We recommend at least 1 hour 15 min for a comfortable connection at Melbourne International. The minimum connection time is 35 minutes for domestic flights and 100 minutes for international flights. Transit between terminals takes up to 20 minutes.

Domestic-to-Domestic: 35 min. Domestic-to-International: 70 min. International-to-Domestic: 110 min. International-to-International: 100 min. These are the shortest layovers airlines will sell at Melbourne International.

Melbourne Airport funnels all international traffic through a single central terminal (T2) flanked by three domestic terminals (T1, T3, T4), all under one roof but separated by distinct security and border zones. Connections within the same terminal are quick, but anything crossing between domestic and international, or even between domestic terminals operated by different airlines, requires walking outside secure zones and re-clearing screening. Australia's strict border rules mean there is no true international-to-international transit — everyone clears customs and immigration, which adds significant time. All terminals sit side-by-side along a single landside terminal building, connected by a covered walkway of roughly 10-15 minutes end-to-end. There is no train or shuttle system — passengers walk the entire distance, and international arrivals must fully clear passport control, collect baggage, and pass through Australian Border Force customs before re-entering any secure zone, domestic or international.

Still under MCT for domestic-domestic transfers, especially if terminals differ. See full 30 min guide →

Comfortable for domestic-domestic but too short for any international leg given customs and immigration requirements. See full 45 min guide →

Solid for domestic transfers, borderline for domestic-to-international if you move quickly through security. See full 1 hr guide →

Comfortably covers domestic-domestic and meets the domestic-to-international MCT of about 70 minutes. See full 1¼ hr guide →

Good buffer for domestic-international transfers, though still tight if connecting from an international arrival. See full 1½ hr guide →

Covers even international-domestic transfers, which require full immigration, baggage claim, and customs clearance. See full 2 hr guide →

Ample time for any connection type, including slower customs queues during peak international arrival banks. See full 2½ hr guide →

Very comfortable margin even accounting for delays in baggage claim or immigration lines. See full 3 hr guide →

Excessive buffer for any connection combination at MEL, leaving time to relax or explore terminal amenities. See full 4 hr guide →