Melbourne transfer from (QF/T1) domestic to international

[Deleted member 29185]

Am I being too optimistic? Hand luggage only.

Arr. MEL QF Terminal 1 - 12:20
Dep. MEL VA Terminal 3 - 13:10

 

[TomVexille]

Re: MEL Terminal transfer time??

IF you land on time, absolutely no problem. Even 15 minutes late would leave you enough time. I'm assuming that you would already be checked in.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Re: MEL Terminal transfer time??

IF you land on time, absolutely no problem. Even 15 minutes late would leave you enough time. I'm assuming that you would already be checked in.

Yes. My plan is to check into the VA flight just as the doors close on the QF flight. If the QF flight is late, I'd change the VA flight (flexi fare). That's the plan anyway!

 

[tuapekastar]

Re: MEL Terminal transfer time??

Yep, as TV says, QED if QF is on time (or even a tad late).

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Re: MEL Terminal transfer time??

Many thanks for the prompt replies. Can I walk between the two terminals inside the building, or do I have to exit the building and walk along the footpath? (I know the VA terminal pretty well, but I have no idea about the QF terminal)

 

[serfty]

Re: MEL Terminal transfer time??

Many thanks for the prompt replies. Can I walk between the two terminals inside the building, or do I have to exit the building and walk along the footpath? (I know the VA terminal pretty well, but I have no idea about the QF terminal)

Absolutely you can walk inside.

It's best to do this at the departures level as it can be a PITA getting through/around the international arrivals area.

There is an exit on the departures level signed "International". It is to the north east of the security area (or on the left end as viewed from airside).

In more detail, If you arrive from gates 20+ walk down and along the concourse. When you near the end do not go down to baggage claim on the left but go up a short flight of stairs strait ahead. After that you pass the entrance to the Qantas lounges on the right and about 20 metres along to your left is the exit.

If you arrive into gates 1-10, head down the concourse and shortly before the end (before you reach some escalators going down to baggage claim) turn left and proceed along a short barren white concourse (there is a small travelator in each direction). This opens out; head a little to the right and take the escalator up. Once at the top, look to the right you will see security - at the left end is the aforementioned exit.

If after all this, you still find yourself in T1 baggage claim, head up the escalator at T1 to QF check-in before proceeding.

Once landside, turn right and head along through the check-in hall to the end - towards the left is small portal. Proceed through and past international check-in to T3.

 

[PLANT]

Re: MEL Terminal transfer time??

Well walk outside undercover turn right walk thru intentional arrivals and up lift or escalator to va checkin area... Down escalator to security then to gate.

 

[TomVexille]

Re: MEL Terminal transfer time??

I'd do as serfty says. Stay upstairs as you exit the secure area, walk through international and you're there.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Re: MEL Terminal transfer time??

Thanks.....I think I'll print off serftys directions and take them with me! I'll really look like a tourist, directions in hand, confused look on my face and scratching my head whilst turning around in circles every few feet .

 

[pagingjoan]

Re: MEL Terminal transfer time??

Thanks.....I think I'll print off serftys directions and take them with me! I'll really look like a tourist, directions in hand, confused look on my face and scratching my head whilst turning around in circles every few feet .

Laughing! It's not that hard, really. One end of the building to the other, in short.
(But I do understand that a few wrong turns could throw your schedule out. Leave a trail of breadcrumbs, so you don't double back on your track!)

 

[serfty]

Re: MEL Terminal transfer time??

Thanks.....I think I'll print off serftys directions and take them with me! I'll really look like a tourist, directions in hand, confused look on my face and scratching my head whilst turning around in circles every few feet .

Ha!

It's interesting how relatively convoluted T1 has become - it's over a decade since the last major add on (Northern concourse - gates 21+) was built and I guess I am just used to it.

Hence putting it to words was harder than I initially expected - the main thing is to look for the "International Connections" Exit next to security, but that is indeed upstairs somewhat from either of the gate concourse levels.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Re: MEL Terminal transfer time??

It's interesting how relatively convoluted T1 has become - it's over a decade since the last major add on

I actually worked on the construction of one of the terminals (I think it was international) circa 1982 and it seemed quite easy back then. As I recall, TAA one end, Ansett the other with Int in the middle and just one concourse sweeping around between them all. Perhaps age has oversimplified the way it was in my memory!

 

[pagingjoan]

Re: MEL Terminal transfer time??

I actually worked on the construction of one of the terminals (I think it was international) circa 1982 and it seemed quite easy back then. As I recall, TAA one end, Ansett the other with Int in the middle and just one concourse sweeping around between them all. Perhaps age has oversimplified the way it was in my memory!

It's pretty well still like that, with some recent add ons.
And, from the outside, it's all quite obvious.
But if you are needing to shave a few seconds off your previous PB in terms of moving from one end to the other, that's when you need the "Insider's Guide" - and maybe the breadcrumbs.

