By the Elite Taxis Melbourne operations team · Published 23 October 2026 · Reviewed by our operations team, October 2026
Here is what to do after you land at Melbourne Airport. Clear passport control, collect your bags and call your driver. If you are in Terminal 1, 2 or 3, head to the T123 Transport Hub.
After a long flight, small mistakes cost the most time. One wrong exit or a missed call can turn a smooth arrival into a 30 minute wander. This guide covers the pickup changes that took effect in October 2026. Our operations team wrote it. They book and run our airport transfers every day, so the advice comes from real pickups rather than theory.
The short answer: what to do after you land at Melbourne Airport
After you land at Melbourne Airport, clear passport control, collect your bags and then contact your driver. For Terminals 1, 2 and 3, public pickup and drop off now happen at the T123 Transport Hub.
Here are the five steps, in order:
- Have your passport and arrival information ready for passport control (international flights).
- Collect your luggage from the baggage hall and check every item.
- Call or message your driver once your bags are on the trolley.
- Follow the airport signs to the T123 Transport Hub, or go to your agreed meeting point.
- Meet your chauffeur, confirm your destination and load your luggage.
The old kerbside pickup and drop off zones for Terminals 1, 2 and 3 closed from 6 October 2026. Any guide written before that date may send you to the wrong place.
Step by step: from the aircraft door to your pickup
The order never changes. You land, clear passport control, collect your bags and leave the terminal. A small habit at each step saves you time.
Step 1: Get through passport control with your passport and arrival information ready
On an international arrival, hold your passport and arrival information before you join the queue. If you search your bag at the counter, you slow down yourself and everyone behind you. Queues tend to be longest when several long haul flights land close together.
Step 2: Collect your luggage and check it before you leave the hall
Count your bags and check the tags before you walk out. A missing or damaged bag is much easier to report inside the baggage hall than after you leave. If something is missing, tell your chauffeur straight away so they know you will be late.
Step 3: Message or call your driver once your bags are on the trolley
This is the right moment to make contact. Calling from the aircraft or the passport queue is too early, because nobody can predict how long those steps will take. Once your bags are with you, the rest of the walk is short and easy to time.
In our experience, this one habit fixes more pickup problems than anything else. Most of the stressful arrivals we deal with start with a call made 40 minutes before the passenger actually reaches the exit.
Step 4: Follow the signs to the pickup point for your terminal
In Terminal 1, 2 or 3, follow the signs to the T123 Transport Hub. If you agreed on a different spot, go there instead and send a message when you arrive.
What changed on 6 October 2026: the new T123 Transport Hub
Public pickup and drop off for Terminals 1, 2 and 3 moved to the new T123 Transport Hub on Tuesday 6 October 2026. Melbourne Airport’s own announcement about the hub describes it as a new way to access those three terminals.
Why the old kerbside zones for Terminals 1, 2 and 3 no longer work
Melbourne Airport closed the old kerbside zones for Terminals 1, 2 and 3 from 6 October. Some guides published earlier in 2026 still describe the old layout. If your instructions mention kerbside collection outside those terminals, treat them as out of date.
How passengers reacted on the first morning
ABC News reported that passengers largely approved of the new zones on their first morning. As with any new layout, expect a short settling period while signs and habits catch up.
Terminal 4 car park as another option for international travellers
Melbourne Airport also suggests the Terminal 4 car park as another place to pick up or drop off international travellers. The car park uses separate levels for pickups and drop offs. We have not listed the levels here because they can change. Confirm the right level with the airport before you travel, then tell your chauffeur.
Where to check the latest detail
Airport arrangements can change at short notice. Check the Melbourne Airport website before you fly, and confirm the exact meeting point with your driver.
Your pickup options at a glance
Each way of leaving the airport suits a different kind of traveller. Here is how the three common choices compare.
| Option | Best for | What to organise before landing | What to watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre booked chauffeur transfer | Families, business travellers, late arrivals, heavy luggage | Flight number, passenger count, luggage count, destination, driver contact | Confirm vehicle size and any special needs when you book |
| Lift from family or friends | Short trips and light luggage | Agreed meeting point and a plan for waiting time | Drivers unfamiliar with the new T123 Transport Hub layout |
| Same day booking | Flexible plans and spontaneous trips | A working phone and your destination address | Availability can be limited during busy periods |
As a guide only, Melbourne Airport to the CBD starts from $85. Fares to other areas differ, so ask for a quote for your exact route.
Real situations and how to handle them
Most arrival problems are predictable. These are the ones our team sees most often, and how we handle them.
Your flight lands late or early
Flight tracking lets your driver follow your actual landing time, not the scheduled one. That matters when a tailwind brings you in 25 minutes early, or a delay in Sydney holds you back an hour. When a flight is held, our team watches the tracked time and adjusts the driver’s arrival to match. If you miss a connection or change flights, message us with your new flight number so we track the right plane.
