How to get from Melbourne Airport to city centre
There are two methods to reach the city centre from Melbourne airport. The most convenient is by taxi, however it is not a cheap option. A Melbourne Airport taxi to the central city will cost around 37€ (AUD$60.00) and the journey will last around 30 minutes to reach the centre. Alternatively, public transport via bus services is available. You can take two forms of bus services, public or SkyBus. SkyBus is the most convenient for travellers new to the city, costs around 12€ (AUD$19) and take around 45 minutes to reach the city.
Comparison of the options
| OPTION | PRICE | DURATION | AVAILABILITY | |
|---|
| Taxi | €37 | 30min | 24/7 | |
| Bus | €24 | 45min | 24/7 | |
How to get from Melbourne Airport to city centre by taxi
Melbourne Airport taxis are available to provide a safe and reliable transit into the city of Melbourne from the airport. Taxis are not able to miss as they are bright yellow in colour and have a large TAXI sign on the roof. Taxi services are metered and are as a result completely dependent on traffic in terms of time and fares. Peak hour traffic can mean a journey that takes longer than the 30 minutes.
Taxi fare from Melbourne Airport to city centre
Due to the fact that fees for taxis from the airport are metered, there are a lot of ways in which your fare can be affected. However, you can expect an average fee of around 37€ (AUD$60.00). You may also be required to pay extra during peak hours or on public holidays within the metro area (city and surrounding suburbs).
Taxi prices
Day time
(05:00–24:00)
Night time
(00:00–05:00)
Duration
FROM MEL TO CITY CENTRE
€ 37
€ 44
30 min
FROM MEL TO HOTELS IN CITY
€ 37
€ 44
30 min
FROM MEL TO FEDERATION SQUARE
€ 43
€ 49
40 min
FROM MEL TO AVALON AIRPORT
€ 83
€ 89
60 min
FROM MEL TO ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS
€ 39
€ 46
35 min
FROM MEL TO MELBOURNE ZOO
€ 30
€ 36
23 min
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Convenience
Taxis are available outside of every terminal and take you to your destination comfortably at any time of the day. This is the best option for anyone who has lots of luggage or wishes to get to their end destination as quick as possible after a long flight. The only downside is that unless you book in advance, your journey has the potential to end up quite expensive.
Editor’s Note
There is an associated fee with hailing a taxi from the rank outside the airport. The fee is added by the driver to the final cost of your journey. It should be around AUD $3.65.
Useful Tips
It is against the law for individuals to solicit rides from you. Always ensure that you pre-arrange your transfer or take a taxi from the designated ranks only.
Melbourne taxis accept cash as well as cards.
Various sizes of taxis are available, but you might have to wait a little longer to get a special vehicle. How to get from Melbourne Airport to city centre by bus
The best available bus service is the SkyBus, which is a dedicated service from the airport to the city and the most preferable for those who wish to have a direct line into the city. The service runs between Terminals 1, 3 and 4 at the airport, departs frequently and runs all through the day and night. The SkyBus service is direct, taking around 30 - 45 minutes to reach the city centre. The service terminates at Southern Cross Station in Central Melbourne.
How much is the bus from Melbourne Airport to city centre?
The bus fare for the SkyBus is 12€ (AUD$19). You can purchase tickets from the booths located near the pickup/drop off points at the airport or train station or online in advance.
Cost
12€
Trip Duration
45 Min
There is around a 10 minute wait for the bus
The bus is available every 10 minutes 24/7 a day.
Where do I get it from?
You can catch the bus from outside the arrivals area of terminals 1, 3 and 4 at the airport. Follow the signage for buses and taxis and you should see the red SkyBus stand.
Convenience
The SkyBus is a great option for those who are on a budget or have a little extra time to travel to their hotel or destination. The SkyBus operates all hours and is very frequent, making it a great option. The downside is that you will have to utilize another method of transport to get from the station in the city, where the service terminates, to your final destination.
Editor’s Note
Once you get to Southern Cross Station, you may be able to catch the SkyBus Shuttle free to your hotel if you are staying in the CBD, as this is part of the SkyBus service package. Make sure you ask when you arrive!
Useful Tips
Purchasing tickets online for the SkyBus can be great to save a bit of money. Discounts are also available for combo/return tickets.
The SkyBus has free WiFi available so that you can check in while you're en route!
Local bus services take much longer, despite being a bit cheaper. You will pay around AUD$4.00 for a bus pass, but the buses only depart from Terminal 4 and have limited hours. 
