Express Path in Melbourne?

[OccasionalFlyer]

Hi All,

I'm flying QF in J internationally from/to MEL for the first time later this year (I usually fly from/to SYD). Just wondering if Melbourne has an Express Path for either the outbound or return like Sydney?

Any other tips for transiting the airport would be appreciated. I'm flying from Canberra to Melbourne and then heading out on the international flight, and will have the same domestic connection once I return to get back home. One of the main reasons I chose Melbourne this time around was to avoid the "scenic" bus ride in Sydney - since Melbourne has one building, which I hope will make the transfers a bit easier.

Cheers!

 

[Austman]

It has both express paths.

Not they they usually make much difference.

And of course the domestic terminals have the international in the middle of them, making transits easy.

 

[dajop]

Express paths are available both inbound and outbound. Outbound it is most useful during busy times to get into express security lane - security is before immigration. Inbound most useful during busy times for quarantine/customs clearance after you collect bags. At non busy times, in either direction, doesn’t make a whole lot of difference.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Express paths are available both inbound and outbound. Outbound it is most useful during busy times to get into express security lane - security is before immigration. Inbound most useful during busy times for quarantine/customs clearance after you collect bags. At non busy times, in either direction, doesn’t make a whole lot of difference.

The Express Passes used to be a major time-saver, but not so much now as systems have been improved. It used to be a real zoo on return, but these days it is a breeze.

Inbound most useful during busy times for quarantine/customs clearance after you collect bags.: For my last few trips this is the main time saver as the non-express queue can be quite long.



The changes to departure have smoothed the process and while the security outbound is quicker I have sometimes found that they have waived some people through from the normal line causing a mine queue removing a big chunk of the possible saving.

On return the eGates have made huge difference. The queues mainly seem to be for those without e-passports.

Also at customs they do not seem to do the amount of spot checking in the queues that that they used to. I think that they must place great store these days in identifying people to check by body language including by CCTV, as weell of course better technology to check the bags.

 

[dajop]

The changes to departure have smooved the process and while the security outbound is quicker I have sometimes found that they have waived some people through from the normal line causing a mine queue removing a big chunk of the possible saving

I agree, most of the time it makes no difference as they wave people through anyway and ends up being very little difference. But you are forgetting Murphy’s law ... which in this context says if you have one it won’t be needed, but if you don’t it will.

Last time outbound I didn’t have an express pass, from memory the only such time in last 20+ departures (not entitled to it and left my “stash” at home accidentally) and it was the only time I’ve ever seen it noticeably quicker - as in no people in express line and 20 mins in regular queue. C’est la vie.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Agree the express path in MEL may not save much processing time (interaction with agents) but it can provide a bit of convenience. Last time I arrived at MEL there was no queue to go through customs/quarantine: there was no need to use the express path so I put it away. On arriving at the agent I was sent all the way to the other side of the arrivals hall to join the empty queue snake... only to have to walk all the way back again. Express path holders weren’t sent across the arrivals hall and were processed immediately. (Yes I could have dug out the express path but just shrugged and put it down to experience.)

 

[OccasionalFlyer]

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for your feedback, this helps greatly!

Another question. How does domestic "transfer" work in Melbourne? My experiences have only been in Sydney where you go to the domestic transfer building to drop off your bags and get the bus. In Melbourne I assume that you just walk across to the domestic terminal - but is there a particular place to do your bag drop, or do you just join the normal check-in queue?

 

[serfty]

Departing CBR, you wont see your bags in MEL; they will be transferred.

On arrival back to MEL, you do immigration, collect your bags onto a trolley and then do customs.

All being well, after exiting customs to the landside arrivals hall, you wheel your bags out and head to the left - up the travelator and proceed to the QF domestic check in hall.

Look for the international bag redeposit before you get to the check-in machines and redeposit your bags there.

 

[OccasionalFlyer]

Awesome, thanks for all your help!

 

[kermatu]

Smart gates have largely rendered express path irrelevant.

For customs, I’ve been told and experienced myself frequently that anyone going to a ‘nothing to declare’ lane inbound in MEL is considered to be express path. No pass required. No alternative anyway.

Outbound security it can be quicker but before you enter just check that there isn’t a posse of cabin crew or terminal staff on the way as they will always get immediate access and your express path will be anything but.

I agree with the consensus above - not much of a difference either way. It’s usually pretty quick.