You’re sitting at your kitchen table, coffee in hand, trying to book a flight to Melbourne. You type "Melbourne" into the search bar. Suddenly, you’re staring at two different codes, and the prices are wildly different. One says MEL. The other says MLB.
If you pick the wrong one, you aren't just losing money. You might end up on a completely different continent.
Honestly, it happens more than you’d think. People trying to see the 12 Apostles in Australia sometimes find themselves landing in the land of alligator-themed gift shops in Florida. Here is the deal: the primary airport code for Melbourne, Australia, is MEL. But if you’re heading to the Space Coast in the United States, you’re looking for MLB.
The Tale of Two Melbournes (And Their Codes)
Most of the world is looking for Melbourne Airport (MEL). This is the big one. It’s located in Tullamarine, about 23 kilometers from Melbourne's city center in Victoria, Australia. If you hear locals talking about "Tully," this is what they mean.
Then there is Melbourne Orlando International Airport (MLB). It's in Florida. Despite the "Orlando" in the name, it is actually about an hour's drive away from the theme parks. It’s a great airport—super chill, right by the beach—but it’s definitely not where you want to go if you’ve packed for a chilly winter morning in a Fitzroy cafe.
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The confusion is real. Airlines often group them together in search results because of the shared name.
Why MEL is the "Real" Melbourne Code
The IATA (International Air Transport Association) assigned MEL to the Australian city decades ago. It’s a major international hub. We are talking about the second busiest airport in Australia. It handles over 30 million passengers a year.
Technically, the airport has a secondary code too: YMML. You’ll only see this if you’re a pilot or a serious aviation nerd looking at flight plans. For the rest of us, it’s just MEL.
Don't Forget the "Other" Melbourne Airports
Melbourne, Australia, is actually a bit of a polygamist when it comes to airports. You have options, and the codes matter because the locations are nowhere near each other.
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- AVV (Avalon Airport): This is located near Geelong. It’s about 55 kilometers from the Melbourne CBD. If you’re flying a budget carrier like Jetstar, check your ticket. If it says AVV, give yourself an extra 45 minutes for the drive.
- MEB (Essendon Fields): This was the main airport until 1970. Now, it mostly handles regional flights, corporate jets, and cargo. It’s much closer to the city than MEL.
- MBW (Moorabbin Airport): Mainly for flight training and light aircraft. You probably won't find a commercial flight here, but it's part of the city's aviation landscape.
Basically, if you are an international traveler, 99% of the time your airport code for Melbourne is going to be MEL.
How to Navigate MEL Like a Local
So you’ve landed at MEL. Congratulations. You're in the coffee capital of the world. But getting out of the airport can be a bit of a headache if you don't know the layout.
The airport is divided into four terminals. They are all connected in one big T-shape, which is kinda nice because you can walk between them.
- Terminal 1 (T1): Qantas domestic.
- Terminal 2 (T2): All international flights.
- Terminal 3 (T3): Virgin Australia domestic.
- Terminal 4 (T4): Budget airlines like Jetstar and Rex.
The Great Transport Debate
There is no train.
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Yeah, you read that right. Despite being a world-class city, Melbourne is still (as of 2026) finishing its airport rail link. To get to the city, you have two main choices.
The SkyBus. It’s the red bus you can’t miss. It runs every 10-15 minutes and takes you straight to Southern Cross Station. It’s reliable, has free Wi-Fi, and it’s way cheaper than a cab.
Rideshare and Taxis. If you're going the Uber or Didi route, head to the "Rideshare" pickup zones. They are clearly marked, but at T4, you have to walk across the transport hub to the parking garage. It's a bit of a trek.
Surprising Facts About MEL
Did you know Melbourne Airport is one of the few major international airports in the world that never closes? It has no curfew. Sydney (SYD) shuts down at 11:00 PM to keep the neighbors happy, but at MEL, the jets keep screaming 24/7. This is why many international flights from LAX or London arrive at 4:00 AM.
Also, the airport sits on land that was originally used for farming. The name "Tullamarine" actually comes from Tullamareena, a significant member of the Wurundjeri people who are the traditional owners of the land.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Trip
- Double-check the country. Before hitting "confirm" on that booking site, verify the destination country. If the price looks too good to be true, you might be looking at MLB (Florida) instead of MEL (Australia).
- Check the terminal. Don't just tell your driver "Melbourne Airport." If you're flying Qantas, you need T1. If you're flying Rex, you need T4. They are walkable, but dragging a 20kg suitcase between them is a vibe-killer.
- Book parking in advance. If you're driving yourself, the drive-up rates at MEL are eye-watering. You can save up to 40% by booking a spot on their website a few days early.
- Download the "Melbourne Airport" App. It gives you live wait times for security. Sometimes T2 security is a breeze, and other times it’s a 45-minute nightmare. Knowledge is power.
- Consider Avalon (AVV) for domestic. If you’re just nipping up to Sydney or the Gold Coast, check Avalon. It’s smaller, faster to get through, and often cheaper—just factor in the $25 SkyBus fare from the city.
The next time someone asks you for the airport code for Melbourne, you can confidently tell them it’s MEL. Unless, of course, they’re looking for Mickey Mouse—then send them to MLB.