The early flight plan: staying north of Melbourne the night before

A 6am departure from the south east means leaving home at 3.30am. From our Craigieburn and Mickleham houses it is a 15 to 25 minute run up the Hume to Melbourne Airport, with no tolls and no traffic at that hour.

The maths usually favours the house: a family of five in two airport hotel rooms costs more than a whole four-bedroom home with a kitchen, laundry and driveway parking for two cars.

Do the boring things the night before. Pack the car, set out breakfast, and use the laundry so you fly with clean clothes. Long-term airport parking is cheaper booked online in advance, or leave a car at the house if we have the space free.

Coming the other way after a late landing, the Somerton Road strip has takeaway open late, and Craigieburn Central covers a full grocery shop the next morning.