Melbourne Airport (MEL), colloquially known as Tullamarine Airport, is the primary airport of Melbourne and is located about 22 km south of the main city center. Upon arrival, you can reach downtown Melbourne by SkyBus (Express Bus), Public Bus, Taxi, Welcome Pickups (Private Transfer) or Uber.

This guide compares all available airport transfers at Melbourne Airport (MEL) according to classic travel factors. This includes travel time, cost per person (pp), a short route description and links to book or buy tickets.

Transfer comparison from MEL airport to downtown

Overview of all airport transfers from Melbourne Airport to the City Center

	Transport	Travel time	Cost	More
	SkyBus Express	40 Min.	AU$ 25	Details
	Public Bus	60‑90 Min.	AU$ 4.50	Details
	Taxi	30 Min.	AU$ 60‑70	Details
	Private Transfer	30 Min.	AU$ 100	Details
	Uber	30 Min.	AU$ 55‑85	Details

Notices:
• There may be waiting times at the taxi rank if there are high volume of passengers. In this case, a pre-booked transfer (e.g. via Welcome Pickups) is the more faster and comfortable option.
• The optimal transfer depends on the number of travelers, budget and available time.

SkyBus Express (AD)

Timetable and tickets here ↗

Travel time:

40 minutes

Cost:

AU$ 25 pp

Description:

SkyBus from Melbourne Tullamarine Int’l Airport (from T1, T3 and T4) to central Melbourne (“Central Business District”, “Southern Cross Station” or “Southbank”)

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Public Bus

Timetable here, tickets on-site ↗

Travel time:

60-90 minutes

Cost:

AU$ 4.50 pp

Description:

Bus line 901 from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (Bus stop at Terminal 4) to “Broadmeadows Station”, change here to the Tram (Craigieburn) to the city center

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Taxi

Official local taxis

Travel time:

30 minutes

Cost:

AU$ 60-70

Description:

Taxi from Melbourne Tullamarine International Airport (all terminals) to central Melbourne, CBD or directly to accommodation in the city center

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Welcome Pickups (AD)

Book a Private Transfer ↗

Travel time:

45 minutes

Cost:

AU$ 100

Description:

Comfortable private transfer (via Welcome Pickups) from Melbourne Airport (Nameplate in the Arrival Hall) to Melbourne, CBD or to your accommodation

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Uber (AD)

Order an Uber ride ↗

Travel time:

30 minutes

Cost:

AU$ 55-85

Description:

Uber from Melbourne Tullamarine International Airport (pick-up location according to Uber app) to central Melbourne, CBD or to your accommodation

Things to know about Melbourne:

1. Five of the six tallest buildings in Australia are in Melbourne’s CBD
2. Melbourne’s number one restaurant – the Colonial Tramcar Restaurant – is a tram
3. Melbourne has the highest number of cafes and restaurants per number of people than any other city in the world