Melbourne Airport is changing the way travellers arrive and leave from Terminals 1, 2 and 3. From Tuesday, 6th October, free pick-up and drop-off moves into the new T123 Transport Hub, part of the airport’s Naarm Way Stage 2 project.
The new elevated road links directly to the Tullamarine Freeway, giving drivers a dedicated route into the airport and taking passenger drop-offs off the old departures ramp.
What’s changing from 6th October?
If you’re flying with Qantas domestic, an international airline or Virgin Australia, you’ll now be dropped off at Level 3 of the T123 Transport Hub. The free drop-off zone allows a one-minute stop, and taxis, Ubers and other rideshares will use the same level.
Drivers need to leave the Tullamarine Freeway at Exit 19, Naarm Way, then follow the signs to the T123 Transport Hub. The airport says the new route provides a direct connection from the freeway to the terminals.
Pick-ups for Terminals 1, 2 and 3 will operate from Level 2 of the same hub. The zones are free, though drivers should be ready to move quickly once their passenger is waiting. The T123 hub will work in a similar way to the existing T4 Transport Hub, which serves Jetstar and Rex passengers, but on a much larger scale.
Terminals 1, 2 and 3 will work much as they do now: drop off upstairs, pick up on the dedicated level, and follow the signs from the freeway. The airport says the expanded zones will also create space for the next stage of its International Terminal expansion.
Travellers flying Jetstar domestic or Rex will continue using the T4 Transport Hub. Drop-offs remain on Level 2, with drivers also directed off the freeway at Exit 19, Naarm Way. Virgin passengers can also consider T4’s Level 2 drop-off, which may be an easier option depending on traffic and luggage.
Running early? Use the free Wait Zone
Nobody wants to circle the airport while a friend waits at baggage claim. Melbourne Airport’s free Wait Zone, on Mercer Drive near the Tullamarine Freeway, lets drivers park for up to 60 minutes at no cost.
The zone is not close enough to walk to the terminals, but it gives drivers a designated place to wait instead of looping around the airport. The airport positions it as a safer option than stopping on the side of the freeway, with time to catch up on emails or read a book before heading to the pick-up area.
From Melbourne’s CBD, head towards the Tullamarine Freeway (M2), follow signs for Melbourne Airport, then take Exit 18 towards Airport/Freight/Business Park. Continue onto Mercer Drive, where the Wait Zone sits on the left.
Once your passenger is ready, drive to the appropriate pick-up zone and complete the collection. Parking costs $4 between 60 minutes and two hours; after that, standard Terminal Car Park drive-up rates apply.
New parking options for longer stays
The new drop-off zones are designed for a quick goodbye, not a long one. If you need more time to unload luggage or say goodbye properly, the airport recommends using a nearby car park after the free drop-off.
Melbourne Airport offers a range of parking options, including low-cost, self-park and valet parking. Most on-site spaces are a short walk from the terminals, although the Value Car Park is the exception. Booking online before arrival is the cheapest option, according to the airport.
Easier taxi and Uber access
The hub changes build on improvements made in May 2025, when Melbourne Airport introduced new and improved pick-up zones to give arriving passengers closer and more convenient access to taxis and Ubers.
From 6th October, taxis, Uber and other rideshare vehicles dropping passengers at Terminals 1, 2 and 3 will use the Level 3 drop-off zone in the T123 Transport Hub.
Accessibility support across the Airport
Melbourne Airport Assist will operate from 3am to 1am from 6th October—22 hours a day. Travellers with accessibility needs can also find information on accessible pick-up and drop-off, including how to get help at the new hub.
The airport’s mobility hubs give passengers places to access assistance as they move through the precinct. Its Online Mobility Hub also brings together information on booking special assistance, accessible transport, parking and terminal facilities.
For travellers with visible and non-visible disability, the Hidden Disability Program aims to make navigating the airport less stressful. The airport also offers sensory maps and social stories, which provide step-by-step visual guides for domestic and international departures and arrivals.
Other accessibility features include accessible bathrooms, hearing augmentation in Terminal 3 departures, and a smartphone hearing augmentation system that sends personalised flight and terminal announcements directly to a passenger’s phone or hearing device.
Plan before you drive
With a new exit, new levels and a new layout, the airport is urging drivers to plan their route before setting off. Its journey planner offers step-by-step directions, while interactive and printable maps are available online.
Picking someone up or dropping them off? Check the flight and terminal before you leave. At T123, drop-off is on Level 3 and pick-up is on Level 2. Take Exit 19 via Naarm Way.
