Car Rental at Melbourne Airport

Melbourne Airport is located approximately 23 km, or 14 miles from the Central Business District of Melbourne, in the region of Victoria, Australia. Melbourne is one of the largest cities on the continent with a population of 3.9 million, and covers an area of around 2,000 square kilometers. The airport of Melbourne is therefore a very important air gateway of Australia, for both domestic and international passengers, for business and leisure purposes. Melbourne Airport is also known as the Tullamarine Airport, due to its location in this suburb, and is well equipped with all facilities required by arriving passengers, including several major car hire companies. Although other transport options are available, passengers often prefer to rent a car from Melbourne Airport, in order to explore the city in their own time.

Melbourne Airport is a large establishment handling over 32 million passengers per annum, and it is therefore recommended to hire your car in advance of your flight to the airport. All the car hire companies with rental counters in the terminals offer websites with plenty of information regarding their services, and online reservation processes.

List of Car Rental Companies in or near Melbourne Airport (MEL):

• Ace: +61 3 9339 7200
• Alamo: +61 3 9334 5455
• Alpha: +61 7 3088 2976
• Avis: +61 3 8855 5333
• Bargain Car Rentals: +61 3 9005 9150
• Budget: +61 3 9241 6366
• Carhood: +61 1300 466 663
• East Coast: +61 7 5555 8900
• Enterprise: +61 3 9334 5455
• Europcar: +61 3 9241 6800
• Firefly: +61 3 9338 4044
• Green Motion: +61 13 4733
• Hertz: +61 3 9338 4044
• Keddy By Europcar: +61 3 9241 6800
• National: +61 3 9335 1177
• Sixt: +61 7 5555 8908
• Thrifty: +61 3 9241 6100

There are four terminal buildings at Melbourne Airport, and the car rental companies have information desks in the domestic terminals, and their offices are found on the ground floor of the short-term car park. The terminals are all within walking distance of one another. The two domestic terminals, known as Terminal 1 and Terminal 3, are located on either side of the international terminal (Terminal 1), while Terminal 4, handling budget airline carriers, is found just past Terminal 3, at the southern end of the airport building. All facilities at the airport are well signposted, in English, therefore arriving passengers should have no trouble finding the rental counters of their chosen car hire company.

Cars for hire at Melbourne Airport come in all sizes, ranging from the small Hyundai Getz to the larger Kia Carnival and Toyota Commuter, with a capacity for up to twelve passengers. Smaller cars are generally much more affordable in terms of their rental rates, and are always easy to drive, however, they may only come with a manual transmission (stick-shift), therefore be careful to ensure that you are familiar with this type of vehicle. Many vehicles in the mid-size range have automatic transmissions, such as the Toyota Corolla and Toyota Camry, Mitsubishi Lancer and Holden Commodore. Families often choose SUV’s and station wagons, while corporate clients can hire more elegant vehicles, such as the Holden Statesman and Holden Calais. 

Automatic vehicles are also used for disabled passengers who have requested the use of hand controls from Melbourne Airport, as this device operates the brake and accelerator pedals of such vehicles. Hand controls should be booked in advance of your arrival at the airport, and are free of charge. Other extra items for a rented car will cost a few dollars per day of rental, and may include child seats, luggage racks and a satellite navigation system. These are optional items for hire by choice of the customer, but may be essential for a safe and easy journey in Melbourne. Renters who will not be returning to the airport may arrange a one-way hire from most of the car hire companies available. This service allows the customer to collect his/her vehicle from Melbourne Airport, but deliver it to another rental location, either in the city of Melbourne or to another town or city. One way hires from Melbourne Airport are not usually permitted to be driven to Western Australia or to the Northern Territory, and may not be taken aboard ferries to the islands. Always confirm with your car rental company the exact details of the hire contract.

In general, all primary renters and additional drivers must be at least 21 years of age, and be able to show a valid drivers license at the time of collection. A young drivers surcharge will apply to all drivers between the ages of 21 and 24. Most national driving licenses are accepted, but foreign renters with a license that is not printed in English may need an International Driving Permit for translation purposes. Many of the car hire companies at Melbourne Airport offer all-inclusive quotes, which may cover the fees of optional vehicle insurances, such as collision damage waiver and theft protection, as well as all fees and licenses relating to the vehicle and rental location. Payments for car hire periods can be made by major credit card, and sometimes also by debit card at this rental location.

Driving is possible in all areas of Melbourne, but public transport may be easier in the center of the city, where parking spaces are scarce. Around the city, over forty parking areas are found, and from where other forms of transport are available. A rented car however, is ideal for exploring the many attractions located in the outer suburbs of Melbourne, or for travelling to nearby regions. Always drive within the speed limits, which are the following in Melbourne city: 110 km/h or 70 mp on motorways and highways, 100 km/h or 63 mph on open roads and 60 km/h or 38 mph in urban areas. The main access road from Melbourne Airport is the Tullamarine Freeway, but this is a toll road for which drivers may need a CityLink pass. A toll free route available is the Western Ring Road.

Passengers arriving at Melbourne Airport should confirm all details regarding the collection and return of their rented car in advance of their arrival, from their chosen car hire company.