- Drop-off procedures
- Pick-up procedures – accessing the taxi ranks
- Pick-up procedures – pre-booked fares
- Fees
- FAQs
Drop Off Procedures
To drop off passengers, taxis may use Departures Drive. There are no special requirements or procedures for dropping off passengers.
Pick-Up Procedures – Accessing the taxi ranks
To pick up passengers from the Melbourne Airport taxi ranks, taxis must first enter the Primary Holding Area (PHA) located on the corner of Airport Drive and Francis Briggs Drive:
Movement between the terminal and to the Primary Holding Area
If you have dropped off a passenger at Terminals T1, T2, T3 or T4 and wish to pick up another passenger, you will need to do so through the Primary Holding Area (PHA). To get to the Primary Holding Area follow the approved taxi route:
- Right onto Centre Road
- Left at Airport Drive
- Right at APAC Drive
- Left at Francis Briggs Road
Movement from the Primary Holding Area and the Secondary Holding Area
Note: If you need to leave the PHA to attend another site you can exit through the free of charge exit located at the north end of the holding area. Please note once you have exited this way you will not be granted entry into the Secondary Holding Area.
a. Enter the Primary Holding Area and queue in the next available row.
b. After the row to your right has emptied, move forward to the exit gates.
c. When the Taxi Head of Rank needs taxis, the exit gates will become active.
d. Your PCDC card will be charged when you exit the Primary Taxi Holding Yard. You must ensure funds are on your PCDC card via the Automatic Payments Machines located within the Primary Holding Area Cafe (Melrose Lounge).
e. Follow the approved
taxi route which is marked on the road as a yellow line:
- Francis Briggs Road
- Centre Road
- Taxi Slip Lane, into the Secondary Taxi Holding Yard

f. You have 15 minutes to reach the Secondary Holding Area located on Centre Road. After this time it is deemed that you have gone to another job and you will need to re-enter the taxi system at the Primary Holding Area.
Note: In the event of accidents on the road, abnormally heavy traffic, or other such emergency, Melbourne Airport will work around this.
g. At the Secondary Holding Area, enter one of the gates and swipe your PCDC card. The display will show a charge of $0.00. Alternatively, a message stating you are outside the 15 minute tolerance will display. If this is displayed return to Primary Holding Area and re-enter the system.
h. Once inside the Secondary Holding Area, move forward until you reach the Taxi Head of Rank. Once here you lights will indicate if you are to attend north or south rank.
i. You may be requested to exit and proceed to the new T4 taxi rank. If so, turn right onto Grants Road, and Right onto Service Road, follow the yellow Taxis Only slip lane to the rank.
Note: Station wagons and maxi-taxis may be called forward in front of you to meet specific passenger needs, please ensure you allow them past.