Melbourne Airport is not connected to rail or metro, but the city centre can be reached quickly by SkyBus express buses for 24 aud.

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Public transport - buses

The SkyBus runs to the city centre without transferring, which is not subject to the normal Melbourne public transport fares. It's cheaper to get to the city centre for the normal fare by a combination of bus and train.

SkyBus

The fastest way to get to the city centre or beaches around St. Kilda, Brigton or Fraknston is by red SkyBus.

There are stops at all terminals. The first stop is at Terminal 4, the last at Terminal 1, so if you want to be sure of a free seat, walk right to Terminal 4.

For official information, timetables, apps and to buy tickets online, visit skybus.com.au.

Tickets can be purchased online, from a machine inside the terminal or at the bus stop. Payment can only be made by card and tickets on site are the same price as online tickets.

A return ticket is valid for 3 months from the date of purchase and can be used on any service.

SkyBus operates on two routes:

• Melbourne City Express - runs to the city centre at Southern Cross station (stop inside the terminal, number
  • One-way ticket price - 24,60 aud
  • Return ticket price - 41,20 aud
  • Journey time - 30 minutes
  • Frequency - Every 10 minutes
  • Last bus from the airport - 1:00
  • First bus to the airport - 4:00
  • Detailed timetable: skybus.com.au/melbourne-city-express
  • Southern Cross Hotel Tip: Mövenpick Melbourne on Spencer ****
• Peninsula Express - goes to the St. Kilda, Brighton, Moorabbin, Chelsea and Frankston area
  • Single ticket price - prices vary by destination, for example St. Kilda for 27,30 aud, Brighton for 31,90 aud and Frankston for 46,90 aud
  • Return ticket prices - St. Kilda for 46,40 aud, Brighton for 60,30 aud and Frankston for 87,60 aud
  • Travel time - St. Kilda approx. 45 minutes, Frankston approx. 130 minutes
  • Frequency - every 60 minutes
  • Last bus from airport - 8pm Monday to Friday or 7:30pm at weekends
  • First bus to airport from St. Kilda - 5:37am Monday to Friday or 6:07am at weekends
  • First bus to Frankston Airport - 4:30 Monday to Friday or 5:00 on weekends
  • Detailed timetable: skybus.com.au/melbourne-city-express

City bus 901 + train

It's significantly cheaper, but also significantly slower, to get to the city centre by taking the 901 bus to Broadmeadows station (the bus's destination is Frankston).

From Broadmeadows, the suburban train (sometimes referred to as the Metro) on the yellow Craigieburn Line runs into the centre.

The total journey time, including waiting for the train, is approximately 60 minutes.

Timetable searches and other official information are available at ptv.vic.gov.au.

• Bus 901
  • Frequency - 15 minutes (30 minutes on weekends and public holidays)
  • Travel time to Broadmeadows Station - 15 minutes
  • Last bus from the airport connecting to the train - 23:20
  • The bus only stops at the airport on the ground floor of the car park opposite Terminal 4

• Craigieburn Line train
  • Frequency - 7 to 10 minutes (10 to 20 minutes on weekends and bank holidays)
  • Journey time to the city centre - 35 minutes
  • Last bus from the airport connecting to the train - 23:20
  • On Sundays and on some evening services, to get to the city centre you must change to other lines at North Melbourne station
  • At Broadmeadows station, use platform 1 to get to the city centre (you must go through the underpass)

Bus routes 478, 479 and 482 also run to the airport to the shopping centre Airport-Westwhere you can change to tram 59 to get to the centre. However, the total journey time will be between 75 and 90 minutes.

Fares

You will need a Myki card to pay your fare. You can't yet pay with your own contactless card or cash on public transport in Melbourne, but you can now pay with Google Wallet, see details. There is currently no Apple mobile payment option available.

Physical Myki cards are not sold at the airport, so the only option is to pay online via Google Wallet (Android only).

There are two options to choose from:

• Myki Money - you load any amount onto the card and money will be charged based on how much you travel:
  • 5,50 aud - 2 hours for zones 1+2 (all of Melbourne including the airport)
  • 11 aud - Maximum "daily cap" per calendar day (reduces on weekends and public holidays to 7,60 aud)
• Myki Pass - weekly fare
  • 55 aud for 7 days

In total, you will pay a maximum of one ride from the airport to the city centre 5,50 aud.

Detailed information about transport is described in the Melbourne guide.

Taxi / Uber

Taxi ranks are located directly outside all terminals.

The Uber mobile app is located between terminals 1 and 2 and then on the ground floor of the parking garage opposite terminal 4. Uber often has significantly lower fares than regular taxis, which run strictly by meter.

Expect the following prices for a trip downtown, depending on current demand or traffic:

• Taxi
  • 80 aud - Flinders Street
  • 95 aud - St. Kilda
• Uber
  • 65 aud - Flinders Street
  • 75 aud - St. Kilda

The journey time to the city centre is about 30 minutes.

Car rental

Melbourne is a great starting point for road-trips around South Australia, and the airport has the largest range of car hire facilities of any station in the city.

For example, rent a car for a road-trip along the famous Great Ocean Road.

Rental prices are subject to availability and season, and we recommend booking 2-3 months in advance.

The average price for a compact car for 7 days is around 450 aud.

Compare prices - book a car at MEL Airport

All car rental counters can be found on the ground floor of the parking garage, which is located under the Park Royal Hotel approximately a 3 minute walk from all terminals.