How to get from Melbourne Airport to the City

Melbourne’s Tullamarine Airport (MEL) is one of the busiest in Australia and handles the bulk of domestic and international flights in and out of Victoria. Located just 20 kilometres from the central business district, you can waltz off the plane and be in the heart of Melbourne’s vibrant arts, cafe and entertainment scene in no time. Whether you’re visiting Melbourne as a tourist or returning home after a trip away, it’s important to know how to get from Melbourne Airport to the City efficiently.

In this guide, we’ll cover the quickest and easiest ways to travel between Melbourne Airport and the city.

Express bus from Melbourne Airport to the City

One of the easiest ways to travel from Melbourne Airport to the City is with the SkyBus. This is an express bus that runs from Tullamarine Airport to Southern Cross Station in the City and is one of the most popular options for tourists, particularly those staying in Melbourne’s CBD. The trip takes roughly 22 minutes – and because the SkyBus runs along the Tullamarine Freeway, there are few traffic disruptions.

If you need to travel in the opposite direction, the SkyBus also operates from Southern Cross Station to Melbourne Airport.

SkyBus operates its direct service between Melbourne Airport and Southern Cross Station seven days a week between 4 am and 1 am. No pre-booking is required, so you can simply turn up and hop on the next bus, which normally runs in 15-minute intervals.

Tickets can be purchased at the bright red SkyBus booths outside Melbourne Airport, or at the electronic kiosks in Southern Cross Station. You can also purchase tickets online. Prices start at just $23.20 for a one-way adult ticket and $4 for a child. You’ll save on the one-way fare by purchasing a return ticket, and there’s also a discount for seniors. The online prices are the same as tickets purchased in person, so the only advantage to buying online is convenience.

For many travellers, the SkyBus is often the best way to get from Melbourne Airport to the City. But if you’re travelling as a group, it may work out cheaper to take a taxi or rideshare into the City. And if you’ve got plenty of luggage, it may be a challenge getting your bags on and off the SkyBus.

Taxi from Melbourne Airport to the City

Taxis operate to and from Melbourne Airport, and you’ll find clearly-signed taxi ranks outside all the terminals. Lines move quickly, and there’s no need to pre-book a taxi.

Melbourne Airport has a $4.78 access fee for all taxi pick-ups, and there is no charge for drop-off. This fee is included in your final taxi fare.

The cost of a taxi from Melbourne Airport to the City starts from around $70, with the final fare depending on traffic conditions and your destination in the CBD. If you’re travelling as a group, a one-way taxi fare may be cheaper than booking individual SkyBus tickets. A taxi is also one of the best ways to travel from Melbourne Airport to the City if you’ve got plenty of luggage in tow.

Melbourne Airport rideshare pickup zone

Rideshare is a popular way to get from Melbourne Airport to the City. Major rideshare companies like Uber and DiDi operate services to and from Melbourne Airport. Depending on the number of travellers in your group, rideshare may be a cheaper option than taking a bus from Melbourne Airport to the City.

There are two dedicated rideshare pickup zones at Melbourne Airport. Passengers arriving at Terminals 1, 2 and 3 can proceed to the rideshare pickup zone immediately outside Terminal 2. Passengers arriving at Terminal 4 can proceed to the rideshare pickup zone on the ground floor of the T4 Car Park.

Uber from Melbourne Airport to the City

Uber operates its rideshare service to and from Melbourne Airport. Members of the Qantas Frequent Flyer program can earn Qantas points on rides to and from eligible airports in Australia. Simply link your Uber account to your Qantas Frequent Flyer account and request your ride via the Uber app.

The cost of an Uber from Melbourne Airport to the City starts at around $50, but this can vary depending on the time of day and your final destination.

DiDi from Melbourne Airport to the City

DiDi, another major rideshare company, operates services to and from major airports in Australia, including Melbourne Airport. A ride from Melbourne Airport to the CBD with DiDi starts at around $40. But as with all rideshare apps, this cost is dependent on demand – you may incur a surcharge during busier periods.

You can earn Velocity Points on all rides with DiDi – not just airport rides – by linking your personal Velocity Frequent Flyer account or Virgin Australia Business Flyer account. The earn rate is one Velocity Point per $1 spent on eligible rides, so this is a handy way to rack up points after your airport journey.

You could even boost your Velocity Points balance with a credit card sign-up bonus!

Train from Melbourne Airport to the City

Currently, no train runs from Melbourne Airport to the City. But with the Melbourne Airport Rail project getting underway, visitors and locals can expect to travel from Melbourne Airport to the City by train in 2029.

Summing up

If you’re flying into Melbourne Airport, there are plenty of transport options to get you to the City. With a bit of research and planning, you can determine the best way to travel between the airport and the City based on your individual needs.

Looking to make the most of your next flight out of Melbourne Airport? Explore some of the fantastic lounges on offer, including The House Lounge, Qantas International Business Lounge or the Emirates Lounge.

Also read: How to get from Adelaide Airport to the City

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