Car Hire at Melbourne Airport (MEL)

Part of our guide to car hire in Melbourne.

How to Find Your Car Hire Desk at Melbourne Airport (MEL)

• Book through eCarBookers first: Your booking confirmation from eCarBookers locks in your price and your vehicle class before you arrive. You pay the balance at the desk on collection, and the terms confirmed at booking are the terms you receive. Always confirm your hire in advance to guarantee your price from the moment you collect the keys.
• Four terminals, one building: Melbourne Airport at Tullamarine has four terminals in a single building, connected on foot. T1 is Qantas domestic, T2 is international, T3 is Virgin domestic and T4 serves other domestic flights. Walking from T1 to T4 takes about ten minutes, and the terminals are close enough that no transfer is needed.
• Where the desk is: Listings for the Green Motion pick-up at Melbourne Airport conflict, describing it as inside the airport in one place and as off-airport in another, and they do not say whether collection is at a counter or by shuttle. On-airport suppliers have desks on the ground floor of the airport car park, roughly opposite the T2 exit, while off-airport suppliers run free shuttles from depots south of the airport. The exact meeting point for your hire is shown on your booking voucher, which is the definitive source, so check it before you travel and follow it on arrival.
• If your pick-up is off the airport: Shuttles leave from the hotel and off-airport bus pick-up area at each terminal, but they do not always run on demand. Allow about 30 minutes for the transfer, and call the supplier when you land using the number on your confirmation.
• Opening hours: One listing shows the branch open 7:00 am to 8:00 pm every day. Allow 30 to 45 minutes after a domestic landing and at least an hour after an international landing, and confirm the hours for your date in your booking confirmation.
• Delayed flights: If your flight is significantly delayed, call the supplier on the number in your confirmation so they know when to expect you.
• What to bring: The main driver should carry a valid driving licence, a passport, and a credit card in their own name with a limit high enough to cover the excess hold. If your licence is not in English, bring an International Driving Permit or an official English translation.

Pick-Up, Drop-Off, and Refuelling at Melbourne Airport (MEL)

• Returning the car: Return the car at the time and place shown in your booking confirmation. For an on-airport return, take the Tullamarine Freeway (M2), follow the signs for Melbourne Airport, and after the Centre Road traffic lights stay in the right-hand lane and follow the black and white Car Rental Returns sign. Allow at least 30 minutes, and at least an hour in total for an off-airport return.
• Out-of-hours returns: Some suppliers at Melbourne Airport offer after-hours key drop boxes. A key drop has not been confirmed for this service, so arrange any late or early return with the supplier before you travel.
• Nearest petrol stations: A bp stands on Centre Road at the airport, an Ampol is at the corner of Sharps Road and Assembly Drive in Tullamarine, and a Shell is at 175 to 183 Mickleham Road, Tullamarine. Confirm the fuel type on your booking confirmation before you refuel.
• Fuel policy: Refuel before returning the car to avoid a premium refuelling charge. Ask at collection which fuel policy applies to your hire.
• Before you drive away: Photograph the vehicle thoroughly at collection and again at return, including all four sides, the wheels, the windscreen and the interior. Dated photographs give you a clear record of the condition you received.
• Tolls: The Tullamarine Freeway (M2) into the city forms part of CityLink, one of Melbourne's toll roads. Tolls are charged electronically against the vehicle, so ask your supplier at collection how tolls on your hire car are charged and billed before you drive off.
• Driving on the left: Australia drives on the left. If you normally drive on the right, take the first few minutes slowly, and note that trams, hook turns and tram-only lanes begin once you reach the city.

Top Car Hire Agencies at Melbourne Airport (MEL)

Car hire at Melbourne Airport (MEL) is available through Green Motion.

Every booking through eCarBookers shows the excess amount and full price before you confirm, and the balance is paid on arrival at the desk. Optional extras — such as additional drivers, supplemental tyre and glass cover, child seats, or out-of-hours fees — may be available from the supplier if required.

Getting from Melbourne Airport (MEL) to Key Destinations

• Melbourne city centre — about 20 km south-east, in roughly 20 to 30 minutes, mainly by the Tullamarine Freeway (M2). Weekday peaks of roughly 7:30 to 9:30 am and 4:30 to 6:00 pm are the slowest.
• Geelong — about 81 km south-west, in roughly 1 hour. It lies on the way to the Great Ocean Road, a 243 km route that is best planned with at least one night.
• Healesville and the Yarra Valley — about 68 km east, in roughly 1 hour. The Yarra Valley takes between 45 and 90 minutes to reach from the city depending on the destination.
• Daylesford — about 92 km north-west, in roughly 1 hour 15 minutes.
• Phillip Island — about 156 km south-east, in roughly 2 hours, and longer in traffic.

How Payment Works for Car Hire at Melbourne Airport (MEL)

Payment is made in two steps. A rental prepayment confirms your booking online, with Instant Confirmation from the supplier. You then pay the balance directly to the supplier on arrival, when you collect the car.

The price and vehicle class shown at booking are the terms you receive at the desk. Because the full rental amount is not charged at the time of booking, you keep flexibility if your plans change, and cancellation is free.

The supplier may place an excess hold on the main driver's credit card at collection, so check that the card in the driver's name has enough available limit. The amount is shown in your booking confirmation.