Melbourne airport to city centre: trains, buses, taxis and costs

Four ways cover almost every arrival: the SkyBus express, a taxi, a rideshare, or a pre-booked private transfer. The choice turns on how many of you there are, how much luggage you carry, and what time you land.

SkyBus is the standard airport bus. The express service runs between the terminal and Southern Cross station on the edge of the CBD, with luggage racks and free wi-fi, and it runs through the night, which makes it the only fixed-price option at 3am. Buy at the kerbside kiosk, on board, or online; a return ticket is cheaper than two singles (2026 estimate).

At Southern Cross you are on the tram and train network and about a 10–15 minute walk from the western end of the CBD. If your hotel is in the eastern CBD or St Kilda, the SkyBus also runs a separate hotel-transfer service that drops at a list of stops, but it takes longer and is worth it only if a stop is close to your address (check current stops).

A public bus route also links the airport to Broadmeadows station, where you change to a city train. It is the cheapest way in, but slower and awkward with bags, so treat it as a fallback rather than a plan.

Taxis wait on the arrivals rank; the trip to the CBD is metered and typically lands between A$55 and A$75 depending on traffic and time of day (2026 estimate). There are surcharges for late-night, weekend and public-holiday trips, and a toll if the driver takes the CityLink route, so the meter can climb above the usual band.

Rideshare pick-up is from a signed area rather than the taxi rank, and the app price is fixed before you accept, which makes it easy to compare against the taxi estimate. At busy periods the app price can spike above the taxi meter. Both take 30–50 minutes; the weekday morning and evening peaks are the slow ones.

A pre-booked private transfer costs more but removes the queue and the surge, which is the reason families and late arrivals choose it.

For one person, the SkyBus is roughly a quarter of a taxi fare. For three or four sharing, the taxi or rideshare is often cheaper per head and drops you at the door, which matters with luggage on a wet Melbourne morning.

Budget the return leg too: a return SkyBus ticket is cheaper than two singles, and a taxi back to the airport at 5am carries the same surcharges as one at midnight. If you are staying outside the CBD, add the cost of a tram, train or second rideshare from Southern Cross.

Myki is Melbourne's transit card. You need a card or a phone wallet to tap on for trains, trams and buses outside the free tram zone; the airport bus is a separate ticket and does not use myki. Fines apply for not tapping on.

Landing late? SkyBus runs overnight, but if you would rather not wait, book a transfer before you fly so you are not comparing prices at 1am with a dead phone. In winter, allow extra road time for rain, and keep a jacket handy: Melbourne can be cold and wet on arrival even in summer.