Costing $10 billion, the connection to Melbourne Airport has been the subject of five decades of political wrangling, obstruction and debate.
But with this vital piece of infrastructure in place, the already impressive cultural cache of this international airport will soar to new heights.
Melbourne Airport has constantly improved since opening its doors in 1970 (it replaced the nearby Essendon Airport), adding numerous flight routes and facilities, making the railway network another important step in its evolution.
To show you a few of the ways that Melbourne Airport has progressed over the years, here are some elements they’ve introduced.
- Upgrades to parking
Parking is a necessity for all airports, but smaller hubs in particular fail to cater for parking spaces that are conveniently near a terminal.
However, Melbourne Airport parking has constantly improved with valet, long-term, at terminal, and value options.
Many of these parking options are catered for by private providers so prices vary, however the cost of parking is flexible enough to suit any budget.
At many airports, trying to find the right parking space is an unquantifiable pain – so it’s great to see that Melbourne is making the process much easier.
- Luxury brands
Lovers of the duty free will struggle to be disappointed with Melbourne Airport’s retail treasure trove – the T2 Luxury department is overloaded with premium brands.
Filling the opulent aisles is clothing from Burberry, Emporio Armani, Hugo Boss, Furla and much more.
This is in addition to many other reasonably priced stores and a regular spate of deals on many brands. But the real clincher is the duty free’s Shop & Collect feature.
This allows you to purchase items, leave them at the airport then pick them up on your return. It’s an ideal scheme for the shopaholic on a return flight.
- The internet age
It might seem strange but not every airport has accessible and easy-to-use Wi-Fi. It’s a costly upgrade and, instead of free access, many companies choose a restrictive paid option.
But not Melbourne Airport – its service is entirely free. All you have to do is input your details and you can browse as much as you like.
Be warned – this isn’t an encrypted server, so we don’t recommend inputting any sensitive information while you browse.
- Arrival updates
In a similar vein to free Wi-Fi access is the airport’s live arrivals feature.
Available via its website, you’ll be able to check all times on flights throughout the day, including any delays. It certainly beats having to squint at the departures board.
- There’s an app
Bringing the airport bang up to date is the Melbourne Airport app, which provides the weary traveller with all the information they need to make their travels simple and stress-free.
Download the app onto your phone and you’ll be able to locate stores on the premises, check flight arrival times, locate your car in its parking space, and even calculate the price of a taxi to and from the airport.
This is a must-download for anyone flying from Melbourne Airport – and takes up less than 25mb on your phone.
That’s our list! Are you looking forward to the rail connection to Melbourne Airport? Do you reckon it’ll make your travelling easier? Let us know in the comments below!
