If you’re flying into or out of Melbourne’s Tullamarine Airport, and it’s your first time here, here’s a list of useful tips to keep in mind.
You may be traveling on vacation, or it could be a business trip. Unless it is a totally unscheduled journey, you must have put some thought into planning. Meticulous planning can make your trip smoother and hassle-free and ensure that you arrive at your destination feeling fresh and ready to take on whatever’s in store.
The Importance of Travel Planning
Successful journeys don’t materialize out of thin air. They are the result of hours of research, analysis and solid hard work. It’s easy to farm out the work to a professional travel agent, but there’s still a big chunk of the job to be done at your end.
However, if you start well ahead, you are sure to enjoy the process and feel a great sense of achievement when your plans get deployed without stress or friction.
Holiday plans need to be made well in advance. This helps to get your family or group’s preferences and wish-lists on board, so that your itinerary can be mapped out. International trips may need longer planning times, while domestic or weekend trips can be planned at shorter notice.
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- Ensure that your documents are in order
- Hotel, flight and other transportation have to be firmed up
- Create a budget, with some margin for flexibility
- Remember to include extras for tipping, emergencies, unforeseen expenses, snacks, shopping and taxis
- Choose a destination that will create memories but keep safety, physical fitness, health status and budget firmly in your sights
- Plan your meals in advance. Your hotel may provide free breakfast
- Start packing and shopping well in advance. Check luggage restrictions and dimensions for domestic and international flights. Mark your luggage with brightly colored tags, but don’t provide your name and address on the tag.
- Make a checklist of essentials such as toiletries, medication, compatible electronics, and get your prescription refills early to avoid forgetting them
- Make extra copies of all your travel documents, hotel bookings and note down important contact phone numbers. Store these in your checked in and carry on baggage
- If you wear contact lenses, don’t use them on the flight. Wear your spectacles and ensure that you carry a spare pair
- Choose comfort over glamor while traveling
- Keep your passport and boarding pass handy and stow valuables in your carry-on
- If you’re traveling with kids or seniors, pack their favorite snacks along with their toys, coloring or puzzle books
Getting to the airport on time requires extra planning. Decide how you’re going to do it, and book your cab. If you’re driving yourself, make sure the car has enough fuel. Try to book a flight that’s not scheduled during the rush hour. You can pre-book your parking slot and pay online. Parking at United is a great option when you’re flying out of Tullamarine.
Melbourne Airport: Don’t Make These Mistakes
1. Not Knowing the Layout: You could go into panic mode if you don’t know the airport location, or its layout. Melbourne has two airports – Tullamarine International Airport, and Avalon Airport located about 50km outside Melbourne City that caters to mainly domestic fliers. Confirm which airport you’re flying into or out of. Tullamarine has 4 terminals of which there is 1 international, 2 domestic and 1 budget domestic terminal. The airport is located about 18 km from the city center, so you will have to plan your transportation accordingly. You can get there by Skybus, taxi, self-drive car hire, your own vehicle, private pick-up and drop-off or shuttle bus. The airport has 53 domestic and 15 international gates. It’s wise to figure out the layout and parking locations before you set out or you could end up with major stress and anxiety.
2. Not Pre-Booking Your Parking: There are lots of options available for parking, but it would be unwise to simply drive up and expect to find a slot. Parking is available for terminals 1, 2 and 3 within walking distance and slightly further away for terminal 4. You can park for up to 45 days at any of these spaces, and pre-book online at the airport website. Not booking early can be expensive, you may not find a convenient spot, and you may have to settle for the available options that may not be safe. When you pre-book, you will receive a QR code that has to be shown at the entrance to the parking area. Make sure that you bring the same car to the airport that you have registered for online parking.
3. Not Using The Flight Information Displays: If you’re unsure about your gates or terminal, there are plenty of information displays at the check-in and the departure level areas. There is directional signage to help you locate your check-in counters, rest rooms, lounges and other facilities at the airport.
4. Not Checking In Online: Since this facility is available, it’s a huge mistake not to use it. You can avoid stressful waiting at the check-in counters. These places are especially crowded during the holidays and you could find yourself standing in long lines. Do a phone check-in and have a more relaxed airport experience. This is the best option if you are traveling with kids, seniors or wheelchair users.
5. Not Using The Lounge: Unless you’re on a terribly tight budget, use the lounge facility while you wait for your flight to be called. It’s a mistake to think of the lounge as an unnecessary luxury. Lounges are a great option when you have a long flight ahead of you, or you have traveled a long way to get to the airport. You can relax, enjoy the free snacks and beverages in air-conditioned comfort far from the noisy environs of the airport.
6. Not Protecting Your Privacy: Airports offer free wi-fi but it’s a huge mistake to expose your phone or laptop passwords using the airport network. Recently, there have been reports of scams involving the personal data available on boarding passes that contain your full name, date of travel, date of birth, passport number, email address, phone number, any hotel or travel bookings made via the airline, details of declared medical issues, last digits of your credit card and more. Ensure that you keep your boarding pass carefully and never share pictures of it on social media.
