Transit & logisticsBy Clever Tourists · Published
Melbourne Airport has no train, so the choice is SkyBus, a bus plus a suburban train, or a car. SkyBus is the standard answer: roughly $26 one way, the ride goes to Southern Cross Station, and it runs 24 hours. Taxis cost about $70 to $110 and Uber roughly $50 to $80, depending on time and tolls. The cheapest route is bus 901 to Broadmeadows then a train, for a few dollars but 55 to 75 minutes. We spent 4 days in Melbourne in January 2023. SkyBus fares were reported at $25.90 in July 2026; the SkyBus site shows other numbers for return fares, so check before you buy.
The promised airport rail link is still in early stages of construction and has no opening date that visitors can rely on in 2026, so for the next several years the airport connects to the city by road. That is why SkyBus is so common: it is the only direct public option.
The airport is at Tullamarine, about 20 km northwest of the CBD. The CityLink toll road is on the route, which is why fares by taxi and rideshare vary. See driving in Australia if you hire a car and need to understand tolls.
SkyBus runs between the airport and Southern Cross Station in the CBD, with turn-up-and-go departures every 10 minutes during the day and services 24 hours. Official hours cited are 4am to 1am for turn-up-and-go, with a night service after that. One-way adult tickets were reported at $25.90 in July 2026, with return tickets cheaper per leg.
Buses drop at Southern Cross, where trains, trams and regional coaches connect. From there, trams run into the CBD and to St Kilda. See the SkyBus site for current prices and return deals.
Bus 901 runs from the stop below the Terminal 4 car park to Broadmeadows Station in about 16 minutes. From there a suburban train takes around 30 minutes into the city. Total journey time is about 55 to 75 minutes. The fare is a Zone 1+2 Myki fare of $5.70 at full price; a half-price offer of $2.85 was reported to apply until 1 January 2027. A new Myki card costs $6 from vending machines in the terminal. Always check Public Transport Victoria for the current fare.
This is the budget choice for one traveller with a light bag. With big bags and a connection at Broadmeadows, it is more effort than the saving justifies.
Metered taxis cost roughly $70 to $110 depending on traffic and tolls, including an airport access fee of around $4.78. Rideshare costs about $50 to $80, with the fare shown in the app. A group of three or four people can make a taxi or Uber cheaper than three SkyBus tickets.
Between 10pm and 5am a driver may ask you to pre-pay the estimated fare as a deposit. Use the official taxi rank and licensed rideshare pickup areas, and avoid unlicensed drivers who approach you in the terminal. In Australia, tipping drivers is not expected; see tipping in Australia.
Southern Cross Station is the main hub for regional trains and coaches as well as SkyBus, so it suits you if you are heading straight to the Great Ocean Road tour or a regional train. Trams are free inside the CBD's free tram zone, which covers much of the central grid, but not the route out to the airport.
Melbourne weather changes within hours; keep a layer in your hand luggage. Taxis and rideshare are the best bets for late arrivals when SkyBus waits get longer.
For one adult: the cheapest is bus 901 plus a train at about $5.70 at full price (reported as half that until 1 January 2027), then SkyBus at about $26, then rideshare at about $50 to $80, then a taxi at about $70 to $110. For three people, SkyBus costs about $78 in total, so a rideshare at the lower end can match it, and you are dropped at your door rather than Southern Cross.
Remember that rideshare prices change with demand and tolls, and that SkyBus does not stop at hotels, only at Southern Cross Station; from there you may need a tram or a short walk. Our January in Melbourne guide shows how crowds affect hotel availability in peak weeks.
If you need an ETA, apply through the official app first; our Australia ETA guide explains it. Melbourne is busy during the Australian Open in January and the Grand Prix in March; see Melbourne in January for the Australian Open and where to stay for the Australian Grand Prix.
Most people: SkyBus. Cheapest: bus 901 and a train. Three or four people, or late night: taxi or Uber. If you are heading out of the city next, the Great Ocean Road guide covers how many days to allow.
Around $25.90 one way in July 2026 reports. It runs to Southern Cross Station with services 24 hours and departures about every 10 minutes by day.
No. The airport rail link is only in the early stages of construction. Use SkyBus, bus 901 plus a train from Broadmeadows, a taxi or rideshare.
Roughly $70 to $110, depending on traffic and tolls. Rideshare is typically about $50 to $80.
Bus 901 to Broadmeadows Station then a suburban train, about 55 to 75 minutes. A Zone 1+2 Myki fare is $5.70 at full price.
Yes. SkyBus runs 24 hours, with turn-up-and-go departures from about 4am to 1am and a night service otherwise.
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