer Rating : 1/5

Customs extremely slow. we were forced to go into foreigners line and wait for 45 minutes - finally got to the overcrowded baggage area. seems Melbourne patronage has outgrown the airports capabilities - waited 30 mins for the luggage to come and then ended up in a queue that stretched up and around and down the baggage carousels and then had to wait nearly 1 hour to get through baggage scanning. The demands on this airport have far exceeded what this airport and its facilities are capable of. The arrivals area is clearly lacking and has clearly been forgotten about in any development to increase its handling capabilities.

MELBOURNE AIRPORT review : 6 October 2008 : by R Dowling

Customer Rating :  3/5

Arrived back at international terminal few days ago and got through the whole 'plane to airport bus exercise in a record 40 minutes. The secret - very quiet, no other arrival in sight. Generally by far the slowest airport in the world from which to deplane. Baggage carousel a lousy old fashioned design, and it takes for ever for the baggage to even get to the carousel. (I think QANTAS does all international baggage). More than one flight per hour and the carousel is crowded with a lot of anxious pax who fight for space to grab their bags. Then the paranoid inspired quarantine queue which stretches almost back to the 'plane itself at times. Usually takes 60 minutes or more to get out of the place. Still, what can you expect from a glorified mini shopping mall aka as Tullamarine airport?

MELBOURNE AIRPORT review : 3 September 2008 : by R West

Customer Rating : 1/5

The international baggage hall is a dark and gloomy place to wait 65 minutes for luggage to come off the lane - but that's my most recent experience there. The waiting time was interspersed with announcements from airlines apologising to passengers for baggage delays - it seems to be a widespread problem. After picking up your bags, it's much better to avoid the long quarantine queue where luggage is checked - so don't bring anything in (eg, foodstuffs, or anything made of wood), that would cause you to be placed into that line. In my case, it took me more than two hours from disembarkation to catching a taxi - not good enough.

MELBOURNE AIRPORT review : 27 August 2008 : by D Mascarenhas

Customer Rating : 2/5

Departed from Melbourne using Qantas to Mumbai via Sydney. What's surprising is that one needs to pay for trolleys at both the departure and the arrival. Wonder whether passengers arriving first time or even Australians need to be reminded to carry 2 x $2 coins both for out and incoming flight fso they can pay for trolleys. I have a 4 month old infant and had to walk all the way up to the taxi rank on the other side to get a trolley some passenger had left behind before jumping into a cab.

MELBOURNE AIRPORT review : 30 July 2008 : by T Higson

Customer Rating : 4/5

Travelling with Qantas domestic with a group of footballers. For just about all of us, it was the first time we had been to Melbourne Airport and yet we went straight to the bagge claim without losing our way at all. It was a bit of a walk from gate 9 (I think) and our bags were there as we arrived at the claim area. On our return, security took only two minutes during the evening peek hour. There is a range of fast food outlets after security. We boarded at gate 2, one of the closest gates but it was still a fair walk compared to such airports like Brisbane. There are not many seats at the gate; but still more than some gates at Sydney. Clean airport, straight on the highway on arrival - 4s tars

MELBOURNE AIRPORT review : 29 July 2008 : by N Nasev

Customer Rating : 2/5

MEL used to be a great airport. On previous occasions transferring from domestic to international sections was a breeze. However, just now when a group of fellow travellers and myself followed the signs to the international section from domestic, we ended up in a dead-end. Also, you have to weave your way through a mass of duty-free retail areas to get through to the departure gate. I understand that this is quite standard in many airports around the world, but Melbourne has taken this approach way beyond a tolerable level. The worst experience of all was when I realised that I had left my mobile phone behind at the security screening area. When I tried asking the security official who was stationed at the lane I passed through whether he had seen my mobile, he deliberately ignored me and pretended that I was not even there! This is a clear indication of the attitude this airport has to its users.

MELBOURNE AIRPORT review : 19 June 2008 : by N Salmon

Customer Rating : 2/5

I'm a Melburnian and my recent trip through our airport was the second time I've felt let down. With four international flights arriving at once you'd expect a few queues but those in charge are clearly oblivious to the term 'customer service'. I'd just come through the much-maligned Heathrow and it was a far better experience. The line through quarantine was enormous and slow moving with no blue-shirted staff to hand to offer assistance. One passenger near me was trying in vain to connect to a domestic flight and another guy was hassled by the previously invisible staff for jumping the barrier to take his little boy to the toilet on the far side of the baggage hall. It took 95 minutes from gate to taxi rank and all international arrivals have just endured at least an eight hour flight. Can't be a great first impression for visitors.

