MEL · Walkable four-terminal precinct with a useful SkyBus CBD link, but no passenger rail and a hard 1am–4am public-transport gap. T123 Hub changes T1–T3 kerbside from 6 October 2026.
AVV · Melbourne’s low-cost second airport: easy SkyBus and free first-hour parking, Jetstar Bali international, and deliberately thin soft product with no Priority Pass or airline lounge.
15% · Food and retail quality and variety.
MEL6.8+1.0
AVV5.8
Ground access
15% · Transit, taxi, and parking to the city.
MEL5.5
AVV7.2+1.7
Reliability
15% · Delays, cancellations, and weather resilience.
MEL6.5
AVV6.6+0.1
Lounges
10% · Worth-it density and access quality.
MEL7.0+4.5
AVV2.5
AVV
Jetstar travellers living west of Melbourne or in GeelongBali / domestic LCC trips that start closer to home than MELDrivers using the free first parking hourSkyBus users heading to Southern Cross
Qantas domestic T1 vs international T2 split
No public Wi-Fi in T1
International arrivals queues
AVV
No airline lounge or Priority Pass productInternational requires a walk from domestic check-inFront-of-airport roadworks can add access delaySoft F&B vs TullamarineNo published MCT, security waits, or official annual pax total on pages fetched
SkyBus + PTV (no rail)
Family / accessible rooms
T123 Hub opens Tuesday 6 October 2026
Public T1/T2/T3 drop-off moves to T123 Level 3; private pick-up to Level 2 rear. Taxi and rideshare pick-up stay on the ground-level forecourt.
Do not count on a 1am–4am SkyBus
Official SkyBus City Express hours are 4:00am–1:00am, not 24/7.
Qantas domestic is T1; Qantas international is T2
Same airline, two terminals. Following the first Qantas sign is a common miss.
AVV
SkyBus Avalon City ExpressFirst 60 minutes free parkingInternational Bali service (Jetstar)Route 18 Lara + MyBus GeelongCompact LCC terminals
Check in domestic, then walk to international
Intl check-in opens three hours before departure. After check-in you leave the domestic terminal and walk to international security/passport control.
There is no Priority Pass or airline lounge here
Public international waiting area is not a VIP lounge. Jetstar Business Max does not list Avalon.
SkyBus is the sourced Melbourne path
Avalon City Express meets major flights from Bay 1 — Adult A$29 OW to Southern Cross / Werribee.
