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Melbourne Airport will move public pick up and drop off for Terminals 1, 2, and 3 into the T123 Transport Hub on October 6, 2026. The free zones replace current public arrangements, while the departures ramp closes and the road approach changes.
The practical decision is which terminal, vehicle type, and access route apply to your trip. Private drivers taking someone to Qantas domestic, international, or Virgin Australia should plan for T123, while Jetstar and REX passengers continue to use the T4 Transport Hub. Deep Arrival’s Melbourne planning guide can help with the city side, but Melbourne Airport’s current road signs and access notices control the ground journey.
- Change date: The new T123 pick up and drop off zones open on October 6, 2026.
- T123 users: The hub serves Qantas at Terminal 1, international passengers at Terminal 2, and Virgin Australia at Terminal 3.
- Driver route: For T123 pick up or drop off, leave the Tullamarine Freeway at Exit 19, follow the Naarm Way signs, and use the elevated roadway.
- Waiting option: The free waiting zone off Mercer Drive remains free for the first 60 minutes, then has charges if you stay longer.
- T4 exception: Jetstar and REX pick up and drop off continue at the T4 Transport Hub, with pick up on Level 1 and drop off on Level 2.
October 6 Moves T1, T2 and T3 Access to T123
Melbourne Airport’s notice says the new public pick up and drop off areas will open in the T123 Transport Hub on October 6. The free drop off area is on Level 3, while the free pick up area is at the rear of Level 2, giving private drivers a different destination from the familiar departures ramp.
The airport’s September 7 media release describes the move as part of the Naarm Way project and says the current departures ramp will close that day to make room for the international terminal expansion. The official change notice also says the new hub will have a dedicated freeway exit and more room for drivers and passengers.
ABC News independently reported the October 6 opening on September 7, confirming the old arrangement closes for general use and drivers need Exit 19. Its account also says the move creates space for the international terminal expansion, not a flight schedule change.
The existing public drop off area closes, but the existing pick up area is reduced rather than removed for every vehicle. After October 6, it is reserved for SkyBus, coaches, buses, taxis, Uber, and other rideshare vehicles, while general public pick up moves to the new Level 2 area.
Each Terminal and Vehicle Has a Different Zone
The T123 Transport Hub is for private pick up and drop off at Terminals 1, 2, and 3. Melbourne Airport identifies those terminals by their main airline use: Qantas domestic at T1, international travel at T2, and Virgin Australia at T3. The new drop off area has six lanes and a signed walk into the terminals.
The new drop off zone is approximately 170 metres from the terminals, and the new pick up zone is approximately 285 metres away. Send the driver the terminal and level, especially when someone has heavy luggage, mobility needs, a tired child, or a tight handoff.
Terminal 4 remains separate. Melbourne Airport says the T4 Transport Hub for Jetstar and REX continues normally, with pick up on Level 1 and drop off on Level 2. T4 taxis and Ubers pick up at ground level, so a T4 traveler should not be sent to the T123 Hub.
Exit 19 Leads Drivers to the New T123 Hub
For T123 pick up or drop off, Melbourne Airport says drivers should leave the Tullamarine Freeway at Exit 19 and follow T123 signs. The route uses the elevated roadway, so the old departures ramp is no longer the correct destination for general public drop off.
Drivers from Sunbury Road can reach T123 through Centre Road and the Naarm Way ramp. Melbourne Airport’s current preferred route uses Francis Briggs Road and the Airport Drive onramp, but signs can change, so check the airport’s journey planner before leaving.
Parking access is unchanged. The T123 car park remains accessible via Centre Road and Terminal Drive, so drivers who need to park should follow parking signs rather than enter a pick up lane to wait. Parking remains on the rear hub levels, with valet and premium parking at the front of Level 1.
Vehicle height can change the route. Vehicles using T1, T2, or T3 pick up and drop off must be under 2.2 metres; taller vehicles should follow signs to Exit 20 and the ground level bay behind T123. T4 has a 2.5 metre limit, and the FAQ directs taller vehicles to the ground level bay at the back of T123.
Mercer Drive Keeps a 60-Minute Free Wait
The new T123 zones are free for short stays, with a five minute limit, according to the official airport FAQ. The rest of the car park remains free for the first 15 minutes. Drivers who arrive before the passenger is ready should not circle the terminal roadway or stop on the freeway.
Use Melbourne Airport’s free waiting zone off Mercer Drive instead. The first 60 minutes are free, charges apply after that, and the zone is designed for waiting in a vehicle. It is about a five minute drive from the new pick up area, so leave when the passenger is ready to move.
Passengers Can Make the Handoff Easier
Before travel, confirm the terminal from the airline booking and tell the driver whether the trip is a drop off or a pick up. For T1, T2, or T3, write T123 Transport Hub, Level 3 for drop off, or rear of Level 2 for private pick up. For T4, send the T4 Transport Hub instead.
Passengers who need assistance should plan for the walk between the zones and terminal. Melbourne Airport says the drop off area is about 170 metres away and pick up about 285 metres away, with rest stops every 60 metres. Free Airport Assist runs daily from 6:00am to 10:00pm, with advance bookings requested at least 24 hours before travel.
| If you… | What to do |
|---|---|
| Drop off a passenger at T1, T2, or T3 from October 6 | Leave the Tullamarine Freeway at Exit 19, follow T123 signs, and use the free Level 3 drop off zone. |
| Pick up a private passenger at T1, T2, or T3 | Use Mercer Drive if you arrive early, then go to the free rear Level 2 T123 pick up zone when the passenger is ready. |
| Travel on Jetstar or REX through T4 | Continue to the T4 Transport Hub, with pick up on Level 1 and drop off on Level 2. |
| Use SkyBus, a taxi, Uber, or another rideshare | SkyBus stays in the forecourt; taxis and rideshare drop off at Level 3 and pick up at ground level. |
October 6, 2026 is the route change gate. Recheck the Melbourne Airport journey planner and signs before driving to T1, T2, or T3, then use Exit 19 and the T123 Transport Hub rather than the old departures ramp.
The private pick up point changes, but short access remains free. Use Level 3 for drop off, rear Level 2 for private pick up, and the Mercer Drive waiting zone when the passenger is not ready.
T4 and commercial transport remain the exception. Match the terminal and vehicle type before setting out because T4, SkyBus, taxis, and rideshare retain different locations from general private pick up.
What changes at Melbourne Airport on October 6?
Public pick up and drop off for Terminals 1, 2, and 3 move to the T123 Transport Hub. Drop off is on Level 3 and general private pick up is at the rear of Level 2, while the old public drop off area closes.
Which terminals use the new T123 Transport Hub?
The T123 Hub serves Qantas at Terminal 1, international passengers at Terminal 2, and Virgin Australia at Terminal 3. For those terminals, drivers should use Exit 19 and follow the airport signs to the hub.
Does Melbourne Airport Terminal 4 pick up change?
No. The T4 Transport Hub continues to operate normally for Jetstar and REX, with pick up on Level 1 and drop off on Level 2. T4 taxis and Ubers continue to pick up at ground level.
Where can I wait for someone at Melbourne Airport?
Use the free waiting zone off Mercer Drive when you arrive early. The first 60 minutes are free, charges apply after that, and the zone is about a five minute drive from the new T123 pick up area.
Do the new Melbourne Airport zones change my flight?
The announcement is about ground access and does not announce a flight schedule change. Check the airline for flight status, and check Melbourne Airport for the current road, terminal, level, and vehicle instructions.