MELBOURNE AIRPORT review : 7 May 2008 : by Edmund Carew

Customer Rating : 3/5

Ian Baker's comments about Australian quarantine are understandable. Yes, the queues for the 'red' lane (something to declare) move too slowly sometimes. However while I sometimes get mildly annoyed at having to declare processed foods like chocolate, the fact remains that Australia as the only island continent is free of many diseases found in Europe, Asia and the US so quarantine is strict as a result. Could the Australian Quarantine Inspection Service and Australian Customs improve their processing times? Yes, but sometimes there may simply not be enough 'lanes' at the airport in question. This is poor when one considers the massive amounts Australia's airports rake in from travellers and rentals, and the Australian departure tax which is not cheap by world standards.

Melbourne Airport review by Nick Fortuna

15 March 2008   Customer Rating :

Used MEL domestic and international on four occasions - Fri/Sat/Sun. The domestic airport works well enough, though on arrival, the relevant baggage reclaim could do with better signposting. Handy that the domestic international terminals are under the same roof, making transfers between the two much more comfortable - Sydney take note! Plenty of shops, pleasant ambience, and during the times I used the airport, not too busy. Announcements at the gate were hardly audible. One downside: the QANTAS international first class lounge upstairs could use with much better air conditioning. During the hot afternoon I was there, I saw three portable units rattling away in the supposedly rarified atmosphere of an international-standard lounge.

Melbourne Airport review by G Wilson

14 March 2008   Customer Rating :

Domestic terminal (Virgin Blue & Rex) Check-in for VB fine, but Rex not signposted. Asked staff & was helped, no problem. Signage for Rex was waist-high beside check in desk! Perhaps they dont want to be found. Long walk to Rex gate & not much to see or do - but it gets the job done.

Melbourne Airport review by Ian Baker

12 March 2008   Customer Rating :

Arrived evening Sunday 2 March from Bangkok. Long wait for luggage. Then extremely slow queue for baggage to go through Quarantine. Maybe 90 minutes from getting off the plane to being able to leave the airport. Why do all passengers have to go through Quarantine with their baggage? It does not happen elsewhere. If the facility is inadequate - as the slowness illustrates - the authority should select persons to go to Quarantine who are considered 'risky' and let others leave at once.

Melbourne Airport review by S Dobson

21 February 2008   Customer Rating :

Arrived Melbourne international just after the morning rush at 10am. About 2 other flights being processed and queue for immigration long, although flowed smoothly. Didnt help with having inwards duty free where it was. Bags not far behind but arrival hall chaotic. Queue for red exit snaked back through the baggage carousels and took nearly 1.5 hours to be seen by Quarantine. Overheard a few altercations between other pax re queue jumping and more than a few comments about the delays and crowded conditions. International arrivals needs more space and staff to cope with peak periods, especially when the A380 starts services. Staff tried their best to help get people moving but seemed to be overwhelmed with it all. Like all airports peak periods are busy but Melbourne seemed to be bursting at the seams - if you have a choice avoid arriving in the morning.

Melbourne Airport review by J Ralley

14 November 2007   Customer Rating :

When we flew out July 2007 they were still randomly weighing hand luggage before going through passport control. Travelling with a 10 month and 2.5 year old we tried to minimise our bags down to 2 but that meant our carry-on suitcase weighed about 11kg. Luckily we stood our ground and just kept saying that it was for 4 people and in the end they let us through - obviously put it in the "too hard" basket. But just be aware. Good airport otherwise. Not too much to do so don't get there too early but otherwise clean and easy to get around.

Melbourne Airport review by M Duval

18 September 2007   Customer Rating :

Used it a lot 2 years ago. Getting through customs/bagage claim can take a bit long sometimes compared to European or asian airports. Not too big, so no long walks to gates, not too small to get bored at either. Friendly laid back staff - one downside, with many Australian airports it's sometimes annoying having to walk through a duty free shop to get to customs. As is often the case, a lot of duty free shops are directly located in the path you have to walk through when leaving the gates and walking towards customs and baggage claim.

Melbourne Airport review by T Huppatz

2 August 2007   Customer Rating :

We fly frequently in and out of Melbourne. I think it depends on how many planes are taking off or landing at the same time on how long it takes to get thru customs or collecting luggage. Generally we have to queue about 1/2 an hour for luggage. It is a modern, clean airport with lots of cafes, restaurants and shops. Good signage and easy to get around.

Melbourne Airport review by Alasdair Brooks

19 July 2007   Customer Rating :

I flew out of Melbourne on United to LAX in mid-June 2007, and didn't face the second weigh-in airside, nor did I see any sign of anyone else being weighed airside. I'm not saying the two previous postings are wrong, but it would seem that - as of mid-2007 - this wasn't being applied consistently. And is airside in Melbourne's international terminal the only place in Australia with Irn Bru vending machines? What an odd experience it was to see Scotland's favourite soft drink on sale in dedicated vending machines in Melbourne.

