Booking a flight to Melbourne, you’ll often see two airport choices: Melbourne (Tullamarine) and Avalon. They sound interchangeable. They aren’t.
Picking the wrong one can mean a longer, pricier trip to your hotel before your holiday even starts.
Here’s a clear, side-by-side look so you choose the right gateway for your trip.
Location: The Biggest Difference
Where each airport sits shapes everything else about your journey.
Melbourne Airport is at Tullamarine, northwest of the city, roughly 23 km from the CBD. That central position makes it convenient for most city-bound travellers.
Avalon Airport lies southwest, about 55 km from the Melbourne CBD but only around 15 km from Geelong. Its position favours a different kind of traveller entirely.
Airlines and Flights
The two airports serve very different needs.
Melbourne Airport is the main international and domestic hub, with four terminals and a broad mix of carriers, from full-service to budget. If you’re flying internationally, this is almost always your airport.
Avalon is smaller and focused on low-cost domestic flights, with some international routes. It’s leaner, quieter, and built for speed rather than scale.
Getting Into the City
This is where the location gap really shows.
From Melbourne Airport, a transfer to the CBD takes around 20 to 40 minutes depending on traffic. From Avalon, you’re looking at closer to 40 minutes or more, simply because it’s further out.
Public transport options are also thinner at Avalon, where bus services are timed to flights rather than running frequently. That makes a pre-booked transfer especially valuable there.
For either airport, you can see the areas we cover on our locations page.
Cost Considerations
Cheap flights into Avalon can be tempting, but factor in the full journey.
A lower airfare loses some shine if the longer transfer eats into the saving. The smart move is to add the flight cost and the ground transfer together, then compare.
A fixed-price transfer helps here, because you know the full cost upfront with no surprises. That’s the appeal of private airport transfers in Melbourne from either airport.
Which Airport Suits Your Trip?
The right choice comes down to where you’re actually headed.
- Heading to the city or flying internationally: Melbourne Airport wins on convenience and flight choice
- Visiting Geelong, the Bellarine or the Great Ocean Road: Avalon is closer and far more practical
- Chasing the cheapest domestic fare: Avalon can be great value, as long as you plan the transfer
- Travelling with family or lots of luggage: either works well with a private transfer
There’s no single “better” airport, only the better fit for your plans.
How a Chauffeur Works From Both
Whichever you land at, a chauffeur removes the guesswork.
Your driver tracks your flight, meets you at the terminal and takes you straight to your door. It’s the same dependable airport chauffeur service in Melbourne at either gateway.
A sedan suits couples, while an SUV or people mover handles groups and bags with ease. You can compare options on our fleet page.
Quick Tips Before You Book
A little homework saves headaches later.
- Confirm which airport your flight uses; the names look similar
- Check the official Melbourne Airport and Avalon Airport sites for terminal details
- Add the transfer cost to your airfare before comparing
- Book your transfer ahead, especially for Avalon’s quieter timetable
A few minutes of planning makes either airport an easy arrival.
FAQ
Is Avalon the same as Melbourne Airport?
No. They’re separate airports. Melbourne Airport is at Tullamarine near the city, while Avalon sits further out, between Melbourne and Geelong.
Which Melbourne airport is closer to the city?
Melbourne Airport, at around 23 km from the CBD. Avalon is roughly 55 km away, though much closer to Geelong.
Is it cheaper to fly into Avalon?
Often the airfares are lower, but the longer transfer can offset the saving. Always compare the total cost of flight plus ground transport.
Can you transfer from both airports?
Yes. A chauffeur can collect you from either Melbourne Airport or Avalon and take you to the city, the suburbs or regional Victoria.
Which airport is best for the Great Ocean Road?
Avalon, as it’s noticeably closer to Geelong and the coast than Tullamarine.
Final Thoughts
Melbourne’s two airports aren’t rivals so much as different tools for different trips. The city traveller and the coast-bound visitor will rightly choose differently.
Match the airport to your destination, weigh the full cost, and sort your transfer early. Do that, and your arrival is smooth whichever gateway you pick. Request a quote and we’ll handle the ride from either one.