Avalon Airport is Melbourne's second airport, used primarily by certain low-cost carriers as a more economical alternative to the more central Tullamarine airport.
It is located approximately 55 km southwest of Melbourne's city center, toward Geelong.
How to get to Avalon Airport
By Car
By Train
By Bus
Average travel time to AVV
Parking near Avalon Airport
Near the terminal is a parking area of small size.
It is not attended; first 30 minutes free, then 5 AUD/hour for short-term parking; for longer stays, 35 AUD for 3 days, 65 AUD for a week (Value and Terminal Car Park at the same rate).
How to get to Melbourne from AVV
By Train
By Bus
By Taxi
Need an airport transfer?
Compare taxis and shuttles on Booking.com
Car rental at Avalon Airport
A limited number of car rental companies operate in the arrivals area.
Driving licence, passport, and credit card are the basic documents; an IDP is almost always required.
Hotels near Avalon Airport
Geelong
About 20 km from the airport, 20-25 minutes by car or taxi along the M1; there's no direct public link, so without a car you need a local bus to Lara station and then the V/Line train to Geelong, another 10-15 minutes.
Best for: Those who want a real town with a waterfront, restaurants and something to do in the evening, while staying within half an hour of the airport.
- Eastern Beach waterfront, restaurants and the Geelong Waterfront Carousel within walking distance of the centre's hotels
- A railway station with frequent V/Line trains to Melbourne, useful for those who want to visit the city without sleeping there
- Without a car, the connection to the airport requires a bus-to-train change at Lara
- Geelong remains a regional city: nightlife is much more limited than in Melbourne
Recommended hotels
- Crowne Plaza Geelong by IHG The newest of the chain hotels in Geelong, on the waterfront near the centre; high-floor rooms with views over Corio Bay. View availability
- Novotel Geelong 450 metres from Eastern Beach, with a heated indoor pool; among the most central hotels on the waterfront. View availability
- Holiday Inn & Suites Geelong by IHG The newest of the three, with the highest review scores; breakfast is often mentioned as a strong point. View availability
Werribee
About 20 minutes by car from the airport; it's also one of the two SkyBus stops on the route to Melbourne, useful if you're continuing into the city the next day.
Best for: Dawn flights or late-night landings, when it pays to shorten the distance between hotel and terminal as much as possible.
- Closer to the airport than Geelong, useful for those with a flight in the very early hours
- A SkyBus stop on the same route to Southern Cross Station, convenient for those heading on to Melbourne
- Werribee is a satellite town of Melbourne with little to do in the evening, not Geelong's seafront
- No real connection to the centre of Melbourne: it's still 30-40 minutes by train or SkyBus
Recommended hotels
Airport services
Shopping & Duty Free
Lounges & relaxation
Connectivity & Wi-Fi
Families & Children
Terminal guide
The terminal is compact, designed primarily for low-cost traffic.
Thanks to the compact layout, the walk from check-in to gate takes only a few minutes.
Map of Avalon Airport
Frequently asked questions
Q. What's the difference between Avalon and Melbourne's main airport?
Avalon is a secondary airport further from the center, mainly used by some low-cost carriers, while Tullamarine (MEL) is the city's main international airport.
Q. How much does the shuttle bus from Avalon to Melbourne cost?
Roughly AUD 24-25 one way, for a journey of about 50-60 minutes.
Q. Is a taxi from Avalon to Melbourne worth it?
It's a more expensive option than the shuttle bus, given the distance: the bus generally remains the cheaper choice.
Q. Can you switch airports between Avalon and Tullamarine in Melbourne?
Yes, but the journey takes about an hour: it should always be factored in with a wide margin if your itinerary involves a change.
Flight board
Real-time status of arriving and departing flights
