The short answer: International flights use Terminal 2 and domestic flights use Terminals 1, 3 and 4. PARKROYAL is joined to Terminals 1, 2 and 3 by covered walkways. Terminal 4 is a separate walk away, with its own hotels beside it.
2 terminals · 8 stays covered · Last checked · How we checkPick your terminal, then filter by how you get there, the kind of trip and what you want to spend. A hotel that serves more than one terminal appears once for each, with that terminal's journey time and cost.
24 hours a day, booked at least 24 hours ahead through reception. Free if you book direct with the park, A$30 per room each way if you book through some booking sites
Free and 24 hours, per the hotel's own site. Some booking sites say a fee applies
Free and on request, shared with the car park next door. Hours not confirmed
Ten to fifteen minutes by one forum post. A shuttle is mentioned in guest reviews
Around two minutes by Time Out. Skybridge at level 2
Free. Monday to Friday 6am to 8pm, weekends 7:30am to 12:30pm, none on public holidays. No weekend evening service
Same shuttle, 24 hours, booked at least 24 hours ahead. Free if you book direct, A$30 per room each way via some booking sites
Same shuttle, stops at the domestic terminals
About five minutes from Terminal 1, by one article. Time Out says just over 1 km
About four minutes to Terminals 3 and 4 by one forum post
Same shuttle. Hours not confirmed
About four minutes to Terminals 3 and 4 by one forum post. Ten to fifteen to Terminal 1
The hotel lists skybridges to Terminals 1, 2 and 3. Terminal 4 is not on that route
Same shuttle and hours. Taxi or rideshare outside them
Totals are a typical room for one night plus getting to the terminal, for two adults, one way. Checked October 2026; your dates may cost more or less.
Choose your terminal and the kind of trip. We show the one hotel we would book, and why.
Our pickTerminal 2 · Early flight
Why we would choose itCovered skybridges join it to the terminals. There is nothing to book or wait for.
The compromise. Usually the most expensive airport hotel here.
You book with the provider, not with us. We may earn a commission if you do. It never decides what we recommend.
Our pickTerminal 2 · Late arrival
Why we would choose itA covered walk from the terminal means nothing to arrange after a long flight.
The compromise. Usually the most expensive airport hotel here.
You book with the provider, not with us. We may earn a commission if you do. It never decides what we recommend.
Our pickTerminal 2 · Overnight connection
Why we would choose itA covered skybridge from Terminal 2, about two minutes on foot. There is nothing to book or wait for in either direction.
The compromise. Usually the most expensive airport hotel here, and you pay for a full night however few hours you use.
You book with the provider, not with us. We may earn a commission if you do. It never decides what we recommend.
Our pickTerminal 2 · Family trip
Why we would choose itWe have stayed here with our own young family. It is about five minutes' walk through the car park, and per the hotel a free shuttle runs 24 hours if you would rather not walk with bags.
The compromise. There is no pool, the rooms are described as slightly dated, and sources disagree on whether the shuttle is free.
You book with the provider, not with us. We may earn a commission if you do. It never decides what we recommend.
Our pickTerminal 2 · Long layover
Why we would choose itDay-use rooms between 7am and 7pm, a covered skybridge from Terminal 2, and a pool and gym you can also use by the day for a fee.
The compromise. Day-use rates are not published on the page we read, so you have to ask.
You book with the provider, not with us. We may earn a commission if you do. It never decides what we recommend.
Our pickTerminal 2 · Older travellers
Why we would choose itA covered skybridge to Terminal 2, about two minutes on foot. There is no shuttle to meet and no weather to plan around.
The compromise. Usually the most expensive airport hotel here.
You book with the provider, not with us. We may earn a commission if you do. It never decides what we recommend.
Our pickTerminal 2 · Budget stay
Why we would choose itThe lowest total for Terminal 2, with interconnecting family suites that sleep four.
The compromise. It is not a walk. You depend on a shuttle you must request, and its hours are not confirmed.
You book with the provider, not with us. We may earn a commission if you do. It never decides what we recommend.
Our pickDomestic Terminals 1, 3 and 4 · Early flight
Why we would choose itCovered skybridges to Terminals 1 and 3, so nothing to book.
The compromise. The most expensive here, and it does not link to Terminal 4.
You book with the provider, not with us. We may earn a commission if you do. It never decides what we recommend.
Our pickDomestic Terminals 1, 3 and 4 · Late arrival
Why we would choose itA covered walk, so no shuttle to wait for.
The compromise. The most expensive here, and no link to Terminal 4.
You book with the provider, not with us. We may earn a commission if you do. It never decides what we recommend.
Our pickDomestic Terminals 1, 3 and 4 · Overnight connection
Why we would choose itThe hotel lists covered skybridges to Terminals 1, 2 and 3, so both ends of the night are a short indoor walk.
The compromise. The most expensive here, and it does not link to Terminal 4.
You book with the provider, not with us. We may earn a commission if you do. It never decides what we recommend.