Melbourne Airport review by Edmund Carew

31 December 2006   Customer Rating : n/a

T Kelly (27/12) is correct about the second 'weigh-in' immediately upon entering airside, but I've found if you are travelling as an individual and enter the area straight after a family or others, you can escape your hand luggage being weighed. Given the amount of duty free some passengers buy later prior to boarding, this weighing seems superflous and petty bureaucracy at its worst.

Melbourne Airport review by T Kelly

27 December 2006

Decent enough medium-sized airport, but beware: MEL (International) enforces luggage weight restrictions to the letter. Not satisfied with just the regular weigh-in of both checked and hand luggage at check-in, your hand luggage is weighed again upon entering passport control. Depending on staff on the day, exceeding the limit by a mere couple of hundred grams could have you on your knees in front of everyone removing contents from your bag until they satisfy said staff member. Not the happiest way to leave the country. The second weigh-in at passport control was new to me, as I had never encountered this at other Australian international airports. Always long lines at immigration. When leaving Australia, after passport control, Duty Free is inescapable..... you have to walk through it to reach the departure lounge. Shameless. Departure area makes you feel a little "hemmed in": after the inescapable duty free, there is a long corridor similar to the Virgin Blue terminal, with shops on either side. Towards the end, the space becomes round with seating areas, cafe, newsagents, etc. This area feels very crowded when several flights are departing at around the same time. Overall, a decent enough international airport, but staff attitude could often be improved, and if departing from MEL, do watch your luggage weight to avoid public humiliation!!

Melbourne Airport review by Mike Langran

21 June 2006

Arrived from SIN and what a delight! No queues at immigration or customs. Bags came off quickly thanks to priority tags. Loved the Commonwealth Games arrival carpet - decked out for the 100m! Really pleasant arrival and on our way in next to no time. Staff pleasant and friendly.

Melbourne Airport review by Peter Snow

20 April 2006

My wife and I travelled outward through Tullamarine on Saturday 15 April. Check-in for Air NZ was a breeze, admittedly with Koru Club membership, and Immigration and Security with no queues at all. New Air NZ Lounge looks excellent but spoilt by children screaming most of the time (not crying but playing). Certainly not an oasis! Used the shuttle bus from downtown, and most impressed. Pickup near hotel right on time, and only 20 minutes to airport from Southern Cross Terminus - cannot do much better than that in a cab at three times the price.

Melbourne Airport review by A Kattula

12 April 2006

Had not been through international terminal since 1994! Terminal is a credit to Melbourne with fast check in and efficient immigration outbound. Admittedly it was 6am on a Saturday! Plenty of shops and clean facilities airside. Prices in shops seemed quite reasonable. Return through Qantas domestic terminal was again efficient but a long walk from gate to baggage claim. Travellators would be appreciated by many. Taxi supervisor arranged for maxi cab due party of 4 with large baggage without any delay. Overall a fantastic airport to use!

Melbourne Airport review by Jeffrey Leong

27 March 2006

I was surprised that Mark Stoneham had been told to get rid of his chocolates upon arrival in Australia from London. I had some chocolates in my pocket which I had only realised I had on me upon arrival (in Sydney, not Melbourne). I asked one of the customs officers whether I should throw them away or not. She indicated that it was alright to bring them in as they were only chocolates. Different officers, different standards, with one more understanding than the other perhaps? As for checking in, I do not know about international flights but for domestic flights at Tullamarine Airport for me was very quick indeed. What surprised me about the airport was how relatively expensive it was to take the bus service from Tullamarine to downtown Melbourne - AUD15 one way. Compared to neighbouring Sydney, it cost only AUD15 for a return ticket. on the minibus service from the airport door-to-door to a hotel in downtown Sydney.

Melbourne Airport review by Mark Stoneham

9 February 2006

On the whole it is a stress-free experience. It is light and airy and very clean. plenty of shops and good duty free. Also plenty of comfortable seating - however, every time I have left from Tulla, the queues at immigration / passport control have been horrendous. Allow plenty of time to go through and get to your gate. The very first time I left Tulla I almost missed my flight home! Also, check in queues can be trying and slow, though this could depend on your airline. This February I was flying up to Singapore with BA on the first leg of my homeward journey to London. They were checking in more than one flight at our desk and as a result, I began to woder if I'd reach the check in desk before my scheduled departure time. I explained my predicament to two officials who told me to be patient and were not at all worried on my behalf. The third kindly took me to another desk where I checked in immediately - then went to join the aforementioned immigration queue! My final comment - the first time I arrived in Melbourne, I was unaware of the laws regarding bringing foodstuffs into the country - in my case chocolate. The very first Australian official I met told me in his own inimitable fashion that I was breaking the law and to 'Get rid of it!' Welcome to Australia!