Upon arriving in Melbourne for a trip, one of the first questions you'll face after landing at the airport is: how to get from Melbourne airport to the city center? What are the transportation options? Which one is cost-effective, fast, and recommended? And so on.
Today, I will introduce a comprehensive guide to transportation from Melbourne Airport to the city center, including comparisons of various modes of transport, ticket booking, costs, and durations, making it easier for you to plan your itinerary!
1. What Airports Are There in Melbourne?
Melbourne has two main airports: Melbourne Airport (MEL), also known as Tullamarine Airport, and Avalon Airport (AVV), also known as Avalon Airport.
Most international flights arrive at Melbourne Airport, which is about 25 kilometers from the city center and takes approximately 30 minutes by car. Avalon Airport, on the other hand, mainly serves a few domestic flights within Australia and is about 50 kilometers from the city center, taking about 1 hour by car.
2. Transportation from Melbourne Airport to the City Centre
First, let's discuss the 6 options for traveling from Melbourne Airport (MEL), where most people arrive, to the city center: SkyBus, taxi, shuttle bus, public bus to train, pre-booked airport transfers, and car rental.
1. SkyBus
SkyBus operates all-year-round on all routes, with frequent services and affordable prices, making it a popular choice for tourists. Depending on the destination, there are two routes with different prices, details, maps, and timetables:
| Route | Fare | Operation & Travel Time |
| Melbourne City Express | One way $22 Return $34 |
Operates all day except between 1 AM to 4 AM; runs every 15-20 minutes; approximately 22 minutes to the city center |
| Peninsula Express | Depends on boarding and alighting locations | Operates from 5:23 AM to 11:30 PM; timetables and time vary by locations; click here for details |
| ※ All amounts are in Australian dollars. ※ Children's fare for the Melbourne City Express is $4 AUD one-way and $6 AUD round-trip. |
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There are three SkyBus boarding points at Melbourne Airport: Terminal 1 (T1), Terminal 3 (T3), and Terminal 4 (T4). T1 serves domestic Qantas passengers, T3 serves Virgin Australia, Regional Express, and all international passengers, while T4 mainly serves domestic Jetstar and Tigerair passengers.
For passengers arriving at Terminal 2 (T2), it's recommended to head to T3 to board the SkyBus, as it stops first at T4, then T3, and finally T1, allowing you to secure a seat without worrying about running out of space.
Lastly, if you want to book your ticket in advance while still in your home country, you can do so through the SkyBus official website, or purchase tickets from the websites like Klook or KKday, which sometimes offer cheaper prices than the official site.
(At all terminals, except T2, you can easily find SkyBus ticket booths and waiting areas just outside the airport. There are also many self-service ticket machines available.)
(SkyBus has two types of buses – double-decker buses and regular buses – operating without a fixed schedule. Both types have luggage storage areas and offer free Wi-Fi. I personally prefer double-decker buses for the better views.)
(For those heading to Melbourne city center, the popular choice is the "Melbourne City Express," which ends at Southern Cross Station, a hub for trains and buses. Upon arrival, you can use your SkyBus ticket to board a free SkyBus city shuttle to major hotels in Melbourne city center. The same applies for the return trip.)
2. Taxi
Naturally, taxis are available at the airport, similar to Uber and other ride-hailing apps. The advantage of taxis is their flexibility, with a journey of about 30 minutes and fares ranging from 65 to 90 AUD. It can be more expensive than other methods unless you have multiple passengers.
(Taxi pick-up point)
3. Airport Shuttle Bus
There are several privately-operated shuttle buses at the airport, with pick-up points at Terminal 2 (T2) and Terminal 4 (T4). Prices vary by company, with fares ranging from 20 to 27 AUD per person, depending on the distance. Companies such as Starbus Shuttle Bus (bookable through Klook) and CON X ION (bookable through KKday) offer services to the city center, taking about 30 minutes.
The main feature of the airport shuttle bus is its door-to-door service, making it suitable for those with lots of luggage, large groups, or those with mobility issues.
(Shuttle Bus pick-up point)
4. Regular Bus to Train Transfer
This is the cheapest method but takes the longest time. Next to Terminal 4 (T4) is the Transport Hub, where you can take bus 901 to the Broadmeadows station and then transfer to a train to the city center. Using Melbourne's myki card, the round-trip fare is only about 9 AUD, but it takes approximately 1 to 1.5 hours to arrive. For more information on Melbourne's buses, trains, and myki cards, please refer to the "Melbourne Public Transportation Guide."
*Note: Previously, buses 478 and 479 were available from the airport to Essendon train station, but the routes have been updated and no longer reach the train station. Currently, only bus 901 can be used for this method.
(Regular bus pick-up point)
5. Pre-booked Airport Transfers
Similar to taxis and shuttle buses, pre-booked airport transfers allow you to specify your drop-off location for a convenient and fast service. These services are usually privately operated, and prices range from 75 to 200 AUD, depending on the vehicle type. Many websites offer pre-booking options, such as "Melbourne Airport Transfers" and "Airport Transfers to and from the City Center."
6. Car Rental
Lastly, you can opt for car rental. If you plan on renting a car in Melbourne, you can pick up your vehicle at the airport. Companies like Budget, Hertz, and Avis have branches there. Prices vary depending on the season and vehicle type. It's recommended to use "Rentalcars.com" to compare prices and find the best deal.
(Car rental company location map)
In summary, apart from car rental, if you have time and want to save money, choose the "Regular Bus to Train Transfer." If you want a balance between time and cost, the "SkyBus" is recommended. For a faster arrival to the city center and if you're willing to spend more money or have lots of luggage, you can choose a taxi, airport shuttle bus, or pre-booked airport transfer.
3. Transportation from Avalon Airport to the City Centre
Next, we'll introduce the transportation options from "Avalon Airport (AVV)" to the city center. Fewer tourists visit this airport, which mainly serves domestic Australian flights. Compared to "Melbourne Airport," transportation options to the city center are much simpler, with only four options: SkyBus, taxi, car rental, and pre-booked airport transfers.
Since "Avalon Airport" is farther from Melbourne's city center, taxis, ride-hailing services, and pre-booked airport transfers are considerably more expensive, with one-way fares ranging from 120 to 140 AUD. This can be quite pricey, especially for larger groups, so these options are not highly recommended.
As for car rentals, we have already discussed them earlier and will not repeat the details here. You can use comparison websites like "Rentalcars.com" to find affordable car rental companies.
So, the main transportation option that needs to be introduced for Avalon Airport is the "SkyBus." Similar to Melbourne Airport, Avalon Airport also offers one route to the city center via SkyBus. Details on fares and schedules are as follows:
| Route | Fare | Operation & Travel Time |
| Avalon City Express | One-way $25 Return $47 |
Operates from 05:23 AM to 00:20 AM; departs according to flight schedules; approximately 70 minutes to the city center |
| ※ All amounts are in Australian dollars. ※ Avalon City Express can be pre-booked within the country through 'Klook'. ※ Avalon City Express does not offer separate children's tickets. Instead, there are family tickets for 1 adult or 2 adults with up to 4 children. A family ticket with 1 adult is $25 AUD one-way and $48 AUD round-trip to Melbourne city center, while a family ticket with 2 adults is $50 AUD one-way and $98 AUD round-trip. |
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(The SkyBus pick-up point at Avalon Airport is similar to Melbourne Airport, located just outside the terminal exit.)
In conclusion, this guide provides a comprehensive overview of transportation options from Melbourne's two airports to the city center. Each method caters to different needs, depending on whether you want to save money, prioritize speed, etc. With a variety of convenient options available, you should be able to find the right mode of transportation for your needs!