Our pickDomestic Terminals 1, 3 and 4 · Family trip
Why we would choose itWe have stayed here with our own young family. Per the hotel, a free 24-hour shuttle stops at the domestic terminals, and the walk is about five minutes through the car park.
The compromise. There is no pool, the rooms are described as slightly dated, and sources disagree on whether the shuttle is free.
You book with the provider, not with us. We may earn a commission if you do. It never decides what we recommend.
Our pickDomestic Terminals 1, 3 and 4 · Long layover
Why we would choose itDay-use rooms between 7am and 7pm, covered skybridges to Terminals 1 and 3, and a pool and gym you can also use by the day for a fee.
The compromise. Day-use rates are not published on the page we read, and it does not link to Terminal 4.
You book with the provider, not with us. We may earn a commission if you do. It never decides what we recommend.
Our pickDomestic Terminals 1, 3 and 4 · Older travellers
Why we would choose itCovered skybridges to Terminals 1 and 3. No shuttle to meet and no weather to plan around.
The compromise. The most expensive here, and it does not link to Terminal 4.
You book with the provider, not with us. We may earn a commission if you do. It never decides what we recommend.
Our pickDomestic Terminals 1, 3 and 4 · Budget stay
Why we would choose itThe cheapest hotel you can walk from, about five minutes from Terminal 1.
The compromise. Rooms are small and basic, and the walk is outdoors.
You book with the provider, not with us. We may earn a commission if you do. It never decides what we recommend.
Each terminal has its own short lists, because the hotels you can walk to are different at every one.
Your booking confirmation names it. If you only know the airline, this is where each one mostly flies from. Airlines do move, so check before you book a room.
| Terminal | Airlines you will mostly find |
|---|---|
| Terminal 2 | All international flights |
| Domestic Terminals 1, 3 and 4 | Terminal 1 is Qantas. Terminal 3 is Virgin Australia. Terminal 4 is Jetstar and Rex. Airlines can move, so check your ticket |
What about the layout decides where you should sleep.
Almost every hotel around the airport falls into one of these. Knowing which you want is most of the decision.
PARKROYAL is joined to Terminals 1, 2 and 3 by skybridges at level 2. It is the only hotel we have found that needs no outdoor walk. Best for early international flights and anyone with luggage or small children.
Holiday Inn, ibis Budget, Novotel and ibis Styles are about five minutes on foot from a terminal, and some run a hotel shuttle too. Best for budget-minded travellers who do not mind a short walk.
Mantra Melbourne Airport is off the airport grounds and runs a free shuttle on request. Best for longer stays and families who want more space.
Pick the trip closest to yours. You will choose your terminal on the next page.
Sleep close enough that the morning is a short walk or a short ride.
Early flight staysArr 23:55Get from the gate to a bed without waiting on a shuttle that has stopped.
Late arrival staysConnect 9hDecide whether to stay inside the terminal, next to it, or head out.
Connection staysFamily × 4Rooms that fit everyone, and a transfer that works with bags and a buggy.
Family staysLayover 7hA day room, a shower or a few hours out. What is realistic in the time you have.
Layover optionsStep-freeA short, calm route from the room to check-in, with as few steps, waits and transfers as possible.
Stays for older travellersLowest totalThe lowest total for the night, with the room and the trip to the terminal added up.
Budget staysYour booking confirmation names it. If you only know the airline, the table on this page shows where each one mostly flies from. Airlines do move, so check before you book a room.
The stays we list as a walk from each terminal, rather than a shuttle, bus or taxi. Terminal 2: Novotel Melbourne Airport, PARKROYAL Melbourne Airport. Domestic Terminals 1, 3 and 4: ibis Budget Melbourne Airport, ibis Styles Melbourne Airport, Novotel Melbourne Airport, PARKROYAL Melbourne Airport.
Terminal 2 is international. All international flights use Terminal 2. Moving between it and the domestic terminals means leaving security and going back through it. Terminals 1 and 3 are domestic. Terminal 1 is Qantas and Terminal 3 is Virgin Australia. Both sit in the same complex as Terminal 2 and can be walked between. Terminal 4 is across the way. Jetstar and Rex fly from Terminal 4, about a ten-minute walk from the main complex. Two newer hotels stand next to it. No curfew. The airport can operate 24 hours a day, so early and late flights are common.
A covered walk to the terminal: PARKROYAL is joined to Terminals 1, 2 and 3 by skybridges at level 2. It is the only hotel we have found that needs no outdoor walk. Best for early international flights and anyone with luggage or small children. A short walk or a free shuttle: Holiday Inn, ibis Budget, Novotel and ibis Styles are about five minutes on foot from a terminal, and some run a hotel shuttle too. Best for budget-minded travellers who do not mind a short walk. A few minutes' drive, with a shuttle: Mantra Melbourne Airport is off the airport grounds and runs a free shuttle on request. Best for longer stays and families who want more space.
