Melbourne Tullamarine Airport
2009 Best Airport
REGION: SOUTH PACIFIC
Runner-Up
Lasting Impressions....
Memorable comments left by travellers:
"Night staff themselves weren't noisy, but they obviously loved RnB, which blared very very loudly (possibly for morale?) in every nook and cranny. Impossible to get to sleep to loud bass and cold temperatures." (ecappuccino)
"They make almost continuous "This is a very special announcement for guest XXXX ... " calls that come so frequently and with such appalling sound quality that nobody ever seems to heed them" (python)
"it was probably better than some hostels that I stayed at." (Annet)
FEATURED REVIEWS
by Hannah
"Arrived in Melbourne at 11pm, was leaving at 7am, so I knew if I didn't sleep at the airport I would sleep in, and miss my flight!
On arrival I asked one of the security guards where the best place to crash overnight was, he seemed to appreciate me asking him, and pointed me to the Starbus Shuttle service downstairs near the baggage carousels. They had fantastic leather lounges there, hidden by big display boards, and i was left there undisturbed for the night. The cleaners were a bit noisy on and off, but not unbearably so. One of them asked what time my flight was leaving, and told me to make sure I wasn't still there after about 8am as the shuttle people get really cranky when people use their lounges, but as I was leaving at 7am I didn't have to worry about that.
There was no food/drinks available, which was a bit of a bummer as I was starving, so if you are staying there overnight in transit, when you get off your flight I advise you to duck upstairs before your luggage comes through, and go thru security to the departure gates where you can get food/drinks before you get your luggage (if you're travelling alone - if not just take it in turns going upstairs, they are open till about midnight).
There was a shower in the toilets downstairs near the baggage carousels, but the hot water wasn't turned on, so only a cold one was available...but it was free, so better than nothing!
All in all...if you can get on the lounges at the starbus shuttle waiting area, I highly recommend this airport for a free nights accommodation!
I've also spend several hours at a time there after early morning arrivals waiting for transport, and have slept on the benches, they are clean, and no one disturbed me..."
by ecappuccino
Came to spend the night here as I couldn't get a ride to the airport shuttle bus stop in the city in time for an early morning flight. The staff were nonchalant about overnight stayers, and one could lay on a bench without disturbance. However, seating was metal and bare. The hall itself was very open to doors opening and closing and as it was winter, it was very cold. Night staff themselves weren't noisy, but they obviously loved RnB, which blared very very loudly (possibly for morale?) in every nook and cranny.
Impossible to get to sleep to loud bass and cold temperatures. Seating might as well have been a bench -- they had backs, but that's about it.
Couldn't wait to get out of there.
Airport Guide
Here is some information that we've picked out of from your reviews. Be sure to read the review pages for the most up-to-date experiences:
- Head to the Virgin Blue Terminal (terminal 3)
- leather loungers
- cleaners were noisy
- no food/drink available at night
- shower in bathrooms downstairs near the baggage carousels (but hot water may not work)
- international terminal was busy and open all night
- comfortable seats, some with no armrests
Discount Travel Links
- Hostels and Budget Accommodation in Melbourne - I've booked my own accommodation on this site. If you are too old for hostels and too cheap for hotels, like me, you'll find some good properties. They offer dorms, private rooms, B&Bs, Apartments.
