Melbourne Airport to City (2026): All 6 Transfer Options Compared
- Words
- Melbourne Tourism Guide
- Updated
- October 25, 2026
- Read
- 3 min
Melbourne Airport to city — compare SkyBus, Uber, taxi, public transport, and rental car options from Tullamarine. Prices, times, where each one drops you, and tips for late-night arrivals.
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Getting from Melbourne Airport to city is one of the first decisions every visitor faces — and one of the more confusing because Melbourne Airport has no direct train service yet. The good news is there are several alternatives, and each keeps its own hours, set out below. This 2026 guide compares all six routes from Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine) to the city centre, with current prices, travel times, where each one drops you, and the best choice for different travel styles. We also cover Avalon Airport, late-night arrivals, accessible options, and the Melbourne Airport Rail link (still under construction in 2026).
Melbourne Airport at a glance
Melbourne Airport (IATA code MEL, locally called “Tullamarine” or simply “Tulla”) sits about 23 kilometres northwest of the CBD. Four terminals: T1 Qantas domestic, T2 international, T3 Virgin Australia domestic, T4 Jetstar domestic. T2 and T3 share an arrivals concourse; T1 and T4 are separate buildings connected by a short walk or shuttle. International arrivals clear immigration, baggage, and customs in T2, and how long that takes varies from flight to flight, so leave slack in any onward plans.
The six Melbourne Airport to city options
- SkyBus — A$21.70 each way on a return ticket, about 30 minutes
- Uber / Didi — A$60–A$90, time depends on traffic
- Taxi (13CABS, Silver Top) — A$60–A$90, time depends on traffic
- Route 901 SmartBus to train — A$2.85 on Myki (two-hour Zone 1+2 fare while half-price fares run to 1 January 2027); check the journey planner for times
- Rental car self-drive — varies, drive time depends on destination and traffic
- Pre-booked private transfer — A$80–A$130, time depends on traffic
SkyBus: the default Melbourne Airport to city option
SkyBus is the most-used Melbourne Airport to city option, and for good reason. It runs every day between 4am and 1am, and the timetable lists the departures. As an express road service between the airport and Southern Cross Station, it sits in the same freeway traffic as everyone else, so allow for delays at rush hour.
- Cost: A$43.40 adult return (A$21.70 each way), on a SkyBus ticket booked online; Myki isn’t accepted.
- Travel time: about 30 minutes on average; allow extra in heavy traffic.
- Frequency: services run 4:00 am–1:00 am daily; check the SkyBus timetable for departure times.
- Drop-off: Southern Cross Station (Spencer Street side), in the heart of the CBD.
- From Southern Cross: free SkyBus hotel shuttle (book in advance) drops you at most central-city hotels. Or take a Free Tram Zone tram to your hotel.
- Luggage: generous racks under and inside the bus.
- Where to find it: follow “Buses” signs from any terminal arrivals — the SkyBus stop is right outside.
Booking online via the SkyBus website or app saves the queue at the bus, and gives a paper-free QR code. You can also buy a ticket at an e-kiosk. Myki won’t work: SkyBus is a separately ticketed service.
Uber and Didi from Melbourne Airport
- Cost: A$60–A$90 to CBD depending on time of day and surge pricing. Uber Comfort and SUVs are A$80–A$130.
- Travel time: depends on traffic; the app shows an estimate before you book.
- Pickup zone: dedicated rideshare zones at all terminals (follow “Rideshare” signs). Double-check the in-app map.
- Pros: direct to your hotel address, no transfers, suits luggage and groups.
- Cons: sometimes slower than SkyBus during peak, surge pricing on Friday nights and after major events.