 

[andy90]

Melbourne transfer from domestic to international

Hi everyone.
I have a flight coming up soon to Europe. Im flying with qantas and we are starting in Brisbane before flying down to Melbourne to get the plane to Dubai.
It was booked through the Qantas website all as 1 ticket. However, the itinerary seems extremly tight. I arrive in Melbourne at 10.25pm and the flight to Dubai is scheduled to depart at 11.25pm.
As I have never been to Melbourne international before can someone give me an idea of what I will have to do when I arrive and how long it will take me to get from the domestic area to the boarding gate for my international flight?
It seems like I will have no spare time so I dont want to mess it up.
Thanks
Andy90

 

[kermatu]

That transfer time is OK but I agree very tight and personally I would try and move to an earlier flight from Brisbane. Some people have been lucky to get moves without fuss - others have been refused if the transfer time is acceptable.

This exact question was asked not long ago and a very detailed instruction posted - someone may be able to link to that or you can search for it. But in summary you should get your boarding passes issued in Brisbane and your bags will go all the way through. I would fill out the immigration form on the flight from Brisbane to save a bit of time as well. On landing in Melbourne follow signs to International transfer (do not go downstairs to baggage claim). The international transfer is up a flight of stairs from either QF concourse, and is essentially an exit lane alongside the security area for passengers coming in to the domestic terminal. You go out that exit lane, turn right, stay on the same level and walk within the terminal about 200 metres and you will be in the international check-in area. Follow the signs to "Gates/passport control".

I am not a fast walker but from exiting the domestic flight to the international terminal never takes me more than 10 minutes. Security and immigration are pretty quick that time of night so you should be ok as long as your Brisbane flight is on time.

 

[Quickstatus]

See my post:

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....ions/qantas-changes-flight-time-so-72289.html

I would ring Qantas and explain that even though MCT allows this itinerary, you are worried about missing this flight.
I was able to change my itinerary (after HUACA). Not sure if Status (WP), number of travelling party (4) type of seat (2J 2F) makes a difference. I think it won't make a difference. It will definitely depend on whether there are seats on the earlier BNE-MEL flights.

That time of night between 2200-2359 over 3000 pax + crew are departing from the MEL INT terminal as MEL does not have a curfew.
2xA380
4xA333
2xB737
2xB773

If your BNE-MEL flight gets delayed you could miss the onward flight from MEL.

Kermatsu is corrent. If the BNE-MEL flight is not delayed you will make the flight. It took our travelling party of four, 25 minutes to traverse the DOM-INT distance.

Before you ring Qantas - Read particularly my post in the linked thread above on 1 Dec at 0241pm. (post #25)

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Re: MEL Terminal transfer time??

IF you land on time, absolutely no problem. Even 15 minutes late would leave you enough time.

Very prophetic TV. The flight was exactly 15min late and I made the VA connection with all of about 2 minutes to spare. The need to leave airside and do screening again is a PITA.

Absolutely you can walk inside.

It's best to do this at the departures level as it can be a PITA getting through/around the international arrivals area.

Many thanks for your directions serfty! Without them I think I would have possibly missed the connection, but with them (I had them open on my phone when I bolted off the QF flight), I made it OK (just).

The MEL terminal has really turned into a rabbit warren. I'm thinking they need to extend out and create more room airside (a bit like BNE). Having INT, in the same terminal is convenient, but surely something can be done about the connectivity between. It's OK when you know (but crowded), but not so great for irregular transitees!

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Re: MEL Terminal transfer time??

Hi everyone.
I have a flight coming up soon to Europe. Im flying with qantas and we are starting in Brisbane before flying down to Melbourne to get the plane to Dubai.
It was booked through the Qantas website all as 1 ticket. However, the itinerary seems extremly tight. I arrive in Melbourne at 10.25pm and the flight to Dubai is scheduled to depart at 11.25pm.

As I have never been to Melbourne international before can someone give me an idea of what I will have to do when I arrive and how long it will take me to get from the domestic area to the boarding gate for my international flight?

It seems like I will have no spare time so I dont want to mess it up.
Thanks
Andy90

Sounds like it's QF637 to QF9. I believe there is often put a flow forward for pax on QF637 connecting to international flights like QF & QR. I would try to get it sorted with res ahead of time but if you get the "one hour is fine" spiel call and HUACA doesn't work, get out to the airport in heaps of time so you could catch QF635 or QF631 but go and see the people at the sales desk next to valet parking opposite security and ask them.

 

[Quickstatus]

Re: MEL Terminal transfer time??

I had a similar experience last year - see thread and particularly post #25

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....ions/qantas-changes-flight-time-so-72289.html

 

[TomVexille]

Re: MEL Terminal transfer time??

Very prophetic TV. The flight was exactly 15min late and I made the VA connection with all of about 2 minutes to spare. The need to leave airside and do screening again is a PITA.



Many thanks for your directions serfty! Without them I think I would have possibly missed the connection, but with them (I had them open on my phone when I bolted off the QF flight), I made it OK (just).

The MEL terminal has really turned into a rabbit warren. I'm thinking they need to extend out and create more room airside (a bit like BNE). Having INT, in the same terminal is convenient, but surely something can be done about the connectivity between. It's OK when you know (but crowded), but not so great for irregular transitees!

Good to hear you made it