Metered taxis run 24/7 from every MEL terminal
The Taxi Rank at Melbourne Airport sits directly outside T1, T2, T3 and T4, with metered cabs lined up around the clock, which matters most on flights landing after 23:00 or before 06:00. This is the go-to if you’re dragging two 23 kg checked bags or heading to suburbs like Werribee or Craigieburn where late-night rideshare can be patchy. You pay the metered fare in AUD, usually by card or contactless on the in-car EFTPOS terminal.
From T2’s arrivals exit, the Taxi Rank is about a 2–3 minute walk using the signed “Taxi” ramps, and staff in yellow vests usually direct people into cabs and manage the queue. A typical ride into the CBD (around 22 km) runs roughly 35–45 minutes in normal traffic, with fares often falling in the AUD $55–$75 range including tolls. There’s a standard flagfall, a per‑kilometre rate, and surcharges for airport pick‑ups and late-night hours.
From domestic T1 and T3, follow the ground transport signs and you’ll hit the taxi line within roughly 150–200 metres of the baggage claim doors, all on flat pavement suited for large roller bags. T4’s Taxi Rank sits outside the low‑cost terminal, a short 2–4 minute walk once you grab your bags from Jetstar or Rex. Every rank is post‑customs, so international arrivals from T2 clear immigration and quarantine first, then walk straight out to the curb without any extra checkpoints.
Most standard taxis at MEL fit three to four adults plus checked luggage; maxi cabs for groups of five to eleven seats often wait at the same rank, though at busy times staff may radio one in and you can wait 5–15 minutes. Fares to far‑out suburbs like Frankston, Pakenham or Melton can pass AUD $120, so it’s worth asking the driver for a ballpark number before you load four 23 kg bags into the boot. Wheelchair‑accessible vehicles usually require a slightly longer wait than regular sedans.
There’s no booking fee to use the official Taxi Rank and you pay only what’s on the meter plus any tolls and card surcharge, which some operators set around 1.5–3.0%. Keep small notes or a card handy in case a terminal is down, which occasionally happens around 02:00–04:00 when systems reset. One practical move: save your driver’s cab number (printed on the inside of the rear doors) before you leave MEL, so if you leave a passport or laptop in the back seat, you have a concrete reference when you call the taxi company or airport lost property.