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How to get from Melbourne Airport to the City Centre

Melbourne, the cultural hub of Australia and home to many of the country’s best-known landmarks, such as the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the National Gallery of Victoria and the World Heritage-listed Royal Exhibition Building. It has also been declared one of the most liveable cities in the world many times around, thanks to it’s beautiful environment, wonderful food, amazing music scene and young population.

There are 2 different travel options when getting from Tullamarine airport to the city centre; you can either take a taxi or a public bus. Taking a Melbourne airport taxi to the city centre is the most convenient option, providing a door-to-door service in the comfort of a private air-conditioned vehicle. The other cheaper but longer option would be to take a bus; there are two different buses to choose from, you can either take a public bus or the airport SkyBus.

Welcome Pickups offers meet and greet services and a friendly introduction to Melbourne at the same price as a regular taxi. Click here to see the cost.

Comparison of the options

PRICE FOR 2PASSENGERS
OPTION PRICE DURATION AVAILABILITY
Welcome Pickups €65 30min 24/7 Book
Book
Taxi €37 30min 24/7
Bus €24 45min 24/7

How to get from Melbourne airport to the city centre by taxi

If you are looking for the easiest and most efficient way to travel to the city centre, then taking a Melbourne airport taxi is definitely the best option for you. Taxis offer a comfortable, air-conditioned, 24/7 door-to-door service, taking only 30 minutes to reach the centre. Taxis in Australia are easy to recognise as they are bright yellow and have large TAXI rooftop signs.

Taxi fare from Melbourne airport to the city centre

Taxis from Melbourne Tullamarine airport don’t offer flat rate fees to the city centre, instead, they use a taximeter based on the distance and time travelled. This means that your final price will depend on your exact location within the city, however, it should cost around €37 ($60 AUD). Please note that extra fees may apply during peak hours or on public holidays (within the city and suburb metro area).

Cost

€37

Trip Duration

30 Min

*Rates may vary unless booked in advance.

Convenience
Safety
Value for Money

Taxis are available 24/7 at Melbourne airport.

Where do I get it from?

You can easily find Melbourne airport taxi ranks outside every terminal at Melbourne Airport.

Convenience

As Melbourne airport is the second largest in Australia, it can get very busy and overwhelming. The convenience of taking a fast, comfortable, air-conditioned taxi is undeniable, especially after a long flight. However, as taxis are metered the price can get quite expensive, unless you book your Melbourne taxi in advance at a flat rate fare.

Editor’s Note

It is important to know that there is an extra fee when hailing a taxi outside of the airport's official taxi rank. The fee costs $3.65 AUD and will be directly added to the final price of your trip.

Useful Tips

Make sure that the taximeter is reset and running before you begin your journey.
Taxis in Melbourne accept bank card payments as well as cash payments.
Various taxi sizes are available at the airport, however you might have to wait a while if you wish to travel in a special vehicle.

How to get from Melbourne airport to the city centre by bus

If you are travelling on a budget, your best transfer option would be to take the bus. The preferred bus service is the SkyBus at Melbourne airport, which is direct to the city from the airport. It is a very comfortable vehicle and it runs from Terminal 1, 3 and 4 straight into the city centre 24/7. The approximate travel time on the Melbourne airport bus is between 30 to 45 minutes, terminating at the Southern Cross Station in Central Melbourne.

How much is a bus ticket from Melbourne airport to the city centre?

Taking the SkyBus is definitely the cheapest option and a great transfer method for those travelling on a tight budget, with a one-way ticket costing €12 ($19 AUD). You can purchase tickets from the booths located near the pickup/drop off points at the airport or train station or you can purchase them online in advance.

Cost

€12

Trip Duration

45 Min.

There is a waiting time of up to 10 minutes for the SkyBus.

Convenience
Safety
Value for Money

The bus runs every 10 minutes from the airport and is available 24/7.

Where do I get it from?

The SkyBus departs outside the airport’s arrival area at terminals 1, 3 and 4. You can also follow the bus and taxi signs marked around the airport until you see the red SkyBus stand.

Convenience

The SkyBus is a great option for those travelling on a budget as it is the cheapest transfer option. Moreover, the SkyBus operates 24/7 and runs frequently. However, when you arrive at the city centre, you will have to find another form of transportation to get from the bus station to your final destination.

Editor’s Note

If you are staying in the CBD area, a free SkyBus Shuttle is available from Southern Cross Station to different hotels in downtown Melbourne, as part of the SkyBus service package.

Useful Tips

Discounts are available for the airport SkyBus if you purchase your tickets online.
The SkyBus offers free WiFi onboard.
A cheaper transfer option is available if you wish to take the local bus service, but takes much longer to get into the centre. A one-way ticket costs $4 AUD, however, the bus only departs from Terminal 4 and has limited operating hours.

Welcome Pickups transfer

Welcome Pickups

Book a trained, English-speaking taxi driver to pick you up at the same price as a regular cab from the line

If you feel more relaxed knowing that somebody is waiting for you, you may as well book a Welcome Pickups transfer. As soon as you arrive at the airport you will be greeted by your driver. He will be waiting for you at the terminal of your arrival with a sign that has your name on it. Your driver will help you out with your luggage and together you will make your way to the vehicle. While he is driving you to your accommodation, the driver can give you some tips and recommendations on what to do during your holidays in Melbourne. Our drivers are hand-picked and speak fluent English. No need to worry about miscommunication issues that you may face with the local taxi drivers regarding your destination. Relax and enjoy your ride.

Best drivers

Hand-picked english-speaking drivers

Flight monitoring

Drivers are always on time

Quality support

24/7 email & phone support

Cancel up to 24 hours before the pickup and get an 80% refund

Edit or cancel transfers

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Welcome Pickups has a Net Safety Score of 99 of 100

We’ve introduced a metric indicating how safe travellers feel when using our services during the COVID-19 pandemic. After every ride, we ask each traveller to leave a review.

  • 20 minute gap between transfers

  • Regular Car Sanitisation

  • Contactless ride

  • Sanitiser in every car

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Frequently asked questions

How do I get from Melbourne airport into the city centre?

There are two ways to get from the airport; you can either take a taxi or a bus. If you choose to take a taxi your transfer will take 30 minutes to downtown Melbourne and if you prefer to take the cheaper bus option, it will take you 45 minutes to get to the centre.

Which Melbourne airport is closer to the city centre?

Melbourne Tullamarine airport is the closest to the city centre, taking only 30 minutes; whereas Melbourne Avalon airport is a good 50 minutes away.

How much is a taxi from Melbourne airport to the city?

Taxis are metered in Melbourne, meaning that they calculate their prices based on the time and distance travelled. However, it should cost around $60 AUD (€37), under normal traffic conditions. If you wish to travel at a fixed price you can always book a private taxi in advance.

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