One off Melbourne International lounge pass access cost?

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sjw100

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I'm flying to Sydney to Bali with Virgin on Thursday but unfortunately I couldn't on the direct flight and have a six hour layover in Melbourne. I don't really feel like going into Melbourne city, so I was thinking hanging out a lounge will probably be best. I'm not that familiar with Melbourne airport so I was wondering if there was a lounge (doesn't have to be virgin) that I could pay to access?

Thanks in advance!
 
NZ will allow you to purchase a 4 hour pass for $55, more time than that is $85. Not too sure you would want to spend more than 4 hours in there anyway. I don't have much knowledge about any of the other options in T2.
 
You could also access the Virgin lounge at a cost of $65. It's in the domestic terminal (in the same building as Virgin int) before security (a peculiarity of MEL), just need to allow time to walk to the int terminal and clear security/customs. I've done it on flights across the ditch and had no problems.

It's much better than the NZ lounge - much bigger and more open (NZ lounge is tiny and often referred to as the bunker, as it's downstairs in sort of a basement level). NZ is often packed as it's used by many airlines. It does have some spirits available, which Virgin does not.

According to the t&c's, single entry passes are for a max of 2 hours, but not sure whether they police this.

Another option is the United lounge, if you have Priority pass (free with many bank's black credit cards). It has very limited hours though.
 
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Thank you both for that that information! Looks like a toss up between Virgin and Air NZ lounge but it sounds like the virgin lounge might be a better option even though it $10 more.
 
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Thank you both for that that information! Looks like a toss up between Virgin and Air NZ lounge but it sounds like the virgin lounge might be a better option even though it $10 more.

I've been to both, and Virgin all the way.
 
For 6 hours you can easily get a taxi into the city, have a nice meal and get back to the airport and avoid having to deal with a lounge at all. Don't forget you'll have to leave international, collect your luggage and check in again for domestic, so the only option is the VA lounge. No idea if they have a one off charge, but 6 hours in there...there are better options.
 
If you go to the VA lounge, just make sure you give yourself plenty of time to get from there to your intnl gate. The queues at security and passport control can be fairly lengthy if you don't have an Express Pass. It's not always that slow, but you won't know until you get there. I suppose with a 6 hour layover this shouldn't be a problem though.

On the choice of lounges, I agree the VA lounge is nicer, but the NZ one is ok too if it's not overly full (and in my experience it has often been quiet - perhaps depends on the time of day). Neither are great for food though - especially if you want a substantial meal prior to your flight to Bali. I don't think there are any other lounges you can pay into, except - as someone mentioned above - the UA lounge via Priority Pass, but I wouldn't spend a few hours in there if you paid me!

Heading into the CBD on the SkyBus is not a bad idea IMHO.
 
Just remember that the VA lounge will really only potentially have hot food from 5-6:30 pm
 
Thanks for your advice everyone. Might just forgo the lounge. I can probably get a lot more for that money in Bali!
 
Koru lounge has spirits whereas VA lounge doesn't if that's any use to you.
 
Just remember that the VA lounge will really only potentially have hot food from 5-6:30 pm

I find the NZ lounge to be much better for food across the day, they are likely to have an hot options all day lounge (other than VA's Soup).

They will typically in Melbourne have an hot meat dish, with roasted vegetables.
 
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