The six car hire brands operating from Melbourne Airport’s terminal building — Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz, Redspot, and SIXT — pay Melbourne Airport concession fees for the right to operate from the terminal precinct. Those fees get passed to you. The surcharge typically adds $10–20 per day to what you would pay the same brand at an off-airport location.
It is not a scam. It is the structure of airport car hire globally. But it is also avoidable if you know your options.
Our Ravenhall branch sits at 2/44 Orbis Drive, Ravenhall — 8km from Melbourne Airport via the Western Ring Road. The drive from the terminal takes 10–12 minutes on the freeway. No traffic lights. No concession surcharge.
Terminal vs Off-Airport: What’s the Real Price Difference?
The difference is structural, not temporary. Terminal brands pay airport concession fees regardless of their pricing strategy — those fees are baked into every quote, every day, for every customer. Off-airport operators like Turbofleet do not carry that cost.
On a three-day hire, the difference in real money is typically $30–60. On a week-long hire, $70–140. For business travellers who hire frequently, those savings add up across the year to a material amount.
The trade-off is logistics: you take a rideshare or taxi from the terminal to our Ravenhall depot (8km, roughly $12–18, 10 minutes) and collect your vehicle there. For most people hiring for more than two days, that ten minutes saves more money than it costs.
How to Get from Melbourne Airport to Turbofleet Ravenhall
- Exit the arrivals hall at Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine) and head to the rideshare and taxi zone
- Book a rideshare to Turbofleet, 2/44 Orbis Drive, Ravenhall VIC 3023 — approximately 8km, 10–12 minutes via the Western Ring Road, typical cost $12–18
- Collect your vehicle, complete the hire paperwork, and you’re on the road — total added time compared to terminal collection: approximately 15–20 minutes
- For returning travellers: drive back to Ravenhall before your flight, drop the vehicle, take a rideshare to the terminal — same 10-minute run
What Vehicles Are Available Near Melbourne Airport?
Our Ravenhall fleet covers the full range. For arriving business travellers: economy and sedan cars. For families or groups: 8 to 12-seat passenger vans. For interstate freight pickups at the Ravenhall industrial precinct: cargo vans and light trucks. For groups of 12+ needing airport transfers: our bus hire covers this from Ravenhall.
Pre-booking is essential for group vehicles, particularly during peak Melbourne events — Australian Open, Australian Grand Prix, AFL finals, Melbourne Cup carnival. Vehicle inventory near Melbourne Airport is competitive during these periods across all operators.
Melbourne Airport Car Hire Tips
- Book before you fly — Melbourne Airport car hire prices increase with proximity to the pickup date, particularly in busy periods. A booking made two weeks out consistently costs less than a walk-up rate.
- Understand your insurance before you arrive — deciding excess reduction at the counter while jetlagged, with a queue behind you, is not the best time. Know your options: your credit card may include hire car excess cover as a benefit.
- Confirm the tolling arrangement — CityLink and EastLink are electronic only. If you are driving into or through Melbourne, clarify whether a toll pass is included in your hire or whether charges will be billed with an admin fee.
- For early morning international arrivals — our Ravenhall branch opening hours should be confirmed before you land. Contact west@turbofleet.com.au or 1300 410 510 to arrange early pickup if your flight arrives outside standard hours.
Frequently Asked Questions — Car Hire Melbourne Airport
Is there car hire near Melbourne Airport without the airport surcharge?
Yes. Turbofleet Ravenhall is 8km from Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine) and operates without terminal concession fees. We are accessible by rideshare or taxi in 10–12 minutes from the arrivals hall. Our rates do not include an airport surcharge.
What is the cheapest car hire option at Melbourne Airport?
For on-terminal hire, Budget and Redspot typically offer the lowest headline rates — but always compare total cost including the surcharge and insurance. For genuine lowest total cost, an off-airport operator like Turbofleet Ravenhall combined with a direct booking and advance reservation is consistently the most affordable option.
How long does it take to get from Melbourne Airport to Turbofleet Ravenhall?
Approximately 10–12 minutes via the Western Ring Road under normal conditions. The route is freeway from the airport exit — no suburban traffic between the terminal and our depot.
Can I return my hire car to Melbourne Airport from Turbofleet?
Our Ravenhall location is the return point — not the terminal. For return journeys, drive to 2/44 Orbis Drive, Ravenhall, complete the return, and take a rideshare to the terminal. Budget 30 minutes for the return process and the rideshare.