A family of five with oversized luggage heading to Berwick or Pakenham
Five passengers, two prams and four large suitcases will not fit in a standard sedan. Before booking, confirm the passenger count, the number and size of bags, and any child seats you need. Families heading home to Pakenham or Berwick should mention this when asking for a quote, so we assign the right vehicle.
A late night arrival after a long international flight
After 20 hours of travel, nobody wants to dig through emails. Before you board, save the booking name, your chauffeur’s mobile number and your full destination address. A screenshot on your lock screen works well.
A business traveller going straight to a meeting in the Melbourne CBD
Allow for passport control and bag collection before you set a meeting time. If you land at 8am, a 9am meeting in the CBD leaves almost no margin. During the morning peak, a buffer of at least an hour after landing is more realistic.
Tips for busy arrival periods
Morning and evening arrival waves are when patience runs thin. A little planning makes a real difference.
Allow extra time in the morning and evening peaks
Queues at passport control and the carousels build when several international flights land together. Add extra time to any plan that follows your arrival.
Why drivers often wait nearby until you call
Drivers commonly wait in a nearby holding area until the passenger calls. This is everyday practice rather than official airport guidance. It is also why calling as soon as your bags arrive helps so much, because your driver can pull in just as you walk out. We don’t quote a typical wait at the hub, since it depends on the passport and baggage queues on the day.
Practical checklist
- Phone charged, with a power bank in your carry on
- Driver’s number saved in your contacts
- Meeting point confirmed in writing
- Luggage count agreed when booking
How an Elite Taxis Melbourne airport pickup works
Our process is simple. You book, and we confirm your pickup and destination. We then assign a driver and vehicle, complete your transfer and take payment.
Before an airport job, the driver is given the details you supplied when booking. That means your flight number, passenger and luggage count, destination and contact number. This is why accurate details at booking matter so much.
Flight tracking is included, and quoted routes come with fixed upfront pricing. Quotes are free, with no obligation. We do not promise exact arrival times, because traffic and airport conditions are outside anyone’s control.
Some examples from our price guide:
- Melbourne Airport to the CBD from $85
- Airport to Glen Waverley and surrounds from $149
- Airport to Dandenong and surrounds from $169
We are TAC Transport Approved. Our website also lists transport to treatment and rehabilitation, with direct billing for eligible claims, so confirm the details when you book.
Please confirm service availability, vehicle suitability and any special passenger needs before booking. For licensing or regulatory questions, contact Commercial Passenger Vehicles Victoria, the state regulator for this industry. We currently have 32 Google reviews with a 4.8 rating.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I get picked up after landing at Melbourne Airport?
For Terminals 1, 2 and 3, public pickup now centres on the T123 Transport Hub, which opened on Tuesday 6 October 2026. The old kerbside zones closed from that date. Check the Melbourne Airport website and confirm the exact meeting point with your driver.
Has the Melbourne Airport pickup area changed in 2026?
Yes. Pickup and drop off moved to the T123 Transport Hub on 6 October 2026. Guides written before then may still show the old kerbside areas. ABC News reported that passengers largely welcomed the new zones on their first morning.
How long should I wait before calling my driver?
Call once you have your bags, not while you are in the passport queue. Processing times vary, especially in busy morning and evening periods. Your driver can then move to the meeting point as you walk out.
What happens to my pickup if my flight is delayed?
Flight tracking is included, so your driver follows your actual landing time. Tell the team if your plans change, such as a missed connection. We do not promise a fixed arrival time, as that depends on factors outside anyone’s control.
Can I be picked up at the Terminal 4 car park?
Melbourne Airport suggests the Terminal 4 car park as another option for international travellers. Confirm the right level with the airport before you travel, and tell your driver so you both head to the same spot.
How much is a pre booked transfer from Melbourne Airport to the CBD?
Our price guide shows Melbourne Airport to the CBD from $85. Other suburbs differ, with Glen Waverley and surrounds from $149. Request a free quote to confirm the price for your trip.
Book your airport pickup before you land
The sequence is simple. Land, clear passport control, collect your bags, call your driver and meet at the right point. Sorting out the details before you fly turns a tiring arrival into a calm one.
Bookings are taken 24/7. Check the suburbs we travel to, then request a free, no obligation quote using our price guide as your starting point. Send us your flight number and we will track it from the moment you take off.
About this guide: This guide is published by Elite Taxis Melbourne and was written and reviewed by our operations team, the people who book and run our airport transfers. We have been trading since 2025. Our website states that our senior driver and fleet coordinator has more than 12 years’ experience in the industry. Airport details were checked against Melbourne Airport’s announcement of the T123 Transport Hub and ABC News coverage of its first morning. Last reviewed 23 October 2026.
